June 2012 Mastectomy

I haven't posted much in the last couple of weeks.  You can add me to the June BMX list:  June 18th.  I feel like this has all happened so fast since my diagnosis back on May 11th.  Plan is for skin and nipple sparing BMX with immediate reconstruction to Sientra TEs.  Honestly, I haven't thought about it much in the last two weeks as we had a mini vacation over the Memorial Day weekend.  I had plenty of other things to occupy my mind, but I know now there are many things I need to plan and accomplish before June 18th.  We are taking the kids to the beach next weekend, so there will be another four days between now and then that I won't be preparing for surgery. 

What practical things should I be doing to prepare?  How long can I expect to be incapacitated once home from the hospital?  I have two young children (5 1/2 & 3) and a husband at home.  I was thinking I should have the kids stay with relatives for the first few days after surgery.  I don't want them to be scared.  What about special clothing to accomodate the TEs & drains?  I'd love to hear what you all are doing to prepare.

7of9- Again, thank you.  I feel sooo much better about everything reading your posts.  BTW- my spelling has gone downhill since starting chemo and I got to a point where in the overall score of things good spelling just wasn't that important!

Hi all - June 11 is my date, right mastectomy for extensive DCIS.  I hate this waiting...after dx BS ordered MRI of both breasts due to family history (my mom died of BC when she was 44) and 3 tiny spots showed up in the left breast.  Couldn't find the spots to biopsy on US, so have to go for MRI guided biopsy on Tuesday.  Looks like I may end up with bi-lateral mastectomy depending on this!  I am so glad this site exists, it means alot to know I'm not alone.  Funny how surreal it feels to be doing this now, at age 37.  I'm not ready! I found it myself, had a clean first mammogram last year (early because of family history), but found a large "bumpy mass" in April.  Weird, no real lump, but it didn't feel right.  Dr. said it felt like an infection, ordered a diagnostic mammo.  The radiologist did an ultrasound, and even gave me the option of waiting since it really just looked like "hormonal changes" - I had miscarried a pregnancy in the 2nd month back in March.  My hysterical voice in my head wouldn't have liked that, so I did 5 core biopsies (that radiologist was covering her bases!) Came back DCIS, grade 2. WTF? 4cm worth.  How could that be in there and I missed it for so long?  What a crazy journey since then, as I'm sure you all know. I'm terrified of having chemo, which is really selfish I know. I don't want to lose my hair, even less than I want to lose my breast!  Well, I'm counting down, 8 days left.  The more I read, the more confused I get.  I'm closing my eyes, taking a deep breath, and letting what will be, be. Eating healthier, quit smoking, nicer to my kids (lol).  Maybe I needed this kick in the butt.  Best wishes to all of you, keep posting!

Welcome to all you! Sorry you had to join us but it's nice to be able to have friends on the same journey.



Tlangston, I'm also June 26. I'm trying to squeeze in a whole summer of activities these first few weeks of June so the kids can feel like they had some kind of summer vacation.



7of9, so glad to hear you are home and doing well.

Prayers and best wishes to all of you.

Hello June friends - I am scheduled for BMX and TE surgery June 29th! I finished chemo May 15th. I didn't think about surgery much during my chemo phase but I'm in full "surgery" mode now - LOL. Trying to get all my ducks in a row at the office and home. This is my first post. Your posts have been informative and I realize my anxiety is normal! My plan is to stay busy right up until I am being wheeled into surgery!



I plan on staying close!

Even though I am scheduled for my SNB on June 12th, I will have my big surgery on July 11th. I hope you all don't mind me sticking around a little. Deriving great inspiration and useful advice as I wait my turn to walk (full steam ahead) on the other side of this.

7of9...just down the turnpike from you.........so glad you are doing well........

Peace and warm hugz (gentle ones) to all of my comrades in this....

7of9 let me tell you that you rock! I am so hoping to recover the same way! I have been running to keep in shape so I hope it goes the same. I am the 11th so right now I am still in the nesting mode! Good for you.

Thank you so much 7of9..my chemo buddy is trying to get her surgery done the same day as mine and I have been telling her about you..truly an inspiration..Prayers to all!!

ami ....you have a similar dx to me. are you in need of chemo?  i was told i don't need it and i have 8cm of dcis.  possibly a small cancer less than 1cm on the same side and even then they said to me no chemo no rads.  i have a dmx with immediate diep on june 18th.  im at juravinski in hamilton ontario and they are a university training place as well...mcmaster university is a medical school and my case was put to a panel of oncologists to review recommendations for my treatment because im only 33 and dx was not seen by ultrasound or mammo but by mri. 

25weeks.....we are on the same day.  are you recon with implants or diep/tram?  i am worried about my kids summer too.  was planning on taking them to lots of pow wows to dance this summer and that is changed now until late summer anyways.   we can wait together!

I don't know if the cami with pockets for drains will be of any benefit but I did buy two from two different companies. They look comfortable and they have a pocket to put a fake boob into (is that called foob? - still learning the abbreviations on this site).... I bought extra large sized pajamas with buttons and a couple of button down shirts in large sizes... I bought a stress ball to exercise the arm to hopefully avoid lymphedema.  I also bought a bunch of pillows in different sizes like a wedge pillow because I understand you can't lie flat with drains, a small pillow for the affected arm (having SND) and pillows to have while on the recliner, etc. I may have overdone it. My sister said I did but I wanted to be prepared. It took away from my massive anxiety to get these things. I also got hand sanitizer, deoderant without aluminum for whenever, pads in case of leakage of any kind.... Yeah, maybe I did overdo lol.... If anyone knows of anything I might really need right after surgery, please let me know. I appreciate it.

wedge pillow is one of those pillows at an angle that you can put up against headboard and sit up. They come at different angles. I think we need them for drains because you can't lay down and drain. I think anyway. I went to the hair dresser the other day and got the shortest cut I've ever had. My son says it makes me look old but whatever. I need convenience I think after this surgery in 3 days.. I'm going out today for a couple more big button down shirts plus button down pj's in big size...... The camisole I got was made by Softee... It's the Softee II with the pockets and inserts for fake boobs. It's so stretchy you can put it on feet first then it goes back into shape.. Also got a camisole by Gentle Touch. That one has velcro in the front, easy for doctor appts. Oh, and I def. stocked up on colace and will get laxitives too, not only softeners. Ugghghghhg, 3 days .... It can't come fast enough and yet, I wish it wasn't coming so fast at all....

7 of 9:  Congratulations on CLEAN!  Now you can move forward.  I'm following in your footsteps on Friday.

NanG:  if the nodes are clean, then I'm done:  no chemo or rads.  If they aren't clean, plan B (whatever that may be).  Thank you for the prayers.  I'll post my results once I'm out of ICU.

@ldianel, due to the difference in time zone I doubt you will see this before your surgery, but I prayed for you anyway, that your surgery will be successful, that being sent home so quickly afterwards won't cause any problems for you or your husband & son, and that the home nurses will be gentle and helpful and just what you need.