February 2010 Mastectomy

Cornellalum

So sorry about the infection, does not sound good.  My drains seemed to have been so simple compared to you - I guess we all have our ups and downs. Today, for some reason I am down.

Olivia 

I came home from the hospital on Thursday. Friday I could not sit up for more than five minutes at a time, so spent the day lying on the couch. Saturday and Sunday I did my 30 minutes of walking by walking around my condo for five minutes at a time. I just barley got my minutes in for the month. Yesterday and today I am doing 10 minute walks. I have three drains, 2 on the right and 1 on the left. I am getting better everyday. 

Thank-you all for your prayers, well wishes, and thoughts

Lee   

LauraM: It's like we're having the same experience, almost. I had gotten back clean results on the sentinel node on the left (confirmed cancer side) in the quick freeze test they do while you're in the OR, but the full tests I got back yesterday showed cancer in the SN, so I'll have to go back in to remove more nodes. The bs thinks up to 10. I'll go back in on March 11, so maybe I can also join the March group if there is one. At least it's outpatient surgery this time.

The right side had shown some suspicious activity in an MRI, leading me to choose bilateral mx because my cancer type, ILC, tends to show up on the other side a lot. That SN showed clear, so we're all done on the right. I don't regret having the bilateral, though. I know how sneaky ILC is and didn't want to have to deal with all this again. At least I should have a little strength back in that arm when I go back in for more surgery on the left.

When I had my dressings removed yesterday (unfortunately I have to keep my lovely drains a while longer), the bs noticed a small piece of skin on the left that looks like it's dying off. That's not something you want to hear, but she said it's only about the size of a nickel and should heal up fine, but it may delay the start of chemo.

Speaking of having dressings removed, I was only able to take a quick look yesterday at my new chest. I knew it would be weird, but it was still a shock. (I didn't have immediate reconstruction.) Someone mentioned the shar-pei look before in speaking of the extra skin to allow for later recon, so I'll try to think of it that way. That's a little more warm and cozy.

I find I'm unable to handle much frustration the last few days. Mostly I've been able to keep the crying under control, but yesterday the appointment with the bs went way over, making me late for the appointment with the onco, so she couldn't see me. That just threw me. I hate crying in public. A couple of days ago, I was on the phone with the guy at the company handling my disability stuff, and there was some issue with the paperwork, so that got me going enough that I had to have my husband take over the call. When I start to cry about starting to cry, I know it's time for a nap.

Speaking of naps, I've been up for a couple of hours, so it must be time for another one. Hang in there, everyone. Sending hugs from California,

Karen (caltex_catlady)

i had a bilaterial mast .. feb 24th with tissue expanders added same OR time! and oh my goodness! I am wondering if anyone else is as uncomfortable as I am... i also have four tubes hanging out... one which is draining both inside and outside.. my left side is much more uncomfortable than my right...

BUT i can move?!?!?!? sorta! carefully! smile... would love to chat with other woman, so we can make it thru this time together....

deb

More well wishes, cakeisgreat!  You've got a great support group rooting for you!

Apparently my drainage hasn't decreased enough for the tube to be removed tomorrow -- tentative appt Friday morning.  I think I could actually deal with keeping the tube in if I could just get the bandages in my armpit removed -- ouch!!

I'm also a bit apprehensive about the "unveiling" when I do go in next.  Laughing about the "shar pei" look, I'm afraid, is going to be different than actually VIEWING it.  I haven't told my husband yet that I want to go alone to my next appt -- I just want to deal with my emotions privately first.  I haven't driven yet, but don't expect it to be a problem unless I'm unexpectedly pulled over and am asked to raise my arms!  LOL

Hey Feb Sisters. Just one more to go! Praying for you Laura( cakeisgreat) Just let us know when your home from the Hospital & we will all eat cake & Toast with a glass of milk (or what ever is your drink choice) You all set a time & date & we will raise our glass to celebrate all our surgeries are over & we all have that behind us! Happy healing to all.Hugs to all!

I am still hanging on to one darn drain, it still draining 50cc (last 24 hrs) I hope to get it out March 8th & hope I can finally get my 1st  expander fill.This has been the longest  4 & 1/2 weeks!

Hope all of your are feeling stronger every day!  xoxox

wow!!! i am loving this website! i so dont feel so alone!!! CAKEISGREAT good luck tomorrow! my thoughts are with you!!! I have made it one whole week today!  and to everyone else,, its so nice to know that the feelings and wellness or not so wellness i am not alone...

I have four tubes, and from what i am hoping.. i will get one out for sure this week or next, and or maybe two!!! i have been below 25 cc.. in one, and below 10 in the other, in 24 hours... never really understood it till i started reading on here.. NOW,,, how come on one side, i have waterly clear looking fluid, while the other side its DARK RED and seems to be thick??? I am also much more swollen on my left side than my right???

AND BRUISES!!! my entire breast and rib cage.. are very bruised?? is all of this normal?????

sorry to sound so nieve? but... wow. i need to get it out, instead of sitting here worrying...

thanks everyone.. deb

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

deb - welcome!  I recovered from surgery fairly uneventfully so can't answer your questions but maybe someone else can.

Hope this finds everyone resting & healing - are we still on for cake Tues 3/9 ?? 

Hi Deb,

I also had bilateral with TEs on Feb 25th.  Yes I am super uncomfortable with the TEs.  Like just tight all the time in my chest.  Lots of tears for me tonight and then realized I hadn't taken any pain killers since the morning.  Bad idea.  So I am right there with you hopefully the second week will be much better.  Sounds like you will be getting some drains out.  I only had 2 because I had sentinel and nipple biopsies 2 weeks prior.  1 of my drains is out all ready although I can feel a little fluid build up which adds to the discomfort level so don't rush those if they aren't ready yet.  Waiting for pathology I am finding is hard too.

Cake is great said prayers for you tonight!

 Karen

Positive thoughts to cakeisgreat!!! 

Deb, I had db mas with TE on Feb. 12. And I am still very sore.  I'm glad you asked, because I don'tunderstand why my ribs are sooooo sore still.  Getting frustrated.  My ps said it takes time, it was major surgery and to continue on the pain meds.  which do help, but...  my ribs hurt all the way around to my back.  I am finding the TE very uncomfortable and I have about a year to go before I can get my implants.  (sigh)    I have to have chemo, then rad. and wait 6 months after rad to get my implants. It has to feel better at some point.  Anyone know someone  who had TE for a few months? 

cornellalum-  Great point regarding what to expect.  I just said that to my husband the other night.  The only thing I was told when I left the hospital  was not to lift more than 10 lbs. Heck, I couldn't even lift a drinking glass to my mouth!!  I think if they explainded to you what you would be feeling,you can deal with it. I was also told, that some women go back to work after a week.  So here I am thinking what is wrong with me, there is no way I could go back to work yet. 

Good luck to all of you ladies. Unfortunately, our doctors don't tell us what to expect so much after surgery. In answer to the questions about Tissue Expanders, they do feel like lead rocks on y our chest. They were always uncomfortable for me, but it does get better in time that you feel that you can breathe. The drainage varies from a clear liquid and bloody. As long as the blood is dark and doesn't look red that is just from the surgery. I always had my drains in for almost a month. If you pull them out too soon, you will fill up with a seroma. So be patient with them. Bruising is normal as well. My entire chest was bruised. I am a bruiser anyways so for me it was nothing new. And keep taking those pain meds. I used to wait until I felt pain to take them. The visiting nurse told me to take them every few hours so there wouldn't be pain. This is not the time to see how much pain you can endure. I can't believe how quickly someone recuperated to go back to work so soon. I wasn't ready until six weeks. So hang in there ladies, what you are feeling is normal. To those with upcoming surgeries-you will get through this and hugs your way.

Debbie,

Be careful! I drove a few days ago for the first time and my arm was so sore that night. I decided to wait  another few weeks. 

I did  go back to work too soon and have felt it every day.  I went back so I could save some of my vacation time for the next surgery since the margins were not clean, I know I am anticipating but it felt like something I could control since I can not control much else. 

We will all eat cake & Toast with a glass of milk (or what ever is your drink choice) You all set a time & date & we will raise our glass to celebrate all our surgeries are over & we all have that behind us! Happy healing to all.Hugs to all !

Hope all of your are feeling stronger every day!  xoxox

Have a great weekend! Gina