2011 Sisters

Tssheps I echo what Janis just said.  I had my lumpectomy 2 days ago and I am doing fine.  Now that I have some answers I ready for treatment to kick the beast to the curb!  Hang in there.  You are strong and you will be just fine.  This is the best place to get support and information.  It has been a life saver for me.  All the women here are wonderful, kind and knowledgeable.  And they all care!

Hug those kids and have a great time at Skytop! 

Hugs!

Hello everyone!  Wow, isn't just sad to see so many of us on this BC boat!  Welcome Tssheps but I sure wish you could be spending all your energies on those great kids and not on this microbeast we all seem to be wrestling with.  My lumpectomy also went well like Janice, RJ, and Barb and no need for drains.  I had a body pillow to lay on when I got home to prop me up and keep me from movement by my DH's jumpy legs.  I also wore a front close cotton sports bra 24/7 for support the first few days after.  This all made a real difference for me with recovery.  The emotional roller coaster will start to slow down once you know your complete pathology and start to have a plan of attack in place.  The hardest part for me is all the waiting......results, appointments, preps, tests, insurance snafu's, etc.  So if your every in that total frustration crazy place, just stop in here and vent.  We'll all help you through it and know that you will be okay.  ((HUGS)) Kitty

Thank you ladies! You have put a smile on my face! I understand I will have two drains. I picked up a post surgery camisole with drain holders on my last Dr visit. I ordered a few short sleeve button up shirts and have a body pillow from the pregnancies. If there is anything else you can think of that i may need, please feel free to chime in. I figure that the first week will be the most difficult with the drains (hope they will be ready for removal after a week) and waiting for the pathology reports. My mom just called and said she purchased a pillow for each of my children a frog for my son (he just turned 4) and a unicorn for my daughter (7 1/2) so that they can take turns lying next to me for a few minutes each day. Any idea how long takes before you can raise your arms? They have given me descriptions of small exercises to do post-op...it is a glorious day in Westfield, NJ...the humidity has passed, there is a nice breeze, beautiful blue sky with white "broken clouds" as my son would say. It's a good day! Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, advice and encouragement it is a great source of strength.

Tssheps.....It sounds like you have everything well covered.  It is great you have your mom nearby to help you with your recovery. 

I did not have drains so cannot advise you there..just wish you good luck while you have to put up with them.

The only thng I bought prior to my surgery was a button down top.  I got it at a garage sale.  All I wear is T-shirts so figured that would be easier to get in and out of.  I was able to raise my arms right away, although not recommended I think.  It was not long before I coukld raise them though.  My post op appointment was a week after surgery and he said I could do anything I wanted to.  Except martial arts!  My biggest problem was sleeping as I have a terrible time sleeping on my left side.  That part was bad, but like I told Barb, sleeping on the couch helped for some reason.  I did not buy anything special prior to surgery and really found I didn't need anything special.  I just read a great book fairly quickly and that kept me out of trouble.  I think you will find the recovery is really easy.

I will be thinking of you on the 20th.  Keep us posted and come here often just to chat.  You'll love it here! 

Tssheps:  I'm not sure, but I believe some of the responses to your questions about recovery are coming from women who had lumpectomies.  Obviously, the post-op restrictions and recovery are going to be more strict and take longer with BMX...

I had nipple-sparing BMX and found it most comfortable to sleep in a recliner for a few nights.  Fortunately, it has electric controls within easy reach.  I'm not sure I could have even reached over and pulled the lever on a manual recliner.  After that, I found it easier to sleep on the couch for about a week as it seemed easier to maneuver having the back of the couch for leverage.  But, everyone is different!

I was on restrictions for several weeks not to lift more than 3 pounds, no reaching, etc.  My two drains were in for two weeks and my PS allows no "real" showers until the drains are out, so it was hair washing in the sink and spot showering - a pain, but you'll work out a routine that works for you!  Drains have to be putting out less than a specified amount/day before removal.

As you progress you'll find other threads here more specific to whatever stage you're at be it reconstruction, hormone therapy, etc.  And you'll hear that each PS seems to do things differently so don't be surprised to read things that contradict what your team is doing.

Hang in there - you can do this!!!

Kitty it looks like we wait together!  I just want to know, and I am sure you feel the same.  It is frustrating right now but there is nothing I can do about it.  I so get the tick tock....I have said that myself more than once.  We'll just have to try hard to hang in there! 

Great advice Tina...somehow I had it in my head someone was having a lumpectomy.  My bad!   I have no experience with a mastectomy and glad Tina was able to clarify it. 

Hugs to all,

Janis

Barb you got that right!  I knew there was someone getting a lumpectomy.  I got names mixed up I think.  Thanks Barb.....if nothing else at least I can offer encouragement to newbies facing lumpectomy!

K Romano I don't work right now so really can't advise you there.  I was pretty much up and running within a couple days but I think for work a week or so.  Ask your doctor as he will know.  Of course it depends on what kind of work you do as well.

I had no trouble finding the front closure sports bra...got mine at WalMart of all places!  I was going to try a department store but thought I would try there first. They even had colored ones.  I think they are Fruit of the Loom?  Anyway they had a pretty decent selection.  They were sold in 2 packs for $10.

Good news for me...sort of...my Navigator called today and scheduled an appointment with my MO for next Friday, the 19th.  She said my Oncotype score will be in by then...finally.  Almost a month wait but at least now I have a date.  So I think the clock will be ticking really slowly for the next week. 

Hope everyone is having a great day.  Hugs to all!

Janis 

Thanks kitty. I found the pink pockets in line. Bmx is scheduled for Aug. 30th I made a typo...met with PS today to go over a few more questions I had...I feel good.

Janis/Kitty, thanks for the info, I'll be on the lookout for the sports bras.

Janis, good luck next week with the MO and oncotype. 

Have a great time Janis!  I have a survivor friend and we are going to lunch on Tuesday.  I am so looking forward to being able to chat/cry and hug her for her support.  Luv you all and take care.  Kitty

Okay my experience with the lumpectomy.....not too bad.  I did have the drain which I absolutely hate.  But I know it necessary so it is what it is.  The nurses showed my daughters how to drain it and record the information before we left the hospital.  I was able to shower after 24 hours and that was wonderful.  Didn't get the right side too wet the first time, but it felt so nice to be refreshed.  My daughter helped dry me off while I held the drain and helped me get dressed.  I, too, bought the front hook sports bra.  I got my at JC Penney.  I also bought some button up pj's at Wal Mart.  I stayed home from work all week.  Probably didn't really have to but I really didn't know what to do with this drain.  I don't have any button up shirts to wear to work.  They are all nice pull overs or t-shirts.  Planning on going back to the office Monday, although I won't be able to drive my school bus just yet.  I'm planning on returning to my night job (yes I have 3 jobs) on Wednesday night.  I only work there part-time so that shouldn't be a problem.  I'm a cashier there and they have made sure that I will have no heavy lifting to do.  Hopefully when I see my doctor Tuesday he will take the drain out.

To date I have had no pain pills except for Tylenol.  Although I am wondering just how much I should be doing with my right arm since I still have a drain in it.  It feels good but I don't want lymphederma either.

Hope this helps.

Hugs!

Hi all....had a real nice lunch yesterday with a wonderful pair of mentors.  Gail and Eileen, both survivors and so sweet.  They brought me this great tote bag (black with pink polka dots) filled with lots and lots of useful information.  It also had a wonderful, easy to understand book on breast cancer, a water bottle, a little pillow and a really pretty bracelet with pink stones and the pink ribbon alternating.  SO pretty!  We went to Applebee's and all had salads. When they dropped me off I sent them away with as many tomatoes and cucumbers from my garden they would take.  Gail asked me to please call her Friday after I get my test results from my MO.  They also both told me to call anytime for any reason.  I really enjoyed making new friends.

RJ I am so happy to hear you are doing so well!  The pain/discomfort shouldn't last too long.  Please, please try to get some quality rest!  Your schedule sounds really rough with three jobs and you do need rest!  Do not forget to take care of YOU.  Please.

I hope everyone has a great day.  Hugs, always.

Janis