February 2012 MX

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  • DebbieOS
    DebbieOS Member Posts: 140
    edited February 2012

    Just curious, does anybody else feel these "flutterings" on their breast?  Every time it happens, I think I've got a moth or something in my shirt.  It doesn't hurt, it's just odd.  I did have a "skin sparing" mastectomy and my PS saved part of my aerola too.  I also have phantom nipple pain. 

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  • LLinAZ
    LLinAZ Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2012

    I have weird feelings on the right side. It feels like tingles or bubbles. I thought it might be fron the drains.

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  • Wren44
    Wren44 Member Posts: 8,585
    edited February 2012

    You're not alone. I have nipple pangs, feelings of being tickled by clothing, light itching, etc. None of it hurts except for the nipple pangs, but they only last a second (and I was having those prior to the UMX). I didn't have skin sparing, but that might add more sensation.

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  • Dixiemine30
    Dixiemine30 Member Posts: 163
    edited February 2012

    I guess those are just par of the process.  Just a few minutes ago my "nipple" was itching.  I was so engrossed in the NASCAR race I just reached in my shirt to scratch it.  I was shocked a little to discover I don't have a nipple anymore.  I laughed so hard my DH thought something was wrong.  I told him yes,  his wife is showing definitative signs of mental illness.  Good grief.

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  • janiceg415
    janiceg415 Member Posts: 144
    edited February 2012

    So glad that this month is almost over.  I am 5 days out from UMX and it has been uncomfortable but not really painful.  I am taking minimum dosage pain meds about every 4 hrs, I feel fortunate for that.  Will be seeing the PS today, to check things over, not sure if the 2 drains will come out or not.  They are still draining about 20 cc /twice a day.  I don't like the pressure of the compression cami & the itchiness of it iall.  I did take a nice smooth pillow case and tucked it under the tubing & drains so it wasn't remotely touching my skin and it feels so much better. 

    I have so much admiration for all of you.  We are all going thru this together but some of you have been put thru more than most of us.  Women are sure tough creatures when they need to be.  Yes, there are occasional moments of weakness and crying, but that is small compared to the hours and days of dealing with all of this.  There is not anyone that can take the place of all of you.  Your understanding, your words of encouragement, hints of how-tos make it all a bit easier.  And knowing it comes from someone who knows first hand how this feels makes it a little more doable. 

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

    Janice, have some admiration for You too through all of that!  I agree...no one person can take the place of those here.

    Llin...I had "twinges" and it was from the drains as the NP explained that the drain was doing suction.

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

    I am with you all, with wierd feelings arond the surgery site.It felt like ants or small bugs crawling aorund.  Ihad 30 nodes taken so I was assuming it was all the nerves and surgery etc as I recover. My surgeon confirmed yesterday.  Not painful,just there.

    I will be happy when the discomfort is gone. I can live with it,jsut another reminder.

    Wish all a good and restful day 

    Nel 

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  • DebbieOS
    DebbieOS Member Posts: 140
    edited February 2012

    Janice, Nel, Galsal, Wren, Dixie, Llin, and all-

    You said it, Janice!  You guys have just been a wonderful support to me!  And to everyone else!  Even though I've been lucky to have my sister here with me (who had a mx 30 years ago), there's NOTHING like having all of you who are going through it at exactly the same time.  It also makes me realize how much has changed in 30 years, yet how much has stayed the same.  It's a shame we even have to go through any of this. 

    Gentle hugs,

    Debbie

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  • wildrumara
    wildrumara Member Posts: 450
    edited February 2012

    Well ladies - Not sure if I will have the time to post later once my kids get home from school and the craziness starts.  Have to call the hospital to get my surgery time.  Will be having SNB first, so I would assume it will be late morning. 

    Honestly, I am not too anxious.  Just a few butterflies.  I know people are praying for me and I truly think that is what is keeping me calm.  Plus, being able to read everyone's experiences makes it a little easier. 

    I keep reminding myself that thousands, upon thousands, upon thousands of women have gone through this before me.  I am not alone and never will be alone again.  If all of you and those "sisters" before us have done it, then so can I.  I have no choice.  I have a great husband and three beautiful children that I so want to see grow up.  I'm not sure what God has in store for me, but my prayer is that he wants me around for a little while longer. 

    My mind is trying to take me to dark places as the surgery approaches.  My ride since my diagnosis has been a little bumpy......intermediate oncotype thus chemotherapy, chemotherapy decreased my tumors quite a bit, but not like some others I've read about, MRI from 2/1 showing two new lesions (possibly cancer, possibly artifact).  We will get some answers about that tomorrow.  That being the case, I'm a little nervous about what they are going to find tomorrow.  I have a feeling (alhtough scans say otherwise) that there will be some nodal involvement.....maybe I am just preparing myself for that so I won't be shocked, but I have to say that I will be shocked if there is nothing found in the nodes. 

    Anyway, enough negativity.  Either way, I am ready for this to be over and I am ready for whatever the outcome is so I can forge ahead............

    Thanks again for your prayers and your support.  I will check in with you all in a few days. 

    XOXOXOXO 

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  • Layla2525
    Layla2525 Member Posts: 827
    edited February 2012

    Wildrumara, dont worry sweetie the docs and personnel take care of ya b4 surg. They give you an IV so you're kind of drunk so you get your stings for second shot in the boob so they can follow the dye or radioactive whichever your dr choose to use into the lymph nodes,they send you to nuclear medicine to get the pics done. Its like a giant dryer with a narrow bed you lay on. After that your usually having something in your IV to put you to sleep then they take you off to OR,you wake up in ICU,if you hurt tell them and they can put stuff in your IV to stop the pain. If you get  nausea they can put that in the IV also. They usually take all that stuff off the next day except for the drains and the pain pump if ur dr wants you to have the pump. I had the pump to bypass my tummy cause I am allergic to most pain meds and get nauseas. They can also give you hot tea and flat cola or gingerale. Just really sorry you got to be the 1 out 8 women who get BC like us girls here. I am going on 2 wk 2 days from my surg date and I can do everything except lift over 10 lb and I am a little sore and hate hate hate my TE now like everyone else. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and angelic nurses!!!

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  • Layla2525
    Layla2525 Member Posts: 827
    edited February 2012
    Debbie & Dixie,yep we have finally gone bonkers together....I keep feeling something brushing against my non existent nipple also and sometimes I could swear I feel the liquid moving around in my TE.  Then I was getting pin pokes in my back ribs but that finally stopped. Most of its gone away except for the super tight bra syndrome.
    Wishing for some sort of remedy for that but a jacuzzi is too risky for infection, would an epsom salt bath help? The docs just seem to ignore my complaints so I am going to my primary dr tommorro to whine for some muscle relaxers or whatever I can get. Then its off to the oncologist...hope he doesnt recommend chemo yikes!!! Maybe I can just go be hot flash hannah and nauseaus nancy over on the Bottle of Tamox thread. sounds funny but its totally NOT!
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  • Katiep1388
    Katiep1388 Member Posts: 87
    edited February 2012

    Hey ladies it is so nice to be on he other side but ive struggled with pain pills and which i can tolerate and which makes me sick. I think i finally found a good combo. The side with my implant barely hurts butthe one with the expander is pure torture... Im so lookng forward to havine two implants!



    Hope everyone is healing well, and for those you still waiting it definitely is better to haveit behind you.



    How long was it befor you bmx-ers could sit up by yourself?

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  • Deborah2012
    Deborah2012 Member Posts: 234
    edited February 2012

    Galsal, thanks for the new piece of info regarding the suction action of the drains and sensations.  I can't wait to see what my sensations are like- if the blasted drain is ever removed (my daily refrain).

    I too am endebted to everyone's candor and generosity of sharing personal information and experiences. Spot on that this thread has been powerful for us because it is real-time and can compare current standard of care information. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

    We are venturing out to other threads to see what the next course of action is.  I personally was feeling very happy, relieved, and peaceful.  Now, I find that I am worried as I read other women having reoccurences 4-5 yrs. later or sooner on other and eve3n this thread.

    Soon, I'll meet with my onc and learn the details of the preventive HT. It's going to take some effort for me to arrive at a new mental/emotional state. My "celebration" of the MX and riddance of BC is over. The cancer threat needs vigilance. Perhaps not a conscious daily battle in a raging war?  Then again, if I do HT, that is a daily pill  regimen.  Will I wake up everyday for the next 5-10 years (that's the timeline I'm reading for HT) thinking about BC?

    I had paperwork to update my long-ago created living trust sent to me shortly after my DX and pre MX. I see it in my in basket each day awaiting my atttention.  Haven't buckled down to do the details.  It's a bit overwhelming and it's not going to be a simple exercise. 

    I find myself contemplating that I may not have the longevity I once thought I had. I know that my BC navigator buddies have literally been present at hospices and hospitals as thier friends are passing away.  I admire their devotion and allegiance. I am sad that BC is unlike most other surgeries.  You cut out the damaged tissue, knee/hip joint whatever- maybe a little PT and you're done.  This @#%* seems to always have a potential to come back and even in new and mutatated versions.  I better pay very close attention to my onc. Is anyone else thinking about these matters?  It's not terrifying.   It's just burdensome resignation. One more thing I get to schlep around going forward.  I had the melanoma insitu scare 4 years ago.  Thanks for listening.

    Good luck to wildrumara (BMX), Bern25, and dreniger(BMX) tomorrow- 2-29-12 our final day of this past memorable month. We all feel so relieved to hear from you after surgery.  

    Early to mid-Feb. ladies we may not have heard from.  Please correct/update if you know they've posted and I just missed it:

    Sadie524 (2-3-12),Likeachickadee (2-7-12), elliegk (2-8-12), winniethepooh(MX)(2-10-12), Lynn-brooks1(2-13-12), jocelynlally(BMX) & TJP071(2-16-12), Tangela (2-17-12), Hopeful123(2-20-12)

    I go to PS late today. If anything of note, I'll share.

    Peaceful recovery day to all.

    xoxo

    Deborah2012

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  • Dixiemine30
    Dixiemine30 Member Posts: 163
    edited February 2012

    KP -- your TE will feel much better when you get some fluid in it.  Mine did anyway.  It was several days....close to a week before I could get out of the recliner by myself.

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  • Wren44
    Wren44 Member Posts: 8,585
    edited February 2012

    Good luck to all having surgery tomorrow. Our thoughts and prayers will go out for you.

    My drain was pulled yesterday and the funny sensations continue, although at a lower level. 

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  • wrsmith2x
    wrsmith2x Member Posts: 410
    edited February 2012

    About a week for me to get up by myself.

    Good luck to all!

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited February 2012

    KP - The promethazine compounded cream worked pretty well for me. Thank goodness I am done with my daily 2000mg dose of antibiotics.

    We see the PS for the first time tomorrow. One drain is not putting out much, but I know the other is going to be around for a while. The PS did a spectacular job, if I do say so myself. 

    I figured out a way to hitch my 3 doggies to my waist and take a good long walk today.

    Speedy healing everyone.

    I

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  • crazypenguinsfan
    crazypenguinsfan Member Posts: 56
    edited February 2012

    Been reading everyone's updates, good to hear about everyone's experiences. Good luck to those still left! I have felt so prepared from everything I have read... and mentally have felt so good from connecting to women on this board. I did post the second day after my surgery (I think I may have been a little "high on meds :) ", figured I would give a more sober day 5 view. 

    I left the hospital Saturday, had to fight to get a nurse to come visit me yesterday, Monday, the hospital wanted to send someone to check on me on Sunday, but the damn insurance company uses its own middle man company for nurse visits.... so I spent three hours arguing with them about the failure of the company they contracted to get me a nurse (they were going to send me someone tomorrow!). Finally got a VNA to come by! I can't tell you the stress I had fighting the ins. company so when I was done, I had to take a really long nap!

    Was able to go potty the third day, was so happy, I have been all bloated etc from the drugs etc..  

    Found out I am allergic to the tape they used for the gauze over the surgical area had red itchy bumps all over my neck and arm and upper chest.  I removed it all and I feel so much better. (don't seem to be allergic to steri strips... ) I am just stuffing in the gauze into my surgical bra without tape.

    I also had an issue with an unknown or new superficial varicose vein that got worse with the surgical compression cuffs they put on my lower legs during surgery and after the surgery to prevent clots... Wondering if anyone else here ever have this happen? I think when it would compress it was forcing blood down, into my ankle area vein... so the first two days my veins were huge! I had to wear support hose and I still am... since then they have gotten better, but they hurt and were scary. I kept thinking I was going to have a clot travel somewehre... If I ever have surgery again, I am going to mention this and make sure that I have surgical sockings. 

    I got to take my first shower today and I used the lanyard/shoestring idea I found mentioned by some of you. And my dad drove me to supercuts so I could get my hair washed and blow dried. I feel like a million bucks. This was another idea I found from the ladies on this site. Of course, I was wiped out from the time out and took a three hour nap, now my hair is BIG pillow hair, but it is clean!!

    The weather here in MA has been gorgeous the past couple of days, sunny and blue skies. I am taking mini mini walks to try to get out and soak it all in to try to heal. Then I take a nap! 

    Hugs and prayers to everyone that they continue to heal and feel a bit better everyday and feel strong enough to handle whatever this damn BC throws their way! 

    Steph

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  • november
    november Member Posts: 103
    edited February 2012

    Hi Steph-Good to know you are doing ok; just notice you are in MA. Where was your surgery; mine was at the Brigham

    hope everyone is feling better day by day 

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited February 2012

    Dear Mary625, I too was scared about intimacy especially since we were making wedding plans when I found the lump and diagnosed, I thought to myself this man will not want to marry me now and I don,t blame him, I felt disfigured and ugly but God had sent me the right man for he didn,t care about the breast he just wanted me to LIVE and share Our lives together, he was even the first to look at my chest first without the breast, I couldn,t at first then I said if he can I can, and it was never a issue, I wear a prothesis for the reconstruction didn,t take my body rejected it, so sweetie, you WILL have intimacy and Love for if God did it for me HE Will do IT for YOU.  God Bless and BELIEVE.  msphil (idc, stage2, 3 nodes involved, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on Tamoxifen), I,m praying for us All and by the way I am a 18 yr Survivor(Praise GOD). 

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  • mmswarowski
    mmswarowski Member Posts: 34
    edited February 2012

    I am done! I am sore (man am I sore!) but happy to be on the other side! The surgery was uneventful, my husband has been a saint...and I am feeling like myself! Thanks for your support ladies...will keep you posted on the recovery process. Hope all my other surgery sisters had it as easy.

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  • Layla2525
    Layla2525 Member Posts: 827
    edited February 2012

    Crazypenquin,sorry to hear that the home nurse company was so rude. I have the Fed Emp Benefit Blue Cross and they sent a home health care nurse out the day after I came home and she came even on the weekends! I finally called them and told them to stop cuz I need to save some of those home health days for when I get my exchange implants if I need a nurse then cuz fiance is driving me bonkers,think I might need to cancel the engagemt unless he agrees to live in his own house.LOL.      Speedy recovery wishes going out to mmswaro.... katiep I could sit up the day after surg it just took me about an hour,the nurses did not help me with that. I came home and been sleeping in my recliner but I have napped on my bed and the guest rm bed. Its about a week I guess before you really can bounce around like normal. I had my bmx with TE on 2/13/12 and I got everything off (drains pumps etc) and can drive and all. I just get a tired very easily so dunno how its gonna be when I go to work Mon.  I am old tho and my son's at the univ so if you're younger you might be good to go sooner.

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  • LLinAZ
    LLinAZ Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2012

    Wow, home visits from nurses? I haven't even received a phone call to check on how I am doing!! I must have the wrong insurance!!



    Has anyone else had pretty bad pain at incision sites? I was numb for the first couple of days, so maybe i am just having the pain because the numbing meds wore off. I have had my hubby take a look at the incisions over the past two days because I would have sworn they were infected or something. He said they looked swollen and sore, but not infected. I go to the ps tomorrow, so I will know or sure that all is looking how it should.



    Good news from the path report today. Right breast and lymph nodes were clear. Left breast had more instances of DcIS. That further enforces that bmx was the right choice for me.

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  • Deborah2012
    Deborah2012 Member Posts: 234
    edited February 2012

    Good evening my Feb. Mx and BMXers!

    Welcome to the other side mmswarowski! That was quick! :)

    My last drain has been removed!  However, the grunge count continues.  I may not shower until Thursday. My MX was 2-3-12 so Beth1965, are you out there? Maybe you can do the math from yours and mine?  For me it it appears to be 27 days!  We still won't know until March how long the other sisters may find themselves in the drain "hostage crisis" .

    I found out why some of our ribs and sternum areas are sore.  My PS said that in my case, the TE has sutures just by the top rib and the sternum so that when the squishies are inserted, they won't be saggy. In short, they need to hike up the TE.  That means that my other remaining breast is going to have to "man up" so-to-speak.  I haven't seen the girls perky in years.  That'll be interesting. He said everybody is sore on the side because they cut nerves over there.

    The fill report.  Dixiemine30 ditto.  You are soo right! It was a breeze.  The idea is creepy, but you can't feel it. I watched after the puncture.  I couldn't even feel any pressure, much less a prick of a needle. I had an inital 270cc during my MX surgery due to a previous elective implant leaving a space for a TE.  He added 50 ccs today.  Likely the last add.  Hope I don't have strectching pain later tonight or tomorrow.  For the "I hate the compression bra clubbers"; my PS said I should wear one for 6 weeks post surgery.  However, I don't have to wear one that is so curshingly painful as it was initially.  He however said that is also because I am many weeks ahead of where I should be in my recovery/healing.  He was extremely pleased that I was a clean freak with the drain protocol and said it made a big difference in the healing of the TE also. Frankly, it was a big pain in the butt! 

    Katie1388 what's up dolly with the areola spares?

    LLinAZ I got a phone call form my insurance company.  I thought it was going to be to limit my care or something.  It was for a phone appt. with my "case manager" who was also a nurse. It was fine.  I'm not having any visiting nurse.  Unnecessay.  They would inform me where I could get items or rent anything if needed in my area.  I'm guessing it would be from businesses that have arranged prices that they agree with in advance.  I've felt really great. 

    DebbieOs- I meant to respond earlier.  I too felt as you regarding the MX in my personal case.  I didn't want to overwhelm my body and be sore on both sides and whatever incapacitation that might involve-especially not knowing what an MX would be like.  I don't have a family history etc. and thought in my case it would not be necessary to remove a healthy organ. It is nice to have one left.  But, I might have another MX in my futrue someday.  Who knows? 

    Gotta scoot.

    Best wishes again to our last three hurrahs tomorrow: wildrumara (BMX), Bern25, dreniger(BMX)

    Deborah2012

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  • Dixiemine30
    Dixiemine30 Member Posts: 163
    edited February 2012

    I've heard from my insurance company to...twice, in fact.  Both times they (an actual person!) called and left a message on my machine letting me know when the Mammogram Mobile Unit would be in my area.  I laughed til I almost peed myself the first time....and the second time it almost made me mad.  One would think when they were looking up the phone number they could see that maybe I didn't have boobs anymore!?!  Geesh!!

    Prayers to my leap year sisters tomorrow....the wait is almost over and I can tell ya it's a relief to wake up and at least have that part behind you.

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  • Dixiemine30
    Dixiemine30 Member Posts: 163
    edited February 2012

    Layla -- I am Federal Employee BC/BS too :-)

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  • crazypenguinsfan
    crazypenguinsfan Member Posts: 56
    edited February 2012

    November, I live just east of Worcester- I had my uni mx at MGH . Had great care there. We are close by, I see you are almost ready to start work again. Glad you are feeling well enough to work!

    Layla -Wow, they have nurses come out to you a lot!!  If they had given me the instructions when I left, I would have been able to handle it no problems, in hindsight, I wish they had :) would have saved me aggravation! But they sprung me out of the hospital so soon with no materials to change dressings or instructions about the drain site, because they expected me to have a nurse visit.... 

    Dixiemine30- that is sad/funny about the mobile mammo unit! You have a sense of humor about it!

    Deborah2012, I am pretty impressed by how you keep track of everyone :)

    I may be calling to get a drain removed, one of mine only outputs 12-17 ccs a day and it burns and sucks nothing when I strip it- ouchie! At this point I think it is trying to suck in skin and muscle.

    Hugs everyone!

    Steph

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

    Thoughts and prayers to all on this last day of February. Time to put this month behind us.

    I am almost 2 weeks out from surgery and the physical healing is moving along. drains are out, I can shower, drive etc.   Is anyone else having trouble with it all sinking in, the emotional aspects.  I am just consistently on the verge of tears.  I still have not looked at the incision site, I am just not ready and feel like I may never be.  Just feel like I am a mess emotionally.

    And my couselor asked what my biggest worry is right now, it is living.  I got my self emaoitoanlly ready for the chemo and surgery and now have to psych myself up again for more chemo and radiation.  It all jsut seems too much.  Sorry for the whining

    Nel

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  • janiceg415
    janiceg415 Member Posts: 144
    edited February 2012

    Waking up to Wisconsin Winter White, wet snowfall early dawn.   Happy Leap Day!

    Hope everyone is doing well.  I am truly amazed at how resilient each of you are. 

    I saw the PS yesterday for the 1st time. He said everything looks as good as it can that it is healing well, the TE has good placement.  The pathology isn't back yet so am hoping it is all good news.  My drains are still in as they were draining quite a bit, however, the PS said go ahead and shower so that is going to be great.  He said just to remove the gauze at excision site and be careful with the drains.  So my husband is going to help with that hopefully tonight.  My dr's clinic is about a half hour from where I live, stopped to pick up a few things at the store and then had lunch, so my outing was a little more tiring than I expected. 

    I have appt to see PS again in a week. 

    For all of you just having undergone surgeries, keep breathing, and with each day I pray that you will feel better.  Mended physically, mentally & emotionally. 

     Janice

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

    Nel--I am having trouble with it all sinking in.  I got a call from the doctor two days ago that the chemo had put me in menopause (this was related to determining whether I would take Tamoxifen or Femara), and that news has upset me as much or more as the BMX and nodes positive.  It makes me think that the reality of the extent of my disease and that I'll never have breasts again has not sunk in.  I decided not to try to force my feelings, and right now I'm more upset about the menopause and impatient with waiting for enough hair growth to go "topless" while knowing I won't like my new short style initially.  With the Lexapro that I went on at the time of diagnosis, I'm stable emotionally, but I wonder what I will be like when I try to go off of it.  I guess it's just going to take time for the reality of my situation to sink in--how it's changed my life and that I will be fighting cancer the rest of my life. 

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