Too early for April 2012 mastectomy?

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  • FLislander
    FLislander Member Posts: 243
    edited April 2012

    On the poop producing I drank warm prune juice, stool softener, milk of mag. And nothing... Then did miralax and it on worked day 4...

  • CityFi
    CityFi Member Posts: 95
    edited April 2012

    Just checking in and sending love to everyone who had surgery this week. If you're not checking in, it's because I hope you've sailed through surgery and getting some much needed and deserved rest. Hoping to hear great post-surgery news from everyone. 

  • longislandmom
    longislandmom Member Posts: 248
    edited April 2012

    Thanks for the posts ladies!  so glad to hear you are on the other side Kimmygal and Jennyrjd.  I can't wait-- literally-- to join you!  And thanks for the Target sweatshirt suggestion...i bought two of them!  Just curious-- did all of you have first thing in the AM appointments...or did anyone else have to wait until noonish like me?  i don't know how i'm going to make it waiting in the hospital for 5 hours!!!

  • rtnyc
    rtnyc Member Posts: 155
    edited April 2012

    I have report in at 6 am; nuclear shots on both sides at 7:15/7:30 and then surgery scheduled for 10 am...walking to drug store to get script for some drugs to calm me down. Also, even though the papers all said no alcohol, my BS said I can have some wine, she said just don't do shots and get drunk but a few glasses of wine is fine tonight and saturday. That made me happy.  All day at work the good bys and good luck brought tears on and off all day I have such a headache and tylonol does nothing at all.  Anyway, glad to hear that kimmygal and jennyrjd have moved over; plymouth your doing ok, right? longisland mom, why do you have to be at the hospital for 5 hours before?

  • rtnyc
    rtnyc Member Posts: 155
    edited April 2012

    here's a question for you post surgery gals:  someone just told my sister who had the mx w/flap that before surgery you should get a brazillan wax because of the drainage tubes when removed will pull out the pubic hair and it hurts more than the surgery. Anyone else find this? 

  • longislandmom
    longislandmom Member Posts: 248
    edited April 2012

    LOL, RTNYC...love the brazillian question.  i don't know the answer, sorry!  but everyone should get a brazillian at least once in their life.  this could be your time :)

    Re: my report time.  I was told to report there at 7am....surgery is not scheduled until 12:30.  My BS told me her first surgery is at 9:15 and she couldn't give me that slot because i had to do the SNB prep.  So i am assuming i am the second slot.  I don't think there is any magic to the 5 hours...just the time between my SNB and check-in appointment and the scheduled surgery.  But she did promise me that i could get an IV and drugs right after nuclear.   BTW..i have had a terrible headache and an earache, too.  and am just plain sad and stressed. 

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

    Well I had chemo before surgery so I went commando!



    I had to be at the hospital by 6:30 for 8:00 surgery.

  • aussie12
    aussie12 Member Posts: 462
    edited April 2012

    Hi all

    I had to be at the hospital at 7am, was taken straight to nuclear medicine and injected with the dye. They told me I had to go first because my surgery was about 8.30am. Lots of you have said the injection really hurt but mine didn't thankfully.

    I also haven't had a smoke for 8 weeks, I haven't been sleeping and nearly had a smoke last night as thats what I used to do when I couldn't sleep.

    It seems you lot in USA and me in Australia have been through the same experiences in hospital with surgery, treatments etc. I'm going through the public hospital which has lots of bad stories but I've had no trouble so far. All the nurses, doctors etc were fantastic in hospital, the nurses worked so hard, they need to double their pay.

    Hope you all have a great weekend

    Aussie12

  • ppeople
    ppeople Member Posts: 207
    edited April 2012

    To those going in early and having surgery later:

    Once you are in the hospital time flies.  They have you busy all the time and once your IV is in, you are no longer thirsty and they can give you meds, if you want, so you can relax.

    I was  in at 9, no SNB, and went into surg at 11:30.  Also, my anesthesiologist gave me something in the holding room, before wheeling me to the OR, so I was out and never even saw the OR.  Kind of him, I thought.

    My update: I pooped!  Please nip this in the bud early if it happens to you, it only gets worse each day.  It was only 2 days for me and I felt awful (I am usually a frequent pooper).  I took stool softner, MOM and warm prune juice.  It is day 3 and I stopped the pain meds yesterday and switched to tylenol, still take the Valium though. Slept 4 hours at a clip, woke up took meds, slept another 4 hours.

    Moral of my story: I think the key is to stay on top of pain in the hospital so you dont get nerve repatterning where they become used to pain signals.  I hit that PCA every 10 min the whole time I was in and I asked for the Valium right away (did not wait for muscle spasms, just said I had them (prevention)).

    ndroby, what is the status of your drainage? 

  • ppeople
    ppeople Member Posts: 207
    edited April 2012

    Also, to whom ever was worried about being thirsty:

    I was NPO after midnight, so just before midnight I drank a ton to be superhyrated when I started.  Then when I got to the hospital and got the IV, I asked them to hydrate me, and the did.  No thirst.  As a fatty, I was hungry tho.

  • Zarasbaba
    Zarasbaba Member Posts: 103
    edited April 2012

    Hello and welcome to the other side ladies!!!

    I wish all of you well and is sending all of you warm and gentle hugs,

    I had my BMX/ DIEP Flap, on April 11,

    Was is really bad pain, sorry to say they didn't give me any breve pills, came home with six drains !!

    Had five drains removed on April 19!!! One is a pice of cake,lol

  • Zarasbaba
    Zarasbaba Member Posts: 103
    edited April 2012

    Hello and welcome to the other side ladies!!!

    I wish all of you well and is sending all of you warm and gentle hugs,

    I had my BMX/ DIEP Flap, on April 11,

    Was is really bad pain, sorry to say they didn't give me any nerve pills, came home with six drains !!

    Had five drains removed on April 19!!! One is a pice of cake,lol



    I'm trying to catch up on the post, my sister was with me since April 8, she went home yesterday, but left my DN with me to help me out with, household chores and to help me,



    I still have pain but my PS gave me a supportive bra, which helps out with the pain,

    I'm treating my DN to a hair day, I'm taking her to my hair salon, I may just get a wash and a blow out myself...

    Oh and yes I am cancer free.... And yea I'll be moving to chemo land in a month

    Sending warm hugs, positive thoughts, many prayers for everyone going though this,and clam thoughts

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

    Gabsbaba- so glad you have had 5 of the drain tubes out. I could not imagine having 6. Bless you !! My hair dresser came to my house and did my hair for me when I had the tubes. It made me feel so much better. I hope you and your niece have a great time at the salon.

    Did you do the Oncotype dx? My MO has my results, but I will wait until my appt. on the 30th to find out my score.

  • longislandmom
    longislandmom Member Posts: 248
    edited April 2012

    Plymouth -- i'm the one who has fixated on thirst.  so thanks so much for all of your reassuring posts.  i've spoken to my BS and she promises that as soon as I am done with nuclear they will hook me up to IV.  i think my fixation on not drinking is just one element of my overall anxiety, which is making me kind of OCD re: water.  thinking that an IV with hydration and some happy meds will work.  am also planning on keeping an i-pod with mediation tape as long as possible....

    again, thanks so much to all of you for sharing your stories and your advice.  it makes this much easier.  RTNYC and Doulamom-  hope you are OK.  i'm thinking of both of you and look forward to reconnecting on the other side of Monday!  xxoo

  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited April 2012

    Doing the happy dance fot you, Gabsbaba - yay for getting out the drains!

  • ndroby
    ndroby Member Posts: 104
    edited April 2012

    Plymouth, Kimmygal and Jayme:Good to hear you are on the road to recovery.

    Longisland and Vegangal, you are almost to the other side and I have you in my pocket. Angels are headed your way from Texas...they are wearing cowboy boots!

    Jenny: glad to hear that you are on the other side and recovering. Sorry that you had such a long surgery.

    Mardibra: great news that all cancer is gone. You kicked its butt! Yeah! Way to go!

    I have not posted these past few days b/c I have been dealing with TE issues.Back on Keflex 4 times daily. If needed, PS will prescribe Bactrim (aka "the big guns"). I had so much bruising, that it's hard to know if this redness is healing or infection. My left nipple is purple, but they say it will live...there are little hairs growing from it. Where there is hair, there is blood flow...LOL!

     Remaining drains were pulled Thursday and I took my first heavenly, drainless shower yesterday! Oh, the things we take for granted until we lose them!

  • spicedlife
    spicedlife Member Posts: 182
    edited April 2012

    Plymouth- Praise God for poop.  I'm hoping to do that soon (poop and praise)  lol.  I had the Oncotype test done after my lumpectomy in March and it came back a 24 and the MO said I would need chemo. 

    My new PS said that she got ALL of the cancer and she really thinks I will just need the Tamoxifin.  I have not met with new MO yet so who knows? 

    Will post later when this pain pill wears off.  I feel a little loopy right now.

    Jenny

  • ppeople
    ppeople Member Posts: 207
    edited April 2012

    Yes, praise God and everyone for poop!

    ndroby, I am also on antibiotice, doxycycline because of my hx of MRSA.  Want those TEs to stay healthy.  Good luck to you with that.

  • ppeople
    ppeople Member Posts: 207
    edited April 2012

    Wow, saw my suture lines today.  Called PS because increase pain in one drain site, I was afraid it might be infected.  So he told me to remove surgical dressing and inspect site, the good news is it is all ok, it was just a piece of skin folded over drain that was pinching.  So I cleaned everything and redressed it.  But, the no boobs and the red skin and the bloody looking suture line was a shock.  I cried after, but I am fine now.  Be prepared, but know you'll be ok when this happens to you. A work in progress as they say. 

  • longislandmom
    longislandmom Member Posts: 248
    edited April 2012

    awww, plymouth.  glad you are OK and sorry re: the shock.  i am afraid think of that.

     Question for all of you ladies-- did you bring your pillows to the hospital?  or use them when you got home.  I am just packing now...thanks!

  • sony22
    sony22 Member Posts: 25
    edited April 2012

    hi all i posted last night but maybe i forgot to send, anyway went home last sat and went to dr monday and dr did not like what he saw. I had another surgery on thurs and am resting at home. There was an infetion where the TE's are so they put new ones in. I wont lie I'm in a lot of pain but with each day it gets easier. at least its all over. I wish you ladies all the love and support this week.I will write to check on everyone love to all of you and to Lisamarie, I love ya to the moon and back. .

  • ppeople
    ppeople Member Posts: 207
    edited April 2012

    Dont bring pillows to hospital.  Keep 2 little ones in the car for the ride home.  I consider everything I brought to the hospital contimanated with "hospital germs".  Because of your ability to move hospital bed in many positions, you wont need them there.

    Sony, sorry for your repeat surgery, that's just not fair to have to do this twice.  Wishing you a speedy second recovery.

  • Nightnurse
    Nightnurse Member Posts: 86
    edited April 2012

    My dbl mastectomy is Apr 25th. Immediate reconstruction with expander. Chemo after drains come out. I will be glad to get this over and done with. I was diagnosed 3/30 and approx 3 weeks later , here I am.

  • lindab521
    lindab521 Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2012

    Hi,

    you're not alone or the oldest.  I'm 52 and have just been diagnosed with idc and just finished all the tests they wanted.  Now I wait till Monday to see the treatment plan they want me to do.. Did you get a second oppinion?  Don't worry if you are alone, your mom will be with you and we can all pray for each other that we find peace in each step we take to get cured.  I don't know you but I love you!  I will pray for you and all others that are facing this journey....:)

  • Zarasbaba
    Zarasbaba Member Posts: 103
    edited April 2012

    Hey Dianarose...,

    Oncontype Is a 15 , yes I am going to Chemoland too, lol, Ill be having it in about a month,



    I'm glad I had six drains because five came out in a week!!! Not two weeks!!! I only have one left on my hip which is nothing at all,



    Glad you got your hair done at home!!

    I had a nice time at my salon, my stylist gave me a free wash and blow out, and I was tried after and paid for it with pain, lol,



    Like I said before the bra my PS gave me helps out a lot with the pain,



    But they messed up my shoulder when they did my surgery , I was eight hours on the table and I have an old rotro cuff on the same shoulder I don't think I know and I will have to get it checked out

    Warm hugs and lots of prayers for everyone, we must stay positive even when we have pain, I call it my healing pain,I give thanks to my Lord God, everyday , that they found the cancer in time



    Sending my sisters prayers , warm hugs, and positive thoughts always!!!

  • Zarasbaba
    Zarasbaba Member Posts: 103
    edited April 2012

    Oh thanks Indigo!!!!!

    I was doing the happy dance myself!!!!!!

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

    Ohhh Sony , I am so sorry that you had to go back for a 2nd surgery :(:( I have been praying for you and praying for you . I am so happy that you are here . I was reading your post and tears were in my eyes. I am so crazy now , did not pack any bag for hospital yet . My last day of work was yesterday , I babysit my granddaughter today :) that makes me happy . but thinking when will I be bale to hold her again . :( then my nuclear medicine tomorrow and pick up my mom at airport then hope I sleep :( anyway I Love you Sony ! 

    To everyone  here on the other side . glad to hear everyone is managing and doing well ..

    Plymouth, Jaymee, and Kimmygal I will be with all of you tomorrow .. im ur pockets .. jumping back and forth .. Hugs to you all ...

  • aussie12
    aussie12 Member Posts: 462
    edited April 2012

    Hi all

    I hope to get my drain out tomorrow, it's sore where the drain is. I would recommend anyone with surgery to come to get and take sleeping pills once you get home as I've found with just sitting at home not doing anything(for once) and then being uncomfortable in bed that I just can't sleep.

    To all those with surgery this week, Good Luck.

  • rtnyc
    rtnyc Member Posts: 155
    edited April 2012

    Hi everyone....well one day and counting monday is it for me, longislandmom and doula. Good luck to all this week and those already home continue to feel better every day.



    longislandmom, haven't packed a thing yet but I do plan to bring a pillow with me but I won't bring it home with me. If I'm up to it I'll text you from the hospital. I think I'm in longer than you and if that's the case and you feel up to it, come visit me in the hospital. Otherwise we'll text and if you're still in NYC when I'm home and moving we can most certainly go for a walk!!! xoxo thinking of you!



  • rtnyc
    rtnyc Member Posts: 155
    edited April 2012

    ....well one day and counting monday is it for me, longislandmom and doula. Good luck to all this week and those already home continue to feel better every day.



    Longislandmom, haven't packed a thing yet but I do plan to bring a pillow with me but I won't bring it home with me. If I'm up to it I'll text you from the hospital. I think I'm in longer than you and if that's the case and you feel up to it, come visit me in the hospital. Otherwise we'll text and if you're still in NYC when I'm home and moving we can most certainly go for a walk!!! xoxo thinking of you!

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