June 2010 Mastectomy

MistyJ, I also have LCIS and I know what you mean by never wanting to face invasive BC. I say take them off and lower the risk. I'm not one of those people that can go through all of the testing every 6 months. I would die from the stress of all of that. Not that facing BMX is not stressful. In 2 days from now my breast will be gone. It at times is so hard to think of my breasts not be there. And then at other times i think of all of the fear and stress i have gone through over the years and think it will be a relief to know that i have done all i can do. This website has meant so much to me and helped me through some really dark hours.

Love and strength to all of my gals in there fight. Lets kick it.

Marm, hello my fellow Canuck!  Is it typical to not stay overnight in ON after a mastectomy?  I know some Prov's vary with stuff like that.  I stayed 1 night with mine and got out late the next afternoon.  I hate staying in the hospital, so I wished I would have gone home the same day.  I shared a room with a lady that coughed ALL night! I have my pre-op appt with my PS on Thursday so I will ask him then what I can expect when I get my other mast and reconstruction on the 23rd.  I know what it feels like to have a mastectomy, but I have no idea what it feels like to have expanders in my chest so I am pretty nervous, but excited too, this has been a LONG road for me thus far....first mastectomy was Nov 2008.  Good luck to you!!!!!  It will be fine, I remember shaking while waiting to be taken to the OR, I was literally shaking off my chair, but I had this thing built up so much in my head and it was nowhere near as bad as what I envisioned.  I woke up and felt fine with the pain meds.  Let us know how it went when you are up to it   Hugs!

Jill

jillyG - Thanks for the reminder about Ativan - I'll be sure to ask for something.  I was wondering if I should get a couple of hefty guys to help my husband get me into the hospital!!!   Apparently, here at the hospital in Brampton, but maybe different elsewhere in Ontario, you get out the same day.  Maybe if you are having a bi they keep you in.  Plus, home health care comes in the day following your surgery (and for longer, if needed) to make sure everything is going OK.  Everyone I know is shocked that they let you out the same day - but hey, I'm not complaining - I'LL WANT TO GO HOME!!!

I don't think it's the actual surgery that is bothering me so much - I think it's how I'm going to feel about it afterwards, especially since I have to have rads and am not doing recon.  Maybe if I was going to do the recon, I would have a better outlook - something to look forward to.  However, for me the options are going to be limited because of the rads, and  I can't see myself wanting to go through the recon process.

Thanks for the well-wishes.  I will be sure to check into this thread when I'm home and settled.  Happy thoughts to all.

Jilly, I'm holding on to this quote from you: "but I had this thing built up so much in my head and it was nowhere near as bad as what I envisioned."

 Thanks, that helped me a little.

In 48 hours (probably less) I'll be done with this phase of getting rid of the remaining cancer cells.  Then, it's on with the reconstruction portion of this ... 

I am just catching up on everyone's posts... and now I am crying.  I feel for you all so much... but we are warriors!  We will win!  We will kick cancer's butt!  For my sisters going to surgery this week, hang tough!  you will make it through!  for my sisters next week... I am right there with you.  I just wish it would be over now.  The waiting and anxiety are wearing on me...  Chemo and I had a really tough time, so I am hoping that surgery will be much easier with far fewer side effects!

 Knowing you all are here and that we share a similar burden really lightens my load.  Thank you all for sharing!!

Thanks for the good thoughts and prayers, Laurie, gettingpastti and Jeanne.  I will be taking all those thoughts and prayers into the OR with me tomorrow.  You're right gettingpastti, because we're battling together will make us stronger.  We will beat this stupid disease.  Handily. 

I didn't get much sleep last night.  My mind was working way too hard. I figure I'll get to sleep in the OR. 

I have a really busy day ahead. Paying bills, doing laundry, running some last minute errands. I'll try to check in tonight. 

Hugs and prayers to everyone having their surgeries today and tomorrow! 

Getty. 

I wanted to pass on some advice that I got from these boards when I had my first mastectomy.  The recommendation was to have a silky or satiny pair of pajamas for hospital and recovery.  I followed this advice and it really helped.  The reason is that they slide so it's easier to move yourself to the edge of your bed to get up and to get up in the night without help.  I found this surprisingly helpful.

Well it's the day before surgery and what a day it has been. I work part time for walmart and they fired me today. I have worked there for over 3 yrs. They said I didnot have enough hrs for a leave of absence. All I wanted was a few weeks off no pay. Well I guess I will get that and alot more. I should be getting pack to go to the hospital but I can't seem to get it together today. Really feeling very scared right now.

Lucy----What a crappy thing to do to you !!!!! I hope that saying "everything happens for a reason" doesn't offend (I know it might bother some); I truly believe it though. I lost my job just before my diagnosis of LCIS---having that time "off" really helped me to be able to spend the time researching and making important decisions.(and I also ended up with a much better job soon thereafter, which I hope you will too!) I  do high risk surveillance of alternating mammos and MRIs, took tamoxifen for 5 years and now have been on evista for over a year. Not the choice for everyone, but works for me. I really admire your courage to choose the PBMs. Praying you have a safe and successful surgery and recovery.

Anne

Lucylou, I am so sorry this happened to you, and after 3 years of working for them?  I know it's hard but you need to put this day aside and think about your surgery and recovery.   You should write the store manager a letter to let them know what happened, if nothing else, it brings it to their attention.  Absolutely no excuse for that.  (((((HUGS))))).

Hi Ladies!

I had a lumpectomy w/AND and then left mx in May.  After both surgeries I was given a cami with pockets for the drains.  They are the Amoena brand and I know of at least one med. supply store around here that sells them. Google the brand or even prosthetics+your state and you may find some stores that sell items to help with breast cancer. My cami was stretchy enough to step into.  Unfortunately it didn't offer enough support for my remaining breast, so i couldn't use it in public.  I'd have one "up high" breast using the soft breast form I was given, and 1 naturally saggy breast.  I had to have my sis run to the store to buy a sport bra and some soft bras so i could go out in public (I stayed home for the first 5 days or so).  Next week maybe I'll be able to get a real prosthesis.

I used a lanyard around my neck for my drain.  And when I left the house I just put in it in my pants pocket--worked perfect for me!

If you are real nervous in the pre-op area, ask for something to calm you!   I stayed overnight 1 night, and luckily my hosp. has just been re-done and all the rooms are private!  Very nice!  I took percoset at home for a couple of days, then switched to ibuprofen.  Some people like to alternate ibuprofen and tylenol every couple of hours. Less than a week post surgery I didn't need any pain meds!  But I'm sure those having a bmx probably have more pain than a uni.  Its been difficult for me to remember not to use my left arm, esp. when getting out of bed (and holding my grandson!!), I can't imagine how hard that must be with a bmx! 

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you ladies!  You are all strong women!  Soon you will be on the other side!

T.

Almagetty, I'll be thinking of you and the other ladies who join us in surgery tomorrow. You are way ahead of me - I have yet to pack my bag! I'm getting there....

Lucy, no company can fire you for either going on medical leave or not having enough time available during the leave. I would contact your unemployment office and Department of Labor as soon as you are able.

FYI  -  I had a left mastectomy & nodes this a.m. - I was home by 2pm, took a short nap, and have felt good all night - watched tv with the family, they've all gone to bed now and I'm watching the news and writing to you all!  I haven't had any painkillers since coming home, but doc gave me a script just in case. I had no recon.  I felt weirdly calm before surgery, and the same since.  I wish all of you heading into surgeries this week all the best, with great results.  Don't worry - once it's done, you will feel so much better.

Yay Marm, I am so happy that everything went well for you!  It's over!  I remember my relief when I woke up in recovery and the surgeon was standing over me and said "you are cancer free" and I just cried.  Try not to do too much even if you feel you are able.  I did more than I should have and my scar is wider than it should be, he said I probably broke the inner stitches a bit and it stretched the scar out pretty wide towards my arm pit.  Telling a person with a 3 and 5 year old not to do too much is pointless lol.  Resist the temptation!  Have a great (hopefully pain free) day  

Good to hear from you 1Marm!  And glad things went well!  I used percocet for a few days because if I didn't I was too sore to do much.  I think I hurt more on day 2 and 3.  I'm glad you had such peace going into it.  I cried the night before, and was weepy in pre-op and as I was wheeled down to OR.  The nurses were sooo understanding and sweet!  I finally have peace about it--but took awhile!

I wish you continued good healing!  Be careful with that left arm!