February 2012 MX

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  • wildrumara
    wildrumara Member Posts: 450
    edited January 2012

    Hi - I am tenatively scheduled for surgery on 02/29!!   Just finished up my last neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment today....THANK GOD!!  My plan, at this point is for a BMX, even though I only have one breast involved.  I am definitely on the fence about having them both removed, but I am young and don't want to do this over again in 10 years or so??   Anyone else having a BMX with one being prophylactic?   Have mammo, ultrasound, and MRI on 2/1...appointment with surgeon on 02/06, appointment with plastic surgeon on 02/16 and then surgery scheduled for 02/29. 

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  • Likeachickadee
    Likeachickadee Member Posts: 116
    edited January 2012

    Wildrumara, I'm having a BMX, w the PMX on the left.  The right is very busy as you can see from my DX.  It's a very hard decision that you have to make peace with.  Mine came down to having dense breast tissue and microcalcs all over the place, multifocal nature of my IDC and DCIS and difficulty finding everything, and not wanting to live holding my breath for each 6 month check up that will include either MRI or mammo....forever.  BS wasn't recommending BMX, but understands the decision and supports it.

    Good luck in sorting through everything and reaching the best decision for yourself.

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  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
    edited January 2012

    Nel: My surgery date is 2/6, not 2/26.



    I am having BMX. Left is cancerous, but don't know about right yet. Just had two more biopsies today. Results end of the week. Can you believe it? Already finished neoadjuvant chemo with surgery 3 weeks away and now the possibility that there may be more cancer. So I don't know whether the right is PBMX yet or not.

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  • Pelicangirl
    Pelicangirl Member Posts: 50
    edited January 2012

    Wildrumara, I too struggled with decision on whether to have just the "cancer" breast removed or to go with BMX. But ultimately,I decided to go with BMX because I couldn't live with the uncertainty and worry about the other breast, which was already showing signs of calcifications too. Also, I wanted to know that I did everything possible to eradicate this disease from my body and prevent recurrence. Then, when I began exploring reconstruction options, it just seemed more "efficient" to have BMX and immediate reconstruction. However, I took my surgeon's opinion into account, and also did a ton of reading and research on my own before deciding. It all comes down to individual choice finally...what each woman feels is best for her. Hang in there and trust in your decisions. BTW, I have been reading the Januart surgery link as those ladies have their surgeries and recover (I had originally thought I would be operated on in jan so had been on the "January surgeries " page). . Their posts are helping me prepare and be less anxious...good tips on what to expect before during and right after surgery, what to take to hospital, etc. . Check out the January surgery page if you haven't already.

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  • Deborah2012
    Deborah2012 Member Posts: 234
    edited January 2012

    Nel,

     Thank you for the team roster!  So thoughtful of you.  This weekend I will research what garments/preparations I'll need for the MX.  

    Okay.  About small breasts... I had them.  As you, I was satisfied. In fact, I think not having breast attention had a positive effect on my development as a young woman. After breastfeeding my children , by age 45, the" flacid dou" were bothersome to me.  The rest of me was fit and they looked so tired!  I had implants.  I asked for the smallest ones, said not to put 20 year old boobs on a mid 40's lady, NOT to "stuff them" and I'd be really mad if I woke up with big boobs because they wouldn't go with my body.  That surgery was a breeze.  Size C. I remember being shocked to see men discreetly check out my chest.  I couldn't figure out what they were looking at!  I had turned heads, but never because of my chest. 

    So here's where 'Im going with all of this.  I've had it both ways. I am sad to view my body post surgery and worry that I'll be disfigured. I've totted my right breast around in all of its stages for 55 years. It's sad to think that a physical part of one's body will be gone.   I've actually thought about a little private send-off ceremony or acknowledgement for my right breast prior to it's demise.  Personally, I think I need to kind of "grieve" and say goodbye to it (as in the tub with a glass of champagne and some fond memories of good times) and then have confidence that I will adjust to whatever appearance I am left with.  I've enjoyed aging and believe I'll be okay with body image.  What I fear is the pain that I know will be vastly different this time.  My nightmare is chemo.  Sorry for the ramble.  

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  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
    edited January 2012

    Deborah2012--I just finished chemo (neoadjuvant before surgery) and it was not the nightmare I thought it would be.  Now, of course, I fear the surgery more, even though initially I thought I feared the chemo more.  It was doable, especially with all the tips and pointers here on the site. 

    I think I also need to grieve this upcoming loss.  I am very fearful of coming home from the surgery and just falling apart--perhaps not right away while my husband is still home with me, but when he goes back to work and I'm alone.  

    I have been a D all my life and gotten lots of attention for that.  My best features were hair (which I have none of at the present time), boobs and blue eyes.  I'm trying to think past physical features as defining me.  I am not having recon.  I know that may seem to be a weird decision given what i said about my best features, but I can't see going through all of that process along with radiation and extending this whole situation for another year.  I can be whatever size I want in foobs as long as I can tolerate them.  I am so looking forward at this point to my hair growing back after chemo.  I've disguised things very well with a wig that most people mistake for natural hair and lots of makeup especially since brows and lashes are now also minimal. 

    I got through my biopsies yesterday.  It seemed like adding insult to injury to have to be biopsied yet again, this time with MRI and vacuum-assisted machinery, after already having a diagnosis, deciding on BMX and going through chemo.  Now the waiting starts.  I am so hoping that it will not be cancerous not so that I can save the breast but rather the lymph nodes.  I already have to have axillary node dissection on the left side, so I'd prefer not to have SNB on the right.  

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  • Nel138281
    Nel138281 Member Posts: 2,124
    edited January 2012

    Mary625, my apologies for getting your date wrong!!   Hope you get the biopsy results soon and all is good.

    Deborah2012 and all,

    I love your idea of getting in the tub, glassof wine and memories.  And many a good memory they have.  Going to put this on my calendar for the week before my surgery.  I have never put a lot of stock in how I look, but I am fairly attached to the body parts I was born with.  My counselor has begun to have me walk thru the morning of surgery, getting out of bed, showereing, getting out of the car, going into the hospital etc. Tho I feel like I am going to throw up in his office, it does feel like a valuable excercise.  Walking thru how I am going to feel each step of the way,begining to deal with my fears and emotions before the day of.  Deborah, my chemo this round has been fairly easy, I have another round after surgery and fear that one even if the first one was not too bad.  It is supposed to be more difficult.   One treatment day at a time, check the chemo lists for ideas of what to bring with you and breathe.   

    Gentle afternoon ladies,

    Nel

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  • Dixiemine30
    Dixiemine30 Member Posts: 163
    edited January 2012

    February 2 here!!  BMX with immediate reconstruction (TE).  Scared spitless!!

    Edit:  I just found this forum today.  THANK YOU!!!

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited January 2012

    at least you have company on your date Nel.

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  • Deborah2012
    Deborah2012 Member Posts: 234
    edited January 2012

    Hi.  I had meant to comment earlier when I finally found this thread that I got a good laugh at your interpretation of the acronyms. Thanks for the smile!

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  • Deborah2012
    Deborah2012 Member Posts: 234
    edited January 2012

    Mary,

    This is my second attempt to respond to you.  Apparently I hit the wrong button! Aaagh

    Where did you get your wigs?   On the American Cancer Society website?

    The MRI saga:

    I know how you feel.  Here's my MRI story:

    No one told me it'd be a jet engine in my head even with their special headphones and piped in music.  I couldn't even fantasizethat I was out kayaking, bike riding, sporting clay shooting or any other diversion- much less sleep to calm me.  After 25 minutes (and I had moved apparently when I swallowed) my left side of my face and jaw were completely numb for the rest of the day.  When I exited, I told the personnel that I would take a CNB anyday. I read science for pleasure and found the CNB fascinating.   I apparently have some claustrophoiba I hadn't been aware of.  Within hours, the radiologist calls.  I have to go back in the MRI the next morning for an hour with a vacuum assisted biopsy!  I said although I rarely even take aspirin, I needed drugs because they won't knock you out for the MRIs.  

    I took two Diazapam (whatever those are) and they also adjusted the face rest at an angle the second time.  I had a wonderful experience!  No trouble and they took 14 bores. Lesson learned:  Ask for the meds!  I owe my probable quality of life prognosis to my radiologist for having ordered the second MRI.  It located DCIS that had not been visible with mamo nor Ultrasound.  I went from a lump w- rads to MX.  

    I met with ONC and PS yesterday.  Everyone thinks I will escape BOTH rads and chemo.  Ha ha.  I know how cancer works.  It tends to surprise. See above example :)  Now however, I learned that the infection rate for TE is 15-20 percent!  My husband is saying I should do zip on recon.  In my case however, I already have the the little cavern from the previous elective implant ten years ago.If I wait, it closes up (which is okay) but it's a plus and does counterbalance some of the negatives of simultaneous MX and recon.  Additionally, the TE infection rate is only reduced by a couple of percentage points if one waits and has recon done later.  

    I now have to research Alloderm (not the suspect of infection) but the TE is going to be an indicator.  PS says I'm too thin to have Tram etc.  I laughed and said, I will choose zero recon if it's anything beyond TE and shove a new saline bag in my right breast becomes necessary. And, if I get a TE infection, I will likely forgo the recon altogether.  They did say that I am a good candidate for recon and MX because I am fairly fit.  It's a good prognosticator for recovery. 

    This BC episode in my life is like taking a college course with an internship component. I've got to cram this weekend.  My surgery is likely 2-3-12 now. How to make the house "child proof" so-to-speak for my post MX return and what to take to the hospital lists others have posted. Organizing my 4 binders as another breast cancer woman suggested (test results, insurance/bills, employment, research) etc. is taking up all my discretionary time!!!

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  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
    edited January 2012

    I had good news today!  The biopsies I had on Tuesday were benign.  These were from my non-cancerous right breast--ILC in the left--and I'm glad to be able to continue to use the word non-cancerous!  I am still having BMX but at least I won't have to have SNB.  I will be having AND on the left. 

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited January 2012

    Hooray for you Mary!

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  • Nel138281
    Nel138281 Member Posts: 2,124
    edited January 2012

    Wahoo for Mary!!   Great news!

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  • Deborah2012
    Deborah2012 Member Posts: 234
    edited January 2012

    Mary,

     I'm thrilled to hear your good news!   Mary conquers the MRI tube and the vacuum.  Go Mary!  

    Deborah 2012

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  • turnberry
    turnberry Member Posts: 42
    edited January 2012

    Having BMX on Feb. 1st - a week and a half away - with SNB and immediate TE recon.  I just want to be on the other side of this - healing and not waiting.  Anyone have to go in the day before surgery to have the dye put in for the lymph nodes? 

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  • elliegk
    elliegk Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2012

    I am BMX with DIEP flap feb 8th. Been reading the boards for what to take in to hospital. PS says I get 2 nights in ICU as precaution then 3 nights then home. Dreading the pain and the adjustment. This is all so new. 2 biopsies DCIS in right breast. Results less than 3 weeks sgo.

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  • cajmi
    cajmi Member Posts: 80
    edited January 2012

    Hi Wildrumara,

    I am having a BMX with the right side being prophalactic.  Actually, I could have done a lumpectomy with RADS and Tamox, but I didn't want either of those things!!!  There is BC in my family, so I had genetic testing which thankfully came back negative.  It is definately a personal choice, but to me this made the most sense.  I will have a recon at the same time...  more bang for the buck:>  I figure I would rather get it all done @ once and not have the constant worries of recurrence.

    I wish you the best with your decision and surgery!!!

    Carolyn

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  • Deborah2012
    Deborah2012 Member Posts: 234
    edited January 2012

    Hi Nel,

     I got confirmation today that my MX is scheduled for 2-3-12.  I'm so relieved. Pre-op tests meetings etc. happening very quickly now pre surgery.  I wonder how long after my surgery it will take before I'll feel well enough to log on and see how everyone from the Feb. 2012 MX group is doing? 

    Deborah 2012

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  • barbiecorn
    barbiecorn Member Posts: 437
    edited January 2012

    I am scheduled for Feb. 1st...double mass...can't wait for it to be over...the waiting is terrible...want to be on the road to getting well....time can't go fast enough..

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  • barbiecorn
    barbiecorn Member Posts: 437
    edited January 2012

    Having double mass...how long did it take for any of you who have had this surgery to really feel better...I know everyone is different but would like to know your comments.  Thanks.

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  • Dixiemine30
    Dixiemine30 Member Posts: 163
    edited January 2012

    I am so tired of waiting!!  I am ready for Feb 2 to get here and be on the road to recovery.  I am so anxious I don't know what to do with myself most of the time!!! UGH!!!

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  • Dixiemine30
    Dixiemine30 Member Posts: 163
    edited January 2012

    @barbiecorn....I feel the exact same way!!!

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  • Deborah2012
    Deborah2012 Member Posts: 234
    edited January 2012

    Hello,

    I'm supposed to have TE with my MX on 2-3-12. No tram DIEP.  I am reading of 20% inmfection rates with TE and Alloderm.  That's what they have planned for me. Did you have an infection post BMX due to TE/Alloderm (if you had Alloderm sling with your TE).  If sodid antibiotics sufficve or did you haveTE removal and tried again?  Did you have nipple sparing? How long were you bed-ridden once you got out of hospital.  I realize you had BMX and I"m MX.  Did you have radiation or chemo Prior to your BMX? It affects the infection rate.  Did you have nodes removed at time of BMX? It affects infection rates.  As you can see, I'm having infectious thoughts about infections!  They won't stop. Anyone out there want to chime in?  Thanks.

    Deborah

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  • CRuth
    CRuth Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2012

    HI all I'm so glad to have found this Board! I had an IDC tumor on the left removed by lupectomy on Jan. 3 and found no lymph involvement, but margins for DCIS weren't great, so opted for DMX (profilactic on the right).  My husband is very supportive, which I am so grateful for, but he is also very anxious to get the surgery done so I can start the chemo as soon as possible (HER2+ and grade 3).  He pushed the schedulers hard and I just found out this afternoon that we're a go for surgery next Thursday the 2nd. That just happens to be the date we were scheduled to fly out (from Virginia) to a family wedding in Colorado that I had been really looking forward to (the wedding is going to be at a posh restaurant at the top of a ski mountain!) .  I guess it's a pretty petty thing to be sad about, but I'm so bummed.  My Mom's in the late stages of lung cancer and she's pretty sick and my  diagnosis came 3 days before Christmas and then the lumpectomy -- I was so hoping that I could get away with my husband and pretend everything was normal for a weekend. I know that I'm blessed in so many ways and I do try to focus on that, but I'm just a little overwhelmed tonight trying to process all that I have to get done in the next week to prepare my family for the surgery & recovery time. At least my sister had planned months ago to come watch my kids while we went to the wedding -- now she can come and help take care of me too! It was really nice to find your postings and know I'm not alone going through this stuff -- I see that several of you also are going in next week.   I have a pre-op meeting tomorrow at my PS office (getting implants as I'm not a good candidate for FLAP options), so i guess I'll know a lot more after that.

     Hugs to all -- Cyndy

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  • turnberry
    turnberry Member Posts: 42
    edited January 2012

    So sorry to hear you have to miss such an event.  Is there ever a good time for any of this?  Try to focus on knowing you will have many trips to plan in the future by going through this.  Like many on this board, I can't wait to be on the other side of the waiting game and hopefully on the side of the recovery game so we can get on with our lives.  Sounds like you have a wonderful sister so enjoy your time together.  I have a sister that is anti-Medical anything, who doesn't even know I'm having surgery because she would not be supportive.  I have great friends though!!!  Please keep us posted here so we can all help each other get to the other side:))

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  • Nel138281
    Nel138281 Member Posts: 2,124
    edited January 2012

    Morning all,

    Yep anxious for it to be over and anxious for it to happen. Just anxious I guess.  I just realized next week is February, guess I have been living in denial.  So tired of dealing with it all and just plain tired. 

    Wish everyone well.  We are all managing so much!

    Gentle day

    Nel

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  • khegidio
    khegidio Member Posts: 100
    edited January 2012

    Hi Everyone.  I am having a BMX with immediate free tram reconstruction on 02/01.  I did neoadjuvant chemo which finished on 01/04.  I cannot WAIT to have my surgery and get it all over with and get on the path to healing.  I wish it were tomorrow.  I do have some nervouseness about it, but my desire to be done with my treatment (at least the major pieces of it) is greater. 

    Kate

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  • beth1965
    beth1965 Member Posts: 455
    edited January 2012

    Hi everyone-i am a Feb. BMX i go on Feb.2nd the same day as Deborah.

     I have a 9cm tumor they think may have already spread it is very spreadable so i also opted to do the second breast. I have not done chemo yet i will be doing it after surgery so my recon will have to wait because of this.

    Very nervous right now and scared that if they open me up it will spread all over the place. I find i cannot think any good thoughts at the moment.

    I make my living as an Artist and  worry whether i will have proper use of my arms. I love to paint it is what i do to get through hard times whenever i am having a hard day hubby sends me to my studio and i come out happy. I really need to still be able to do this.

    I am a mom of a 12 year old boy and that helps me to at least try and be strong big emphasis on the word try.

    I am 46 and was DX i week ago.  Things move so fast

    I am glad for this thread i think it will really help all of us to do this somewhat together. I find its very hard for people not going through this to understand me

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  • beth1965
    beth1965 Member Posts: 455
    edited January 2012

    turnberry i am having dye injected in nodes the day before surgery. They said its a 2 part thing

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