Too early for April 2012 mastectomy?

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  • longislandmom
    longislandmom Member Posts: 248
    edited May 2012

    Ugh... I hate iPads. I said anything i can do for you...not inch for you!!!

  • Judy6
    Judy6 Member Posts: 54
    edited May 2012

    Lisamarie, my ps told my hubby to up my time to every 3 hours for percocet too.  So I was taking 2 percocets and a valiuim every 3 hours around the clock. UGH I wish I could fast forward for you!!!  Hugs to you, I am so sorry you are in so much pain. 

  • ppeople
    ppeople Member Posts: 207
    edited May 2012

    Yay, longisland on path!

    Sorry for the pain Lisamarie, maybe they can give you something different for pain.  Can your mom rub your back and neck?  My family did that for me on the day I had a lot of pain and it really helped.

    Hope you are resting well Columbiana.

    Almost ready Markat?

    Good bye April!

    PS tomorrow, I think I have 2 seromas, maybe drains came out too soon, very swollen and hard.

  • keonghi
    keonghi Member Posts: 111
    edited May 2012

    Longislandmom so great to hear!!

    I had my last drain out today. Yay!  BS said MO (medical oncologist) and he are thinking Tamoxifen would be the best route for me.  So confused as to why.  If when we have a BMX there is only a 1-2% chance of recurrence and Tamoxifen reduces the chances of recurrence (in breast tissue only) by 60% then why would they want to put me through all the sides effects to lower my chance of recurrence by 1% (60% of 1-2%)?  Has anyone else had there BS suggest that Tamoxifen is in their near future?  I still have to meet with the MO May 14th.

    As for pain meds, I am still taking Vicodin and Flexeril every 4 hours.  Seems the pain keeps changing and right now it is most painful under my arms and where the tape burns are.  I guess we heal differently and pain is also subjective.

  • markat
    markat Member Posts: 909
    edited May 2012

    Hope everyone is doing well! I'm almost ready. I have my kids clothes packed and ready to go to their aunt's. Thank you all for sharing so much.

  • aussie12
    aussie12 Member Posts: 462
    edited May 2012

    Hi all

    Good news Longislandmom.

    I got my pathology results today, good news. I don't need chemo or rads but will have to take Tamoxifen.

    My tumour was 50mm DCIS with 3mm of invasive in the middle. I am still quite sore, the Dr said that theres still some fluid in there that should hopefully go soon.

    My family are very happy, they haven't let on but I'm sure they have been very worried.

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

    on my way to PS to get drains out .. raining like crazy out .. in so much pain .. cannot poop .. my life is NUTS and I hate it right now // Hope all of u have a better day .. :)

  • ppeople
    ppeople Member Posts: 207
    edited May 2012

    keonghi-ah, tape burns.  I can identify, they hurt a lot and I get them too.  I think I am allergic to tape, you?

    I think pain is so variable in people.  I think growing up in a family where my pain (psychological or physical) didn't matter, patterened my brain to ignore it.  Not the healthiest response, but useful at times.  My friend's favorite story about me regarding that is when I had bacterial pneumonia and a 103 fever and felt it was not safe to drive, so I made her drive me to WORK!  What a jerk I am.So, pain is normal, and treating it is normal.

    Does tamox reduce risk of mets?  Maybe you'll need second opinion.  My friend w stage 1 and bmx did tamox also, never thought about it, but you are right, 60% of 2%...

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited May 2012

    lisamarie68--GIRLFRIEND!!! Don't think I left you here.... Glad you are home and the surgery done.  Big accomplishment there.  Tell the PS about the pain so you can get that under control  As for the constipation, drink lots of water and try prune juice/apple juice and some of those Sunsweet Ones (individually packed prunes- really sweet and moist).  Yeh, I know the idea of prunes sounds blah but don't look at the juice or the prunes.  They will help!!!  FEEL BETTER SOON!!!!!

    FYI- At the cancer center where I'm being treated, I was given a cookbook called Eating Well Through Cancer written by a medical oncologist and a cookbook writer ( Gerald P Miletello, MD and Holly Clegg.)  I'm not pushing book sales but I will tell you it has helped me figure out what to do if and when I'm experiencing some of the unpleasant side effects and what to eat.  It is "go to" simple book for me so I don't have to think or figure out what to do myself and go hunting on Dr. Google for some quick help. 

    Sending lots of gentle (((HUGS))), positive calming & healing prayers, thoughts and energy!!!

  • longislandmom
    longislandmom Member Posts: 248
    edited May 2012

    Market- sending you prayers and keeping you in my thoughts. Almost there!!!!!

    Lisamarie- aw, honey. I so do wish all of us could he,take away that pain!!! Glad u r seeing PS. Hope he can do something!!!!

    Aussie- yea on good path report! Hope u r feeling good!

    Plymouth - my BS said no tamoxifen for me because I don't have any breasts. Will find out more when I meet with her Thursday. But she said it would be to prevent occurrence in contra lateral breast...which I don't have anymore.

    I find it so interesting to see all of the different..some subtle, some great...approaches of docs. Makes the whole journey and decisionmaking process more confusing! Xxo

  • longislandmom
    longislandmom Member Posts: 248
    edited May 2012

    Keonghi...so sorry r still in pain!!!!! I wish we could help!!! My pits hurt the most, too. The camisole bra they gave me drives me a bit nuts! Yea on the drains for you. Im still " juicy" as a friend said. I'm hoping for Thursday, but not holding my breath!! Put out 85 yesterday :(

    Xxoo

  • ppeople
    ppeople Member Posts: 207
    edited May 2012

    Will be thinking of you tomorrow Markat!  You are almost done...

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

    Congrats longislandmom! Great news.



    Lisamarie - I have not dared shave my underarms. I'm still numb in spots so im afraid I will cut myself. I had my drain removed last Monday but looks like it was a bit too soon. Had to go back yesterday because there was solo much fluid build up. I could actually hear it moving. Gross. Fluid is now gone and it feels so much better! Your not doing badly! I have the same strange feelings. Plus, we all heal differently. You will be back to your old self in no time. Chin up girl!

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

    Good luck Markat!

  • Judy6
    Judy6 Member Posts: 54
    edited May 2012

    Hi ladies.  I am so excited that April is over and almost everyone on our list is done.  I know when I first saw this thread my surgery seemed so far away.  Tomorrow is 4 weeks post op for me.  I feel fabulous!!!!  I hope we can all stay in touch and encourage each other through this journey.  I have read every post.  I pray for you all daily.  I am just a woman of few, or not the right words.  xoxo to you all!!!  Good luck Markat and Bellamarie!!

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

    Columbiana hope u are resting on the other side  xoxox . 

    Markat good luck tomorrow . i wll be in ur p ocket xoxoxo 

    Melrose , ty i have missed u . thanks longisland and judy , martdibra,plymouth and keonghi . i know the pain all too well...

    drains out this am .. ps took off bandages he said everything is good ..he sais all i am feeling is normal . he will see me in 2 weeks for first fill. he said i did not overtake ny medicine and he gave me 10mg percocett now . he said i have no resriction and i can shower and move all around .as much as i want . haha so much pain i dont wanna move .. oh i can shower and shave . i am too numb under my arms and it spots .. post op with BS tomorrow at 1:30p . should i wear a bra ? he never told me to wear anything the ps I mean? I still feel like total shit one week post op and all i want to do is sleep and oh yeah poop ... thats so bad not pooping .. maybe try the prunes 

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited May 2012

    lisamarie68- Hey you!!!! You are on your way to healing!!!!  As for the pain, you are only one week out post-op..... it will get better.... patience..... patience.  Yeah, I know, you want to feel good again and no pain..... you will..... you will.   I wore camis or nothing underneath my zip up warm up jackets.  Be comfy.   Cheers as we toast to getting through surgery with a glass of ice cold prune juice/apple juice!!!!Smile 

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

    Colace and Milk of Magnesia were God sends for me.

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

    During Taxol, every time I took a pain pill I also took two Colace. Worked well. Before I figured out that trick, I would use MOM when I hadn't gone in a bit.

  • vballmom
    vballmom Member Posts: 426
    edited May 2012

    Colace did nothing for me...nine days and nothing.  Hubby talked to the pharmacist who sent him home with Miralax.  One dose started things moving.

    I am on day 6.  I have been laying low, but tonight I am going to my dd's college sports banquet. She is being awarded athlete of the year for her grade.  I don't have a clue what to wear, as I still have my drain and don't have an insert to put in a bra. Well, a lopsided mom is better than no mom, right?

     

  • markat
    markat Member Posts: 909
    edited May 2012

    Thanks everyone!

  • ndroby
    ndroby Member Posts: 104
    edited May 2012

    Hi All,

    Sorry to have not posted for awhile. I have been reading and praying for everyone's rapid recovery. Lisamarie, I hope your pain gets better after those nasty drains are gone! vballmom: glad the Miralax worked. Pooping is a good thing! Vegangal, I am sorry you have to wait so darn long

    Aussie12: glad that you don't need chemo or rads. You must be so relieved!

    I shaved my armpits in early post op week 2 with one of those electric mustache trimmers. No razor blades. I also bought spray deoderant which helps a lot.

    I think I am the slowest to recover here of anyone. 3 weeks post op and no fills yet. My left nipple remains purple and black, but there is some pink skin underneath. Dark stuff is slowly sloughing off. I itch everywhere from God knows what---adhesive tape---my skin is so sensitive. Anyone else having this same issue? I am discouraged right now. one of my expanders migrated up 1 CM when the nurse pulled the last drain---it was stuck underneath the expander and I nearly fainted when she was pulling it out. Ick!

    I continue praying for everyone's speedy recovery. God bless!

    Nancy

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

    When I have to go out (lop-sided) I usually wear a scarf around my neck that is long enough to cover my chest. Unless you were staring at me, you wouldn't be able to tell....I hope.

  • ppeople
    ppeople Member Posts: 207
    edited May 2012

    Just came from PS, expanded again (480) but they look flat and wide, more like a body builders pecs than breasts.  Have a red ares PS concerned about infection so will stay on antibiotics.  Infection is the dreaded enemy of TEs. 

    A scarf is s must for all outdoor adventures.  And earings.

    Went out today without either, in yoga pants and workout tee with crocs, thought I looked like a brunette Mario Batalli

  • ppeople
    ppeople Member Posts: 207
    edited May 2012

    Ndroby, you kept nipples?  THat is great, I hear it is normal for them to look dusky for a while.  My PS surgeon says fill schedule has more to do w PS preference than any healing issue.  Even with my R/O infection spot, he still filled me today.

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

    vball mom , I hope you have a lovley time at the banquet , ur daughter must be amazed , I pinned my drains inside my  shirts . just kinda made a lump but at least hidden . Ndroby I too will be 3 weeks post op for first fill my ps said two weeks till fills , but I am okay with the wait as I am feeling so crappy and tight anyway . I took colace , and sennakot and nothing I had to drink some yucky stuff called magnesium citrate and it did the trick , guessing im gonna have to take it again ... know I need to be patient .. I am trying ... :) thanks to u ladies I survived this so far xoxoxoxo

  • ppeople
    ppeople Member Posts: 207
    edited May 2012

    Lisamarie, go easy on the mag citrate.  If you went you may not need it again unless dr said so, sould give you diarrhea.  Remember, they give you pain pills for you to take them!  I will take mine tonight to sleep because of my fill today. Hope you get a good nights sleep.

  • longislandmom
    longislandmom Member Posts: 248
    edited May 2012

    Just curious...who has the record on drains? I am now on day 9 and still so juicy. Putting out 45 plus and still a good number of bloody clots. Ugh!!!

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

    well based on those stats, you beat me!

  • colombiana
    colombiana Member Posts: 10
    edited May 2012

    Hello Ladies!



    My surgery went well but my hearth bit was really fast and the doctors though I was having a hearth attack but thank to the lord I was dehydrated. Paying is not as bad as I tough. The drain area pain.

    My family is at the hospital with me=). I will go home tomorrow. Can't wait for path results.



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