February 2012 MX

How weird, I was going to post about the strange feeling I have in my armpit- side closest to pectoral/chest I had my mx without recon on the 24th. This Friday i had both drains pulled, torture because I had healed around the tubes, so while I have relief to have them out, now I feel like I have swelling or something in my armpit and muscle spasms where the tubing ran up my side and over the edge of my armpit to the middle of my chest.

I have so much tightness, cant' imagine getting my range of motion back! Okay, maybe I will cut myself some slack since I am 9 days out from mx. 

it sounds like I am having similar issues to LLinAZ and Galsal.

I also have redness near my steri strips especially close to the armpit, the nurse practitioner at the breast center put me on antibiotics just in case of infection, at the time of drain pull, but it is only slightly better today. I am guessing it is allergic reaction/sensitivity to the steri strips since it itches too and I never had fever or chills. But, I have to say I am happy that I at least was put on antibiotics in case it had been infection... 

Anyway, hoping that in a week or two the red itchys and the feeling of something in my armpit is gone! But, judging from others posts, I guess my experiences are normal!

Night Night!

Steph

Welcome back dreniger (BMX)!  Thrilled to hear such a great surgical experience and recovery.  We could use some good news around here. 

Sorry to hear of the various post surgical hardenings, seroma aspirations, and weird sensations.  I'm getting tee'd off just reading about LLinAZ's" golf ball".

LLinaz, I specifically asked my BS pre-MX, who would be in charge of my surgical drains after the MX?  She said the PS. I distinctly remember commenting how fortuitious it was for her that basically all the clean-up and continuing issues would be handled by the PS. She smiled a big smile.  And I adore my BS.  Her job was to get in and get the cancer out- period end of report.  The PS gets stuck with all the on-going issues if one is having reconstruction.

I am happy that I will go in to the office tomorrow for a partial day. It'll be good to return.  I too, have lost so much of my former stamina. I miss my work life.

Deborah2012

I was told that my drainage had to be below 30 cc's for 2 days in a row in order to get the drains removed. Janice--it sounds like you might be there, if that's what your surgeon also uses as criteria.



I think you'd have to get your path report from the breast surgeon or the oncologist, probably when you next see them for an appointment. Do you have something set up soon? I hope so. Waiting is the worst!

The good news...no infection.  OT saw me first and thought it was.  Breast Clinic saw me right after - I'd called them as soon as they were open.  NP and BS both saw me.  No infection, although now am to put abx gel/creme on the incisions.  Results of Oncotype weren't back yet - or they weren't ready to say since they want to discuss it at the Tumor Board (1st Wed am monthly).  They agreed and signed paperwork my company wanted that identified number of hours to work and when by dates.  Six hrs a day until the 26th and then back to 8hrs.  That will be after seeing Oncology too, so it was carefully planned.  They have begun the referral to PS too so that dialogue can at least begin just in case no chemo is indicated.

OT - mild lymphedema in bicep and mild/moderate in trunk at the floppy area of the skin that was spared for recon.   Am to wear the sleeve and glove for one month at least.  To see OT weekly for one month and manual massage will be done and taught to me also.  I must say, these gloves are the most uncomfortable.  Going to look for different ones.

Wren44: I waited until 3 weeks. And that was just to drive to work (5 min. away) and home. Only working about 2-3 hours per day. This is week 4 for me. I did go across town today after work to go to my first PT appt. I met with a lymphedema specialist. She did a bunch of measuring of both arms. She showed me how to massage fluids from my bad side over to the lymph nodes in my good side and down to my groin nodes. I have to be more diligent about doing the exercises and stretching because she said that when I have radiation I will have scar tissue and it will be harder then to get my range of motion back. Even though I know it makes me feel better to do them, I am sort of lax in doing them! I see the MO on Thursday now and will find out about chemo. Not psyched about that but will take it day by day. Good luck to all!

I started driving a little over 3 weeks out.  I went back to work today...and for a few hours felt almost normal :-)

Congrats dreniger! I got 2 nodes and came back clear also so no chemo and no rads,so happy, I got Arimidex and thats poopy but rather be nauseas and nervous and have insomnia than ever get cancer of any kind again. Wow, so katie came out ok. but the next person was upgraded. No! That totally sux.

Deborah2012,I used to be very squeamish also and pass out every time I had blood drawn but i am getting used to it now. Goodness it will be every 6 wks with the AI I guess. How long did it take for the earthworms to go to pink? I am 3 wks out went back to work today for 10 hrs. I stayed cuz everyone said I wouldnt make it but I did. A few people came by and tried to not let me see they were looking at my boobs but I am wearing certain undergarments so I dont look any diffferent with clothes on. Its not their business. LOL

dreniger (BMX) Yay!  You're baaaack!  All the Feb. 29 ladies have posted.  Whew!  We all did it. 

Bern25:  Did you have a SNB with your DCIS DX?  There has been some discussion on this thread regarding surprises with the final paths and if a second surgery to check the nodes is needed. 

Galsal and mcm24: the whole LE SE is so hard to take in.  I had read about the various compression sleeves etc. I could have some real fun with replies if people asked me what the sleeve is.  "Billie Holiday was my fashion icon", "It worked so well for Audrey Hepburn, whaddya think"? "It's Michelle Obama's secret arm toner- and they throw in the ab reducing belt for free!"  I know I'm being silly. Sorry. Hey Galsal, no infection- you finally got a break.

wren and Mary625: The 30cc two consectuive days must be the norm.  That was my threshold,too.

Layla2525 10 hrs. puhleez- you're making me look bad.  I did 4.5 hrs. at work, went home and took a nap.  My stupid compresion bra exhausts me.  I also wassn't allowed to exercise other than walk until my last drain was removed.  Exercising had always given me great stamina.  I have to go slowly. The pink and flattening of my scar took about 3 weeks. BTW, I am going to be following the AI thread (and your progress there?) after I get my oncotype DX results (first opinion) and then I'm hoping I'll follow thru and get a 2nd opinion PRIOR to beginning HT.  So, you will be about a month at least ahead of me.  Thrilled no chemo or rads for you, too!    

LLinAZ You are too nice.  Here's what I did regarding my lousy little seroma streaming event.  I took a photo on my Iphone of the three different wet bandages on a piece of paper labeled with the details (times & amounts). Their office is paperless. So I thought- good I can go paperless too!  I really didn't know if I should be seen by PS.  The clerical staff said send it to her email address at the office, my PS was in surgery but they wanted me to come in anyway and have his partner look at it. So I did. It was nothing. If I had a golf ball as you, they would have gotten a photo.  Sorry you have to be patient until Thursday.

Janice415 I couldn't go back to work at all until the darn drain was out. Truly it felt good to get back into my schedule even if only partially. 

Driving:  I was told as soon as I was off RX pain medication I could drive if I felt up to it.  Yeah- right.  I gave up the pain meds early but I was in no shape to drive.

NIghtie night- gotta figure out what to wear to work for tomorrow.

Deborah2012

Welcome, 30yomamma.  I hate that you're going through this, but glad you've joined us here for sharing and support.  Some of us here have received unwanted news after the surgery, and we're here to support you.  I did chemo before my February 6th BMX with recon, as you did, but also did the A/C at that time so if you have any questions or need support with A/C, just let me know.  There's also lots of good info on the Chemo forum about that.  I am starting radiation next week.  I hope you can get the second opinion you want quickly. 

When were you diagnosed?  All the waiting is really the hardest.  

GOOD NEWS FOR TODAY

I received my dreaded call from BS last evening, she wanted to call herself instead of her MA.  As she explained she wanted to give me the good news instead of her previous two calls with bad news.   She said pathology from my MX on 2/23 showed only dcis (as she was quite certain of)and nothing else, no node involvement and nothing invasive.  HOORAY!!  Now I can focus on healing and reconstruction.  Not sure if HT will still be in by future but will certainly find that out when meeting with oncologist again. 

Today I will be seeing PS to hopefully get the drains out, they are not awful just a nuisance.  I think how little I have gone thru compared to many of you, I feel that I have been truly blessed.  I wish the pain and drain this blasted cancer has caused you goes away and becomes a thing of the past.  You are warriors in my eyes.  And even when you feel your lowest, you will dig a bit deeper and find your humour and your reslience and stamina to take it on.  Family & friends, Drs, and all of you have made this incredible journey a whole lot more manageable.  And I thank you. 

30yomamma, Welcome to you also.   I am glad you joined in - this is certainly not fun to deal with.  and you've come to the right place. To get support from the best of them.  It makes a huge difference to vent and describe things to others and get their take on it.  I have learned loads from all of these fantastic women.  You've got a lot on your plate and just know that thoughts and prayers are with you. 

Hi All,

Happy Tueday!!!  Glad to hear our whole month is over and most everyone has checked in!!!

Pelicangirl,

I've been wearing the Spanx-type things from high waist to mid-thigh, and it definately is helping.  It is a good time of year to buy this kind of thing, as Kohl's had a lot on clearence.  I Initially bought one that was 3 sizes larger than what I would normally wear and it was tight.  That one is now too big, yeah!!!  I'm now wearing one that is 1 size larger and I think I'm going to go back and try on one size smaller to see how that works.  It will be full price, but the first 2 were only $10-12, so I sure can't complain!! 

Do you still have any hard lumps in the reconstruted breasts?  I have a large lump at the top of one and I keep trying the heat and massage.  I think it might be a bit better, but still pretty hard.  Just wondered if you had anything like it?

Kudos to all of you going back to work.  I'm starting to feel anxious about it already and I still have at least 3 weeks to go.  My problem is that I work 3- 12 hour midnight shifts that involve lifting and being on my feet the majority of the time.  We are also very short staffed and so we can get mandated to stay an additional 4 hours.  I can get a note for no 16 hour shifts, and can start on a reduced schedule, but I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to take a couple more weeks before starting back to try and increase my stamina.  I also can't return to work until I can lift at least 25#, so I'm hoping that may buy me a few more weeks.  I just hate that I'm already feeling anxious about it.  Is anyone else feeling this way?

Hope everyone is doing well today!!!  Hugs and prayers to all!!

Carolyn 

Hi Ladies,

Got the music playing and trying to organize this laundry mess, well deligating which things to keep out and which to hang, etc.

Galsal, I was going to go without the toradol today but I changed my mind. One more day hopefully till drains are out, might as well relax.

Deborah2012, I did have the SNB (3) on the right all clean, the invasive cancer found I know nothing about yet except ;

Overall Grade: Grade 1: scores 3,4 or 5
Margins: uninvolved by invasive carcinoma
Tumor glands are negative for p63 and calponin
Lymph-Vascular invasion: not identified

Primary Tumor: pT1a Tumor more then 0.1cm but more then 0.5cm in greatest dimension

I am thinking this is good but not sure about HER2? and other factors I have been reading about.

I would love some input on treatment options. I want to do the most I can now while I am healthy so there are no surprises later when my grandbabies are dating, etc.

Today I am wondering.....do I come to terms that I have cancer or did I have cancer and not any more...does that make me a survivor.  I feel so blessed but I think I am still in denial, has anyone else felt this way?

WOW, I feel like I'm not living up to you ladies as I am taking the entire 8, and possibly 10, weeks to recover from my BMX and DIEP surgery.  I see where some of you are already going back to work and I feel slow compared to some of you.  How are you guy able to go back to work so fast?

I went to the grocery store and when I got back I had to take a pain pill because I hurt so much from lifting items into the cart and into the car.  Even left some stuff in the car for my DH to get when he gets home from work.  What's wrong with me?  I was told by my PS that this is normal but evidently not compared to you superwomen!  I am in awe!

NO one should feel guilty about taking the time needed to heal.  I admit that I rushed it a tad.  Had I had bmx with recon, no doubt I'd have felt differently.  I will NOT go back early with the recon surgery!

This sucks! Listen to my crap:

I called my onc.  Wondering why they still haven't gotten the results of my oncotypeDX (the Rosetta Stone to decipher my future prevention treatment plan) because I'm one of the "lucky" ones . I've got the "good"  ER+PR+ Her- and in an early stage.

The oncotypeDX lab rejected the tissue sample!  The specimen was of insufficient size. They've requested that the hospital send them another, larger specimen.   One would expect that the hospital knows what the minimum tissue sample size is to make the folks at the oncotypeDX lab happy.  I'll bet they don't have a large enough tissue sample remaining.  If not, then I'll never know what I needed to know. I'm wondering.  Did the hospital tissue bank mess up and "waste" or lose any tumor tissue?  Maybe the core biopsies pre MX made the tumor too small for an oncotypeDX test? Unlikely, as my onc clearly saw the size, too on the final path report and said she'd order the test.  I would guess that 7 mm is plenty of tumor tissue (that's the size on my final path report after the MX.). The very reason I qualify for the test is due to not only BC type but SMALL SIZE.

Now I get to hurry up and wait all over again.  This totally blows my 2nd opinion schedule at a major university.

It's on days like today that I just want to say "screw it I'm not doing another darned thing".  If the BC comes back (20% chance in ten years) then perhaps it'll be "Goldilocks" and can get tested!

Maybe the oncotypeDX lab botched up the sample and needs an excuse to request anew sample? 

That's my rant for the evening.

Deborah2012