June 2010 Mastectomy

MistyJ - I was thinking I would need to be the first to bring up the OTHER C word - constipated.  Yikes!  That was my major challenge during five months of chemo.  Was ALMOST back to somewhat normal, and now again - because of the pain meds.  One of my nurses suggested WARM prune juice followed by ALL the water you could pour down your throat.  I have pretty much just has broth and juice before/post surgery.  But, I need to start eating solids.

Lizzy - you are a beacon to me!  WOW!  Love  your drive.  I am just pretty much doing my laps around my condo, and the exercises to ward off bloodclots.

J Smiley!  - Thank you for being the keeper of the calendar and updates.  That was one of my visuals, seeing my name with the word DONE!

Joystart - how are you doing?

I have been pretty much sleeping through the night - thanks to the itchies and then the benadryl (sorry about spelling).  Drains are ok, I am trying to be POSITIVE and think of them as a good thing, but they do give me angst.  I think my pain "ball" will come off tonight of tomorrow!  I have an appt with my oncologist today to review the complete pathology.  She has been with me since the date I discovered I had BC.  She shared the news with me just before surgery she is relocating and moving to Denver.  I sat in her office and cried like a baby.  I just get so attached to people, and now more than ever.  I do not have a final solution yet, buy may stay with her associate for consistency.  I went to a OC in Seattle to get a 2nd opinion, and REALLY like her.  So - I may still decide to see her, even though she is 300 miles away.  That just seems silly, when there are GREAT OC's in Portland.  Hummm.

Ladies - I am SO thankful to be where I am on the journey.  I woke up this morning, (with some pain, and drains), but felt such gratitude.  Such a relief to have surgery behing me.   THANK you to each of you for your inspiration!  

Good morning, all-

 Yes, constipated is the word!!!!!!  I cannot believe people use these drugs recreationally!!!!  Gadzooks!   I have barely had any action there and I am going to join JSmiley in announcing today is my day to address that issue!  This is unbelievable!

I am tired today...think I did too much with visitors yesterday,

J-I would love to see my name with "done" next to it even though I am Monday-morning quarterbacking!  I did not realize we had this thread until I happen to see it in active one night.

Don't forget temps, vitamins, calcium with some extra D won't hurt and to be happy

Circe- I am so sorry to learn your OC is moving on.  It is tough especially b/c we are so vulnerable with this disease.   I would have cried, too!   question for you: are there certain exercises you were prescribed for circulation and, if so, could you share those with me?!  Just wondering because I know you mention that specifically.

Good day, girls...every day is progress-

Liz

Stlcards-

I have 4 drains as well.   Get a long roll of ace bandage maoterial, double it up and make yourself a scarf.  I simply safety pin the drains to the end of the ace bandages on both sides.  It is sort of like wearing a scarf with 2 heavy ornaments on the end!  I have been fine with it, sleeping in my bed etc.. so try it.  I hope it works.

I have a PS appt on Tuesday.  I am wearing a large man's button up shirt with a tank under and the ace bandage set up but I will, becuase I am going out, pin the drains and the ace bandage to my tank, on my sides, so the jokers are not flying around!

Good luck..I hope these solutions help you-

Liz

Circe-I totally have not had a problem eating solids !  In fact I ate homemade mac and cheese, cheese grits and turkey and cheese grilled at the hospital.....in hind site...yeah the cheese on everything may not have been the best of my ideas....but it sure tasted good!  My surgeon has me on Miralax, Senna and colace.  I am still constipated.  Going on 3 days now and about to burst!  Eating tons of fiber and drinking water too.  I talked to the nurse today who told me to take some Milk of magnesia to kick start it. 

For my drains I am wearing a scrub top (like the nurses) that I cut straight down the front.  The two drains on either side fit into each pocket and the tubes hang down the side a little.I am just wearing this over whatever top I have on.  I have not dressed in anything but pjs yet....I figure why should I right?? I am not going anywhere yet but the couch !  I also have heard of people using a lanyard to hold the drains, which is one of those long key ring type things you hang around your neck.  Hope this helps. 

I have PT exercises, but I did not hear about any exercises to help prevent clots.....do tell please!!

Robin- I think you should be June\July girls .

Wow!  Talk about a lot of positive posts going on here!  Ladies out of surgery and doing well, drains coming out, people exercising.  Amazing, all of you are amazing.  I am so glad that everyone seems to be feeling pretty well and feeling positive.

I am getting more nervous and anxious to get this over with but still feeling pretty good.  Last night I said to my husband- "you know at some point I am bound to lose my sh*# right?"  He say's yha- do you know when that will be yet?  I said - nope.  We both laughed- but you know it's true!

Drains have been an interesting topic here.  I got fitted with camisoles/bra's that have little pouches to hold the drains, will that alleviate the drain problems for me?  Also the constipation thing.  I haven't had this surgery but was on pain meds for a good week for my c section 6 months ago and I took a stool softener a couple times a day to help me as well as lots of fluids and trying to eat a fiber cereal in the morning.  This by no means made me regular but it made it manageable until I was off the pain meds and I kept up with the stool softeners for a few days after the pain meds stopped and it all worked it's self out.  (no one warned me after my first C section I did not take anything- not a pleasant experience AT ALL.)  Also, what about adding the activia yogurt- I heard that helps to move things along?

MistyJ and lizzymack1 - thanks for the tips on the drains. I like the scrubs idea. Am I the only one in a compression bra? I was told to were 24/7 for 30 days, only remove when showering. And, I was allowed to shower 2 days post surgery. Putting a tank top on now seems like a lot of work. I do have 2 compression bras, so I alternate between them. 

I was started on stool softener as sound as I got to my recovery room. Also went home with the Senna which I have been taking faithfully ever since. Drinking liquids again back like when I was on Chemo (never got constipated on Chemo), and finally resorted to the prune juice and prunes last night. I am happy to report that I finally WENT! Yea! 3 1/2 days after surgery. Stomach is still bloated, but hopefully the prunes will keep the system going until I can get off this pain med.

Momwifex2 - congrats on getting the drains out. I hope that happens for me when I go in on Tues 6/29. Can I ask what was your output? What type of pain meds? You mentioned that you have been off of them since Tuesday, was the pain manageable without them?

Being 4 days out from surgery, I am still relying heavily on the pain meds. In fact, called today to get a refill because at the rate I am taking them, would run out this weekend. Well, they wouldn't give me a refill for what I am on unless I DRIVE in to get it? Hello, can't drive while on this stuff. The nurse offered me vicodin instead, being as I don't want to be in pain, took that prescription, as that is one she can call in. 

Lauire08 - I wasn't offered a camisole, Instead I got a compression bra - already on me when I woke up in recovery. It has Velcro tabs to hang the drains from in two spots, but I didn't like them swinging so much, so I am also using the safety pins. My mom got me two really big button front shirts and cut them to short sleeves. They work, it just seems weird to have the drains hanging around my middle. 

stlcardsfan- my output went I went in was slightly above 30ml but my PS felt as it was ok to remove them and they have't caused me any problems since I've left his office. As far as pain meds go I was prescribed 10mg Hydrocodone; no refill and I received this script in the hospital by my GS. Prior to surgery my PS mailed me a script days prior to surgery to have once I was released. They were 5mg Oxycodone; no refill and 5 mg Hydrocodone with 1 refill. I was taking the 10 mg hyro because that's what they were giving me after I was taken off the pain pump and I didn't know if 5mgs were going to be as effective. I haven't been in any pain per say just some mild pressure. If I had any pain I would definitely still take them as needed. My biggest problem right now is extreme fatigue and major loss of appetite. I think your pain should start to ease off very soon and I believe your drain removal will be a breeze just as mine were.

My very best to you

wifemomx2

Robin- I hope you stay with us, or maybe do both?

It is weird, Laurie. The only thing I can figure is that maybe the doctors are all using different techniques for the reconstruction. Who knows? I had a surgical bra that I was wearing when I woke up. I had to wear it 24/7 for the first week, unless it was being washed or I was showering. When I went in for my post-op check-up after one week, the nurse told me I could wear any bra I wanted to during the day and at night I could wear nothing at all if I was more comfortable that way. I was allowed to shower 48 hours after surgery. My drain was not supposed to come out until my 24 hour output was under 20cc's, but the nurse took pity on me and took it out when it was around 23 cc's for two consecutive days. 

Prune juice, prunes and lots of fruit working for me!

Stomach already feeling better!  

Welcome speech529. Glad you found us. I am not sure if any June girls have done what you have coming up, but having just had bmx this past Monday myself - you can do this.

It seems most dr's prescribe the same group of drugs - they do work to keep the pain at bay, but key is you need to take them.

With the family history that you mentioned - have you had genetic counseling to see if the BRCA gene runs in the family. Just asking based on what you listed.

Good luck on Monday along with our other Monday surgery person. 

Speech-

another thing I did which I was happy pre-surgery was bought lots of Huggies!  I have no kids but those things are great and so good to have around at this time!  Also buy those little, tiny antiseptic wiping squares that are individually packaged as you will need those to clean each one of your drains every time empty.   You can get those at the local pharmacy.   Get safety pins and ace bandages as well to put around your neck like a scarf to let the drains hang from or get a scrub top and cut it in 1/2 as someone else here did making a jacket out of it and using the pockets for drains.

Liz

Welcome speech- you have already been through so much, it is understandable that you are feeling your nerve waiver.  Please feel comfortable to turn to us at any time.  My surgery is 6/30 and I am feeling quiet nervous too.  The ladies here have been invaluable to me.

Ducki- This is my take on genetic testing.  If you have BC or a strong family history you can have the testing done to see if you have BRCA 1/2.  The reason why you do the testing is because if you have either gene your doctor may recommend a bilateral mastectomy as opposed to a lumpectomy because you risk of recurrence increases dramatically.  Also, if you have either gene it is usually recommended you remove your ovaries as your risk for ovarian cancer is very high as well.  There really is no downside to getting the test done if you have already been diagnosed.  The controversy lies in the fact that if you have never been diagnosed with BC if you get the test done insurance companies could possible treat you as if you already were diagnosed and if you ever lapsed in insurance coverage could they treat you as if you had a preexisting condition and not cover cancer treatment if you were to develop caner in the future.  Also, some people think that if you have not been diagnosed with cancer, and you test positive for the gene and have a BMX and ovary removal when you are healthy, it is extreme.  Hope this helps you?

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