February 2012 MX

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2012

    Hi February gals,

    Check out some good info from the main Breastcancer.org site on Surgery, including:

    Hope this helps and good luck with all of your surgeries!

    --Your Mods

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  • Layla2525
    Layla2525 Member Posts: 827
    edited January 2012

    I finally got a date! Dunno whether to be glad or scared out my wits.  Terrified of the pain and disfigurement but I know that will be temporary for a year or so. Its gonna be Feb 13th,I didnt like the Christmas present of a cancer diagnosis and I dont really want surgery for Valentines Day...there must be a bad connection on the phone to the Wish List genie...lol...

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  • cajmi
    cajmi Member Posts: 80
    edited January 2012

    Hi All,

    It looks like a lot of us are going next week and yes, I too am getting nervous...  I suppose I have been in denial to some degree and just dealing with it by keeping busy and planning, but now it's getting close.  I have to work Friday and Saturday nights, and then the mad rush of final preparations for Wednesday...  I'm a nurse, so I understand most of the technical stuff, but it doesn't make it a whole lot easier. 

    CRUTH,

    I know what you mean about the vacation.  My hubby and I were due to go to Phoenix next week.  We did manage to get away last weekend for a bit, but it is a bummer.  I tried to schedule around it, but couldn't coordinate the surgeon's schedule.  Just  start planning a new trip for when you feel better and when you're frustrated or down, imagine that spot and how wonderful it will be to go there:>

     Does anybody else feel the need to be strong for everyone else so they don't worry?  I tend to handle most things with silly offhanded comments to try to break the ice and keep people at ease, but as it becomes more real, it's getting a little tougher...

    Is anyone else having a tram reconstruction?  I know it's old school, but I'm in an HMO and that's really my only choice.  I'm okay with it as my PS has done many of them, but I know it will be a longer tougher recovery.  I'm a little afraid of being a whimp.  At least my procedure is at a different hospital.

    Ladies, I'll be praying for all of us:>  We're toughSmile   One of my favorite quotes is, "Women are like tea bags.  You never know how strong they are until they're in hot water!!!"  Remember, we are all so strong, we're prcatically coffee!!!

    Best to you all,

    Carolyn 

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  • november
    november Member Posts: 103
    edited January 2012

    I had my pre-op appointment yesterday; it looks like everything is all set for a simple BMX on 2/1/12 without reconstruction ( at least for now ) I just want to see how I do/feel being/going flat. I think I will be ok but who knows

    Good luck to everyone; be strong and remember that you are not alone

    May God bless all of us

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  • Dixiemine30
    Dixiemine30 Member Posts: 163
    edited January 2012

    Hello Beth -- You are I are the same day!!  I'm scared too, we all are.  We will get through it together!!  Positive energy and prayers for you today!!

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  • Dixiemine30
    Dixiemine30 Member Posts: 163
    edited January 2012

    Carolyn -- Yes, I am putting up a brave, strong front for everyone else but inside I'm terrified.  I just don't want my family to worry or be upset.  The closer the day gets the harder it is to "hide" the anxiety!!  I wish it was tomorrow instead of next Thursday....sort of :-)

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  • LYNN_BROOKS1
    LYNN_BROOKS1 Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2012

    Hi, Lynn here posting as  a newbie, My date if February 13. Happy Valentines day nd good wishes to all. I'm a nervous wreck about my double as my ILC is an arly detection.Thanks for all the tips i've read so far. Its making the out come so much easier to handle. If anyone has a suggestion on how to  tell a  child with special needs, please let me know .

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  • LYNN_BROOKS1
    LYNN_BROOKS1 Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2012

    I know that feeling. On the outside  is my quiet stog face; in my head I'm screaming.Started to do things that I normally didn't do, like bake cookies for everyone. Had to follow a recipe and concentrate on something outside my comfort zone. Then I took some deep breaths and the voices shut up. Try slow inhale, hold it for a couple of secods, let out slowly. It raises the good endorphines . It was a suggestion from a friend and I use it more and more. try it.

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  • Pelicangirl
    Pelicangirl Member Posts: 50
    edited January 2012

    Hi Early Feb Pals. I Am still scheduled for BMX with DIEP bright and early a week from today Feb 1st. I know several of us are going next week. Went for my pre- op visit yesterday and found out I have to have a "minor" cardiac procedure tomorrow before the big surgery. I have a hole in my heart called a patent foramen ovale and some abnormal blood clotting factors that put me at higher risk for blood clots and strokes especially during surgery. As a precaution the BS decided to have the cardiologist put a filter on my vena cava to "catch" any clots that might develop during surgery. I will also have to be on blood thinners so I may need a transfusion during surgery. I am glad they are being proactive..but it's one more thing to deal with. Just a hint for those getting ready for your pre-op appt...be sure to tell them everything you can think of about your medical history and family history and bring copies of any prior medical records, diagnostic tests,etc. it helped that I had all my medical records in a binder (saved them from having to request the records from my various physicians). Anything can end up being relevant. Good luck to everyone going in next week! I will post as soon as I am out of recovery and can see my iPad keyboard through the haze of the morphine! My surgeons and the anasthesiologist assure me I will be nice and comfy!!

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

    same thing for me Beth, day before

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  • sadie5254
    sadie5254 Member Posts: 39
    edited January 2012

    Hi november:  I just got my date yesterday.....next Friday, February 3rd.  Suddenly, it's overwhelming.  I've tried to be positive and as upbeat as I can.  In the morning, I'm going for chest x-ray, blood work and physical.  Did the cat-scan last week.  I've had two c-sections and a hysterectomy so I'm very familiar with the abdominal pain which I understand from the surgeon is the worst pain.  I have a good support team once I get home. I imagine though I'll spend the whole day Thursday crying and mourning the loss. 

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  • sadie5254
    sadie5254 Member Posts: 39
    edited January 2012

    elliegk - you are almost the same situation as I am!  Left breast going - immediate diep.  Two days in ICU - three days in hospital.  Very confident in my surgeon and PS, but still.........

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  • HardTimeNY
    HardTimeNY Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2012

    Hi ladies, after 3 months of battling my fears, a serious illness in the family ... I am finally scheduled for Feb 1st.. still fearful of going to surgery and the start of a long road ahead... What are you doing to call your nerves? I have sever anxiety! :( Anyone in treatment in NY at MSKCC? Best wishes to everyone. 

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  • Deborah2012
    Deborah2012 Member Posts: 234
    edited January 2012

    Hi All,

    Pelicangirl, thank you for the pre-op prepartion.  It's appreciated. 

    Lynn, I can relate to your keeping busy and managing everything needs.  Tonight I began research for an in-home care service that would be available on an an intermittent, hourly, spoardic basis to cook, clean, run errands , bathe me, or whatever as a Plan B so DH doesn't get run into the ground or if anything were to happen to him.  My family lives far away. Probably won't use it. I also posted all addresses and phone numbers of my phsicians, surgeons, nearest relatives on a wipe off board in case anyone (even me) needed them handy at a glance-.

    I met with BS today.  Although the tumor board corroborated all the "positives" of my situation- as predicted; cancer surprises me.  My skin-saving, nipple sparing blah, blah, blah, no lymph predictions are about to evaporate. 

    My BS is concerned about how close to surface of skin the DCIS is. The nipple distances are not the problem. I've IDC at 4 o'clock and DCIS at 11 o'clock.  She wants 10 mm margins..  So, I won't know until I wake up what actually was done.  I could be full mastectomy or some combo between skin sparing.

    My pre-op appts. are Monday. The morning (2-3-12) of my surgery, I'm to have a wire needle localization.  Then, I go across the street to the hospital for my radiation dye, SNB, and mystery MX.  Is everyone else in the same boat of what type of MX or BMX you are actually going to wake up with?  I made sure I got some relaxers just in case someone decides I need an unexpected MRI (the dreaded tube) pre-op while they're at it!

    Okay.  Here's something that is keeping me sane.  There are literally tens of thousands of us on this website at any given time.  When I read how all the women are coping with what they've been through, I think that I can too.  Mothers, recall your first pregancy how frightened you were about what childbirth would be like?  Then you take a step back and say well, women have been doing this for a long time and they even do it again!  I see women who have had recurrent cancers, an MX, then a BMX etc, chemo again,repeat  radiation on these boards.  It puts BC in perspective for me as a treatable disease or condition for some women.  I'm glad science has progressed so that our generation of BC survivors have more options and greater long-term survival rates.

    Good luck to everyone.  I read all your posts.  Thinking of you and sending kind sentiments your way.

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  • wrsmith2x
    wrsmith2x Member Posts: 410
    edited January 2012

    Am waiting for a surgery date but it will be in February.  BMX with DIEP here....looking forward to some tummy being taken and smaller breasts.  Not looking forward to weeks of pain but such is life.  I'll just be glad if this is the last time I have to deal with this ever again!

    Life is what happens while you're making other plans. 

    Peace to all.  Namaste'.

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  • beth1965
    beth1965 Member Posts: 455
    edited January 2012

    Just got the news today the i will be having all nodes removed on one side + BMX because my tumor is large. It feels like every couple of days they add more body parts on the list of removal from my body. Not sure wether to laugh or cry. In one week i have went from lumpectomy on one breast to MX on one breast to BMX both breasts to all nodes on one side and BMX. Hope they do not add anymore between now and feb.2nd

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

    Beth1965:  you will be my inspiration!  I have the exact same surgery and the exact same body parts being removed 4 days later.  I'll be waiting to hear how you're doing!  The good news is, I don't think there are any other body parts to remove!  So glad to be keeping one set of lymph nodes and on my dominant arm.  Hope it's the same for you.  I also have ILC and a tumor that started out as large as possibly 10 cm.  I have had chemo already so it's shrunk quite a bit.  HUGS to you.

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  • beth1965
    beth1965 Member Posts: 455
    edited January 2012

    Mary- it definately sounds like we will have lots to chat about in the near future it is good to have met someone getting exactly the same surgery. I will be keeping the one side of me's lymph nodes (knock on wood and cross my fingers and toes). I make my living as an artist so having that arm touched as little as poissible makes me feel much better. I also think the sooner i can pick up a paintbrush the sooner i will recover.

    I remember you in the other thread talking about the chemo before surgery. I did ask my doctor about this but she seemed to feel much more comfortable doing surgery A.S.A.P and then chemo.

    You and i would be good for a study to be done about as we sound so similar (tumor size,surgery)but are being treated slightly different with  the chemo. I hope we both have good outcomes in the future.

    Big hugs to you too!!!

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  • barbiecorn
    barbiecorn Member Posts: 437
    edited January 2012

    I too am having the dye in the nodes the day before my double mass.  It is so amazing how much having you all here makes me not feel alone...and Dixiemine....yes, believe me we are both feeling the same way...at least we know we are not alone...Feb. 1st - can't wait for this to be over!!!!!  God Bless Us All....Barbiecorn

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  • Dixiemine30
    Dixiemine30 Member Posts: 163
    edited January 2012

    Good Morning February Sisters!!

    Our time is coming way too fast now!!  I am SO ANXIOUS!!  I know it's going to be okay.  I know I'm going to be okay.  I just can't shake this dread I have building up in me...it's making me crazy.  I'll be so glad when I'm through surgery and focusing on recovery...Thursday is closing in quick!!  Prayers for ALL of us...it almost "our" time!! :-)

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

    Beth1965--I have been a little nervous lately about not having had my BMX before my chemo.  As my hair is taking babysteps towards coming back in, I realize that the cancer could start growing again.  I guess I'll be glad by February 6 to have it gone.  I was told that there isn't any proof that mastectomy before chemo or chemo before mastectomy works better.  I am being treated at a major cancer research center.

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  • wildrumara
    wildrumara Member Posts: 450
    edited January 2012

    Mary 625 - It was definitely in your best interest to have neoadjuvant chemotherapy.  The size of your tumor alone is enough reason.  I too had neoadjuvant....I have two tumors close together about 4 cm......they have shrunk, and responded to chemo, although, not as well as I would have liked them to.....but ER/PR+ tumors generally don't respond as well as to chemo as say TN.  This will make surgery so much easier for the surgeon.  Plus, I am glad I started  chemo a few weeks after my diagnosis (which was at the very end of August) to start kicking any rogue cells to the curb sooner rather than later?!!!   Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is often the choice in major medical centers, Ive come to find.   Don't fret.  Any oncologist/surgeon would have suggested that route to you.  There are times where I have questioned it myself.......do we know exactly what we are dealing with now that I've had six treatments of chemo.....what about the nodes and their exact status (going in, I had no obvious lymph node involvement on MRI, ultrasound, PET scan).  My docs knew/hope the cancer was localized in my breast and felt that treating me systemically first was more important than locally.  Their hope was that that tumors would respond to the chemo, which they did.........by shrinking, thus making surgery a little easier.  Had they shrunk completely, I might have had the option of a lumpectomy??  

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  • Bogie
    Bogie Member Posts: 286
    edited January 2012

    Dear February gals, what an impressive group of women you are. I would like to send some positive vibes and a few things to hopefully ease your minds. The end of December 5 weeks post op now, I had a bilateral MX with immediate reconstruction expanders put in. I had all the same fears two months ago and would like to pass on some things. My biggest fear was the drains! Once you are ready to leave the hospital have the nurse show you how to do it. I spent one day practicing there, then by the time I got home after two days I was a pro. Nothing to fear I promise. Face and conquer your fears upfront and it will make it so much easier in weeks to come. Here a few things that I found to be very helpful!



    Do NOT get in and out of bed alone at the hospital or first week alone without help. I was never told that your stomache and back muscles are temporarily of no use, along with your arms. You have to treat your back like its broken or made of glass. I was sitting on edge of bed last day in the hospital and went to slowly lean back and lay down in bed, well low and behold I fell back into bed with no muscle to maneuver and tore my incision open. You will be fine if you let some one help guide your mid back. Upon release make the nurse show you how others at home can help you that first week.



    First few weeks at home sleep in recliner with pillows under each arm and one for your head

    Get some one to stay with you day and night for the first week if possible

    Install a hand shower (best thing I ever did) no need for a bath chair

    Get shoe lace or use your robe tie to hang around back of neck to hook drains on while in shower

    Items to purchase:

    Chap Stick

    Water Bottle

    Alcohol packets to clean top of drain when emptying

    Gauze, tape, band aids to cover inserts for a few days when drains removed

    Neosporin or any antibiotic cream, or Aquaphor to put on wound site if too dry and cracked

    Men's button down pajamas (looser the better for first few weeks) after that button down gals Jammie's

    Popsicles or sherbert ice cream

    Plan to have a few meals brought in

    If you are not in pain take Motrin pm at night, pain meds bind and constipated you, have stool softeners on hand.

    Lots of pillows to sleep elevated on your back once back in your bed, yes you will get used to it.

    Take Xanax Motrin pm or melatonin if you can't sleep ( I didn't sleep the first few nights at home) big mistake. All that did is make me more anxious, emotional and sleep deprived. If you can't sleep more than 4 hours take naps! You need to sleep to heal.

    Take deep breaths, it clears your lungs for healing (per my surgeon) Coughing is good too

    Eat protein, eggs, cottage cheese, peanut butter.

    If you get cd on post MX exercise...do them when your surgeon says ok. I started week 2-3 and I never got arm pain. If I was stiff I stretched with the exercise after surgery tape. This really helps with tight expanders.



    You will all do great and the sisters in your group will love you through it. Stay positive,and cry when you need to, it's ok to have a melt down! It can be cleansing. Get on an antidepressant if need be and take one day at a time, one step at a time. You will beat this and get through your surgery just fine!!



    Bless you wonderful women, there are guardian angels

    ...they do exist!















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  • beth1965
    beth1965 Member Posts: 455
    edited January 2012

    I feel sooo much better after reading these posts and again knowing i am not going through this alone. Thank-you to you all.  4 days to go. I was told they do not need to inject dye in my lymph nodes now that they decided to take out all of them.

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

    I'm curious.  At the site of biopsy, does any one else feel like there's a lump there?  What I mean is, mine was done on 12/8.  In the past several weeks it now feels like there's a lump.  Since the actual tumor couldn't be felt initially by several Docs, I'm thinking it's highly unlike that it's grown that drastically in such a short time and intead would be some kind of something or other that can happen.  Hopefully I'm making sense. 

    This place here makes me thankful it exists and that there's so many others around to share.

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  • Bogie
    Bogie Member Posts: 286
    edited January 2012

    Beth why are they taking out all of your lymphnodes ? Are you sure it's not just the first few sentinel nodes?

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  • Bogie
    Bogie Member Posts: 286
    edited January 2012

    Galsal, , you have a hematoma. My surgeon warned me after fine needle biopsy I would most likely get one and I did. Just call your Dr, to be sure and let him know. Hematoma is nothing to worry about. I was prepared so I just let it be and the size of a golf ball hematoma was gone in a few weeks.p>

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

    wondered if that's what it was but didn't want to assume overly much.  can't see it will any great difference to wait a few days since PreOp is on the 2nd any how.

    thanks!

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  • beth1965
    beth1965 Member Posts: 455
    edited January 2012

    bogie- she/BS phoned and said they got my MRI results and she will be taking out all my lymph nodes. I will be having a meeting in person this week before surgery and will check. The plan before MRI was to check nodes i think sentinal ones you mentioned but she changed her mind to taking akk out

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited January 2012

    Ladies - I had my BMX with TEs on December 5th....and I can tell you, after having my surgery date rescheduled three times, the anticipation is WAAAAY worse than the reality.

    I was so terrified of what I wouldn't be able to do after I got home, I kind of forgot about the healing part, and how any limitations would just be temporary. I had some pain issues with the expanders in the very beginning, but now they are just another part of me and I rarely notice them at all.

    Some hints:

    Take the pain meds if you need them. Now is not the time to be a hero. Some of us needed them, others needed only Tylenol. If you do take the pain meds, keep a log so you don't forget what you took.

    Take the stool softeners - trust me on this! Wink

    Satin jammies make it easy to slide in and out of bed/recliner. (I rented a hospital bed. LOVED it.)

    Set up a "drain station" at home with all your supplies. You'll be glad you did.

    Never, EVER, compare your healing progress with anyone else here on the forum. We all heal at different rates. If you're worried, call your doc, but give yourself a break. Recuperation can take time.

    Anyway, I just wanted to jump in here and send big prayers and big hugs for all you ladies scheduled in February!!!!

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