Too early for April 2012 mastectomy?

Oh Valerie....that sucks. Nothing worse than being in pain. Good luck with the re excision.

Glad to read that Colombiana and Lisamarie had great patholgoy reports. I wish I could say the same. Ah, nothing horrible really but slightly different than what we had hoped immediately after the surgery which was only the best.  One node did have cancer, but it was microscopic. I actually think this was good news because I'm of the mind that AND is going to be phased out, and I didn't want all of my nodes yanked out based on one so that's precisely what happened. There was so little cancer, it wasn't evident in the OR and, based on that, I got to keep my remaining, clear nodes and reduce my risk of lymphedema.  Chemo'll will get the rest of those suckers. 

Mardibra, I'd love to hear about your chemo experience, and if that belongs on another thread, please show me the way.  Initially, I was to start a week from tomorrow with 4 cycles of Taxol and c-something-side, but that may change based on the pathology. I'm hoping not, but whatever tips and insight you have would be welcomed.

There was some neoplasia near my nipple (which was spared), so my BS wants to keep on eye on it, but he's confident that not only will it live, there'll be no problems. My margins were negative but close so, again, good news just not as stellar as I'd like. Anyway, other than maybe more and/or aggressive chemo - and that's not a forgeone conclusion yet -- my standing treatment plan should be just fine. I mean, no chemo was never really an option. 

In the end,  I choose to look at this as a confirmation of my decision to have mastectomy rather than attempt to conserve the breast with neoadjuvant chemo. And I kinda sorta was suprised when they told me all the nodes were clean. I didn't want them to find something, but I suspected the tumor making a run for the nodes so we got that sucker out in time! So the bright side to that is that I'm in tuned to my body and should trust my decision. Oh, and that a lot of the things I was doing in the almost over three months between dx and surgery were effective. So, yeah, not the best news but overwhelmingly affirming. 

Vballmom, yes I had a drain in and it was removed at about day 16 after surgery. But I was feeling so good and just did too much. the incision opened and it was like a running faucet of drainage. When the drain was removed I was under 10 per 24 hours for 3 days.

Trying to keep a  bandage of any kind on the wound is really difficult, especially when it was draining so much. When it was really open and we had to pack the wound I was using 4 4x4 gauze pads and an 8x10 ABD pad and had to change at least once an hour. The tape was just really tearing my skin up and I was having to change my clothes several times a day also because of leakage. Once it slowed down and the infection cleared up we no longer had to pack the wound and I changed to maxi pads which have helped considerably with the leakage onto my clothes. With the maxipads I have been wearing spanx that holds everything in place, but they sure can get warm!!!

Today was the best day for drainage, only used 4 pads. But the wound is closing and no sign of infection again. Will see the PS next Tuesday and hope he will allow me to return to work. Talked to my boss today and he told me that when I have the dr ok to return to let him know and he will schedule me with the company they use to make sure I really can return. I talked to him about the restrictions I still have and he said he knows the company will not allow me to work with an open wound.

Anyway when they say to take it easy that is exactly what you should do, I tried housework, laudry and cooking and really messed up my recovery.

Hi Everyone sorry for not posting sooner. everything went well. i only had one boob done and ps filled it with i think 260 ccs it looks good but kind of out of shape.. have appt with ps tormorrow hopefull i will get drains out.. down to like 20 ccs in 1 and 5 in the other.

The only issue i am having is not pooping so much.. just a little ..but feel pretty good hurts to move sometime, get up and down and sleep i love sleeping on my stomach guess i wont be able to to that anymore.. cant wait to shower and wear deoderent.

path report came back good nothing in nodes.. just dcis... thank god go to bs on 5-21 to discuss my future plans....

i am so glad all this is behind me and i am on the other sider... hugs

i am trying to do that too.. and the stool softener doesnt do squat. lol how r u feeling.. do you have tightness when getting up and down and bend over

bella i had every laxative at pharmacy nothing helped ... so for me i had to quit pain meds besides the nausea and throwing up .. and im tight all the time , i have TE's . they suck

City definitely join a thread for the month you start chemo. That's how I met Mardibra, we started chemo together in December. I agree with Mardi, water is so important with chemo. And everyone goes through it differently. Read the tips for the type of chemo you end up on and best wishes to you. I wish I would have stayed a little more active during treatment but just taking care of my 7 and 8 year olds wiped me out.



Bella congratulations! My bowels finally are normal. I tried every softener and I think warm prune juice worked the best and moving around.



Hope everyone is doing well!

Thanks for the tip i will definately try warm prune juice.. ew

Stool softeners did nothing for me.  Miralax worked like a dream, but I had also added dried prunes and apricots by then.

CitiFi - I had only one node with a macromet and did not have a AND either.  I will be having radiation despite the mastectomy. 

GmaNiki - oh goodness!  My APRN decided to do a compression wrap on me after removing the drain. I guess your experience is probably why. 

For all who had nodes removed I would strongly suggest going to an LE therapist. I have been going and what a difference it has made. I had major cording and it is just about gone. The pain is gone too. She said most doctors don't send you to one until you have a major problem, but she likes to prevent getting to that point. I have pretty much full range after 4 weeks post-op.

Longisland , me too my right arm is more locked than my left and of course thats the arm I use most .. i can freely move my left arm ..All i can say and will never say any different is the TE's suck , i had my second night of not sleeping last night 

DianaRose,  I dont have any idea . I know Tuesday the 15th is my first fill, I am still undecided about keeping them. I was never told how many fills I will need and when the exchange may be . I think im a big baby even if i try to think about when its over i may look good . I hate feeling this way .. my PS also gave me the okay to do whatever i wanted one week post op when he took my drains out so I have no idea .. 

I feel lost , I guess I have lots of ? for him on tuesday ...

Prune juice ewww.. cant imagine .. mirilax is one that i did not try .. im trying to stick with tylenol 

Gentle Hugs to all  

Dianarose, I feel for you . I don't know what i would do if my pathology report came back with anything more. I cant imagine  with anymore . you are a strong one it seems . I know I did what was best for me . the BS told me my right breast the trouble one was very active and the decision to have the bmx was a good one . I know I complain but i am hurting . how do u get a LE therapist ? I am out of work and have no money . I am also fearing loosing my apartment due to no cash $$ ... i guess its all so much on me .. being alone without help is hard to , im the one for everything bills and my life ... oh my im sorry im a big baby 

Heading out to Boston. Wish me luck. My BF's driving will scare the hell out of me. Bringing my Xanax for the drive there.

Good luck Dianarose - traffic shouldn't be too bad now!

Bella

The miralax worked for me also, it is pharmacist and dr recommended

I did warm prune juice also but miralax is what worked!