February 2010 Mastectomy

Hope you get your Wii Fit.  It's kind of a pain to hook up, but I've used mine almost every day since I got it set up. 

Don't give up on the lymphedema issues.  There is a position paper on the site www.lymphnet.org that recommends compression sleeves for air travel for women who are at risk, not diagnosed yet.  You could print it out and take it to the oncologist - might get some action that way.  Also, it's very valuable to have baseline arm measurements taken by a qualified physical therapist before you have any arm symptoms.  Then if you do start to get a little subtle swelling, the PT can tell immediately whether your arm has gotten larger. 

It's recommended that ALL breast cancer patients have this done, but it appears hardly anyone does.  I was lucky - I had a surgeon who gets it.  Most women have to pester and push.

I have both foam rubber and silicone breast forms.  I use the foam rubber ones most of the time.  I think the weight is important to women who have a natural breast on one side, in order to prevent the bra from riding up.  But if you had a bilateral MX, the weight isn't really necessary.  Foam rubber works fine. I don't know what they'd look like on one of those body scanners, though.

It's been a year since my diagnosis and the subsequent mastectomy in February.  At the time, I had no desire for reconstruction -- none, whatsoever -- but after months of dressing woes, I finally realized it DID matter.  After much research, as well as interviewing surgeons locally, I decided to go to the Breast Center in New Orleans.  On November 17, I had my other breast removed (just for total piece of mind) and Stage 1 reconstruction  I chose DIEP flap because I wanted to grow old together with my new breasts and I loved knowing they were all apart of me.  NOLA was more than great -- the doctors, staff, nurses, hospital were amazing!  In February I will return for Stage 2.   So a year after losing one breast, I will be returning home with two new (slightly larger breasts).   I love having breasts again.  Last summer I was in Costa Rica for 2 months and I hated having a prosthesis -- I ended up wearing a tank top under my sun dresses to give myself more coverage but it was far from the look I wanted.  This summer I hope to return and finally wear my dresses as they were meant to be worn.  

2010 was quite a year!  Wishing and hoping we all have a healthy and happy 2011.  Thanks ladies for being the support I needed when this journey all started. 

Thank you Gina for the balloon bouquet ~

Happy one-year anniversary to my Feb '10 mx sisters ~

Thank you Faith for starting this thread way back when.  We didn't know what we were getting into but we knew we were facing it together and that got us through.

I'm doing great... hope this finds you all well and thriving!  {{hugs}} to all

I'm having a mastectomy on 2/15/11 with no reconstruction.  I did post but it must have been overlooked.  i am very nervous to have the surgery.

Today's my 1-year mastectiversary.  I saw my oncologist two weeks ago, and have my next Zometa scheduled for late April.  So far, so good - but I'm getting cramps in my hands from keeping my fingers crossed all the time.

No problems with either the Zometa or the tamoxifen.

Hope y'all have a great day!

Wow, some how I got the boot off the list!  I had my surgery on Feb 11th!  I know I did, I have the scar to prove it! 

ah geez, Gina, sorry to hear that.  At least you know what to expect this time around.

sending a prayer for you and also some ((hugs}} and will be thinking of you on Tues.

Thanks Feb Sisters! I appreciate your support! Thinking of you & hoping all is well with each of you!

Well I got My Lipstick pick out for my Mastectomy tomorrow! I will check in,after I get home from hospital wed or thurs! {{hugs}} Love ya, Gina

Hello & Thanks for your Support. I did get home this afternoon .I am feeling better then last night @ this time, I was just getting to my room., had to stay in recovery 41/2 hrs, do to Fluid build up in my Lungs ( Pulmonary Edema) was scary, Not being able to Breath, The gave Me IV Lasix & got 2 liters of fluid out of me . The 2 S. Node are clean,sent other to Lab with my Breast tissue. I should have Path report friday afternoon! ,So now we wait hoping for good news! I am doing much better now I am home.Still in pain,, But resting much better today! Thanks for your Prayers! I appreciate you!{{hugs}} Love ya, Gina

Good news on the sentinal nodes Gina, fingers crossed for Friday. Glad you are home and resting up.

Lisa

missed you this past week., Been resting & Still having Post-op Pain.I was hoping to get my drain out (20 cc last  24hr But dark red still)), But Surgeon want to wait til wed. I am concern because I have a drsg over Left mastectomy chest incision & I didn't in 2010 with rt mastectomy( open to air,but different doc) anyway I ask him last wed when I got d/c from Hosp. if I should cgh it, he said he would in his office, but I am not to thrilled aobut leaving a drsg with dry Drainage & blood on for 8 days? what your take on it?

Also Path report show all Lypmh Nodes Neagative! Woo-hoo Want share my good news with my sisters! xxoxo Gina

Gina, great news on path report!  Woo Hoo!!  Hope you got that drain out today.  {{hugs}}

Gina - bummer - so Friday means tomorrow?  I sure hope it's tomorrow and not next week!

20 cc's seems like an OK number to me but I'm not a doc.  And I don't remember my numbers from 18 months ago.  Heck I have enough trouble with 18 days ago LOL!  {{hugs}}