February 2010 Mastectomy

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  • rockermom
    rockermom Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2010

    Hello to all, haven't checked in for a few days just wanted to let you know i got all 4 drains out today--yeah but boy did it hurt.   now, i have infection in right side i am on meds for that.

    i too have the tight and sinsitive skin, hate sleeping on my back but i'm told this will pass.

    sending hugs and prayers to all.

    have a great night

    rockermom

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  • llm822
    llm822 Member Posts: 77
    edited March 2010

    Hi everyone!  I'm here to join the club =)  I had a bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction on January 29th.  Sentinel node biopsy came back negative at first, but upon further examination they found a few "specks" of cancer on the left.  On March 2nd, I had some more lymph nodes removed on that side (10/10 clean as a whistle) and the drain was removed today - yay!  Things have gone well so far.  I had very little pain after each surgery and I feel 100% comfortable with my now flat chest.  I am dealing with a cord on the left side, which is a little tender and incredibly frustrating, but I met with a PT today and I'm hopeful that the stretches she recommended will start having a noticeable effect soon.  My OncoType Dx score was 23, I believe, with a 30% chance of recurrence - too high for my liking! - so tomorrow I have a "teaching appointment" to learn the ins and outs of chemo.  Hope to get it started as soon as possible - I can not WAIT to get past this and get on with my life.  I'm a teacher at a child care center and I've been out of work since the end of January.  I love my job and I really miss being able to work; so far, that's my biggest complaint. 

    I'm looking forward to getting to know you all!

    ~Lisa~

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

    Welcome lim822!  Glad you have done well with your surgeries and those nodes were clear.  Good luck with your appointment today.  Chemo, although no walk in the park, is certainly doable and nowhere near the nightmare  people imagine it to be.  In the past nearly 2 years, I have been on 6 different chemo drugs and it hasn't been all that bad.  At any rate, you now have a bunch of new "sisters" to help you get through all of this.  I'll add you to our group list.

    By the way, I think I may have cording issues, too.  I go back to my surgeon tomorrow.  What have been your symptoms with the cording and how did you know that was what it was?  I am going to ask about PT also.

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  • TaminMo
    TaminMo Member Posts: 40
    edited March 2010

    Good Morning Ladies,  Yesterday was the first day that I hadn't used pain meds, that is until around 6pm.  It feels as though and elephant is stepping on my chest. and too as one of you mentioned, wearing a steel bra that just keeps getting tighter.  I don't know if you girls were given flexrile for muscle relaxant, but it is a wonderful drug.  today I am at 3 weeks and I am about to loose my mind .  I have to stop these drugs so I can drive.  I still have one drain, cause it was 12 hours behind the first.

    after surgery my drain was not working until the next morning, a resident had to cut a stitch and make another into me at bedside.  It was bad....a male, of course, but I'm sure he heard about it from his superiors. 

    My drains are very slow to be removed.  my surgery was 2/23 and my first drain was removed on 3/11.  on sat 3/13 my right armpit had a huge knot , and was very tender.  I'm very fortunate to have home health, cause I live very far from my PS. She came and pressed around on the knot and , within minutes my drain was flowing.  My right drain just doesn't want to quit.

    I'm concerned about going to meet a new oncologist.  I want a new one cause the one I've used for the last 2 years has done some things that make me have no trust in him.  That appt is on mar 30.  I quess I will find out if I will need  chemo.  

    All of you are one the same journey and wow does that help.  No one has told me anything about exercise, but I have been trying to get my fore arms to touch the bed after extending my upper arm out from my shoulder.  I didn't realize that I couldn't do it until home health asked me to raise my arms.  what a Challenge!!! What motions that we had before surgery, that I took for granted are now a major challenge.

    Thank you all for listening, I helps so much to vent........have a wonderful day.  It will only get better from here, we are one day closer to a pain free day. YIPPEE

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  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited March 2010

    Hi All - I am home from the hospital... OMG did this surgery suck!  I couldn't believe how much pain there is in my left arm.  I now understand what the rest of you have been saying about limited arm usage.  Won't know my path report for a week or so.

    Prayers to you all.. I have to to off to nap!

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

    Laura -- Glad the surgery is past you.  Yes, it does hurt.  It is more painful than the mastectomy for most people I think.  But, now it is over and you will heal.  Take care of yourself and don't do too much.  Prayers for a good pathology report for you. 

    I hope everyone is doing ok today.   I have a followup appointment with my surgeon tomorrow.  (almost 6 weeks post surgery)  I am going to talk to her about what I think may be cording and ask about physical therapy.  Also, I'm going to ask her to order an ultrasound for my lower left leg to check for a blood clot which sometimes happens after surgery.  For awhile now, my calf has been hurting.  I want to rule out a bloodclot.  The other thing I think it might possibly be is sciatic pain from a bulging disc in my back.  I had a herniated (ruptured) disc about 10 years ago.  What I am feeling in the leg is similar to what I first felt back then although when the disc actually ruptured the pain became excruciating!!  By far the most excruciating pain I have ever felt in my life.  Childbirth, surgeries --- nothing can touch that pain!  It is nowhere near that kind of pain at this point so I'm thinking that at the most it is a bulging disc that has not ruptured.  They told me that after having it once, it is high risk of recurring because all you have is scar tissue over it. 

    At any rate, I am hoping it isn't a blood clot nor a bulging disc, but somethings going on.  I mostly notice it at night when I put the leg rest up on the recliner but sometimes during the day as well.  I'm not exactly sure when it started but it was definitely after surgery and has been pretty consistent for several weeks.  

    Talk to you guys later.

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited March 2010

    Hi everyone!  Checking in today.   Laura, I really hope you feel better quickly and that your path report is great.  We all really are in a different world with all these surgeries and fixing up, etc. but I'm glad we have each other!

    Faith--eek!  Herniated disk on top of everything else!  Praying that it isnt anything urgent like you said...blood clot or disk.  Hopefully it something small like a pulled muscle or what not.

     Had my ps and bs follow-ups today.  All drains gone, yippee!  Also, my breast surgeon kept saying, "I cant believe how great they look!"  I LOVE IT!  Minus the scars still healing, my boobs actually do look really good.  They are full, soft, and really will be awesome when this is all done!

    The PS also said that they only made one cut in my stomach muscle to get the blood vessel on the right side and NO cuts on the left side because the blood vessel was on the outside, not embedded in the stomach muscle.  He said that is unusual and he had only seen it 3 times before, but it sure worked out in my favor!  Oh, and I lost 10 lbs!

    I feel guilty for lying around tho'.  Doc said I should go for brisk walks, so I went for a walk today, but then my whole stomach got so tired, I'm back on the recliner.  I dont know how much to do or not to do.  I dont want to be lazy but I also dont want to overdue it either.  Kinda weird!

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  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited March 2010

    Cake - Glad you are feeling well enough to take walks.  They are the best.  I am going to call my bs tomorrow and see how long I have to wait after this latest surgery to start my walks back up.  It is suppose to be 65+ all week here and I would love to get out.   I have one new drain and won't be able to take a shower for a week due to all the bandages and the drain....yuck! 

    Faith - I hope what ever is wrong is nothing major and you get a quick resolution.  Prayers to you!

    Have a good night!

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  • guardienangel
    guardienangel Member Posts: 26
    edited March 2010

    hey ladies!!! yesterday was sorta a good day for me!!! no longer have my last remaining tube! however,,,, the drain hole is infected.. so back to antibiotics i go... Unfortuntely my pat tests are no wheres to be found, but the PS promised that i would have news by friday! all in all she was surprised at how well i am able to get around.. and that i am taking it easy and doing my daily exercises and goign for walks.. i am lookin forward to sleeping... even on my back! goodness.. lots of restless nights!!! wondering what i can do to help get some sleep without the aid from drugs... any suggestions??

    hugs to you all and to our new comers welcome!!!! deb

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited March 2010
    guardienangel -- Instead of the pain killers like Lortab, etc. -- how about trying something like some Advil PM?  All it has in it besides ibuprofen is some benadryl.  (I know it is still using a drug but not a heavy duty drug.  Maybe kind of a step down from what you may have been taking.)  How about a warm shower before bed?  At this point, I can sleep ok but just can't sleep in a bed.  Still in a recliner after 6 weeks and it doesn't seem that I'm gonna be able to sleep in a bed for awhile yet.  (I'm a stomach sleeper and since obviously, I can't sleep on my stomach yet, being in a recliner is better for me than having to sleep on my back in bed.)
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  • olivia218
    olivia218 Member Posts: 257
    edited March 2010

    Cake

    WoW ten pounds I am so jealous. I did not lose anything. The two pounds I gained during the month of Jan I think were moved from my tummy to my new foob.  I guess I can not complain, I will have to start walking it off. My PS told me to weight until the six week point to start walking and taking long walks.  I started back to work at week three which in hindsight was a bit too early.

     Guardienagel - I am glad you had a good day, I agree Advil is good, it upsets my stomach so since my allergies have kicked in benadryl works great.  I think waiting for the path report is so hard, prayers for a positive clean report!

    Faith - Prayers and hugs to you - you have been so good to all of us!! I hope you know what a blessing you are!!

    Laura - Gentle hugs to you. I am so sorry this was hard! I am glad it is over and now just pray for a good report. 

    Olivia 

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  • llm822
    llm822 Member Posts: 77
    edited March 2010

    Faith316 -

    Last week, I felt a tender, hard vessel in my armpit.  When I lifted my arm out to the side, I could see it bulging out, like a string from my armpit to my upper arm.  Since then, the tender area has spread down my arm to the elbow.  I saw the PT briefly yesterday - she confirmed that it is indeed a cord and she gave me some gentle stretches to do.  I'm *really* hoping this gets resolved quickly as I need to be able to lift about 30 lbs in order to return to work.  Unfortunately, I'm not a very patient person when it comes to things like this.  I have to keep reminding myself that I just started the stretches *yesterday* LOL  Let me know how you're doing - feel free to send a private message.

    Lisa

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited March 2010

    Hi, Olivia!  I have like 60 lbs to lose, so prob those 10 lbs is water weight, LOL, but I'll take it!  I am glad you mentioned about the  week mark about walking, because I'm trying to figure out how much or how little to do still.  I went for a quick walk today, and did a few small things around the house, but then my stomach hurt and I had to sit down on the couch...again.  I just dont want to "atrophy" so to speak because I dont do enough but I want to use this time to recover since it's all I'll get!

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  • olivia218
    olivia218 Member Posts: 257
    edited March 2010

    Cake,

    You are only 10 days out from surgery. I stayed in the hospital for 5 and then the next 5 were barely moving around the house. I do not think I sat on the couch until week three. I was either in bed or a straight chair. I knew if I actually sat on the couch I would never figure out how to get up - LOL.  

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited March 2010

    Olivia, You are right, less than 2 weeks out of surgery and I'm wondering why I'm not back to normal, LOL!!!!  I have to lay down my guilt, seriously, right?!

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  • guardienangel
    guardienangel Member Posts: 26
    edited March 2010

    CAKE - its hard the first couple of weeks! i seriously,, couldnt hardly move about.. but trust me,,, i am now on week three!!! and starting to feel much better... you wont be so tired next week,, and kinda start feeling like... hmmm,, i am actually starting to feel my body saying.. I can do this... While.. i am having issues sleeping.. and the tighness in my chest.. once the TUBES all came out! I actually started kinda feeling better. if that makes sense...

    happy thoughts coming your way.. hugs

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  • olivia218
    olivia218 Member Posts: 257
    edited March 2010

    Cake -

    The guilt thing can eat you up! I know it did me. Last year at this time I had ankle surgery from a fall and my poor husband had to do everything. Just when I was getting off the cane, I was diagnosed with BC. I so get the guilt thing, (smile)!!! 

    When I came home from the hospital I could smell over ripe banana's.  I did not have the heart to say a word, but after being home a day I did ask my husband if he would help me make some banana bread.  He did help me, we did it together since I could not lift a thing and the hand mixer felt like a machine used to break apart concrete (I forget what they are called) but in the end, several loaves of banana bread, which he loved.  After that experience where he did most of the work, I was so exhausted and my stomach and chest hurt so bad -- I just stayed in bed for two days.  And felt even more guilt asking if he could bring me something -- UGH. It is hard to move from caretaker to being taken care of..... 

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited March 2010

    Hiya guardienangel!  Yes you're right...I think I was feeling a little better after going tothe doc and getting the last drain out (like wonder woman, ha ha!!!!!) so I started cleaning and doing stuff and trying to be a little useful, but in like 1 minute I felt like crap again!  But since doc was like "take brisk walks" and move around, I think I pushed myself  Today, I feel sick and sore!  Slept until 10 am.  So I am staying in BED today. 

    Olivia--that was such a sweet story.  You are so right...I take care of a wonder hubby and 4 children, and I'm used to doing all the cleaning and organizing, driving to school, etc. and now I feel like I cant even lift a piece of paper off the floor.  I am just going to have to remember to take it EASY at least until 4 weeks go by.  It's amazing how little it takes to be sore tired and having to take a two day break, right?   Ugh!  It'll be great in 5 years to look at all this and be so behind it all!

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  • dbdaze
    dbdaze Member Posts: 196
    edited March 2010

    lovemygarden --  your pain experience over 5 weeks fits right into what my doctor has been telling me.  Each time I go in, he tells me the pain will continue to worsen until about week 5.  OMG, I'm truly waiting for week 5!!   And as for driving, I'd much rather be the one doing it then put up with all the bumps my husband seems to find when I ride with him. lol  Hang in there!

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  • olivia218
    olivia218 Member Posts: 257
    edited March 2010

    dbdaze -

    You are not kidding about the bumps on the road - I think I must have driven him crazy asking if he was hitting everyone or was it just my imagination!!!  Now we have a joke about the pothole obstacle course.  I ask him -- caution, caution -- pothole obstacle course necessary I have worked all day and am sore. Fortunately, he has a good sense of humor and smiles. He reminds me hang on approaching obstacle course mode.  I am so glad we can laugh about it!! 

    Today begins week 6 for me and although I am feeling better - caution - I still am sore and by the end of the day I just want to take a warm shower and go to bed.  It is so strange because I feel like parts of my body have been asleep for the last five weeks and now all of a sudden they are waking up and sore - anyone else?

    Olivia

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  • ReginaR
    ReginaR Member Posts: 287
    edited March 2010

    An Irish Prayer: May God give you... For every storm, a rainbow, For every tear, a smile, For every care, a promise, And a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, A faithful friend to share, For every sigh, a sweet song, And an answer for each prayer.An Irish Prayer: May God give you... For every storm, a rainbow, For every tear, a smile, For every care, a promise, And a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, A faithful friend to share, For every sigh, a sweet song, And an answer for each prayers.  

     Just a quick up -date. Saw surgeon Monday, he pull drain, but if any fluid build up, he will have to Aspirate , so I hope the swelling stay down ,still having lots of Incision pain . Tues I saw Oncologist & they did lots of Lab work, to try to find why I have No Energy & I am so weak ( they say it because it only been 1 week post-op ), My labs were mostly ok except still low on iron & calicum, Treat anemic with Women Vits & still on Antibotic for Infection. I havn't been able to walk well since Sun, Rt leg  Pain  to back of calf.,My oncologist sent me to Hospital for Doppler/ultra sound rt lower leg to rule out Blood clot. It was Negative -Yea, But I still limping & we think it is  the Tamoxifen I 've been taking since Feb 12,, so My Doctors taken me off for 1 month to see if the symptons may go away, weakness & fatique & muscle pain -( all side effect from tamoxifen-ugh) This way I can concentrate on geetting over the  surgery & Infection & try to get back to being me again. I havn't felt  human in a long time.It really hard to get up & move with out hurting & & still hard to look at the ugly Incision.I just want feel like Gina again!

    !Thniking of all you each day! & Praying  you all are healthy & resting & feeling stronger ebery day!    Have a great St  Patrick's days my Feb friend!  ((( hugs))) Gina

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  • dbdaze
    dbdaze Member Posts: 196
    edited March 2010

    Gina,

     You are really a trooper -- am so sorry you are being thrown so many challenges.  Remember though -- it's all temporary -- your road to recovery may be slow but you've begun.  Take each day as it comes, find your strength in the small things, and laugh whenever you can.  Sending you cyber hugs (absolutely the BEST kind because they NEVER hurt)

     Olivia218

    Glad you could share both my pain and humor!!  My husband took me to an Irish music (think foot-stomping) concert last night.  I could tell the man sitting next to me was a bit put out because I was hogging the arm rest but I SOOOO needed it!  I was even tempted to explain why, I was so desperate.  It was an amazing concert but clapping was beyond my abilities so I must have looked like a ungrateful snob sitting incredibly still the entire time.  As much as I enjoyed our time together, I was so glad to get home to my pain killers!!  lol 

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

    Gina -- Thank you for the Irish prayer.  I, too, had a doppler ultrasound of my whole left leg today to look for a blood clot and mine was also negative.  I think that may mean that my pain in my left calf and somewhat in my lower back may be a bulging disc.  The way to diagnosis that is with an MRI.  I am not going to pursue this any further at this point.  I'm going to give it some more time to see if it starts to feel better.  If it progresses (like it did last time I had a bulging disc which eventually ruptured 10 years ago) then I will go and see my family doctor and go from there.  Really hoping that isn't it.

    Saw my surgeon today - 6 week post mx appointment.  She said I was healing very slowly due to previously having had radiation.  She said surgeons don't really like to operate on patients who have had rads because you never know how the recovery is going to go.  She also is referring me for physical therapy on my arm and shoulder.  

    Olivia -- Thank you for your kind words!

    Lots of love to all my February sisters!

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  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited March 2010

    Gina - goodness it seems like we are going down part of the same path.  My stomach scar had started to open back up last week and went I went in to the hospital on Monday to  have my latest procedure, it was looking infected. bs put me on iv antibiotics and wanted me to get to ps right away after discharged.  Got to the ps today and he said that I don't have an infection but  I was having an allergic reaction to the metal sutures they used to close up my stomach... lucky me!  I didn't ask what the percentage was of patients are who have allergies to these because I already knew It has to be less then 5% because that is what I always fall under.   So they had to to cut back open both side of my stomach scare today and remove the metal sutures and then irrigate and pack them.  I have to go back tomorrow to the ps to have this done again and then a nurse will come Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then back to doc on Monday.  Hopefully everyday now I will get stronger and the healing will start.  I wish the same for you.  I hope going off the tamoxifen will take away all those bad symptoms.

    Cake - I am like you about not sitting very long.  I am always getting yelled at for trying to do too much, but I had started to feel great until the issue I mentioned above came up.  Both sets of surgeons say that I can start walking my 10 min again tomorrow so I can't wait because the weather is suppose to be so nice.

    Faith316 - I hope your healing will start to kickup in gear - I am sure it is frustrating to feel like your healing should be a little further along, I will continue to pray for your recovery!

    Chalex- how have you been since your last procedure, you may have already written but I have been in a drug haze for the past few days and it is starting to affect my memory, so I would like to hear from you again.

    Prayers and hugs to all my Feb Fabs!

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  • olivia218
    olivia218 Member Posts: 257
    edited March 2010

    Faith 

    Again, I love this board, everyone is so supportive of each other and even if someone does not post there is someone who notices and asks, where are you? how are you doing?  I am sad we all have to be going through this but glad to have such a positive team of BC sisters!

    Olivia 

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited March 2010

    Amen Olivia!

    Regina that was a wonderful Irish prayer.  Just what I needed today.

    Seems like a lot of us are having trials in the healing department.  Wont it be GREAT when we are all better and saying...oh I'm running a marathon next week.  Remember how long ago that bc surgery was?  It was like another lifetime.

    Amen sistas?

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  • dickisonmomma
    dickisonmomma Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2010

    Hi Everyone,

    Hugs to everyone.  I had my last drain removed on Monday. It was still at about 24 output but my PS absolutely will not leave them in more than 2 1/2 weeks post surgery because he believes it increases infection risk to leave them in.  Only problem now that breast kinda has that feeling of being engorged like when you stop breastfeeding.  I was there this morning he said it is fine my body will reabsorb.  Anyone have this feeling and if so how long did it take to go away?  Cant say it really hurts just feels heavy.  

     Friday will be 3 weeks starting to feel human again (slightly). TEs still hurt and I still take a couple vicodin during day and percocet at night to sleep.  I know I need to get off them soon but I tried Tylenol and it just doesn't cut it.

     God Bless Everyone,

    Karen

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited March 2010

    Hey, Karen!  Glad you got your last drain out!  I'm sore at the area from my last drain removal yesterday, and I'm wondering if it's because of the liquid?  Breasts are sore too.

    Go for it with pain killers!  I'm afraid to take vicodin now, and we lost my tylenol from the car ride yesterday (cant find it anywhere!) so that's probably why I'm suffering a bit.  Wish I could find that Tylenol!

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  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited March 2010

    Question....Did anyone else get hot flashes when taking Tylenol?  I was taking Tylenol 3 and extra strength during the day after my dmx/tram and I kept getting hot flashes.   Didn't figure out that was causing it until my doctors changed my meds after my last surgery.. no more hot flashes!  I would have never thought that would have happened since I have taken Tylenol xtra strength many times prior to the surgeries.  

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  • guardienangel
    guardienangel Member Posts: 26
    edited March 2010

    cakeisgreat and dickisonmomma - ugghhh!!! i am feeling the exact same way!!! thank god! someone else is feeling it too!!! i was starting to get scared!!!! my breast are both a little red .. almost like a sunburn and a little warm.. called the nurses hot line... last night and they said to make sure I stay on antibiotics.. and also tylenol and or oxycodone if need be..  she didnt know lots about mx's and TE's so i was a bit frustrated..

    Gonna hang tough for tonight.. and hope its gonna get better! but i definitely feel the same way as both of you do! 3 weeks today for me.. and all four tubes are gone!

    take care everyone! hugs deb

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