June 2010 Mastectomy

JSmiley: going out without the appearance of breasts can surely add to any uneasiness any of us might be harboring.  More to this point, I got in touch with a medical company that does makes nice, summer time cami's w/inserts so you still appear your normal size while moving toward the eventual size.   For reasons unknown, they could not place my order until 48 hours post-op then the sales person to let me know I would not be receiving my order for 4-5 weeks!!!!!!   I was pretty aggravated that she dropped that little bomb quite late as 4-5 weeks down the road I will be roughly 1/2 way done with fills.

Here is what I would do:  get a Wonder Bra and order falsies online (unless there is a local vendor) and that will do it all.  In fact, Wonder Bra had one, at one time, that had inserts that could be "blown up" for those needed that kind of service, but overall it is a good temporary solution.

 I am enjoying the "athletic" look and was a double D before. I am enjoying being moderately flat-chested for the first time since I was 11 years old!!!!!!!!  I know girls, I know...I am weird!

Liz

jsmiley

I got a new bra at the Cancer Center I am treated at.  I came home in a surgical bra that was uncomforable, but this new bra is softer but still has compression.  It has clasps in front and comes with removable drain pouch holders.  It also has two fiberfill forms that can be added to the pocket of the bra to restore the look of breast size.  When the woman put it on me....I had her cut the tags so I could wear it home because I was in love.  Maybe this could help you?  The one I have is called an Amoena bra style #2160K but they have all different styles.  You could just order one and use that one when you are going out somewhere.  I googled Amoena and got lots of links to buy them.  Hope this helps you!  I have decided to rock the flat look until I get more fills.  I hope you are feeling less down!  Hang in there, you are doing great and will only continue to get better!  Slow and steady wins the race you know!

I saw my surgeon this morning about the infection I developed post-surgery.  Apparently, it is not unusual to develop an infection if you've had chemo prior to surgery, which I did.  Sent me off with some gauze pads and a prescription for antibiotics, and lots of reassurance that it will heal within the next week. 

I guess by now Laurie has had/is having her surgery.  Hope we hear from her soon, our last June grad.

Hi sjstrader. I'm glad one of your drains is gone. I hope the other one comes out soon. The drain was truly one of the biggest nuisances of my mastectomy. 

marm: What a relief! I'm glad the doctor said this was a pretty common thing and that it is easily remedied. 

Getty. 

Laurie So sorry I didnt post a message to you yesterday. 

  I tried to get on Monday night but was told I had exceeded my 5 allowed sends so gave up.  My heart Dr called and said there were some grey areas on my tests and they wanted me to have a heart cath ASAP.  They said I many have to postpone my breast surgery.  I was devastated all day yesterday.  I went in at 5:30 AM this morning.  My heart cath turned out OK and now I can have my mx tomorrow.  Hugs

Lauire - So happy, you are on the  "other side"!  I know we are ALL waiting to hear from you!

Ducki - I am SO sorry you had that additional stress yesterday.  I know we can all identify once you have your surgery scheduled, it would be so disappointing to have to reschedule.  So happy all is back on schedule for you!  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

 Marm - how did you know you had an infection?  I had chemo pre-surgery as well.  It sounds encouraging that your Docs said antibiotics are all you need.  How are you feeling?

I am 8 days post surgery and today I feel SO tired.  Have been napping almost all day.  Yesterday was a "big" day with 2 doc appts and lots of walking.  I may try to go for a walk later, but it feels so good to just nap with my cats with the sun coming through the window.  We are NOT getting much of a summer yet on the West coast.

Testing.

Circe:   Re infection - The 1st 2 weeks post-op, it was just normal healing.  However, in week 3, I noticed a yellowish fluid (mixed with light-coloured blood) oozing from the incision - kinda pus-sy looking (don't know how you spell that - but I hope nobody's eating right now, nonetheless!  LOL)  That's how I knew it was infected.

Lizzymack1:  Thanks for the info - I think they should warn those of us that have chemo first that this is a possibility - however, my surgeon said they always hope this doesn't happen, so they don't like to scare us by mentioning it.   I don't know whether to agree or disagree with him on that one, but I really like this guy, so I didn't swat him!

Getty

Thanks for that..... I think I need a holiday!

hi everyone- well I did it!  Surgery went well, they took 3 nodes, all appear unaffected, I'll get reports back next week they said.  I am sore but doing pretty darn good.  I slept about 4 hours last night once the nurse gave me ear plugs.  My son came to see me along with hubby this morning which was awesome.  He seems ok with the whole thing.  My initial fill is 300cc's.....I'll write more later when I can.  Thanks for all the good thoughts you have all sent my way.  I think they worked- you ladies are the best....

Today I feel.....Grateful! We made it through June. Today I am thinking of you, Ducki, and sending prayers and good energy your way. As you can see we all made it through and are surviving.

Now 4 days post surgery (6/28) I have even more admiration for all of you. I have felt pretty wimpy, yesterday I was angry and sad. On top of everything else it was my daughters 14th b'day, and there wasn't much I could do. she went to the beach with a friend and last nite told me it was "the best b'day ever"....Anyways, physically I think I am doing great, yesterday the emotions of all of this were overwhelming to the point that I didn't even want to see any visitors.

Thanks to all of you I know this is all normal, also, the itchiness I experienced post surgery. It is incredible the differences in our intstructions though. I had BMX w/TE, outpatient, just rx for hydrocodone afterwords which I am taking as needed ( I went 12 hours overnight with just tylenol!). Today my arms/back are sore so I just took 1/2 of a pain pill (doctor suggested trying 1/2). My doc really pushed getting off pain meds and didn't think I would need them for long. My biggest problem so far has just been anxiety...not knowing what is normal so everytime I get anxious I go online...yesterday I ran a low fever which I hope is normal but got up to about 100 last night. Today seems normal. One of the little back flow stoppers in my drain bottle came loose, I didn't even know what it was and at first thought it was cartilege or something...called doc's office and it is no big deal. My doctor told me to try to walk right away, I haven't felt like it but today will try to get on the treadmill (slowly) for some short walks.I live in Fl and its too hot/humid to walk outside! I have learned that when the anxiety gets high, I stop, take a deep breath, and just practice breathing until things calm down. I have also found breathing helps with the pain.

Joystars: I was so happy to hear all went well for you and your baby. Your beautiful attitude has really been inspiring.

JSmiley: My doctor gave me a softee camilsole - it is very stretchy and comfortable, has inserts for little poofs that you can adjust to give as much or little appearance of breast as you want. the model I have has pockets for drains so it is really nice. I didn't plan on using any inserts - after being "D" or larger I sort of like the flat chested look...but my daughter seemed really shocked when she first saw me so I decided to put a little bit of "poof" in there. Anyways the camisole is made by Ladies First, INc.

Liz: sorry to hear that your tumor was larger than thought but you have such a positive attitude, I know you'll figure out what needs to be done, and do it, and do great throughout. You have inspired me many times in this group. I still can't believe you came home and hopped on that exercise bike...

Circe: great news that you won't need radiation.

StLouisCards: thanks for the idea of using pantyhose for the drains in the shower. my first try at a shower was pitiful. Today I will try again, and hope to actually wash my hair. I'll try the pantyhose.

Getty: A doc recommended the AntiCancer book to me, and I agree it is really a good read. I haven't read the whole thing yet but plan on incorporating it into my plan moving forward.

Hope everyone has a good weekend coming up. Celebrate our victories!

jbicsw10: Clarify with your doctor what he/she means by walking. I think they just mean around the house a little bit. I was a little lightheaded for a few days after surgery and the treadmill idea would have scared me. I'm in Florida, too. The heat is oppressive!! 

LAURIEEEEE!!!!!! I'm so glad you posted and that you are doing ok! Way to close out the month! 300cc is awesome news and a good head start to be "full up". I'm glad they let your son visit you, too. That must have been a great mood lifter for you. 

Laurie:   So glad you were able to get back to us this soon - here's to a speedy recovery, girlfriend!

BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO,  LADIES!!!!    What an amazing bunch of gals the June group have been.

Laurie08 - glad to see your post and to hear that surgery went well! Let the healing begin!

1marmalade1 - glad to hear that you were able to get into see the dr and get something for the infection. I have been watching my incisions and drain holes very closely as well. Driving my hubby nuts when I keep asking him to check them out. If I remember correctly, we both had chemo first, and that is part of the reason why I waited almost 7 weeks for my surgeries. The blood test that was done after last Chemo in April and before first Herceptin only showed how low my numbers had gotten. My platelets were down to 53, and I was anemic. I just had Herceptin #9 out of 18 yesterday and low an behold, numbers are still down somewhat. Still slighly anemic, but they are coming up, and good news is platelets are back up over 200. I am so glad I waited as long as I did. I used the EMLA cream yesterday, and noticed that most of the skin around my port is numb from the surgery. I didn't feel anything when the port was accessed. Have you noticed that?

Christine100 - welcome to our group! I too haven't experienced any issues with the skin. Maybe try posting your question on one of the earlier Mastectomy threads to see if you can get some info that way.

On the exercise front - I have been walking at least 30 minutes on a treadmill for the past few days. Previously was just walking around the house and up and down stairs - driving my dog nuts. I asked my ps about waling on the treadmill and she told me it was ok, but just not to swing the arms back and forth. I told her I wasn't, that they were in front holding onto the drain bulbs to keep them from swinging and hitting my sore belly. I set the treadmill at 2.1 miles per hour, so I am moving but not working up a sweat. My hubby also put a box fan in front the blows on my face so that helps to keep me cool as well. There is a TV in there, so the time goes by really fast. I still have some surgery fluid hanging around, and my belly is still on the bloated side from the ooph surgery.

It was kind of embarrassing on Tues when the two drains were getting removed, as my underarm hair had really grown. I just can't get the razor in there to shave, as the tubes are in the way, plus I haven't been using deodorant as I didn't want that to get near the drain hole's either. Anyone had any solutions to this? I was tempted to have hubby shave them with the electric razor. My ps told me to just let it go, and that she sees it a lot. Gotta love her! 

FYI to all - my ps gave me the ok to not were compression bra or sports bra at night. Previously she had told me to wear one 30 days straight. When she told me that on Tuesday, I questioned her, as she said since I am smaller up there, and healing so well, it should be ok. So, I did it last night and it really helped my back to relax. I still need to wear a bra during the day, and as I had previously posted - the ones I found at Walmart are working great. Since I was a small size to begin with, barely a B cup, I really haven't felt self concession going out in public. The shirts I have been wearing are so big, I don't think anyone really notices. Plus given that I have a baseball cap on and not much hair on my head, that is more noticeable than the lack of boobs!

Hope everyone is doing well today! 

Sign me up for the June group.  I am new as of today but had a BMX w/TE 7 June.