February 2010 Mastectomy

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  • cornellalum
    cornellalum Member Posts: 191
    edited February 2010

    Hey everyone!  One week out today.  Everything seems to be going well.  The drainage is way down in three out of four drains (under 20 cc per day) so I am keeping my fingers crossed that at least those three can come out at Thursday's appointment.  And I've got a few more days to hope that the last one goes down too.  I'm trying to be "lazy" so I don't produce a bunch of fluid.  Hard to do.

    I'm getting a little nervous to get the path results.  Hope they didn't find any more.  Also, my bs tells me that PLCIS likes to hang out in the chest wall, so if they didn't get clean margins on that, I will be in for more treatment/monitoring.  And hopefully the preliminary result of clean nodes sticks after further inspection.  More waiting, waiting........  Seems like I've done an awful lot of that since this journey started.

    Groundhog - back to work already??  Remember to take care of yourself.

    Lillies4Laurie - good vibes going your way! I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

    CyndiS - I'll be thinking of you tomorrow as well, and hoping for good news at your doctor's appt.  Strength and courage, to quote another poster.

    LauraM and Chalex - The kids keep us sane, don't they? Thank God for them!

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited February 2010

    Lillies4Laurie --- tomorrow's your day!  How you feeling today?  We'll be thinking and praying for you tomorrow.  You're gonna do great!

    Groundhog --- I can't believe you are already back to work!  Your surgery was just 2 days before mine and there is no way I'd be ready to go back to work yet (teaching 140 sixth grade students).

    I'm still doing ok -- 11 days after surgery.  Still sore, tight, stiff, still have one drain left that isn't working properly consistently.  It keeps pulling in air from the hole where the drain is inserted under my arm and loses suction.  If I limit the movement of my arm and keep it down by my side, I can make it maintain the vacuum and drain the fluid.  I want it out, but know I still need it for a little longer.  When it isn't draining, I can feel the fluid building up under the arm and across my chest and it hurts.  Today I just sat around and the drain has been working pretty well.  I go to the surgeon on Wednesday for staple removal.  Maybe by then the fluid will be gone and she can take the drain out.

    Everyone keep taking care of yourselves and pop in here occasionally and tell us how you are doing!

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  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited February 2010

    CindyS,

    I hope everything goes well with your results from the genetic testing. It's always scary waiting for those test results. I would take the valium if you feel you need it. I was given ativan when I was first diagnosed with BC. We need to stay as calm as we can to help ourselves. If the meds will help you then go for it. I am also sorry to hear how hard the trip to Penney's was. Sometimes we don't realize how hard things are until we find ourselves in those places. Remember you can lean on us...Keep us posted on how tomorrow goes,,,, I will be thinking of you.

    ReginaR, I have a feeling I will have the drain in for awhile too. I am 7days postop and I measured today at 90cc's from my one drain. Today the pain in the arm and chest seems worse than yesterday. I am still on percs for pain. I want to get off them but the T3's are not strong enough. How's your pain levels?

    Chalex

    Diagnosed: Aug4/09 IDC, 5 cm tumour, stage 3, no nodes, Grade 3, ER+/PR+ HER+, right side mx and all lymph nodes removed

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  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited February 2010

    Hi Again,

    Faith316, I am glad to hear from you. I was wondering how you are. I also hate the drain and I have forgotten a couple of times I have my "new BFF" and dropped the drain vac. Luckily, I had a small amount of fluid escape.... Both times the tubing came out. My husband had to patch it with my son's hockey tape on the tubing going into the hemovac! I am also very stiff and feel like I have someone is jumping on my chest.

    cornellaum, I know how yucky the wait for the path reports are. I am also waiting on mine too. I will also be thinking of you and thinking good news and happy thoughts for you. I also hope that you get that drain out soon too. I think we can all agree that thing is a real pain! I am still showering with help from my husband. I am a clean freak and I need for my own sanity that I am clean. Still have dressing on across the chest.

    I have herceptin treatment tomorrow so I am at the Cancer Centre. It should be interesting to see how I manage with the porta cath on one side and the drain on the other....

    Chalex 

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  • Shannon12
    Shannon12 Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2010

    Hi, I am new to the Chat line. I seem to be about the same stage as your group, can I join you???   If so.......To bring you up to speed I had a double Masectomy on Jan 21 2010 and last night I went to Emergency because I had REALLY bad pain from my drain site. Well, get this...I just got back from my PS appointment where he had to make an incision at the drain site and remove the remainder on the drain tube ( about 7 inches long ) that was left inside my body. Even after all I have gone through, this was rated on the top ten most painful things so far.

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  • cornellalum
    cornellalum Member Posts: 191
    edited February 2010

    Shannon - Are you saying that they previously removed your drain, but left a piece in there?  Or that your drain was still in, and they had to make an incision to get it out?  Either way, you poor thing!  I can't imagine that!

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited February 2010

    Welcome Shannon!  And, of course you can join our group.  I am so sorry you had to go through that drain tube retrieval.  That is very unsual I'm sure.  (At least I hope it is!)  I'll add you to the group list above!

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  • hbowser
    hbowser Member Posts: 253
    edited February 2010

    Good evening ladies,

    My surgeon called with the final pathology report this morning: there was no sign of cancer; they couldn't even find evidence of the original tumor! He said that the neo-adjuvant chemo was 100% successful. He said he will see me in 3 months. I asked him about my steri-strips still staying on and should I let them come off by themselves or if I should remove them. He said letting them come up by themselves was fine. He had told me at my last appointment that they should be coming off around day 10. Tomorrow would be 2 weeks from my surgery; I guess they want to stay around.

    I went back to work today and it went fine. This evening I am a little sorer than before, but I think that means I am using my right arm more so that is good.

    To all who have their drains - Hoping that your drains will be removed soon and your output is decreasing daily.  

    Shannon - I can't believe you had to go through that. I hope you are feeling better and not in pain.

    For those who are waiting for their final path. reports - I am praying that you get good reports and that you won't have to wait too long.  

    Lillies4Laurie - How are you doing?  Know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers tomorrow.

    Take care everyone and have a great week.   

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  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited February 2010

    Hi Shannon,

    Welcome to the group. So sorry to hear about drain problems. Yes, I was wondering who orginally took the drain out? That sounds like a terrible ordeal. I hope they gave you some antibiotics to help you so that you don't get an infection. Feel better.

    Chalex

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2010

    Lillies4Laurie - best wishes for your surgery tomorrow, I am sending prayers for you & your docs!!  {{hugs}}

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  • Shannon12
    Shannon12 Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2010

    Cornellalum- I had pinned the drain Bulb on my shirt, I was also wearing a tank top underneath. While I thought the drain bulbs were attached to my tank I took my shirt off , to make a long story short we ( my husband and I took the drain out at home. He cut the stitch and tube off to get my shirt off and teh tube must hav went in my incision when my arm wen down. I called my Doctor when we where on the way to the Emergency room and she told me to go back home and go to her Office in the morning. She didn't check it out very well because 11 days later when the site started opening up and the pain felt like an absest tooth my PS had to cut it open and found the drain tube.

    Faith 316- My PLasstic Surgeon said in his 10 yrs this is the first time he ever had to go in after a drain tube. It was my Masectomy Surgeon who originally told me not to go to Emergency and "checked it out herself " My PS said she should have taken a chest x-ray. Oh, well it's out now time to move on.

    I have expanders in and every Wed. I go in and he puts 60 cc in each side. He said 4 months after my Masectomy ( which will be May 21 2010 ) I will get my silicons in. Is that the same or different than you guys are doing? IMy expanders are under my chest muscles.

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  • toni67
    toni67 Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2010

    I had my grenade (Jackson-Pratt) removed today and that was painful. I'm able to raise my right arm a little higher and it feels great. I'm scheduled to have my first fill next Monday and no more pain meds. I forgot to mention that my nodes were clear. Hope everyone has a speedy and pain free recovery.

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  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited February 2010

    Groundhog - I can't believe that you are two weeks out of surgery and you are already going back to work.  That is crazy.  I hope you take your time and don't do things to quickly to give yourself more time to heal.

    CindyS - I have been having those days also lately, I am chalking it up to the fact that my surgery is a week a way and my mind needs to have these breakdowns in order to accept it.   I don't have too many breakdowns, but I always feel better the next day, it is like the tears cleanse my thoughts to allow me to go forward.

    Lillies4Laurie - I am thinking and praying that you will do well tomorrow. 

    Prayers to all the ladies having surgery this week.

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  • hunter11
    hunter11 Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2010

    Add me to the list Feb 10th 2010 Unilateral mx,sentinal node bio,TE

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  • cornellalum
    cornellalum Member Posts: 191
    edited February 2010

    Hunter11 - welcome.  How are you doing?

    Shannon12 - ow, ow, ow!!!  Please do keep an eye out for infection.  They have got to start working on an alternative to these drains.  At the best, they are painful and awkward.  At the worst, well....Shannon12, I think you've got the worst story I've heard.  There's got to be a better way.

    toni67 - how wonderful that the nodes were clear!!!  And your drain is out (I'm jealous!).  I love that you call them grenades.  That is exactly what they look like!  The pocket of my mast cami is full with four of them.  My daughter looked at me funny with my stuffed pouch the first time she saw it.  I had to explain to her that no, my stomach hadn't tripled in size overnight.  What other treatment will you need?

    Lillies4Laurie - thinking of you today.

    DeeCee - hoping you have peace and calm in these days before your surgery.

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  • Kayne
    Kayne Member Posts: 103
    edited February 2010

    HI Ladies,

    Surgery on Friday, bilax mast. and right side auxilary nodes removed. (not all of them, but most of them)  my snb came back with one spec in the second node. Two years ago this wouldn't have been found.  Pathologists took it to their conference to discuss.  It is determined to be neg.  My BS didn't want to take any chances and with our approval, removed most of them.

    I seem to have one good day and then one bad day.  Came home on Sunday, ride was very long.  Seemed much longer than just the hour.  Good to be home, husband helped with a shower, this took an hour but felt great. 

    LTK-  totally am with you-- very uncomfortable, told to move a round, and i am trying.  Wanted to wean off the percs, but PS called and said not to do that.  I should stay on them for a week.  I have looked at my chest, and wonder why i am so calm about it.  I wonder, is it because the ca is gone, or do i feel like I am looking at someone else?  Not sure.  I am not liking the TE at all.  I find them to be very uncomfortable.  Wish I could have went wothout them, but thats not me.

    Everything is uncomfortable.  My stomach is bothering me, my chest, the drains, etc.  Oh well sorry to moan.  Everyone thinks I am doing much better than they thought, so I guess I should hold onto that. 

    Good luck to everyone, going in.  It  really is easier than i thought.  Thoughts and prayers to everyone.

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  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited February 2010

    Shannon12 - I am glad that the PS took you soreness seriously and took care of the issue.  Now you can get the healing going.

    Hunter - Welcome to the group!

    Kayne -  I am glad you are home and seemed to be doing as well as can be expected.  Hearing from everyone coming home and how ther are told me that they would provide the numbing cream prior to injecting the dye for the SNB about 2-3 hours before surgery.  They will call me on Friday to let me know what time to arrive.

    Thougths are with Lillies4Laurie today!

    DeeCee - I am praying hard for you that you sail through it all tomorrow and we will be waiting to hear back from you.  It makes me a little nervous that you are going.. because that makes me next! Cool 

    Have a wonderful day ladies!

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  • banana4me
    banana4me Member Posts: 16
    edited February 2010

    Surgery on Friday went fine, although the doctor had to take most of my axillary nodes (because one of my SNs lit up on the biopsy).  Came home yesterday and am dealing with the drain and the pain like everyone else.  I get the pathology results next Tuesday.  Sigh.... more waiting.

    Kayne I'm with you - there's a strange calmness I don't understand but I think it's because I don't know any other way to react.  I have to maintain some sort of normalcy for my kids and my DH and my mother.  I go to my support group tomorrow night and I imagine it'll bring up some emotions I haven't yet faced.  Hugs and healthy thoughts to all...

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  • thibaultm
    thibaultm Member Posts: 4
    edited February 2010

    thibaultm - bilateral mx

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  • hunter11
    hunter11 Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2010

    Hi All! Surgery was on Wed the 10th, a uni mx left side with sentinal node pos and then they took a cluster of nodes 4-7--will know more with pathology reprt. Had immed reconstruction with Alloderm sling and TE. Came home next day felt lousy friday -but world of difference by Saturday--able to keep food and meds down and continually feeling so much better everyday. 2 drains, 1 literally nothing left in it and # 2 drain less then 12cc this am. Hoping for both to be removed Friday at follow up with PS. I have found so many posts helpful and makes all of us so much more aware of maybe what to expect next. Thanks,

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  • thibaultm
    thibaultm Member Posts: 4
    edited February 2010

    I am new to this board.  My surgery for double mx is 2/24.  I have stage 2 invasive duct on the right and stage 0 invasive duct on the left.  The rt has spread to the nodes and won't find out how far until surgery.  I am so depressed and overwhelmed.  I am scared to death. I have great friends and my family is doing everything they can.  I just don't know what I want or need at this point. My mother passed alittle over 2 years ago from treatment of liver cancer.  I have been writing in a journal and that seems to help alittle.  My primary doc has me on depression meds, pain, and anxiety meds.  Just doesn't seem like enough. Can anyone give me suggestions on what and how to handle all this.  I am a mess.    I should add this was found by accident.  I was scheduled for my 2nd total knee replacement on 1/27 and they decided to do a mammogram 'for the hell of it.'.  I also have Fibro which it acting up, of course, from the stress.

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  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited February 2010

    Hi Ladies,

    I agree this DB is very imformative to us on all the emotions, fear and frustrations we all are having at different times. I am 8 days post op and I am in more pain than last week. I have regressed. This PM I go back to Cancer centre for herceptin. I have a nurse meeting me there to check me over b/c I have had to increase my percs to 2 every 4 hours to stay on top of the pain.....

    Thibaultm, I totally understand being scared to death.I am glad you are taking meds to help with your anxiety. I am also on ativan since the diagnosis in Aug. I work in a hospital and my job is working with test results all day. I was so worked up when I found out about the BC, the dr's needed to medicate me to stay calmer.... PLease lean on us and we will help you to get through this. I am also waiting on path. results too and it sucks waiting.....

    Glad to hear from last week surgery gals. I am also wishing all the best to those ladies who have surgery later this week. Keep us posted we are all in the same post op and recovering boat.

    Chalex

    Diagnosis: Aug 4/09, IDC, Stage 3, Tumour 5cm, Grade 3/3, PR+/ER+, HER+

    unilateral mx, full node dissection- Feb8/10

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  • ReginaR
    ReginaR Member Posts: 287
    edited February 2010

    Hey Feb Gals, I am like Shannon, I had my Mastectomy late in Jan 2010. Jan 29th So I like to join with you all. I am actuaclly behind many of you all as for as recovery goes., I still have  both Drain & still  Increase in 1 drain, So I had to cancel my appt yesterday & chg to Thurs & hope I can get under 25cc. Today the one was 57cc.If not I have to cancel thurs too. My Surgeon won't do my 1st filler until both drains are out!

    I wanted to tell you all about a book that has really Help me. You may already have, but if not I encorage you to get before surgery or get a friend to get while your recovering. The name of the book is Dr Susan Love's- Breast Book. "the Bible for women with Breast cancer" It really a great book & Ref.

    I hope you all are feeling stronger everyday.

    Warm Hugs to all of you! Gina

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  • toni67
    toni67 Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2010

    All I'm feeling is a soreness and a lot of stiffness. I have a meeting with my BS next week, but spoke with her and she said I won't need chemo and/or Tamaxifen (ph).

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  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited February 2010

    toni67 - I am very happy to hear that you don't need chemo or Tamaxifen, I can only hope for the same for me.

    Thibaultm - Welcome to this site.  You will find lots of support hear along with even a lot more prayers and hugs.  I find that this is the one place I can go to where everyone understands and I don't have to put on that happy face. There are so many wonderful women here that offer great advice and support.  I hope you will find the same here. 

    ReginaR - Welcome to the group and thank you so much for the book recommendation.  I am going to have to pick that up. 

    Well it is still snowing here so I must go out and dig myself out. 

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  • olivia218
    olivia218 Member Posts: 257
    edited February 2010

    I had my mastectomy on Feb 3rd with DEIP flap reconstruction immediately following.  Today I found out the margins are close. I mm on the posterior and 2.5mm on anterior - the sentinel node was negative but margins are not "clear".  I am in a bit of shock because I thought the mastectomy would get rid of all the cancer but I guess not yet. 

    Anyone else with this situation?

    Olivia 

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited February 2010

    Olivia,

    Welcome.  Are the margins good enough or will they have to do something else.  I am wondering about that since you had immediate DIEP.  Did you have bilateral mx?  Would you like me to add you to our group list above?

    Faith

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited February 2010

    Regina R --- Welcome to our group.  Did you have uni- or bilateral mx?  And, with TE?  Let me know and I can add your name to our list above.  Hope you'll be able to get those drains out soon.  I'm hoping I can get my remaining drain out tomorrow when I go back to my surgeon for staple removal.

    I hope Lillies4Laura did well with her surgery today.  DeeCee is up next on Thursday.  I figure she's feeling pretty anxious about now!

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  • olivia218
    olivia218 Member Posts: 257
    edited February 2010

    Faith,

    It was not bilateral and the decision to go back in is up in the air. I have more follow up with the oncologist - the surgical oncologist felt the margins were not good enough to be comfortable. It was clear today it was more extensive then he thought it would be.  He looked a little surprised at the margins on the path report today.

    I would love to be added to the group list!

    Olivia

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  • Lillies4Laurie
    Lillies4Laurie Member Posts: 32
    edited February 2010

    Hi Everyone,

    My surgery went well.  I'm a little out of it right now.  I'll write back when i can type better.

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