December 2011 Surgeries - want to wait together?

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited December 2011

    noodle...my PS, who I love, was very straight forward with me about recon. He said radiation and chemo complicate it. Period. I think it's a matter of what it does to the skin, esp with rads. At this point, I'm still counting on no rads or chemo, I'll know more tomorrow after surgery (bmx,snb, te). I'm having te's placed and ,provided no chemo, an exchange in a couple of months. My BS is doing a skin sparing mx and that's why my PS recommended immediate recon. He said, of course prefacing it with it's my decision (he's very neutral), that it would be no point in doing a skin sparing and then wait to do recon. Good luck to you. I'll be thinking of you and all of my fellow surgery sisters Thurs.

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  • tfee
    tfee Member Posts: 20
    edited December 2011

    I am sending prayers for all of you - especially those scheduled for surgery today. To my "sisters" having surgery tomorrow, I will be praying non-stop for you and for our surgeons. This site has brought me so much comfort, and I thank all of you that have shared your experiences here.

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  • noodle6
    noodle6 Member Posts: 51
    edited December 2011

    Thanks chrissilini, that's pretty much the info I've gotten, sometimes I get to over thinking stuff & need to be reminded.

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited December 2011

    Hi Ladies, I am back home from my BSO surgery today and I am resting pretty comfortably with 800mg of motrin. I am pretty tired from asnesthesia etc but right now it mostly feels like a bad case of cramps. Getting up and down is a bit more sore but I think the last 3 surgeries in 8 months have really increased my pain tolerance. Hope it continues to be this way; I can definitely handle this.

    My lymphedema specialist wants me out of the recliner and back in bed as soon as possible because the recliner hunches my chest and shoulder more that she likes so that is the number one goal at this point.

    I will read everyone's posts when I get a nap and a clear head but am wishing luck to all the surgery ladies for tomorrow...I seem to remember there were a lot of you!

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  • QuinnCat
    QuinnCat Member Posts: 3,456
    edited December 2011

    Sleeplessin...my nurse coordinator said Vitamin D3 is ok up until and before surgery.  I didn't ask about Vitamin C.  Ofcourse, you need to consult with your own doctor, but just saying.

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  • regenschirm
    regenschirm Member Posts: 82
    edited December 2011

    Feeling massively overwhelmed at the moment. Met general surgeon today. He is the first one to tell me he doesn't think I should do immediate recon. That I need axillary lymph node dissection. I find it maddening that I am learning this one week from my scheduled surgery date. As things stand right now I am scheduled for the BMX with no recon. So much to process. New date is dec 27. PLan to have ovaries out at the same time. Premise for this is that we don't know how much of the cancer is dcis vs invasive multicentric disease. Most important thing is to fight the cancer. But after months of fight I'm feeling exhausted. This is a lonely road.

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  • goldlining
    goldlining Member Posts: 1,178
    edited December 2011
    ((regenschirm))
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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited December 2011

    Prayers and positive thoughts for my surgery sisters tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you all as I drift off. Going in with a huge positive, my genetic testing came back neg for BRCA 1 and 2!

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  • Judy67
    Judy67 Member Posts: 361
    edited December 2011

    Wow, I think I counted 10 surgeries tomorrow.  Good luck ladies.  Hope you have easy surgeries and quick recoveries.

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited December 2011

    Good luck ladies and congratulations to chrissilini on those BRCA results!

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  • Kayce234
    Kayce234 Member Posts: 249
    edited December 2011

    Good thoughts and prayers for my sisters in surgery tomorrow - I know we will all do fantastic!  I can't believe how many of there are!  My husband just added is wishes of good luck!  Got BRCA back today and my BRCA1 was "uncertain" and BRCA 2 was neg - so I say both negative!

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited December 2011

    Chrissilini-great news.

    good thought and prayers to all those recovering and to those with procedures tomorrow!

    Kelly

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  • SleeplessIn
    SleeplessIn Member Posts: 114
    edited December 2011

    Hugs and prayers for all you ladies, and lots of positive thoughts tomorrow for all my "Thursday sisters"!!!

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  • QuinnCat
    QuinnCat Member Posts: 3,456
    edited December 2011

    My surgery for Dec 13th has been cancelled as of today.  I am BRCA 2 positive.  I was shocked, the geneticist was shocked, and my nurse coorindator was shocked.  We all thought it was less likely than other's they've seen.  Never thought this would feel worse than the original diagnosis.

    I'll probably have BMX surgery scheduled for very early January.  Next week will be head to toe staging.  Type of reconstruction to be discussed then too.

    Can I still be a December person?? Cry

    Wow - I can't believe all the surgeries in the next few days.  Sending hugs to you all.  Strangely, I wish I was in your place(s) at the moment. Wink 

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited December 2011

    Kam170- I am so sorry you are dealing with this! I know exactly how you are feeling. I am also BRCA2+ and it was a complete shock to me as well. Apparently the women in my dad's family did not believe in talking about their breast cancers so I never knew.  I had already had my lumpectomy last April when I found out. I had my NSBMX in June, my exchange in October and my ooph surgery today. It has been a crazy 8 months but you will get through it!

    Please keep breathing as you change your plan. Once my initial shock and dismay( in other words hysterical crying jags) wore off; I saw that the opportunity to keep myself from getting more cancer had been given to me. In my BMX pathology there was precancerous, atypical tissue in both breasts even in the one the lumpectomy had been done on. I now know that I saved myself from future cancer and reduced my risk as much is possible. If you have questions or just need to vent to someone who has been there; feel free to PM me.

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  • Druanne
    Druanne Member Posts: 295
    edited December 2011

    Love & Hugs to all having surgery tomorrow <3<3<3<3

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited December 2011

    KAM!! What a shock and what a surprise.  Please don't leave us, you can be an honorary December sister, we'll have you anytime.

    Hugs and positive thoughts to all the surgeries tomorrow and Friday!

    I finished telling all my students today, and e-mailing their parents. It was a rough day and I'm so glad it's over. Just one more day of classes, then I just have to get my final exams ready to go and then I can focus more on just me. I think that the distraction of work is mostly good, but I'm tired right now and will continue to be tired, I'm sure.

    I've heard nothing back from my pre-op stuff (blood and urine) so I assume all's fine, but it also just might take a few more days, that was only on Monday - why does it seem like it was weeks ago? I'm amazed at how time can pass so slowly and yet so quickly at the same time.

    Time for me to go to bed. Take care all!

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  • tfee
    tfee Member Posts: 20
    edited December 2011

    Chrissini and Kayce - Hallelujah for the negative! Kam - I can't imagine how maddening it must be to reschedule, and I'm sorry to see the BRCA+. Will up the prayers!

    To all of us having surgery today - I'm praying for guidance for our surgeons' hands and eyes. I'm also praying for our speedy recovery, of course. Anxious to hear how everyone did when I get back home.

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  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 597
    edited December 2011
    KAM! of course you are a December gal Smile you are in my thoughts constantly. Love Kate
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  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 597
    edited December 2011
    Best of luck to everyone undergoing surgeries / procedures in the next few days. Yes there certainly are a lot of us December ladies. That is sad, but my, what a strong bunch of women we are Kiss.  Hugs to everyone of you... Kate.
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  • Janie-bug
    Janie-bug Member Posts: 181
    edited December 2011

    Surgery tomarrow, anxiety level high today. All I want for Christmas this year is negative lymphnodes. And ALL the cancer to be out of my body. Hate surgeries, but will be glad to have it over with. Praying for everyone. God bless you all and this site

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  • fitzdc
    fitzdc Member Posts: 1,467
    edited December 2011

    positive thoughts for all with upcoming surgeries.  One week after mine and feeling so much calmer. 

    Teresa - Dec 1 UMX with recon

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited December 2011

    Yay Teresa- It is great to hear that you are feeling better and so important for those with upcoming surgeries to know they will get through this!

    Cookie- I am sure you are drained after those emotional discussions and emails. Hang in there!

    I am doing so well after this surgery I am afraid to jinx myself by saying it. The pain is minimal except when I have to stand up or sit down and even then it is not too bad. The worst part is the stupid sore throat from the breathing tube and I am sure that will be better soon. I think the guided imagery I did presurgery definitely helped my recovery. Positive attitudes really make a difference!

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  • Nicole55
    Nicole55 Member Posts: 37
    edited December 2011

    My surgery is tomorrow morning.  I will arrive at the hospital at 7:00AM for the blue liquid and the wire.  I am ready and today I have things to do such as grocery and 2 christmas gifts to buy, one for my wonderful husband who whas with me at each appointment, leaving the job to be by my side.

    And the second gift for the woman who keeps our house clean 4 hours a week for more than 3 years.  She is a very special person for me.

    So I am glad to be here with you all and wishing everyone good luck for your surgery of tomorrow or later this month. 

    Best wishes to all of us xxxxx

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  • jenni8675309
    jenni8675309 Member Posts: 72
    edited December 2011

    Just wanted to wish all the December surgeries a speedy recovery. I am praying for each of you. I just had BMX with tissue expanders on Nov 30 th. I can tell you that the Anxiety of having the surgery and getting the results from the snb were much worse than the recovery. I had moderate pain, but by keeping up with the pain medications and resting I have been doing o.k. I get my drains out tomorrow( day 9) and they were a little bothersome, but not bad at all. I wish you all the best and if anyone has any questions or needs anything use any of us November surgery girls as a resource.

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  • CharB22
    CharB22 Member Posts: 310
    edited December 2011

    Janie-bug and Nicole55 -- I'll be right there with you (in spirit) tomorrow while I'm having my surgery and SNB. And, yes...all I want for Christmas is no lymph node involvement, clear perimeter, and no more cancer!

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  • CharB22
    CharB22 Member Posts: 310
    edited December 2011

    For those of us having surgery tomorrow, my SIL who does nuclear medicine, told me to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate today (and yesterday too). She said that it will/should help open your veins up a little bit so the IV won't be as bad (I HATE IVs -- almost as much as I hate the idea of having cancer!)

    Gotta run.....need more water!!

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited December 2011

    Any teachers out there?  My son is 16 and very stoic-not sure how he's feeling about my cancer/upcoming surgery? Should I tell his teachers (he's a h.s. soph)?

    Thanks-your input is always so helpful and comforting.

    Kelly 

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited December 2011
    Spunkyboobster - I'm a HS teacher. I think that making them aware just to keep an extra eye on him is good, but they should not prod him about it. If there is one teacher with whom he is particularly close, maybe they can talk to him, but just letting them know and asking them to keep it in confidence and to let you know if they see any worrying behavior is probably good. This is just, of course, one teacher's opinion. One of my students' moms went through BC treatment last year and he never talked about it with his friends or any teachers. When I told my students what I was going through, apparently he went home that night and had a great conversation with his mom about it and finally spoke up. I was happy that I was able to facilitate that conversation. Your son will eventually talk to someone about it, but it might take a long time. Hang in there!
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  • fitzdc
    fitzdc Member Posts: 1,467
    edited December 2011

    The November girls are helpful - had a suggestion for showering (hooking drains on shoestring tied aroud neck) that worked wonderfully. Home on Sunday after surgery Dec 1.  Showering today!  Feel good.  The worrying was the worst part for me so far.  Back to PS tomorrow to discuss next steps. 

    I am a former teacher and agree with CookieMonster.  Of course so much depends on the relationship he has with those teachers ( and the relationship you have, too).  Keep faith.

    Teresa

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