February 2010 Mastectomy

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  • TaminMo
    TaminMo Member Posts: 40
    edited March 2010

    hi llm822, 

    i too have a cord under my armpit.  The needle like prickles run on the outer part of my upper arm, from my shoulder to my elbow.  I started feeling it around 2wks after.

    Can you explain what kind of stretches that your PT  said to do?

    thanks and Prayers to all, Tammy

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  • TaminMo
    TaminMo Member Posts: 40
    edited March 2010

    Gina,

    Thanks for sharing the Irish Prayer!!!!!

    Cake, Have you ever tried saying a Prayer to St. Anthony for lost items?  It works for me alot. 

    Laura, I have been taking 1000 mg of Evening Primrose for hot flashes since my hysterectomy on aug '08.  But for the last couple days I have been having small Power surges, with out taking any meds, except at bedtime.  Kind of wierd.

    girls I'm getting concerned about my last drain, it;s been 3 wks and 2 days and I still have my right drain.  I'm going to call my PS today!!!!!!!!!!

    Prayers and HUGS to you all, We will get there .......Just one step at a time.

    Tammy

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited March 2010

    Hi, guys!  Checking in!

    Well, I feel better so far this morning.  It is sunny and beautiful, and I want to go for a walk, but I'm afraid to because I was so down and out yesterday.  I cleaned counters today and felt so useful (LOL go figure!).  And I printed out some recipes and mailed thank you cards to all the wonderful people that have blessed me through this so far.

    Gardien, I hope you're feeling better a little today also!  Maybe it's that 2-3 week mark that everything gets all enraged before settling down.   I'm afraid I'll go down hill later this afternoon, but hopefully both of us and the other gals dealing with healing issues will get a nice break today!

    Tammy--ugh, 3 weeks and 2 days with a drain!  I'd be going loopy at that point!  It's amazing how much fluid the body can produce.  I really hope your ps will see you and remove it today!

    I'm proud of myself today also cuz I ate oatmeal, LOL!  I am overweight and am trying to turn over a new leaf since the surgery, just by eating 3 small meals; not worrying about calories or anything else...just trying to create a normal habit.  So, I ate a healthy breakfast and it feels great!

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  • lovemygarden
    lovemygarden Member Posts: 342
    edited May 2010

    Hi all, just checking in to add for anyone who, like me, also had a port installed as part of their surgery and is now hating it because of discomfort (like I've been!)...apparantly Week 6 is the magic number for that to improve as well! I now have the same range of motion with my port-arm as I do with my other one... I'd say 100%. Before this week it was 95% non-port, no more than 80% port-arm. But now all is good in that respect! Hang in there!



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  • dbdaze
    dbdaze Member Posts: 196
    edited March 2010

    Cakeisgreat -- Congrats on your change in eating -- I must admit I started off great a couple of weeks ago eating lots of vegies and fruits, fish but I swear, there are tiny voices in my house that no one else hears!!  Haven't been so good lately but am on my way to town to grocery shop and plan to pile up on healthy foods once again.  It's so easy to grab comfort food at a time like this.

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  • olivia218
    olivia218 Member Posts: 257
    edited March 2010

    Just wondering if anyone feels like they have been hit, punched in the area above where your breast used to be.  I have been so sore for the past two days, even upon waking in the morning.  I am starting to wonder if it is the full time work schedule?? But thought I would check in.

    Cake - I loved wiping down the counters, it felt so productive and normal - LOL!!

    Lovemygarden - prayers to you!! I hope everyone is right six weeks is better for you

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  • caltex_catlady
    caltex_catlady Member Posts: 136
    edited March 2010

    Got the path report back on my left nodes. Only 2 out of 6 (including the sentinel node) showed cancer, so that most likely means no radiation will be needed. Yay! I haven't talked to the onco yet to determine the chemo schedule and drugs, but the good news on the path plus getting my last drain out has me feeling much better.

    The surgeon thought I had a seroma but wasn't able to get any fluid out with a needle. This side has been much more swollen than the other, but I thought maybe it was because I only had the sentinel node done on the right after the bilateral mx. My drain had been showing very little drainage after the first two days after the node surgery (I had an earlier drain in for 1/1/2 weeks after the mx). I'm going in this afternoon for an ultrasound to see if there really is fluid in there. Has anyone had trouble with seromas? Were they able to drain them, or did you just let them get readsorbed?

    Has anyone seen a physical therapist for arm exercies, etc., or did you just get info on what to do from the surgeon? I'll be setting up an appointment with the PT, so I'm hoping I'll be able to get some range of motion back on both sides, especially the left, which had the additional nodes taken. Simple things like being able to reach the dishes in the cabinet would be great.

    Cakeisgreat, I also have some weight to lose and am hoping for a little jump start from the light eating of the last three weeks. I don't know how much of my initial loss (about 10 pounds) was just due to the weight of the two breasts. It could have been a lot Wink. Once I'm able to drive myself to sources of chocolate, though, I'll be facing more challenges.

    lovemygarden, I'm glad your port pain is better. The onco said she didn't think I'd need a port, so I'm going to give it a try without. I do tend to have trouble getting IVs and blood draws, though, so I'm hoping I don't regret going without the port.

    Cyber hugs to all.

    Karen (caltex_catlady)

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  • TokyoSing
    TokyoSing Member Posts: 140
    edited March 2010

    Feb. 27 single mastectomy, SNL biopsy, Oncotype DX 14, on arimidex

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited March 2010

    Hi, all!

    lovemygarden--So sorry that port is uncomfortable.  My dear mil is dealing with metastatic colon cancer (I cant even go there with that it makes me so upset!), and she had a port.  Hers doesnt seem to bother her as much, but this girl is like Amazon woman...she is so strong unlike me who is such a wimp.  I truly hope it feels better soon and it will be GREAT to get past all of this!

    dbdaze--Great on trying to change your habits as well!  It is hard.  I expect once I drive again, I'll be having a harder time.  I am going to try to stay away from sweets until October when I go to Disney (need a vacation after this past year!) and then I am SO going to eat sweet there!  But will have to curb it again when I get back, maybe to once a week.  I'll figure it out then, LOL!

    Olivia--my breasts TOTALLY feel like that!  Sore on the tops; no real feeling on the breasts themselves but I knew that was going to happen.  But  I'm only 2 weeks post surgery, so maybe it is your work schedule that is adding to it?  Either way I hope you feel better!

    Caltex--so glad you dont need radiation!  I had it...it's such a pain! I havent had experiences with seromas....I do hope you feel better!  I hear you on the driving to "chocolate sources," LOL...it's going to be tough!

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  • olivia218
    olivia218 Member Posts: 257
    edited March 2010

    Cake

    Are your breasts heavy? I only had a single MX with DIEP but my left side is so heavy compared to my right.  My PS told me not to wear a bra yet because he did not want any pressure.  I guess I should be happy that I have Dr's permission to go braless to work - LOL! Something I would never have done prior.  

    I think you are right it must be me stretching when I am typing, UGH!

    Karen - glad you do not need radiation but sorry about the seromas. I had a hematoma with my ooph about 5 years ago. It was so sore and the Dr decided to send me to a specialist and I learned this massage thingy and had to do it everyday.  

    I am going to see a nutritionist on Monday, so I am thinking I will have a whole new eating plan. I may just decide to enjoy the weekend with whatever sounds good to eat.  The only bad part is she wants me to write down everything I eat, do you think she will know if I leave out a few chocolates (smile)

    I hope everyone gets a really good nights rest!!

    Olivia 

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  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited March 2010

    Olivia - I had a dmx with Tram and neither of min feel heavy, but that could be because mine are a size or so smaller then my original ones.  This make them feel lighter.

     Have a good night!

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  • Kayne
    Kayne Member Posts: 103
    edited March 2010

    Hi Ladies,   I haven't checked in in while-- soooo sorry to hear of everyone's bumps in the road.  Some are more like mountains!  This is such a rollercoaster ride.  One good day and 2 bad.  Just having to endure the intial surgery  should be enough!!  

    Just as I was really starting to feel better, I had my port put in (last Thurs)  I think the surgeon beat me up.  It was placed in my chest, but my arm is  so sore , my whole body ached.  I felt like crap.  And I also have cording my right side.  Here is a really good link to an article on cording if anyone is interested. there are pictures as well.  I am now going for PT---like I don't have enough appts. on the calander.  I started yesterday. Basically she massaged the cording and gave me a few small exercises to do. 

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

    Yesterday i had to walk out of my PS appt.  She was running 2 hours behind and I had 2 other appts.  Very unusual for her, but it happened on a busy day for me.  so I had to cancel and of course cried when I got in the car. 

    My initial incinsions are not healed enought so Chemo has been pushed back a week to the 29th. Not sure if this is good or bad.  I kinda wanted to get started. 

    The good new ladies is that I can now sleep on my side for a short while. I am 5 weeks post surgery today.   I purchased a memory foam topper for my mattress and that seems to help.  I also use  a scrunchy pillow that my kids had to place in front of me.  I can't seem to lay on the cancer side, maybe because the lymph nodes were removed?  I don't know why --- I feel the tissue expander more when I try to lay on that side. For those of you that still can't sleep in bed, did you try putting a pillow under your knees. I would do that and have one on each side of me to rest my arms.

      I will also say that my tissue expanders are more comfortable now.  My ribs are no longer hurting.  So it does get better.  I didn't think they would ever feel better.  However, since the port placement, all my upper body muscles have stiffened again.  Even my neck hurts. 

    Well hugs and good wishes to everyone.  It is a beautiful day here in NJ today.  It is suppose to reach 70 degees, yea!!!!

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

    Kayne -- I know that I have cording, too.  I am researching to find a physical therapist who is knowledgeable about treating this.  I don't think a lot of them do.  Good luck to you!

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  • TaminMo
    TaminMo Member Posts: 40
    edited March 2010

    hello everyone,

    My Ps said no to my drain coming out.  I hope it will be Monday.  If so, that will be one day shy of 4 weeks.  I'm so worried about infection.  She said that the levels have to be below 30 cc for 2 conc days, Oh Brother

    Kayne

    thanks so much for the link on cording, I talked to my PS on Friday about that.  She said that small circular motions with arms extended out would be a good place to start.  And as you got used to that start making larger circles. 

    I hope everyone has a good weekend.  Happy !st day of SPRING to all!!!!!!!!!

    hugs, Tammy

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  • Kayne
    Kayne Member Posts: 103
    edited March 2010

    Faith and Tammy,

    Here are the exercises my PT gave me to do at home. 

    Lay on your back on your bed with your arm hanging over the side. palm facing up, flex your wrist towards the floor until you feel it pull for 5 secs.  bring wrist up,  repeat 10 times 2x-3x a day

    extend arm out in front of you making a stop motion, (palm away from body, fingers up) again stretch arm only until you feel it pull -- then bring hand to chest, 10x slowly  2x-3x a day

    Hope these help!!   It is a beautiful first day of Spring for me.  Warm and sunny.  Going to the Princeton Lacrosse Game.  It will be nice to do something unrelated to BC. 

    Enjoy the day everyone!!

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

    Hi all, happy Spring - it snowed a bit overnight, just enough to make it pretty, not slick the streets or endanger the flowers budding & blooming.  And it will melt tomorrow so will enjoy it today!

    Just past six weeks post-op and I feel great.  Gone are the iron bra and the zaps and most of the chest sensitivity esp now that I've switched to 100% cotton or silk tops.  Went grocery shopping the other day and reached the top shelf without hesitating or thinking about it, a milestone!  I had to ask a teenage kid to reach something at walmart right after surgery and ooh I did not like that but neither did he lol.

    Only issue is a bit of fluid under my left arm at the of the mast scar but I can live with it. The pocket under my right arm has gone away, I think because I'm right-handed so use that arm more.  I'll make an effort to use left arm more and see how that does.

    I can sleep on my sides now (insert choir singing hallelujah) tho I do use the small pillow for the left side yet.  Doing OK with chemo so far *touch wood* one down five to go.  Next tx is 3/26, all good wishes and prayers are gladly accepted!  As they in turn are sent out to you {{hugs}} my sisters it does get better!

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  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited March 2010

    Hi Ladies!   Happy spring!   It is beautiful here in NJ so I will be getting out this afternoon for a short but wonderful walk.  I am almost 4 weeks out and still seem need to need naps most afternoons, but I think that may be more because I had the second surgery on Monday and that might have nocked me back some.  My left arm from having all the nodes and tissues removed really still hurts a lot.   I  have one drain left from that but should hopefully be out on Tuesday and then I can finally shower.   I am kind of tired of being tired!  I have been sleeping in my bed the last week and that has been great.  I am a back sleeper so that helps, but the naps are such a plus.  I find out on Thursday when I start Chemo, most likely won't be for a while since I have to wait for everything to heal. 

    Kayne - Thanks for the cording information.  I am going to read up on it! 

    Have a great day!

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited March 2010

    groundhog...I'm drooling at how much you are doing so well now!  Congratulations on the progressive healing!!!!

    LauraM--I'm from NJ also...it really IS beautiful today isnt it!  I went for a short walk and my kids went for a bike ride.  When I'm better, we can all go for bike rides, and i plan to every day I can!  I love naps...I've napped all my life...even just a 15 rest and regroup helps break up my day.  But I agree with you that I'm kind of bored being tired and lazy these days.  I feel like my butt is growing steadily!  Yikes!

    Under arms a bit sore today.  Hoping I dont get the cording thing everyone's talking about!

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

    thanks, Cake, recovery is easier without recon, of course the trade-off is flatness Undecided

    but to my pleasant surprise I find that flatness is not much of a problem for me Surprised

    BTW I have a goal to walk 500 miles in a year and am counting it down in my signature line.  Walked 2.2 miles this afternoon.  My inspiration is this song by the Proclaimers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM0sTNtWDiI

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited March 2010

    Groundhog, that is the coolest goal!  How many miles would that be in a day?  are you going to walk every day?  do you have a treadmill?

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

    Cake, it's an average of 1.37 miles per day for 365 days (math wonk here lol).  I do not have a treadmill, I'll strap on good sneaks and get outside.  I have 3 routes pre-calculated.  The shortest is a quarter mile around the block to the convenience store and back.  I walk that when very tired or feet hurt.  The longest is 2.2 miles, past the high school, down Broadway to Main, then back.  I walk that when feeling good.

    My best tip is good shoes.  I have Adidas raziya with gel insoles - very comfy and 49 bucks.  Feel free anyone to join in and also do the 500 miles, it's at your own pace so no pressure, and just walking around the block lol so no cost.  :-)

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited March 2010

    Groundhog--When I get better, I'm going to do this too!

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited March 2010
    You walked today Cake, even a short walk counts so hey you already started Kiss
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  • olivia218
    olivia218 Member Posts: 257
    edited March 2010

    Cake - I am so impressed you went out for a walk. I walked outside for the first time this week. I went back to work after three weeks, big mistake but as far as walks - whew - you are my hero!!

    Olivia 

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  • guardienangel
    guardienangel Member Posts: 26
    edited March 2010

    OK!!! I wanna join in,,, on the walk 500 miles in a year. the question i have is.. can I cycle.. well once I am able to that is!!!! smile.

    When I am healthy,,, I cycle 50 k every morning,,, and then hike with my two dogs in the afternoons. and badminton every tuesday and thursday night. Which for the record,, I am not missing right now! smile.. except for the hiking with my dogs, i dont know who misses that one more.. me or them! ..

    I iam walking every day now, mind you its only around the block, and my girlfriend has my dogs, but at least its a start.. In the house, I  have started playing on my WII!!!.. smile.. the WII fit plus and I are slowly getting acquainted... very slowly,,

    Ok! so... i am now three weeks healing... and while i am doing pretty good,,, my poor breast are still somewhat mad at me.. still on antibiotics from the infection when they removed my last tube last tuesday...

    OH!!!! my pathology reports came back pretty good,,, the oncologist said that 24 of the 27 tumors removed were negative.. and the three others,, are low enough,,, that we are gonna talk about what to do.. when I see him in a couple of weeks..

    SO! my question of the day is: with my TE's  my right breast seems smaller than the left.. the plastic surgeon,, via the telephone .. thinks its cause of my radiation i had 6 years ago, when i went thru my last round of chemo and radiation??/ anyone else having this same problem..???

    I am glad to have you all!!!! big hugs to everyone!!!!

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  • caltex_catlady
    caltex_catlady Member Posts: 136
    edited March 2010

    Hey guardienangel, what Wii games are you playing? I have a Wii and the original balance board plus several games, but I haven't started back on anything yet. I guess I can do the step aerobics and stuff, but most of  my usual faves (bowling, tennis, etc.) are heavy on the arms. At least my right arm is getting better, but the left is still sore and not very flexible. Something to ask the physical therapist about next week, too.

    Karen (caltex_catlady)

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  • ReginaR
    ReginaR Member Posts: 287
    edited March 2010

     Hello Feb Gals ,Just want to tell everyone , I really appreciate Your  Concern & Prayers! When Life get challenging & really difficult it helps to have people like you to lean on for Support  & Thank you Hugs & concerns & esp your Prayers.  They are working , I have a much better day today, I am still very tired, But Physically  & emotionally  is improving  & I felt stronger today, It probally the beautiful  weather! Hoe you all having a great weekend!

    A pink pal sent Posted this on Breast cancer .org fro My Jan Mastectomy Group & it Beauitiful & I wanted to share with all of you! Plick click & watch ! Thanks

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWGqETd6oxk

    {{{hugs}}}Gina
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  • guardienangel
    guardienangel Member Posts: 26
    edited March 2010

    Karen - I have several games with my WII ..the one,, i can do a bit of stuff is... with the Board - i have the WII FIT PLUS board and CD,,, i do the balance one with the bubble! heheheh not much moving.. and the aerobics one with the step board,, on the first level! Then there is sports resort,, and i can play a game of bowling sorta! lol.. i just dont move up past my elbow... the archery one,, i can play one set but .. i am doign everything very slowly... once i feel something wierd or painful,, i stop... .

    I have JUST DANCE,, DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION,, SPORTS RESORT,,, EXTREME SPORTS none of which i can play right now! I have others too. but these ones are my fav work out ones! damn it.. smile.

    anyhow.. hope fully you can start doing some of these,, I made sure,, i could with the Doctor.. and he said,,, that i would know how much i can do, and to do things in moderation.... what week are you in now????

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited March 2010

    guardien you are so amazing to bike, hike and play badminton (when your healthy).  That is so awesome!  I have Wii fit plus too...havent ventured on that yet, but it is fun especially on rainy days.  Glad also that your path came back pretty good.  Let us know what the doc says for next steps.

    Groundhog, youre right!  I must go at least a 1/4 of a mile...I'm going to start adding it now to my siggy.

    olivia--glad I'm someone's hero, LOLOLOL!  I'll take it!

    Have a little muffin top on my incision on my belly.  Weird.  But my belly is still flat compared to a few weeks ago, so Ill take it!

    Regina-so glad the sun is coming out a bit on your recovery.  Some days are so hard, and it's nice when a good day or too surfaces!

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

    Nice day here ladies, I already got out for a walk.  Last year, we had a walking club at work and our goal was 100 miles (each) over the course of the summer and we all did it.  I found so many nice things otherwise overlooked, for example the people who have three ceramic gnomes nestled in the roots of a big ol' shade tree (my fave is the guy with the fishing pole), or the people who have a three-piece ceramic alligator lurking in a patch of low-growing greenery, stuff like that I just love but never saw driving by every day in my car.

    I need goals to motivate me, that's why the numbers and keeping track, but the main thing for me is to get outside and move and breathe and appreciate life.  Keep taking it easy, remember you're healing on the inside not just the outside!  {{hugs}}

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