September 2012 Surgery
Comments
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Positiveenergy-
Good luck tomorrow! -
My surgery went well. The sentinel node was clean. I am home now. The thing that is really bothering me is the constant itching all over my skin. Anybody else have this problem? Thanks for all the support ladies!!!
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Glad to hear you are OK kittykoma and clear nodes :-) I wonder what is causing the otching? I think that morphine can have that effect...
Jenn -
kittykoma - yay for the clear nodes and successfull surgery - how's that hospital bed working out for ya?
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Kittykoma-
Doing a happy dance for clear nodes!!! -
Good luck to all of the ladies having surgery this week! Thoughts and prayers to all!
Hope all the post surgical ladies are doing well. I am worn out today, have been awake for 3 hours and ready for a nap. No pain meds since last night though.
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Hi All - 4 days post lumpectomy. Friday will bring final pathology report which hopefully will confirm clear margins and only one lymph node involvment. Then I guess its on my way to rads and chemo. Anyone know how the decision is made as to rads or chemo first? Not sure how the next phase works. Time for more research!
Surgery asides: I had an allergic reaction to the glue used in the bandages! Benydryl cream seems to have helped but nothing beats an ice pack! Boy did they push the valium...I kept having to refuse it. The dye shots were not so bad...the doctor told me he has patients hold their breath so they dont scream...wasnt scream worthy. Worst part has been getting over the anesthesia. If I have this much issue with anesthesia makes me nervous about what chemo will ultimate do to me.
My surgery was performed at Riverview Medical Center....I have to say they are the most caring, compassionate group of medical professionals I have ever encountered. Makes the whole process just a bit more tolerable.
Sending out good vibes to all! Keep it positive people!!
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kittykoma -
Congrats on the clear nodes! I had an allergic reaction to the glue used in the bandages! Itching was tortuous! Benydryl cream along with a topical anesthestic helped.
Keeping Positive
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ctynsh, not sure if I have already asked you this but why chemo and rads? I know rads because of lumpectomy versus mastecomy as that is what I was told but is the chemo in addition due to the one node? I have to wait longer here for results so am super anxious.
Marian
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cthynsh - make sure you give yourself permission to not have to always feel positive. It can be a heavy load trying to be the one keeping everyone cheerful :-)
Chemo will usually come before rads.
Chemo is the more urgent of the two treatments because it is "designed" to hit any stray cancer cells still anywhere in your body (extending overall survival).
Rads will only target cancer cells in the area hit with the radiation beams (cutting back the likelihood of local recurrance).
Chemo is not pleasant but is really the big hitter for us.
Jenn -
I am scheduled for a mastectomy with reconstruction on the 27th at Johns Hopkins. Very worried about the expanders, figuring out the logistics of leaving 3 kids for several days and how I supposed to tell my parents (haven't quite gotten around to that yet). Would love to connect with the 30/40 year old crowd for support. I'm still reeling about how this all could be happening.
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Thanks Ladies! The hospital bed has been very very helpful. I would recommend it if you an get it.
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Kittykoma
Glad your recovering nicely!! Same to all the other ladies!! -
Hello all! I made it thru my surgery and am at home resting. I had a simple mastectomy on the left. Prior to surgery they shot up my boobie with some blue dye so the BS could biopsy my sentinel nodes. I had already been given my sedative so I was on my way to la-la land.
I was told that the mastectomy took almost 2 hours. Then my PS took over to do the latissimus dorsi pedicle flap for my reconstruction. He added an implant under the flap to complete my reconstruction.
Finally, he reduced and lifted my right breast to get them closer in size. PS portion was an additional 6 hrs...total surgery time was 8 hrs.
I came out with 3 drains (that I really don't like) however, 2 were removed today.
According to my final Path report the cancer was 5cm, completely DCIS, high grade with necrosis. The margins would have been at least .5cm. Lymph nodes were negative and no radiation will be needed!
Now...time to change my profile!
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Hi, I have been home since Saturday(4 days in the hospital), but haven't felt well. I don't even know if my BS did an SNB as he had said (there was no blue dye in my urine or my breast skin).However, the morning after surgery he told me that he "removed every node he could find" I think this means a level III dissection- but he rushed from my room after telling me that I would see him in his office in a week, and the pathology report would be back by then. After that I didn't see him again- only the young doctor-in-training (working in a fellowship) who works for him. My RO would wants to do whole breast rads, axillary rads and rads to my supraclavicular nodes- coupled with my extensive lymph node dissection - I can't imagine that there is any way that I will avoid lymphedema. Then a few hours after my BS breezed in and out, my PS came in and said that after the doctors had scrubbed in for surgery, I changed my mind about the type of incision I wanted (a Wise incision) to a racketshaped incision. Of course, I don't remember any of this conversation that we supposedly had. My PS had offered me a breast lift/reduction as part of my surgery, but they were only able to reduce/lift my breast a small amount and then put in a 750cc implant(!!!) with my LD flap! That was the last time I saw him also- the "fellow" who works for him saw me every day afterward. I am so angry, tired and discouraged. I wish I had never met my surgeons.
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SweetCaroline - I am so sorry this has not gone well for you. WOW - how can a surgeon change the surgery when you are already premedicated before surgery! That sounds wrong...
I hope you start feeling better soon and can kick these guys to the curb if that's what you decide to do.
Not sure why your RO would want to do such extensive rads fields if you have already had a mastectomy and full node clearance?
Jenn -
Hi Ladies, I have been out of the hospital since the 13th and recovering since then. The surgery went well but took a long time. 9.5 hrs I'm told. The nodes came back positive
but I don't know enough to even comment. He took out the fat pad under my arm... Plenty of pain, but plenty of medicine too. I've had nausea, slight headache, much pain from the drains and TE's but its been manageable. The itching has been awful for me too, but I guess is part of the side effects of meds.I hope everyone is healing quickly and congrats to those who's nodes came back negative!!! Thanks all for the support. I don't think I could have been this brave without my cheer leaders. Big ((HUGS)) TO EVERYONE!
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Glad to hear from another one of our group on the "other side" mrskimber and it sounds like you are going OK :-)
Jenn -
20 Aug 2012
Sandlake - hysterectomy
4 Sept 2012
Trinity0723 - MX (left)
5 Sept 2012
Leah_S - MX on remaining side plus bilateral TE placement
6 Sept 2012
leahlee - excisional biopsy
katylynn - BMX with TEs
7 Sept 2012
KnBsAngel - MX with TE
marianelizabeth - lumpectomy, SNB
the5owens - lumpectomy
Momluke - MX (left) with reconstruction and symmetric surgery
10 Sept 2012
Sandlake - BMX with TEs
ohiobecky - MX (left)
java11 - MX with DIEP (left), reduction (right)
11 Sept 2012
SweetCaroline2 - MX, Lat Dorsi with TE
Tzvia - MX with TE
mrskimber47 - BMX with implants
SAR843 - BMX, DIEP/TRAM
13 Sept 2012
cthynsh - lumpectomy, SNB
cjw75 - BMX
14 Sept 2012
kittykoma05 - BMX with TEs
17 Sept 2012
positivenergy - BMX with DIEP
18 Sept 2012
gajor4 - MX with bilateral DIEP
4caseygirl - BMX
SooZQ - BMX with TEs
Sharon1942 - UMX with DIEP
19 Sept 2012
michellej1980 - BMX, DIEP
cathyann - MX
20 Sept 2012
LockeKopp - BMX with LD and TE
24 Sept 2012
Sneakychiquita - skin-sparing UMX with TE reconstruction
Mumtobe - MX
KellieDenise66 - BMX with TEs
LyndaMarie - BMX with TEs
annievan - TE to implant exchange
25 Sept 2012
Teri060811 - BMX
FightingLikeAGirl - BMX with TEs
26 Sept 2012
sandrav - bilateral DIEP
28 Sept 2012
Jennt28 - BMX, muscle sparing free TRAM
Dakota212 - BMX with TEs
1 Oct 2012
kltb04 - BMX with TEs
15 Oct 2012
rozem - BMX with TE's and lat dorsi flap (on the radiated side)
unknown date
Bargala - BMX with TEs
robertson8272 - MX with a SNB and LAT Flap With TE -
It's been one week already since surgery! I had awful constipation, made me feel like I had the flu. Found that good old prune juice and miralax work well. My two drains are still in, I meet with BS & PS today. I tried reducing the amount of Norco but found it isn't time for that yet! The best item I brought to the hospital was my hair pic, I was so itchy, I used the heck out of that pic
I am still sleeping in my recliner and set my alarm for pain meds, motrin and antibiotics. Wishing everyone peaceful days!
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So it's looking like I could very well be having my surgery next Monday (the 24th). Going in for another blood test on Thursday and then will be brought in on Monday for yet another blood test and if the wbc count is in an acceptable level then I will be having surgery. I guess I'll be heading in on the 24th, bag on back, and not sure if I'm having surgery or not! How frustrating!!!
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Sitting in surgery waiting room waiting for my name to be called. Very nervous.
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Just an update for everyone my surgery has been moved to the 28th due to blood pressure and scheduling. I'm so discouraged with the wait, i've become so emotional, from crying to angry. I just want it over with and thought it would be over this week.
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Sweet Caroline what a time you have had. I am looking at your surgery date and when you should be seeing the BS and I hope you can get some answers from him. What did you sign consents for? I'm with Jenn on how could they make a change and also consents once you are medicated? But I guess a wait and see since you should get to see him and get results really soon.
mrskimber glad to hear meds are working and that you are on this side.
sandlake I had constipation too I think from codeine and only now, 10 days out with Metamucil and Sennakot+ am I finally feeling normal. I had bowel obstructions with major surgeries in 1998 and 2000 and don't like it when anything seems not right. My lack of veins stems to those days too as they blew them totally with nasty drugs post op. Still waiting for results and if chemo then no question about a port with these veins.
Mumtobee, hoping for the 24th to be a go!
Marian
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20 Aug 2012
Sandlake - hysterectomy
4 Sept 2012
Trinity0723 - MX (left)
5 Sept 2012
Leah_S - MX on remaining side plus bilateral TE placement
6 Sept 2012
leahlee - excisional biopsy
katylynn - BMX with TEs
7 Sept 2012
KnBsAngel - MX with TE
marianelizabeth - lumpectomy, SNB
the5owens - lumpectomy
Momluke - MX (left) with reconstruction and symmetric surgery
10 Sept 2012
Sandlake - BMX with TEs
ohiobecky - MX (left)
java11 - MX with DIEP (left), reduction (right)
11 Sept 2012
SweetCaroline2 - MX, Lat Dorsi with TE
Tzvia - MX with TE
mrskimber47 - BMX with implants
SAR843 - BMX, DIEP/TRAM
13 Sept 2012
cthynsh - lumpectomy, SNB
cjw75 - BMX
14 Sept 2012
kittykoma05 - BMX with TEs
17 Sept 2012
positivenergy - BMX with DIEP
18 Sept 2012
gajor4 - MX with bilateral DIEP
4caseygirl - BMX
SooZQ - BMX with TEs
Sharon1942 - UMX with DIEP
19 Sept 2012
michellej1980 - BMX, DIEP
cathyann - MX
20 Sept 2012
LockeKopp - BMX with LD and TE
24 Sept 2012
Sneakychiquita - skin-sparing UMX with TE reconstruction
Mumtobe - MX
KellieDenise66 - BMX with TEs
LyndaMarie - BMX with TEs
annievan - TE to implant exchange
25 Sept 2012
Teri060811 - BMX
FightingLikeAGirl - BMX with TEs
26 Sept 2012
sandrav - bilateral DIEP
28 Sept 2012
Jennt28 - BMX, muscle sparing free TRAM
Dakota212 - BMX with TEs
robertson8272 - MX with a SNB and LAT Flap With TE
1 Oct 2012
kltb04 - BMX with TEs
15 Oct 2012
rozem - BMX with TE's and lat dorsi flap (on the radiated side)
unknown date
Bargala - BMX with TEs -
I feel terrible that I didn't get to wish the girls today good luck!!!
gajor4
4caseygirl
SooZQ
Sharon1942
I am thinking of u girls I hope everything went ok!!! -
Hi Ladies:
Well tomorrow is the day...it's finally almost here. I'm going to have UMX with TE. Amazingly I'm not too nervous...yet! I've kept so busy today cleaning and whatever else I can find to do to not think too much. We women sure have to go through alot. We just need to keep positive and as they say..we'll get through this.
Good Luck to all who are also going in for surgery tomorrow.
(((hugs))) Cathy
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I wish you girls the best for your surgery today!!
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I just got my pathology results. The sentinel node was clean. They found cancer on the left side (that we already knew about), but they also found cancer on the right side. I am so glad I made the decision to do the double mastectomy! The cancer on the right was not detected by the mammogram or the ultrasound.
Good luck to all the ladies having surgery this week! -
WooHoo for the clean node!! And a big WOW for the cancer that was trying to hide...
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