Too early for April 2012 mastectomy?
Comments
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after almost three weeks of rational thinking, decisionmaking, talking and planning the BIG emotions have started to kick in with me. i'm getting sad and more confused. second guessing myself. wondering if i'm making the right decision. and mostly freaking out about surgery. ugh...so sad.
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VeganGal--This is your buddy in the March 2012 Masectomy thread--- Melrose. Wrapping you in a big warm fuzzy blanket of love, prayers & support!!!! I hear you when you say you have too much information and it is overwhelming you. Take some deep breaths and step back. You just may need to be one of the people who just needs to have a general idea about things right now so you can move forward. You may ask your DH is filter info for you since you are having a little rough time. It is is one day at a time, one step at a time. Don't get ahead of yourself here. You and yours can and will deal with whatever situation arises when the need arises and not before then. Sending you lots of (((HUGS))), positive calming healthing thoughts, energy and prayers.
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Dianarose and Raelan, you are both added to list (the one at the top of the thread) Welcome to a club you never wanted to join!
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longisland, I understand and identify. In fact today I came across a site that explains a procedure different than what my ps is using that would give a lift and spare nips. I settled on skin but not nip sparing so this is causing second guessing. But, I dont have the energy to surgeon shop so I am going ahead with doubts.
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vegangal: you asked how is everyone preparing. I went to target to see if they had any button up big shirts as I realized I do not own any button up anything! I found these big shirts in the men's department. I put it on at home, one white and one like a dark grey...it looks like a potato sack, really it does. I can't see walking out of the house, even with leggings or yoga pants. I'm going to keep one just in case, this week I am going return the others and see if there are any zipper ups and maybe I'll go to American apparel because I think they'll have the cotton light weight zipper ups in men's sizes. Someone told me to get a fanny pack to keep the drain bulb in, sounds like that could work.
Oh, what's with sleeping in a recliner chairs, I've read many commenting on that??
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longislandmom..hey there. I understand the second guessing I've said to myself what am I doing. But then my mom asked me if I was changing my mind. My response was it's not like I have choices is it. No matter what you choice it's still not what we were born with, it's still a change - a life changing change. If you go with lump & rad & meds for 5 yrs, you get to worry every day of reoccurance and if you have cancer again the rad could damage your skin and make reconstruction that much harder. If you choice bMX/diep reconstruction you have fat as boobs with fake nipples and a tattoo, so like I said not get choices but the good news and this is what I keep telling myself, I'm not going to die, this is not life thretening at this point and I have to remember that over and over again. And I found this site to read and communicate with other fantastic women who don't want to be here either but have no choice and together we can get through everything. THANK YOU to everyone!
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Hi April Gals- I'm a March 2012 Masectomy and hopefully you won't think I'm intruding by giving you things that have helped me with my recovery. I purchased 2 Champion zip up sports jackets from Target ($30) each. They have inside pockets that I have used to hold my drains. I've also used safety pins to pin them to the inside of my clothing but really feel the most comfortable with them in the jacket pockets. As for sleeping, I bought a wedge pillow fom Bed Bath & Beyond and also use other bed pillows and squeeshy microbead pillows. I don't have room for a recliner but I've heard you can rent them from RentACenter. If any of you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask me either through here or by PM.
Sending lots of (((HUGS))), positive, calming thoughts, energy and prayers!!!
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why the pillows and/or recliner???
I'm going to go to target this week. Is it a real jacket or zipper up?
Melrose, thanks for the information any help is good.
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Pillows-- I used the pillows to help prop me up since it wasn't easy getting in/out of a regular bed after the UMX surgery. The wedge pillow has my upper body on a small supported incline and a I also put a soft bed pillow on top of it so it won't feel so stiff. I sleep on the right side of the bed and had my UMX on lefty. I had an easy time getting into and out of bed since I could scoot myself to the bed edge. As for the recliner, I think people use them because it is easy for them to get in and out of and move to/from a reclining position to a upright sitting position. I've read that some people rent hospital beds for the short time after the surgery since it is the easiest for them. Check out the Wedge Heighth Thread in the Surgery forum to read a quick look at suggestions.
Zip up-- it's one of those sports zips you wear to the gym. They come in black, turquoise, purple, bright pink. There are two versions there-- one feels more like t-shirt ($30) and the other has more of a sweatshirt feel inside( seems a little heavier and is cheaper.) I opted for the lighter t-shirt one because it is supposedly dri-fit. Just check the inside pockets-- the $30 one seems to have a little bigger pocket than the other one. Other women have gone to Walmart or TJMaxx, Marshalls, Ross and found light weight warm up jackets that work.
You may want to ask your BS what you will be wearing besides bandages right after the surgery. That may dictate what your options are for post op wear. Some doctors put their patients in surgical bras or camisoles; mine put me in an ace bandage. If you want you can get post op camisoles which your insurance may pay for. You need to check with the BS to get a prescription and check with your insurance. I purchased a post op camisole which has removable foobs. I got it from a post-op specialty store for women here in Houston.
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Thanks for the kind thoughts, keonghi and plymouthpeople...
I went in this morning for pre-op tests and to fill out paperwork, etc and have to say that after being pretty calm about this whole thing I'm now kind of terrified. Been thinking abou GmaNiki and hoping she's doing well.
My friends from work are amazing - they are putting together a volunteer schedule to bring me meals every other day after I get out of the hospital - such an amazing bunch!
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You will have this over with soon anabelle! In a way I envy you, on the other hand when I looked at the calendar and saw April 1 tomorrow, I freaked. Holy crap.
I bought a U shaped body pillow someone recommended, a "husband" pillow, and an over-the-bed table like they have in the hospital-I am using that now, makes a great lap top table!
Also bought button down tops and pjs because I dont usually wear buttoned tops, went to TJMaxx and bought stuff from the clearance rack. Also, some suggested mens white athletic undershirts to pin drains to, got a pack of them.
Will all this make it any better? Who knows. Watched the surgery again on youtube, it just seems sad to me.
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Melrosemelrose -
Thanks for the reminders on what will make this easier afterwards. It definitely helpful.
Carol
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Rtnyc...gosh, your thinking sounds so like mine. I totally understand. I am just having such a hard time these past few days. Maybe a bit of mourning for my old normal life. Just FUCKING (sorry, it slipped) hating this new stage in my life. Thanks for letting me vent with all ofmyoubwho really get where I am at emotionally and physically.
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carol50- You are most welcome for the tips. As I recall, one of the other hot topics on the March 2012 thread was the post-op need to help with constipation. Not an easy topic to ask for help so I'm letting you know so you don't feel uncomfortable asking. Some opted for Miralax, Milk of Magnesia, etc. I drank apple juice & prune juice while in the hospital and ate those Sunsweet Ones prunes ( got them them Target; they are individually wrapped prunes in a small plastic canister next to the regular dried prunes; they are moist prunes) and continued drinking apple juice & prune juice & lots of water and ate veggies & fruit. I was also on anitbotics before and after my surgery. So the combination of all of those things kept me regular.
Thinking of all of you and sending positive calming & healing thoughts, energy & prayers. You will all find that inner strength to move forward.
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Hello all, I hope everyone is having a good weekend under the circumstances. I just wanted to say a few words. GmaNiki I hope that you are recovering comfortably. Jennyrjd I will be praying for you tomorrow. Arnee and Raelann, Judy, Elsbeth,FlIslanderand Anabelle I pray that you have Peace and serenity as you wait for your surguries this week. Remember that all of you are beautiful woman and this is saving your lives. Lisamaria I'm hanging in there with you. Peace to all of you.....I don't know you women but I have a special love for all of you...
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plymouthpeople - Just wanted to comment on you "second guessing" your surgery choice. In my case, the lump in my breast with cancer is too close to the nipple to give my BS a good margin, so the nipple has to go. This was really the "deal breaker" for me in terms of lumpectomy vs. MX. Then, once I went down the MX path, I ultimately decided on BMX (PMX on left breast) because quite frankly I never want to deal with this again if I can help it. Once I had my head wrapped around a BMX I pretty much decided I was going to do everything I could to completely reduce my risk. I'm also doing skin-sparing, and had originally thought I wanted nipple sparing on the side without cancer, but when all is said and done, I figured I'd gone this far, so why leave even a small chance for cancer to crop up in my nipple. Plus, there were no guarantees the darned thing would even survive and I certainly didn't want to be headed back to surgery again in another week or two to remove it. All to say, I these types of decisions are so personal and based on so many factors, but at the end of the day I think we all do our best with the information we are given by the specialists we work with as well as our own willingness to accept some form of risk. The good news is, nipple reconstruction and tattooing has come a long ways and can look pretty darned realistic. My mom had it done and is quite pleased with the final results.
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Sony22 - Thank you so much for the kind words. I've really had a pretty good week since I made my decision over a week ago to move forward with a BMX. Once the decision was made, I've really felt pretty calm and at peace with my pending surgery. Of course, hard not to be a bit apprehensive about how I'll feel the first time I see myself post-surgery, but I keep mentally visualizing what it will be like so I can already start to get used to it in my mind. I keep reminding myself I will be doing reconstruction asap, so this is just one step in this journey. I've learned so much from these boards that have really helped prepare me for what to expect. Plue, the huge amount of support from those going through the same thing is amazing.
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hi ladies. i am going for a second opinion. the first doc told me since i had 2 small tumors i needed a mx. she's probably right but i'm seeing the second doc on tues. april3. god - how do you all get through this. the anxiety is really awful. one moment at a time i guess. i wish all of you well. when i get scheduled i'll let you know.
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Jennyrjd' I am thinking of you today. Good luck tomorrow. Peace.
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Hi all
I am going to the hospital on Thur 5th for pre-op clinic, they said it will take 2 hours. I hope to learn everything then about surgery and afterwards. They will have to take a blood sample as I have no Idea at all what blood type I am!!!
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I am thinking of you also Jennyrjd. I wish you well tomorrow. GmaNiki are you doing ok? I hope you are resting well.
Continued congrats to the no smoking gals, Lisamarie and Sony.
Thank you Melrose, for the advise. Especially the constipation, my new fear du jour. I seem to have a new worry each day about a different part of this.
And Raelan, thank you for your thoughtful response. It touched me. It reinforced the main reason I am doing this and it brought up the idea for me that nothing is perfect. You should see my right boob now, half flat and deflated, a wrinkled mess with a bright red scar. Do I think about it, EVER? NO. Unless I am looking at it, I never think about it. Why then do I obsess about less than perfect foobs? Just control and grief I think, and oh, yeh, fear.
Welcome Cary, let us know if you'll join the fold.
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Jennyrjd- good luck tomorrow. In your pocket.
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Well . . . it's officially April Surgery Sisters . . . yeah? ug? can't time just stop? I want to get it over with? (mixed emotions)
Melrose! My friend. Thank you . . . I needed to hear that . . . and I most certainly needed that hug. And . . . I could feel it. I've always loved our exchanges!! Great tips about the tops . . . with the inside pockets . . . I haden't thought of that. I'm gonna go out this week or next and look. We have a chain up here like TJ Maxx, called Winners. I'm gonna go check out what they have. RTNYC . . . thanks for the tips too . . . guess we should get several . . .
I just read my pre-op paperwork yesterday . . . I have to buy 2 surgical bras. Will need to wear them 24/7 for 4-6 weeks it says . . .
We actually went out and bought a chaise lounge for our bedroom. Got it all set up with a lamp and a side table. We call it my "cancer corner". Ha. Ha. Better to laugh than cry.
My girlfriends are also throwing me a Boob Voyage Party 3 days before my surgery. The evite went out last night . . . again . . . better to laugh . . .
All that said . . . I'm still flippin' terrified . . . . . . . . . .
Hugs to you all as the countdown draws closer . . . .
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Went shopping yesterday fr button down pj's. Not a lot to choose from but was able to get three. Also bought some zip up light hoodies from Target. Seems we are all shopping for the same items. I have to get some safety pins today....forgot about those. Also, the wedge pillow sounds like a great idea. Happy thoughts to those having surgery this week.
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Jennyjrd - hugs and prayers coming your way!
VeganGal - literally laughed out loud at the "boob voyage!" Awesome!
Did anyone have a PET scan or CT bone scan yet? My MD requested it but the BS didn't say anything about it. I don't know if it is something the Oncologist does later. Just curious.
Have a great Sunday!! Let the games begin!
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keonghi- I have had x-rays, ct scan, and Tuesday I am having a pet scan. I am terrified of the results. I had 4 positive nodes and now the ct showed nodules in both lungs. It could be nothing, but it is scary. I hate the scans too. They told me to be prepared to spend 2 hours on Tuesday as the have to put the dye in the IV an hour prior to the scan and you have to be still. I panic easy these days so I am going to pre-medicate myself first. I know they just are trying to make sure it hasn't spread anywhere else, but sometimes I just need a break. It is my bs who has been ordering all the tests. Did you have any positive nodes?
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Keonghi - I haven't had a PET scan nor a bone scan. I still have vaiours appointments coming up, but I have no reason to believe that these will be ordered . . .
For some reason I didn't think that they could determine if the cancer is in the nodes until they do a sentinal node biopsy. Which I thought they only did "during" surgery. Is that not true? I am having the SNB during surgery and won't know for 2 weeks after whether it is in my nodes. Is there another way? Sounds like some of you know already . . . and/or will know in advance of your MX. Would love to understand that better . . . .
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I just saw this thread and thought I'd jump in with encouragement - I had a bmx in October. You can do this. I'm sure you've gotten a lot of advice already - my very big suggestion is to ask for physical therapy after surgery. Not all PS think it's necessary, but it makes such a difference when you're given specific exercises you're allowed to do, rather than being told "just don't do this or that," and also it's important to have someone check up on you as you make progress.
All the best - and Mardibra, I'll be thinking of you! Good luck!
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I was told that the CT scan checks to see if it spread to the bones and the PET checks the nodes. They will also being doing the SNB but that only shows the first line of fire for the nodes that may have been effected by the tumor. The scans check the rest of the body.
Rachelvk - thank you for the advice on PT after. My BS surgeon mentioned it and when I asked if it would be possible to get PT he said "Absolutely! I am all for prescribing help in healing." So, thanks for the reminder to ask him more about it.
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rachelvk - Thank you so much for taking the time to post on our thread. It's so encouraging to hear from those who have been there already and are now in the next phase of this process. Wonderful tip regarding PT. I hadn't considered that, but certainly will now! I want to do everything I can to aid the healing process and get myself back to a normal routine as soon as possible.
VeganGal - I too, loved the "Boob Voyage" party idea. Wish I had time to schedule one! Oh well, maybe I'll have a "FOOB Reveal" party once my reconstruction is complete instead.
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