June 2012 Mastectomy

Kirwin - So much love to you! I am sorry you have to go through even more...I will be keeping you in my prayers.  Looks like we will be surgery buddies

NanG- Way to go, so glad you are doing okay.  I appreciate the list of helpful and not so helpful items...will keep that in mind as I'm packing.   

Tellie and 25 weeks - continued prayers for a speedy recovery and clean pathology.

Grateful, laurab69, beata, and emerald - praying for a smooth OR day for you tomorrow!  

LAstar - hoping and praying you are doing well tonight!

Can't believe I am (finally!) only a week out! Yikes! Excited to get in there and get it over with...especially after all your inspirational stories! 

@NanG, when I had my biopsy I was very impatient to get the path results. The nurse told me it takes at least overnight to prepare the tissue for examination under the microscope, so my guess is, the absolute soonest you could get results would be 36-48 hours after surgery.

@c-squared, I didn't have time to buy special clothes before my MX except for two Softee camisoles with a pocket for drains. The pocket is convenient but would be even better if they had used a silky, slippery fabric for it. The drain (or at least my drain) has sort of a matte finish. The cotton blend of the Softee doesn't let it slide easily in and out, and I've sometimes been a little nervous that it would come open while I was trying to get it out. I had a couple of button-front pajama tops that I wore the first couple of days, and fortunately my usual tops (tees and sweatshirts) are loose enough that I was able to get them on and off even just a few days after surgery.

I have thought about clothes to wear after reconstruction surgery later on. I went shopping for sewing patterns and bought three. The first has a button neck, but doesn't open all the way down the front. It only has two buttons (I hate making buttonholes) but looks like the neck will be big enough to pull up over my hips when the buttons are undone. This one can be made as a shirt, tunic or dress by varying the length. The second pattern is what we used to call a "peasant blouse" when I was first learning to sew. It has raglan sleeves and a gathered neck with elastic, and again it should be possible to step in and pull it up. The third pattern is a very loose-fitting jumpsuit. The pattern as designed has a vee neck and cap sleeves, but I plan to substitute the top of the peasant blouse for these, and omit the waist elastic to avoid irritating an abdominal incision, since I am leaning toward free TRAM or DIEP reconstruction rather than an implant.

Curve all, it reassuring that others have to wait too. At least I'm not unusual!



The other thing that has been priceless are these post mastectomy pillows. They are like a U shape and were made by volunteers at a cancer support group. The liaison at the cancer clinic gave them to me for free. They go under each arm to pad you and they are so comfy and reassuring,,,especially for AND girls I would bet! Plus when u lay down u can use them as neck pillows.

Question for all those post-op June Bugs ... I'm still in some pretty good pain, using 5-10 mg Oxycotine to manage the pain. It's been 10 days since my surgery. How many of you are still on prescription pain meds? BTW, I had a BMX with TE/Recon and SNB.

I'm only 2 days out & still in a lot of pain. I also feel like my breathing is too shallow. Anyone else having that? My PS gave me a breathing machine to help strengthen my breaths, but I just feel miserable still. But apparently the lungs are the first site of infection, followed by UTI, then wound. I also have pounding headaches which contribute to nausea.

Kirwin:  I am so sorry you have to go back in.  Blessings and good wishes to you.

NanG:  Most surgeons will order a frozen from pathology during the surgery on at least some of the nodes that were dissected.  A frozen section does not have precisely the same degree of surety as a fixed slide, but its results come back to the surgeon in about 15 minutes so s/he knows if there is a problem and has to dissect more tissue while you are still "open".  It is the fixed slide that can take 2-3 days to process.  Check with your nurses (or doc) to see if a frozen section was done and its result.

My3sunz:  I had BMX and tram reconstruction.  I was on morphine for 4 days in the hospital, norco for 3 days, and have been on tylenol for the 5 days here at home.  I think my body flushes the anesthesia and narcotics slower than most and, if so, those would have be providing me with additional analgesia without my actually taking additional meds.  I think it is all out now (I can actually think and hold a real conversation) and am not in any pain except for the occasional twinges from my breast nerves coming back on line.

Clothes:  I have not been impressed by the drain camisoles.  For the camisole to be tight enough to provide any breast support, it is so tight that holding the drains in the pocket makes me look weirdly pregnant or like a refugee from Aliens.  I tuck drains in exercise pants pockets and on a lanyard around my neck (for home) or around my waist (for outside).  I've been using my husband's outsized Hawaiian shirts as cover-ups.  Reconstruction folks can't lift their arms for a couple of weeks and so nothing overhead. 

Oh planet you are a hoot and I thank you making me laugh out loud today with that post!!  What a picture you painted with words, but it was a good one !

I have gotten a lot of great ideas from this forum as well, not to mention the support and understanding.  Sure am glad when I can give some back as well.

I am dealing with nodes myself and the worst part for me at least, is the waiting in between events.  More manageable when I keep busy and try to find the laughter in each day!

Painwise the underarm definitely "wins" for being the most painful part, and i had the full axillary disection.  I have, however, moved to Tylenol but I used the pain meds for the first few days because that is what they are there for.  Seems like everyone heals and deals a bit differently, so I just look at the range of responses to see if I am similar.

Hugs and positive vibes and prayers to all as you continue to prepare, deal, or heal!   

Prayers today...

clear nodes for beata44;

for grateful33 that no more cancer will be found in this surgery, and TE's will not be adversely affected by radiation treatment;

calm nerves, smooth surgery and reconstruction for emerald424;

laurab69 for victory over fear and anger, a successful reconstruction to come, and thanksgiving for no more port;

and contining recovery, relief of pain and recovery of deep breathing for 25weeks, NanG and any who are having a tough time after surgery.

BM123~  Thanks for getting back to me on my PM.  It was just what I suspected..., DARN SURGEONS!!! I don't know how they can get away with it.  As for determining if it is indeed LE, I would recommend getting a referral from your MD for a Certified LE therapist (could be OT or PT) and have it looked at.  They can also measure you for a sleeve to use preventively if it is determined that you do not have LE. There is also a LE discussion board on this site.  They may be able to provide you some resources to find a LE therapist in your area.  What part of the country are you in? 

Good Luck! & keep us posted~

Yay Beata44! Woohoo!

have you done the twam flap yet and what are your thoughts laura

Sending more positive thoughts and well wishes to those who are recovering this week and those going into surgery soon. 20 days until my own surgery. I am continuing to gain great inspiration from you ladies and many good tips as well. Thank you so very much.

As luck would have it, I got my little monthly friend yesterday. My consolation is I will PMS post surgery. HAHAHA. Ya know how that goes though....has made the emotions a little more raw. Funny too, I haven't had a full blown period for 7 years, compliments of my old friend Mirena. 4 MDs highly recommended for it to come out when I was diagnosed. Figured it was way easier to have removed prior to surgery than negotiating stirups in a post-op state. Took my belly piercing out too. Now with a burgeoning pre-DIEP belly, I figured it could just go to the way side.

Sending healing thoughts for those who had surgery and peaceful thoughts for those yet to come.

Have a wonderful day June Bugs/Team Wallenda!

Hugs (well, gentle ones) and healing thoughts to all this week's June bugs! 

 Ok - I have a question for the veterans. . . how long are you really out of commission once you come home from the hospital (I'm having double with tissue expanders)?  I've had offers from friends to help, but I don't know what that will entail and I don't know how long we're talking about?  I mean, my husband will stay home with me the first few days and that weekend, and he assures me he can handle the drain business, but then what?  I figure I can deal with the drains the next week, but does it help to have someone around. . . maybe for the company if nothing else?  Anyone have any timeline guidance on when you're feeling up to what?

Thanks for any thoughts on the subject!