Too early for April 2012 mastectomy?

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  • ppeople
    ppeople Member Posts: 207
    edited April 2012

    Longisland, got my period too!  So glad.

    I feel ready, let's get on with this already!

    Last day at work tomorrow, that feels weird.

    Yea for drains out FL.

    Yea for being on the other side ndroby.

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  • VeganGal
    VeganGal Member Posts: 154
    edited April 2012

    Hey Chicks . . . Longisland and rtync . . . you're both 2 days before me . . . I'm doing the TE's . . . are you both doing them too?

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  • rtnyc
    rtnyc Member Posts: 155
    edited April 2012

    I can't believe you all got your periods. I have not, lets hope I don't!!  But my luck I will get it the day before or day of!

    VeganGal:  I'm doing BMX w/immediate DIEP flap.

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  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 1,235
    edited April 2012

    I am thinking my period is coming soon , I am praying I get it now so I dont have it for surgery .. I dont want it then ... I am doing BPMX with SNB and TE's . On April 24 

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  • FLislander
    FLislander Member Posts: 243
    edited April 2012

    Just a repeat, the tubes are a pain to shower but overall I did all the draining and measuring, don't forget to strip them every now and then but I forgot a couple of days and remembered again. But not as bad as imagined.

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  • ndroby
    ndroby Member Posts: 104
    edited April 2012

    Yes, immediate reconstruction with TEs. First fill next week. yikes!

    My final path report came back today and the surgeon just called me. I had pre-cancerous cells throughout BOTH breasts that would eventually become ILC. I feel like I dodged a cruise missle! Phew! I only wish I could jump up and down, but I cannot!

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  • DoulaMom
    DoulaMom Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2012

    I am having a BMX w/ immediate DIEP on 4/23 10 days and counting! 

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  • DoulaMom
    DoulaMom Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2012

    RTNYC and LongIslandMom, we are surgery day buddies. I am on the other coast, in Seattle.  My name is Jennifer, and i'm 41, married w/ 3kids, ages 12, 6 and almost 4 (May 1st) First ever mamogram this Janruary on Friday the 13th  DX of DCIS on Feb8th. Scheduled for surgery on the 23rd. 10 days to go. Here's to us, and making it through. It's very nice to meet you.

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  • Mardibra
    Mardibra Member Posts: 1,111
    edited April 2012

    Well, here I am doing just fine. The anticipation was much worse than the actual event. I have one darn and an "On Q" anesthesia ball. Have not had any pain at all. Let's hope it continues.

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  • longislandmom
    longislandmom Member Posts: 248
    edited April 2012

    Doulamom-  nice to meet you (sorry under these circumstances). I love Seatlle!  I am 47 with two kids a 7.5 year old son and a 10 year old daughter.  my DCIS and LCIS turned up as small microcalc on a routine annual mammogram.  Look forward to a journey towards health with you.

    VeganGal - I am doing TEs --  I have enough saggy baby belly to make me look bad in a bikini...but evidently not enough for two nice boobs-- lol!  I did, however, talk to my PS about getting a tummy tuck at somepoint during this process!  i may just do it during one of my future recon surgeries....we'll see.

    Ndroby - i am encouraged to hear that you had TEs because you sound like your recovery is going smoothly and it seems like those of us who get the TEs have a longer/painful road!

    And all of you waiting for your periods......I'm praying to the Moon Goddess for you ladies! 

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  • rtnyc
    rtnyc Member Posts: 155
    edited April 2012

    DoulaMom:  welcome to the group and so sorry you have to be here with us!  Crazy how your life changes in minute to minute. But, we have 10 days to go and it will change again FOR THE BETTER once we all get through this shit!  I was dx with DCIS, other area's high risk, went through 5 biopsys Jan/Feb...can't wait to move on. I am Robbin, 51, 2 girls 16 and 24 and live in NYC!   Will be thinking of you as we move forward and espeically on 4/23!

    I'm not sure how to add you to the list of April's but maybe someone else who knows how to do that can take care of that....

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  • longislandmom
    longislandmom Member Posts: 248
    edited April 2012

    Holy Cow...MardiBra -- is that really you?? didn't you just have surgery today?? wow!  welcome back!  so excited to hear you feel good!!!

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  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 1,235
    edited April 2012

    welcome back Mardibra , Hugs glad to see ur on the other side and doing good :)

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  • VeganGal
    VeganGal Member Posts: 154
    edited April 2012

    Yup . . . not enough "extra stuff" to do the flaps . . . wish I could flaps b/c they last "forever" . . . while us TE chicks have to "re do" in 10-15 years . . . ug . . . seems like the BC thing will literally never every every end . . .

    ndroby . . . let us know how the fill goes. The PS nurse was telling me how it's done . . . sounds a little creepy . . .

    mardibra . . . WOW!!!!!!!! You are amazing . . . an real inspiration . . . sometimes I get freaked out reading some of the stories on this board . . . but with you . . . I'm like "yeah!!!!"

    Hugs SS's . . .

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  • AmyH1971
    AmyH1971 Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2012

    I am going to post quickly because for 2 day my meds have been keepin me too sleepy to read AND post. I at least wanted to check in. My surgery went well (10.5 hours). I keep hearing over and over how good my scars look.the anticipation is way worse than the actual surgery. There is definitely a lot of pain but I have been staying on top of it as much as possible. Amazingly, I have hardly any issues raising my arms..



    Sorry I can't write more right now. I at least wanted to check in and let you all know I am doing fine an I am thinking of all of you!

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  • AmyH1971
    AmyH1971 Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2012

    And P?S? From what the can tell my nodes are clean! :)

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  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 1,235
    edited April 2012

    Aww Amy glad to see u on the other side and doing well :):) sending you warm Hugs ... rest we xoxoxoll 

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  • DoulaMom
    DoulaMom Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2012

    Mardibra-  WOW!  So glad it went so well. 

    longisland, and prnyc and lisamarie, thanks for the warm welcome. I am so ready, and so NOT ready for this upcoming surgery.  But this site has helped and it helps so much to have people to go through this with. I've really only started reading the boards, and it's been great. If y'all want to know more about me, you can visit my blog at www.ifihavenotlove.wordpress.com.Writing is the way i process stuff. Blessings to us all!

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  • kimmygal
    kimmygal Member Posts: 10
    edited April 2012

    Hello April ladies in waiting,

    Just want to drop you all a note, I also am having a BLMX on April 18th, I have been following you great bunch of ladies and wanted you all to know that you have given me a lot of strenght, courage and great information. Thank you to each and every one of you for your posts, its whats kept me going.

    You are all so strong, kind and  very  supportive, I have been thinking and praying for you all!.

      I was starting to have a lot of anxiety today because of the date getting closer and just wanted to let you know how helpful you have all been,  I am happy for all the ladies who have made it through the surgery to the other side and hope you are all comfortable and have a speedy recovery,  and to all the ladies still waiting it will be here( not soon enough) but I will be thinking of you and praying for you all.    XOXOXOX

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  • ndroby
    ndroby Member Posts: 104
    edited April 2012

    PHOTOGAMY: Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers tonight. Clean nodes are a good thing! You will do great. Good that you are staying on top of the pain.

    Kimmygal, no worries as the anticipation of surgery is worse than anything. Pain and tummy issues were well-managed. I feared nausea/vomiting after surgery. They gave me a pill right before surgery that has a bit of a steroid in it that is effective for stopping nausea/vomiting. I never puked once....that says a lot for me. I would rather hurt than puke! I also usually wake up after anesthesia with rigors (severe shivering and shaking)---they had the warming blankets and Demerol ready for me. Be very specific in telling the anesthesia and OR nurses what you fear. That really helped me feel in control, and told them what I needed for a good experience.

    Vegangal, I will definitely let you know about the fill. TEs are a bit uncomfortable, but I would not describe the feeling as painful. It's weird touching the breast with complete numbness. For me, that beats having cancer any day!

    Mardibra: glad that you are comfortable. Welcome to the other side.

    Good night and sleep tight everyone!

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  • longislandmom
    longislandmom Member Posts: 248
    edited April 2012

    So two new dates to add to our way too long it's of April mx .....kimmygal son April 18th and doula mom on April 23...... Way too many ladies on our list! And to think we r just a fraction of those having this surgery!!!

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  • ppeople
    ppeople Member Posts: 207
    edited April 2012

    Doulamom, welcome, I'll add you to the list.

    Are you a doula?  I had one for both my kids births, really helped me.

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  • ppeople
    ppeople Member Posts: 207
    edited April 2012

    Welcome Kimmygal, I'll put you on the list too.

    Wow photo, mardi and ndroby! You are all something, being back posting so soon, especially you Mardibra!  Wishing you all, and all post op gals, healing thoughts.

    No more for this week, holy crap, I'm next week!

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  • markat
    markat Member Posts: 909
    edited April 2012

    Mardi and Amy so glad to hear from you both!



    Flislander so happy you got your drains out. How did you take a shower with your drains? I feel like I don't know anything about how to take care of myself after this surgery.

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

    Hi markat:

    Responding to your comment that you don't know how to take care of yourself after surgery, here's a link to the section on the main Breastcancer.org site called Mastectomy: What to Expect. It goes through the steps from before surgery to the months after the mastectomy.

    We hope this helps!

    Judith and the Mods

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  • DoulaMom
    DoulaMom Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2012

    Yes I am a Doula. And a Childbirth Educator and Pregnancy Photographer and Massage Therapist. I wear many hats but all of them are about birthwork. Haven't been working much lately as I have a munchkin in preschool, but i'll take on more clients as he spends more time in school. I keep my feet wet and get my birth fix, but that's all i seem to have time for. I'm actually glad I didn't have a full client list.  Would've made this much more difficult. 

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  • markat
    markat Member Posts: 909
    edited April 2012

    Thanks mods!



    Doulamom what an awesome career. I always wished I'd hired a doula. My friends loved theirs.

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  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited April 2012

    Hi everyone-can't sleep. My butt hurts from sleeping sitting up. I can't wait to sleep on my side again. I took a better look at myself and the side I had radiation on 7 yrs ago looks better now because it is round and not deformed, even without a nipple. I wll say, the drain tubes are the cause of the pain, especially on the left side. I am hoping the fluid slows down by Monday and they can come out.

    Welcome to the new ladies and good luck. The list just keeps getting bigger. It makes me sad.

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  • FLislander
    FLislander Member Posts: 243
    edited April 2012

    Market

    I got a camisole from TLC direct that had pockets for drains, that worked well but really need the Velcro belt to take a shower in comfort. I tried the safety pins and ended up just taking a shower in the camisole then putting it in washer.



    Mardi

    In the hospital they take care of you very well, when you get home you have to take the pain med ahead of time, I even set my alarm at night to take it because it was so hard to get out of bed not taking it on schedule. Just 3 days like that really, and it's just soreness, but hard to move without meds.

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  • VeganGal
    VeganGal Member Posts: 154
    edited April 2012

    Welcome to the new ladies . . . too many of us indeed:-( . . . and . . . waiting is absolutely awful. For you ladies on the other side? Any advice on the radioactive dye they inject the day before? Did it "hurt"? Were there side effects? Words of wisdom would be appreciated!

    ndroby . . . do keep me posted on how the "fill" feels . . . I am so curious. When the PS's nurse showed me that little "magnet" thing she uses to find the "opening" it kinda freaked me out a bit . . .

    Dianarose . . . I have always slept on my side/stomach . . . I guess this means we will need to sleep on our backs post surgery for some time. Is that right? I've seen some places sell these big "foam" mastectomy sleeping pillows that are angled in such a way that you pretty much sleep on them. Has anyone tried these? Do they help? Would love advice on this too from you ladies "on the other side" . . .

    Happy Saturday Morning my SS's.

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