Too early for April 2012 mastectomy?

Waiting for someone to say "April Fools! This was all just a bad joke..."

Thanks, rachelvk, for the PT advice.  I'm sure my doctors will be all for it as the breast center here is fairly holistically inclined - they even have an acupuncturist on staff. I'm also grateful to my BS for bringing up the topic of a visiting nurse. One will come once a day after I'm out of the hospital to check up and see how things are going. That's a bit of a relief.  What did freak me out yesterday was that during my pre-op visit, the nurse mentioned that they were cross matching my blood in case I needed a transfusion during surgery. While I know intellectualy that is a possibility, it didn'treally sink in emotionally until later in the evening - I called my mother and cried all over her long distance.

For anyone considering renting a recliner for sleeping in, I ended up just buying one - it was only $75 more as I picked up one that was on clearance. Check your local furniture stores for sales before you make the decision to rent.

My mother will be here to help me after I get out of the hospital (5 or 6 days, the doctors are saying) so now I need to spend some time making my apartment Mom-clean...

I can't even begin to tell you all how this DB is helping me hang on to my sanity. I love you all.

Keonghi- they did take the sentinel node when I had my lx, but it was tested during the surgery and because that one was positive she took 3 more. I guess it depends on the hospital and the bs if they test it during surgery or not.

mardibra- did you go through all of the scans after you dx?

annabelle - That's good that they're offering a nurse. My mom, who is a nurse, stayed with me for 2 weeks after for my recovery, but even she was glad to have someone stop in a few times as reassurance. 

Oh, the MUGA scan was needed because I knew I was having chemo. The type of chemo I had is known to potentially cause heart problems and the MUGA is to check the rate at which your heart pumps blood. The other scans were to check if the cancer had spread anywhere else in the body. Thankfully it didn't!

Hi keonghi! To answer your bra question based on my experience, I had BMX on 3/21. I went home with thick bandages across my chest so even if I'd wanted to wear a bra it wouldn't have been possible. I was allowed to shower 48 hours after surgery and at that point took the bandages off. Instead of a bra I've been wearing some soft stretchy Hanes and Jockey ribbed cotton tanks. I just have to pull them up from the bottom - can't pull them over my head.



Seriously, in my case it has been nice not to have to wear a bra for the time being. Once I've healed for six weeks I am getting fitted for prosthetics and whatever bra(s) work with those. (I'm having delayed recon).



All the best to you!!!!! Indigo

lisamarie68 -- i am right there with you.  the shock has diminished.  the information gathering and decisionmaking has subsided.  and the sadness has sunk in.  it's been a hard week.  my goal for this week is to re-focus on the end game...a few months from now...when i (and you and the rest of us) and past surgery, feeling good, and on our way towards health and normalcy.  peace

llisamarie ..funny-- i was thinking the same thing.  would be kind of cool to meet with other NYC/Long island gals when we all get to the other side.   i think sadness is a necessary part of this.  i sobbed  my biggest sob yet the other night in bed my husband's arms.  i was just profoundly feeling the loss of my body as we have both known it.  but he has been amazing and accepting of the new me to come.  i am hoping to get there, too.  xxoo peace.

rtnyc...i'll be in nyc for pre-op appointment at Sloan on monday 16th....i could get together that day if you or others are available.  probably won't be in nyc other than that before 23rd...am trying  so hard to get ahead with work and spend time with kids in anticipation of being out of pocket for a few weeks....

lol.  will PM you and we can make a plan.  btw..i finished off some red wine tonight...with a promise to myself that i'll try the clonopan my doc gave me tomorrow instead.  i don't care  for drugs...but, like you, am thinking i need something to help me relax.  btw...when did you pre-op tell you to stop drinking.  i.e. how long before surgery?

Keonghi I had a PET and MRI shortly after I was diagnosed back in November. However I had neo adjuvant chemo because my tumor was close to 5 cm. They found one positive node through my PET and canceled my SNB.



My thoughts are with those facing surgery this week. I've had a little longer for all this cancer stuff to sink in. I highly suggest a nerve pill if your oncologist will prescribed one.

Hello again, ladies!

I'm not on the list at the beginning of the thread, maybe it's too late; my surgery is Friday, April 6th.....and the nerves are kicking in.  I'm just having trouble imagining myself without my left breast!!!  It seems surreal!  And I'm so afraid of the lymphedema afterwards. Have any of you had issues with lymphedema? My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.....and your families!

Hi Beachcomber2005,

 It's you and me on Friday...I'm having a BMX with reconstruction (DIEP on the right and muscle-sparing TRAM on the left). I had a lumpectomy last October and had no lymphedema issues, but I am worried about it this time - for no real reason, just because I'm worried about everything.

Jennyrjd, hoping your surgery is going well today.

GmaNiki, thinking about you and hoping you are doing well.

arenee, best wishes for you for tomorrow.

longislandmom, it didn't occur to me to ask my doc for anything to help with the nerves...thanks for that idea.

Love you all!

I have had so much stress that my face broke out with rosacea and it went into my eyes. They are starting to clear up some,but still ugly looking. I was even having facial twithing. I finallly gave in last night and took a xanax that the doc had prescribed and for the first time in 6 months I slept for 7 hours straight. It felt so good !! Tomorrow is my pet scan so I am going to take two and hopefully sleep through it.

I had 4 nodes removed and ended up having to have my arm pit drained twice. That part feels better, but my skin on my arm still feels like a bad sun burn and it hurts to touch or have clothing on it. I am seeing an LE therapist Wednesday.

Good luck to all you ladies who are having their surgery this week.

Surgery tomorrow...scared!!