February 2010 Mastectomy

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2010
    Karen and sejnboys - sending best wishes and prayers for you and your docs tomorrow!  {{hugs}}
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  • olivia218
    olivia218 Member Posts: 257
    edited February 2010

    Prayers and best wishes to Karen and sejnboys!!!

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  • ReginaR
    ReginaR Member Posts: 287
    edited February 2010

    Hey Feb Gals, Hope everyone is recovery well.I think of you all Often Prayers to all of you!

    I am so Bummed , I didn't get my darin out  I had 49 cc last 24 hrs., So Another weekend with the drain. I need to get it 25cc.Now I will have to wait til my suregon next office day Monday March1st, That 4 weeks & 3 day post-op. He still won't do the 1st filler until all drains out! I Thought you could have fills with drains? But My Suregeon won't.

    I will  run out of vac days Feb 28, so I need to get back to work. I think maybe it may be taking me so long to recovery is I had the Biopsy Dec16th,1st Lumpectomy Dec 28th, & Reiexcsion Lumpectomy Jan 8th & then Mastectomy & reconstruction On Jan 29th. Maybe because I am older (52) I am  not Bouncing back  as fast after all the surgeries!

    Hope all you all are doing well, make me smile reading the post & good news !

    Hugs to all of my Feb Sisters! Gina

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited February 2010
    ReginaR--you poor thing...all those surgeries! I'm 38 and I am sure I couldnt bounce back so fast either. Hugs to you!

    Groundhog--I LOVE your idea of eating cake every day from March 6 on, LOL!!!!

    Olivia--That's awesome to know I can order decent food at the hospital! I just assumed I'd have goop and jello and all that. I'll be looking on the menu for some yummies!!

    Faith316--I'll be home on March 9...if y'all want to wait, sounds cool, but I wouldnt ever discourage anyone from eating sugar by-products, LOL! I love them! (Prob what caused my cancer waaaa) Yum Yum!!!


    Hugs and prayers to dickisonmomma, sejnboys, and lostindecisions!  Then it's me, wow!!!!

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  • hbowser
    hbowser Member Posts: 253
    edited February 2010

    Sejnboys, Dickisonmomma - Hope you are resting comfortably and that your surgery went well.

    Lostindecisions - Good luck tomorrow and will be praying for you and your surgeons.

    I say get a large chocolate cake on March 6 and eat a slice every day until March 9!  Smile

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  • caltex_catlady
    caltex_catlady Member Posts: 136
    edited February 2010

    Hi all:

    I'm back home after my bilateral on Tuesday. Coping with drains and drugs. I hope the other Feb. (and March) gals are doing well. I'll catch up more when I'm up to it, but I'm already looking forward to that chocolate cake!

    Karen (caltex_catlady)

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

    Good to hear from some of our girls that just came home from having surgery earlier this week.  Glad its over for you.  Get some rest and hope you are feeling ok.

    lostindecisions -- tomorrow is your day!  Please know that we will be thinking about you and wishing you the best!

    OK Feb. Sisters --- How about March 9 for our "We all made it through surgery" celebration instead of March 6th so that cakeisgreat will be home and ready to celebrate with us.  Ok with everybody?  Only 2 more of us to go (lostindecisions and cakeisgreat) and then we will ALL have this past us.  Certainly something to celebrate!  Hope everyone will join in!

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

    Karen - wow you got home fast, thanks for checking in!  Hope everyone is doing well tonight.

    Faith - IMO there's never a bad day to eat chocolate cake, so March 9th is OK with me.  :-)

    lostindecisions - best wishes and prayers for you and your docs tomorrow!  {{hugs}}

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  • Ken3
    Ken3 Member Posts: 16
    edited February 2010

    Hey Cakeisgreat and all you other Fighters out there.

    Well Cake I'm getting I guess what you call the expanders put in and then filled over time. Then replaced with silicone or saline "boobies", have not figured that part out yet. I heard the silicone feel more realistic, any thought on which one anybody? My doc went over the other procedures like the TRAM, but I chose not to opt for those, they seem a bit too much for me although benefical seeing that you get a free tummy tuck in the process. I just chose the simple and more quicker way of recovery.

    I know I am ready and nervous for March 4 to get here! It seems like these days are creeping by. My surgery is scheduled for 3pm. I have been in and out of these blogs, they realy help alot. I am in the process of getting my list together of what Im gonna need. THANKS YOU GUYS!

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  • olivia218
    olivia218 Member Posts: 257
    edited February 2010

    I went to the plastic surgeon today because I was so sore. He told me, one I was over doing it, two going back to work so soon was probably contributing to the  soreness. I share this with you all because I think I forgot that my body needs time to heal and I am just wanting to get on with it.  I guess I am trying to keep my mind occupied until March 11th when I see the oncologist to find out what is next in this journey.  

    Lost in Decisions - GOOD LUCK and PRAYERS FOR YOU!!!  

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited February 2010

    Hugs for Olivia218 and Ken3!   My surgery starts at 7:30 am...have to be there at 6 am.  They told me I'd be done by 10pm-1am....wowsers!

    March 9 it is.  choco choco choco cake, yum!

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  • dangergirl
    dangergirl Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2010

    Karen - drugs and drains, we've all been there, we know what you're feeling!

    ReginaR - you and I have similar surgery paths, but mine was more spread out.  My first lumpectomy for DCIS was Oct 09, 2nd lumpectomy was Nov 09 and finally bi mx with TE Feb 10.  I was lucky and lost my drains at week two, and my PS did my first fill the week BEFORE removing them.  I think that's really a PS preference thing, some won't fill until drains are out, some will.  Who knows why, but if you're still draining that much maybe it's for the best.  I am 49, and admit this surgery has really kicked my butt.  The lumpectomies were a breeze in comparison.  I suspect you having yours so close together has had more impact on you -- wonder if it also has something to do with the volume you keep draining?

    Everyone - my 2nd saline fill on Weds was again, fine at the time.  But the 36 hours following it (right up till this morning) were rough.  Spasms galore.  He tried more volume this time to see if I could tolerate it, and the answer was a firm NO.  Snow here has canceled my appointment with my BS to review my pathology today.  Sounded on the phone like nothing we didn't already see on previous paths was found, but I'll certainly feel better when I see it with my own eyes. 

    Hope this week's ladies are resting well and taking their pain meds and stool softeners on schedule!! 

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  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited February 2010

    Hi All -  I am finally checking in!   My surgery went well and my initial node tests were all clear, YEAH!  We are now just waiting on all the pathology reports which should be ready on Tuesday when I go see my bs.    I stayed in the hospital for 3 nights and was released right in the beginning of the massive snow storm we got here in NJ yesterday.   All and all I am feeling pretty good, I came home with 4 drains, they are not so bad, but the leaking at the tube site is the most annoying part, I feel like I can't stop them from dripping.  I have a visiting nurse coming here tomorrow to check on everything and I am hoping she can help with that issues.   I didn't have very good luck with the Pain meds in the hospital, none of them worked very well and just made me agitated.  So I ended up just on Tylenol 3 with Codeine and Valium and that seems to be working fine. 

    Well I am off to take my first shower and can't wait to be clean!  I am glad to hear that everyone else is doing pretty good over all.  Prayers to all those that are still going thru surgery!

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited February 2010

    Just thought I'd pop in from the Jan. thread and add my RAH RAH RAH to everyone here.

    Today's a Friday, so I'm now 6 weeks out today & I can honestly say that I'm actually feeling more & more like myself.... it's a journey.

    Congrats to each of you for weathering the storm, reaching out to one another & giving your encouragement to your crew.

    Sending sunshine to anyone in need.

    xx00xx00xx00xx

    Strength and courage.

    Strength and courage.

    Strength and courage.

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited February 2010

    Happy hugs to Laura!  I am glad everything went well...except for the leaking of course.  Been shoveling away here in NJ...rest up and I'll be joining you in recovery soon!

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  • barbk68
    barbk68 Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2010

    Hi My name is Barb and my sister (age 44) was diagnosed with IDC on Feb 5, 2010.  It measures 1.8mm, Grade 3, and she is ER and PR Negative (which sucks!) and the surgeon is suspicious because both her mam and MRI showed a suspicious lymph node - she can actually feel it.  The surgeon is in the process of lining up a lymph node biopsy.  This Monday she goes for a bone scan and a CT scan of her pelvis, chest and abdomen.  She is soo scared.  They are already talking chemo maybe even before surgery.  The surgeon told her to choose either a lump or Masc - She meets with an oncologist next Wednesday.  She has 2 boys 12 and 8 and she is going through a bad divorce/ foreclosure.  She thinks she is full of cancer - and is soo scared of these tests on Monday.  I guess you can all relate.  She isn't ready to tell anyone and we need some more answers before we can tell her kids.  I'm reading lots of books and reserching things on line.  I'm staying positive. She is numb and doesn't know what to do.  I keep sharing what I know, I try and be supportive and help her with insurance and dr issues - she calls me her "Breast Manager" LOL - She has a great sense of humor. I want to be there for her every step of the way - unfortunately I live 5 hrs away.  I don't know what else to do.  This is a great place - and thank you everyone for sharing your experience.  It helps me to know she/we are not alone.

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  • rockermom
    rockermom Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2010

    Hello all, its been 4 days since my surgery.  all seemed to go well no results yet.  very bruised and sore.  i went to Dr. yesterday because i thought i had pulled out one of my tubes (i have 4) but, it was still in so they just changed my dressings and said it all looked good.  I was really down when he told me i had to be below 30cc's in 24 hr period before they would come out ( i thought they meant for one drain time) i was at 265 yesterday so i guess i'll have them for a while. 

    my Husband was able to take two weeks off and he has been reall great with all of this. 

    i hope Laura and all the other ladies this week did well.

    thanks for all your well wishes and prayers they reall help.

    talk to you all later.

    Rockermom

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

    rockermom, I know you like getting {{{{{{{{{ hugs }}}}}}}}}} so here's a big bunch for you!

    Laura - ENJOY that shower, my first was heavenly!  Such a small thing but it's huge!

    Barb - yes, we can relate to being scared!  I'd say "been there done that" but I'm still there...

    Everyone else, hope this finds you feeling better & stronger, happy almost-end-of-Feb!  {{hugs}}

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

    Laura and rockermom -- glad to hear from you two.  We were wondering about how things went for you gals the other day.  Now you are past it.  Wonderful.  Only one more of our sisters yet to go.  cakeisgreat -  is our "caboose."  It will be good when she is through surgery, too!

    Barb - welcome to the forum.  You sound like a great sister.  Maybe you could tell your sister about our forum community and she would like to register, too.  It is good to get the information from this forum, but just as important is the camaraderie and sense of belonging and support that girls get from participating here.   Encourage her to come and join us.  There is even a section called "Just Diagnosed" where there are a lot of ladies in the same place as your sister --- not yet knowing what comes next for them.  I'm sure she would find it very helpful and would feel a sense of hope from reading about all the success stories of many of the women here. 

    By the way --- I took my last drain out today.  Finally got down to the magic number (according to my surgeon) of less than 30cc in 24 hours.  I am glad it is gone, but, like some of you I am having leaking from the hole.  Have had to change the large bandaid a few times today.  Also, I think I may have cording (axillary web sydrome) in my axilla.  I need to read up on that and I will mention it to my surgeon when I see her again.

    Edited to add a link:  My axilla kind of looks like the 5th picture.

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Cording_and_Axillary_Web_Syndrome.htm

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  • PiscesMoon
    PiscesMoon Member Posts: 206
    edited February 2010

    olivia218 - i had a simple uni mx with no recon so i think my recovery was easier.  :-)  my only issue at this point is a small area of incision that has opened - smaller than a dime.  the surgeon was not concerned with it.  she seems to think it's healing nicely and will be healed by the time my treatment is to start, which is the 15th of this month.  she pulled my last drain yesterday, too.  it was in for 3 weeks.  cumbersum and a nuiscance but not painful.  i'm still kind of sore after working.  the biggest irritant to me is the regeneration of the nerves - it feels like i have SOS pads under my shirt rubbing against my skin.  but it seems like every day its less and less.  i'm planning to stay on my couch and be lazy as much as i can this weekend.  monday i go for treatment class and then my muga scan.  :-)

    ~M

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  • olivia218
    olivia218 Member Posts: 257
    edited February 2010

    Barb - 

    Big hugs and prayers to you and your sister. I am so sorry, it sounds like she has already had her share of tough times lately.  

    I understand not wanting to tell anyone for awhile - for some reason the fewer people that knew the less I had to deal with it.   

    I hope you can encourage her to join us, it has brought me so much peace. I am not sure I could have ever done this without these ladies!!

    Olivia 

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  • cornellalum
    cornellalum Member Posts: 191
    edited February 2010

    Hey everyone - it's been awhile since I posted, but I have been keeping up with everyone.  Seems like we all have our ups and downs.  This month has gone by so fast.  I thought that my surgery would never get here, and now I'm almost three weeks past it.  One more in our group, and we can all eat cake!

    I have been doing ok.  Got my last drain out on Thursday, glory be!!  I actually felt halfway human after he pulled that thing out.  Unfortunately, I appear to have developed an infection along the left incision.  I am on antibiotics, and if it isn't cleared up by my appointment on Tuesday (or if it gets worse), he will have to "open it back up and clean it out."  Does not sound like fun.  He also said that he would use a "wound vac" on it to speed up the healing.  Chalex - this sounds like what you had instead of the grenades for draining.  So I am being very careful to take my antibiotics and keep things very clean. It does not look any worse, but it really doesn't look any better either, so I am a little nervous.  The bs said that this would set back my recovery by about 2 weeks, and he wasn't very optimistic that the antibiotics would take care of it.  I'm trying to stay positive, and send good vibes to my white cells to beat this beast back.  Sigh.

    Hope the rest of you are hanging in there.  Keep an eye out for redness anywhere along or around the incision, and let your bs know if you find any.  Mine doesn't hurt, and isn't really swollen, but is an infection nevertheless.

    BTW - I don't have the sensitivity that everyone else says they have, but it feels like barbed wire is wrapped around my chest.  Annoying, and uncomfortable.  It gets better when my dh gives me a back rub, so I am taking advantage of that.  Gotta love 'em!  Wink

    Barb - tell your sister to come on over.  There are lots of discussion threads that she will find helpful, and it is always wonderful to have a forum to vent and learn.  You need to stick around too!  These ladies are fabulous.

    Peace and love to you all. Strength and healing.

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  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited February 2010

    Faith, What is the syndrome you are talking. Would you mind explaining it abit more. I saw my surgeon on Thurs. I was also put on antibiotics b/c of the redness and pain level I still have. My under arm is very stiff and swollen and I would like to compare notes with you. As for the drainage, what about taking all the bandages of the leaking area (if it's possible) and letting it air dry out. My surgeon ask me to do that and I have noticed the hole to dry up more.Let me know what you think.....

    Cornellalum- Nice to hear from you. Yes, I only had one drain and it was called a HEMO vac. It inflated as the drainage came into it. It's round like a circle.... I hope you feel better now that you are antibiotics.

    Laura and Rockermom- Glad you are doing all right. Let us know how you gals are progressing. Hugs to you both and also to cakeisgreat- thinking of you with your surgery. I will think happy thoughts for you too.

    Barb- Welcome to our site. Pls ask your sister to read up lots on BC and then she will be informed. I believe knowledge is power. She can find another thread that maybe helpful to her on her BC journey. (That's how I choice to look at it) or ask us questions too. You are a great sister and I think if you are supportive then that's the key to helping her get through this tough time.

    Questions:

    Is anyone still on painkillers? I am but slowly spacing them out better. How about your arms? Can anyone straighten them yet? I have to go to physio now b/c my surgeon was unhappy with the ROM I have in my arm.

    Chalex

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  • cornellalum
    cornellalum Member Posts: 191
    edited February 2010

    Chalex - Painkillers - I have been taking just advil during the day as needed. I still take percocet to sleep at night - mostly because it is hard to sleep on my back, and I wake up a lot and get very stiff and sore.  The pain is not too bad anymore, but it is not gone. 

    My ROM has gotten a little better every day. I have been doing the exercises that they gave me. I can't straighten my arms up all the way, but I figure as long as I'm making progress, it's good.  I am hoping to start going to physical therapy as soon as we've cleared up this infection issue.  I understand that physical therapy will help with preventing scar adhesions as well as with ROM, so I would think that it is something that would be helpful.

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited February 2010

    5 more days to go, woo hoo!  *Yikes* :)

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

    Faith ~ cornellalum ~ chalex - special prayers for healing

    cakeisgreat - special prayers for waiting

    All my Feb sisters - best wishes and prayers for your health and strength  {{hugs}}

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  • hbowser
    hbowser Member Posts: 253
    edited February 2010

    Good evening ladies.

    I hope all the ladies who had surgery this week are doing well and on the road to healing.

    Faith - I am sorry to hear that you might have cording; I hope you get relief soon.  I have a friend who went through that and she went to a lymphedema specialist who showed her massage techniques that really helped her.  Please see a specialist soon since I think the sooner you address it, the better.

    PiscesMoon - you explained it perfectly; SOS pads rubbing against my skin.  I have been saying discomfort/uncomfortable for the past week, but that is mild word and your phrase is better.

    Chalex - I was feeling so good when I was able to stop taking pain meds a couple of days after my surgery and then was able to go back to work couple of weeks after surgery.  Then started feeling the lightning bolt pains and the SOS pad feeling for the past two weeks and I want to go back to feeling numb!  I have gone back to occasionally taking pain meds to sleep at night or if the pain is too much when I get home after work.

    cornellalum - scar adhesion?  I have been doing the exercises that they gave me at the hospital and I think my ROM is pretty good, but am wondering about scar adhesion.  Does it mean you have it if you are concave?  

    Question:  anyone else experiencing achiness/heaviness/pain in their legs?  I had chemo before my surgery and I am wondering if it is a side effect from that even though I am a couple months out.  I talked to my onc. about it, but she didnt' seem too concerned, so I guess I shouldn't be either, but it is a pain.

    Sorry if I seem down (or downer).  I feel like I should be happy that I have come so far, but some days it's not so easy.  Thanks for listening; you gals are great.  Have a lazy and restful weekend.

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  • cornellalum
    cornellalum Member Posts: 191
    edited February 2010

    hbowser - here's what the pamphlet I got from my doctor said about scar adhesion: 

    A scar forms adhesions between the skin and the tissues below it, much like a seam on a cloth.  Scar tissue can hinder return of full range of motion to a joint.  Stitches are generally removed or absorbed after 2 weeks.  Shortly after this time, your therapist my begin scar massage to break loose adhesions and facilitate range of motion improvements. Scar massage may also be performed by you.  The scar should be healed before beginning massage.  Consult your physical therapist before you start to perform scar massage.

    It then describes how to do the massage.

    Did no one else get information like this?

    Hang in there, hbowser. We all know what you mean. Some days it's just really hard.

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited February 2010

    Hugs to hbowser.  Thanks, groundhog, for the prayers...I will SO need it!  I cant wait till this is over and I can talk about the recovery process!  I had a dream last night that a big knife was cutting me right across the boobs...and I'm trying to picture myself without nips for awhile.  I feel very wierd.  But I know this is the right decision.  It just stinks to go through it!

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

    hbowser -- What type of chemo did you have before surgery and how long ago did it end?  A year and a half ago, when I was nearing the end of my 12 weekly Taxol treatments (with concurrent Herceptin that continued after the Taxol ended) my lower legs were heavy and aching.  I especially noticed it at night when I would put my lower legs up on the recliner leg rest.  Turns out, my legs were swelling.  I noticed it around the end of treatment and it lasted for about 3 months after I finished the Taxol.  My doctor told me to buy some compression stockings like they often put on people in the hospital after surgery and put them on after I showered in the mornings, wear them all day, and take them when I got in bed at night.  It made ALL the difference in the world.  They come in other colors besides white.  I bought navy, black, brown and they just looked like knee socks.  I don't know if this might be why your legs are hurting, but just thought I'd mention it.  Also, I am going to talk to my doctor about a lymphedema therapist who knows about cording if she thinks that may be what is going on in my axilla.

    The past two days have been kind of "weepy" for me.  I haven't actually cried about all this since the night before my surgery when saying "goodbye" to my breast.  Since I took the last drain out Friday, I thought I would try and put on a bra.  I only had uni-mx and my remaining breast is large and I am SO much more comfortable with a bra on.  I thought I could take one of the "puffies" that came with my surgical camisole and put it in the empty bra cup.  It looked nothing like my real breast under my clothes.  No matter how I arranged that fiberfill, I could not make it look even half-way normal.  I tried for 20 minutes to no avail and I just sat there with tears running down my face and cried.  I thought how on earth am I going to be able to go anywhere out in public?  I can't go and get a real prosthesis that will hopefully match my other side reasonably well until I am healed up and I am nowhere near healed up.  Weeks to go on the healing I think.  What am I going to do in the meantime?  I can't stay home forever.  Then, today, I tried again.  Same thing.  More tears.  Made me feel like maybe I wish I had had them both removed.  At least that way, no matter what type of fluffy I attempted to use, as long as I had two of the same thing it would look symmetrical and somewhat normal.  Anybody else who had a uni-mx having this type of problem?   I have held it together throughout all the surgery stuff and the 3 weeks post-op.  Didn't even take any pain meds.  I was doing very well.  Maybe I just needed a little meltdown to help me begin to heal emotionally as well. I've been on this BC journey for just about 2 years now and I am just ready to not be dealing with this anymore.  

    OK.  Happy face back on and sorry for my "feeling sorry for myself" rant.  Just wondered if anybody else was having any tears or any issues about the "what to do about the one boob and the one NOT boob" problem.

    Thinking about all my Feb. sisters and glad to have y'all to go through this experience with.  It does help to have other people in the same boat who understand.  

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