June 2012 Mastectomy

Idianel, faithhopenluv, and anyone I may have missed good luck with everything today.  I am thinking of you.

Well my surgery got pushed to the 15th because my Dr. wanted a whole month out from last chemo.  Can't see what difference 4 day would make.  Then she calls today, they found 3 abnormalties on my bone scan.  She is indeterninate about them and will disscuss them with the other Dr.s at the group meeting on Thursday.  That may change my course of treatment.  So I get to wait until Thursday to find out if I have bone mets.  Great, sounds like fun. 

7o9...you make me laugh. I have been nesting since my time of DX. That said I am wondering if the 'wax on, wax off approach should be a new post op therapeutic technique' I am working the day before my surgery...seriously cannot think of a better way to manage my time. HAHA. More like saving precious PTO time and earning extra mula to make an extra mortgage payment prior to my turn.

Tellie_S....extra thoughts are with you now and my most heartfelt wishes no further delays in surgery dates.

Bev...too funny. I have many of the same items packed and have also added baby wipes, electric toothbrush, extra phone charger, hard candy and an electric razor to the mix (not that I'll use it, but just in case I get annoyed, I'll make my Sissy do a quick shave :0 ). I already have 6-7 pillows, but would like a wedge. Big challenge is I cannot sleep anywhere but my bed. Not a couch, chair or car sleeper, however, sleeping standing up may be an option. 

In fact, I already have my clothes washed and bag packed for the most part. I got a few things larger. My PS said to get some loose jogging type pants. I got 2 new ones with a low rise waistline and a few shorts because of my July date. Got a few large camies that I can step into. It has been suggested to get something for the drains, however, I think I am going to get some surgical tape and make that one of the ways to secure drains to my binder/and-or clothing. (having a DIEP and was told I will be wearing a binder for at least 3-4 weeks). Already have a lanyard for shower time. I am probably taking sandals because I have never worn slippers and often have to sleep without socks and my feet hanging out of the covers.

I also heard someone mention having the armpits waxed prior to surgery. I will ask my BS if this is OK, as it would eliminate having to deal with the discomfort so soon after surgery.

Great idea about smooth move. Already have colace, but just in case. 

Because I have seasonal/environmental allergies and I am sensitive to percocet and adhesives along with having paradoxical effects to benadryl/diphenhydramine. my PS suggested I take my Zyrtec one week prior to surgery and the day of with a sip. He said it won't hurt and may help in some small way.

We've already decided I will have vicodin/hydrocodone as the oxycodone is not my friend. Not sure what we will use for my PCA. Will get some feedback from anesthesia on this as well. I am also going to discuss having a scopolamine patch or some agent like that placed prior to surgery and it should last for 24 hours post-op to help with nausea. 

Yes, I got a bit focused on meds as the limited ones I have taken were problematic for me. So trying to be proactive instead of getting something I may not be able to tolerate. I already have a copy of my pre-op orders which I will take with me to the hospital. LOL! I will also be receiving a one time dose of Lovenox as standard protocol for clot prevention due to the lengthy surgery. 

So everyone always ask about packing....me I am also engaging in knowing not only what to expect from surgery but knowing protocols and meds for pre and post-op as well. I guess that is my one contribution to the conversation. I know how they will check my sites and how often. I also asked what floor I will be admitted to and if I would be transferred to another after the close monitoring is completed. (answer was no-PS/BS will keep me on the same unit from admission to discharge I am also going to take a list (timeline) of all procedures/dates, allergies and don't forget if you still have periods...the date of your last one.

Overkill......maybe...proactive...definitely.

Wishing speedy recoveries to the warriors that are up this week.

I thought I'd compile a list to help us keep track. 

6/1-7of9 

6/4 - ldianel 

6/5-rosetx, jenlee 

6/6-Jacki2005, curveball, 3kidsmom 

6/7-bevg49 

6/8-Lynn27, KimKay 

6/11-hannah318, tellie_savalis, my3sunz42, kirwin524 (lumpectomy,Lymphoscintigraphy), Ami1026

6/12- Sandpiper1 (SNB-UMXw/Diep on 7/11) 

6/14-faithhopenluv 

6/15-LastMango

6/18-Lisa143, 25weeks, NanG 

6/19-LAstar 

6/22-Ligrtt 

6/25-annievan 

6/26-loriio, tlangston07

6/28-GeorgiaRai 

6/29-tbc1222 

If I left anyone off, or have the wrong date, PM me and let me know.

Prayers and blessings to all!

Lori 

rosetx, I pray that your surgery will go well and you'll  have no problems with the TE, expansions or exchange to permanent implants--and for jenlee, that there was no cancer recurrence after you completed your chemo and that you will have good circulation in the flaps on both sides, with no complications or need for additional surgery (until phase 2).

Hello everyone

OMG 7.......I had a root canal and could only take 1/2 a vicodin. I was flying higher than a kite. Told PS and he said I could cut them in 1/2 if I wished. I am thinking he will be surprised if I start asking for more than 1/2 post-op.  LOL. I think I could use some flying moments. I want to keep up with you I love my walking and I am so determined to move. PS said he would come in early and get the cardiac monitoring off of me the next day (protocol for cardiac monitoring on the unit I will be admitted to) so I can get my groove back on. I am hoping to have the same abilities as you. Just mildly concerned that darned abdominal incision will be my nemesis. I am logging my 3-4 miles per day/@ 4-5 days a week. Not overkill as I have to preserve the little belly fat I have for my recon. I was worried PS would be concerned about me wanting to 'push it'. He will guide me, but said my motivation will help me immensely. TY for the continued inspiration. Ty Karen for your tips as well.

Idaniel, Rose, Jen, Jackie, 3kidsmom, curveball, Kim, Lynn and Bev-Many good wishes and positive thoughts from me to this weeks June warriors.  

3kids and curve all good luck tomorrow I will be thinking about you.

Ok so I still have 6 days but feel like I am going crazy trying to have

everything done. I have a blood clot in my heart so they were going to

postpone surgery but now it's the 11th for sure. I am not sure about the

camisoles. My ps told me they will give me a medical bra and I would not

need the camisole. Are they the same thing? They look so soft. He showed

me the medical bra and it was just ok. Not sure if I should buy one anyway?



I really want to do well. 7of9 is my inspiration. My son is 11 and is going to middle

School and I really want to make his ceremony the week after. Thank you all.

LOL Bev.....speaking of vacation......my sissy is going to Top Sail (?) during the middle of my recovery and her and BIL are trying to make arrangements for me to go along. I should be about 4+ weeks out from surgery..we shall see.

In the meantime I rented a carpet cleaner today and managed to get my upsatirs done this evening including washing down the walls in the bedroom. I think I have indeed gone mad. But spring cleaning must go on.

I bought a home wax kit and am going to try it out. If that doesn't work I will head to the nail place down the road that does waxing. My PS said the hospital will give me a surgical bra and the nurse said to get an extra sports bra with a front opening to wear when the other is being washed. I bought a couple of lacy light sports bras today for later down the line as there will only be teen buds by the time I am done.

I am currently a size "B" and PS said I will be smaller after surgery. 

For any of you to be a fly on the wall when he told me that. I said "Just how much smaller can I get???????!!!!!!????"

This is considering that I may have a BMX. When I later told him I may opt for a UMX things got interesting. I asked about symmetry and he said he could 'mold' my newbie to have the natural curve and slight droop (hahahaha) like the other. 

Amazing what they can do. 

Today was the day to call and get my surgery time, plus the sentinel node injection. I am to be at the hospital at 6 AM tomorrow, will be in overnight and expect to be pretty doped up the rest of that next day, so here are prayers for those having surgery on Wednesday & Thursday...

for Jacki2005 that all cancer will be removed with clean margins all around;

for 3kidsmom thanksgiving that your nerves are calming and that peace will continue and increase for you;

for Lynn27 that your nodes will be free of cancer, you will have no LE or other side effects from the sentinel node biopsy,  and it will be possible for you to have DIEP reconstruction;

and bevg49: for calm, no spread of cancer, no complications from your diabetes, COPD, heart or other health conditions and problem-free TE's.

If anyone thinks of it early tomorrow morning, I'd appreciate prayers for peace, and that the cancer has not spread to my skin, fascia or nodes, so that no radiation treatment will be advised.

First- everyone going in tomorrow, my thoughts are with you.  I am hoping we all do as well as our couragous leader!  This is a busy week!  My surgery was supposed to be the 11th but got move to the 15th so I will be going in with mango.

Second- Saw my MO today.  He said I will have to have a PET/CT but only because my surgeon won't do the operation without one.  He said not to worry, it is nothing, not mets, and actually seemed annoyed with the BS.  Appearently some counts that go up when you have bone mets have not only not gone up but are low.  I trust my MO, he is actually a very sought after MO in the area and I am glad to have him.  Yesterday I was freaking out.  I think that was worse than when I was told I had BC.

Okay, family is waiting for me but I just wanted to post this.

I hope everyone is doing well.   Bevg49,  you will be in my prayers on thursday.  I want to go ahead and tell Lynn27 and Kimkay you both will be in my prayers on the 8th in case I'm not back online yet on friday.  I have been in a frenzy all day trying to get everything finished and still didn't get it all done.  Oh well, I guess it will have to do.

curveball - I always pray for peace and now, before I go to bed and then again tomorrow morning, my prayers will be that your cancer has spread to anyplace at all. I hope no radiation will be needed in your future at all. 

3 kids - my prayers are definitely with you too..... I am sending out positive healing vibrations that are meant to reach each one of us scheduled for surg in the next few days (and the past few days too, that those people continue to imporve and get better...)

I have one question. When I asked my bs about the dye needle which seemed a little scary she said "no worries.. i do that when you're already asleep." I have not heard of one person who had it done after being put under. Has anyone ever heard of it? 

Bevg49- when I had my SNB with my lumpectomy they injected the radioactive when I was awake( 4 shots). My Dr gave me cream to numb it. Everything else was done during surgery Honestly it did not hurt I would say it hurt more when they hooked me up to my port for chemo.



Jenh13 welcome I'm having surgery the same day. My last day of chemo was the 16th wishing you the best!