September 2012 Surgery
Comments
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All my best to the girls tomorrow!!!!
michellej1980
cathyann
Huge hugs!!! Bring it on!! -
kittykoma congrats on the clean node!! So scary how cancer can go undetected like that...hope you are feeling better each day.
My drains were removed today, and I have an all clear path report!! My first fill is scheduled for next Tuesday.
Sending hugs to cathyann and michellej, you can do this!
Everyone I hope your recovery is manageable!
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Dakota I love your messages you post!!
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kittykoma - congrats on the clean nodes and boo for the additional cancer. What does that mean for your nodes on the right side though since I assume there weren't any taken from there as it was supposed to be prophalactic?
Jenn -
Great new kittykoma! Damn that sneaky stuff next door though!
Sandlakes - love the clean path! Thanks for all the post op advice. I also just noticed on the thread that you had a hysterectomy as well? I had a full hysterectomy this last May. Found that hystersisters website after the fact. Have u heard of it? Also, glad your drains are out, pls. keep us posted.
So many surgeries this week! Hope you are all healing well. Cathyann, and Michelle thinking of you tomorrow. Thanks for starlting this thread Cathyann!
JennT- please don't kick me out of the club. I've had a change in my surgery date, again! Looks like I'm now an October girl. In this the 11th hour I've taken my BS' advice and consulted with a PS that is having success with NSM on women like me with large droopy breasts. I'd been previously told I was not an ideal candidate. This team feels I am so I'm gonna go for it. Sorry to screw up your schedule. Can u cut and paste me on October 9th? -
I'm going to have a bilateral mastectomy on Thursday. Looking forward to getting rid of this cancer AGAIN! Hoping for nodes to be clean!
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Welcome RainMaze. Sorry you have to be here...
KellieDenise - I have moved you. So glad that you might be able to keep the N's :-) My PS said the only way I could keep mine was to accept remaining as drropy as I currently am - which is not so bad but I figured since I would lose feeling and they would be just for show anyway so I may as well get new ones in the right place.
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
RainMaze - BMX
24 Sept 2012
Sneakychiquita - skin-sparing UMX with TE reconstruction
Mumtobe - MX
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
9 Oct 2012
KellieDenise66 - 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 -
Good luck today Michelle and Cathyann, go kick butt!
Hah, spellcheck tried to change butt to Burt. Now that would not have made much sense.
I had one drain removed yesterday. I still have a lot of swelling under my arm. BS thought that I would just blow up with fluid if they pulled that drain too. But I'm still only getting 10-15cc's per day. He did say I was healing well and the incision looks great but I can't help but feel like Frankenboob. -
KellieDenis~ I haven't heard of the hystersisters website, I'll check it out..thanks.
Rainmaze~ Good luck tomorrow, sorry you have to do this again!! Let your family and friends take care of you. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
ohiobecky~ One less drain is ok! When do you see your BS again? It is amazing how the body heals from day to day. Glad your incision looks good. I wish I had taken a picture of my Frankenboob with drains!
LockeKopp~ Enjoy your day today! Thinking good thoughts for your surgery tomorrow!
Is anyone else still taking pain meds 9 days post op? I am waiting 5 1/2 hrs between and taking Motrin every 6 hrs. I have this fear of not having my pain manageable!
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Got a phonecall earlier offering me the option of a lumpectomy. They are happy with my progress since starting chemo but obviously path reports would confirm that a lumpectomy would be enough. I declined and have opted for MX on the 24th, sod it, I want to throw the whole lot at this beast, I don't want a conserved breast that reminds me of this horrible disease!
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Good luck to everyone this week - 11 days left for me - question for those that have been through the surgery already - what items are you finding that you REALLY needed/used (my case is BMX with TEs). I have looked at a couple of threads but get overwhelmed at all the suggestions of things to get before surgery. I still have some cleaning to do and am trying to get some meals into the freezer (even thought my DH is saying "we get take out half the time now, why will after surgery be any different!? plus my parents will be here to help). But I have yet to get anything as far as special clothing, camis, a wedge for my bed if I choose to go that route, etc, etc....
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klb i would love some concise info aswell - I tried to scan the other threads but it is so overwhelming
special clothing is my first question - what should i start looking for/buying - double w/TE's so no bras - button front shirts? camis?
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Also - I take 1 mg warfarin because I have a port. BS is saying at that low dose it isn't a bleeding issue, PS is saying stop 3-4 days before??? Anyone else get conflicting information?
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kltb04 i have a port and not taking anything for clotting - i think it is flushed every 3 wks with my H infusion???? i was told to stop tamox 2 wks before surgery and that was it
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Hi all-
Been gone for a bit as I am crazy busy getting ready to be gone from work for 7 weeks, trying to get the house ready, and just keeping up with the normal crazy of three busy kids.
Itchiness issue - I have had post surgical itchiness in the past but thought it was from the local anesthesia [c-sections]. I have only had general once and do not remember if I had itchiness with that. I would, however, suspect anesthesia which can have a huge range of side effects. I also have very sensitive skin [can no longer use tagaderm bandages] so must use great care with adhesive bandages.
kltb - I have surgery next week but one friend suggested large, comfy, button up shirts. I found some that looked really comfy and were very affordable at Goodwill. I suspect that they will be re-donated to Goodwill within a couple of months! I am still wondering if we will need any kind of bra. The same friend mentioned wearing the half-cami, no cup bra like top just to keep shirts from rubbing across her chest [which was very sensitive post surgery] but she did not have TEs.
I feel like a train is rushing at me and I cannot get out of the way. I look at my DDD, I have nursed three babies, less than perky boobs and think "they may not be as nice as they once were, but they are mine." I am really not ready to say goodbye to them yet, but I have to.
On the upside, I will no longer have uncomfortable bra issues. I am down to two bras that fit [I did chemo first and have refused to buy more bras] but they have gotten really uncomfortable. I think after a period of getting poked at by my uncomfortable bras it might help me accept the surgery when I no longer have to wear one. Just a little look at the plus side of this mess!
Hope you are all doing well both before and after surgery!!!
Lynda
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Glad everyone is doing okay!! Great news kittykoma!! I go in for same day surgery on 9/24 to get my port then chemo will begin soon!! Prayers for everyone!!
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kltb04~ I had BMX w/TE's 9 days ago. The only thing I used in the hospital was my cell phone & charger. My hair pic was a lifesaver..I was so itchy! Lip balm for my very dry lips. I was surprised at how I couldn't use my arms to reach things on my tray table. Everything was out of reach for me, having a small vera bradley bag with my phone, pic, lip balm and glasses laying next to me on my bed was great! Ice chips were easier than holding a cup of water and straw. I am wearing cotton tanks that I can step into, they also have a slight snug feeling, no support bra in them. Safety pins attached to the side of the tank for drains. I also wear either a bathrobe or button or zip shirt over my tanks. I have been very comfortable. Hope this helps you!
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I have a port as well (still getting 3 weekly herceptin) and don't take anything like Warfarin so imagine it's not necessary for evryone. Is there a special reason why you take it? I just had to stop my Tamoxifen 2 weeks before like rozem.
Jenn -
Thank you for posting your updates, everyone. It helps the remainder of us prepare, or at least it does for me.
I'm a mixed bag at the moment as I just found out that my surgeon wants to remove more lymph nodes if an FNA of a suspiciously round one comes back as positive for cancer. She explained that she has no way of knowing if the bad lymph node is removed in the SNB that we planned so if that FNA shows cancer, she wants to take them all. I realize I can get LE from even just the SNB and rads heightens the risk even more, but I'm willing to go the route of rads and chemo over taking away more nodes if there's any sign of cancer in the nodes. Besides, if the MRI can find a rounder than most lymph node, why can't another MRI be performed post-SNB to see if that stupid round node is still there or not?
I think I'll be going against my surgeon's wishes and not consent to more than the SNB. I'm scared that she'll just go ahead and take away all the nodes anyways, claiming that the SNB procedure didn't work (she did warn me ahead of time that the dyes don't always do their job and if this was the case then complete axillary dissection would be needed).
I'm very scared, angry, and frustrated right now. I can't find any other qualified physicians to consult with prior to my surgery on Monday. The way I see it, more can be removed later if need be, but you can't add lymh nodes once they're removed, which is why I think I won't consent to more than an SNB.
Anyone else have to go against your sugeon's wishes?
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kltb04, I had a BMX with TE's done on Sept 5, and I overpacked. The only things I needed were my lip balm, and cell phone. I didn't even use my toothbrush! When I left the hospital, I had some comfy old pants and I used one of my husband's button down shirts. At home, I had plenty of pillows to prop myself up, straws to help with drinking liquids, lots of soft tanks or camis I could step into and a couple of front closing sports bras. I actually liked the cheap Fruit of the Loom bras from Walmart best.
Good luck to everyone who has surgery this month, and to those who have already had it, I hope your healing well!
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Sneakychiquita, my surgeon came into surgical day care pre op with a Geiger counter type machine and a wand that she waved over my breast. She does this she says to make sure that in fact the radioactive tracer did its thing and went to the area needed for the SNB. She said that in 1-2% of cases it does not. For me, it was OK. I am kind of with you on not consenting. An axillary dissection can be done later. I am still waiting (and not patiently) for results from my lumpectomy and SNB and freaking out as the days go by - mainly because she said post op that a couple of nodes were pearly (not good it seems).
When do you get path from FNA?
I did not ask her what they do it the dye did not work right but I probably would have postponed and had the tracer injected again.
Marian
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Marian - Thanks for piping in with further detail of your experience. I will be watching for the wand and remind her that I will not consent to more than an SNB. I hope those pearly looking nodes come back clear for you.
My FNA is tomorrow and they're hoping to get the results the following day, Friday. Frankly, I'm fine with the results not coming in on time because I don't want 1 bad node to result in the removal of them all. If there's a hint of cancer in my axillary nodes they're going to proceed with radiation and chemo anyways, so unless there's evidence of GROSS malignancy I do not want everything removed.
And Marian, thank you for reminding me of that study that found no difference in recurrence rate or survival between those who had further node removal and those who didn't after discovering 1-2 malignant nodes with their SNB. I did read about it early on in my research, but had forgotten about it until you reminded me of it. It gives me hope that further node removal will be unnecessary for me. Of course, if my cancer was more advanced and I had serious node involvement I would consent to their removal, but so far that doesn't seem to be the case for me.
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I knew about that node study prior to my lumpectomy and SNB last December and specifically did not give permission for any more than the SNB.
My SNB tured out positive and I did not get an ALND and am comfortable with that. Taking anymore nodes would have told us nothing more and according to the study would not have changed long term outcome.
Unfortunately I ended up not being able to complete rads so am running a higher risk of recurrance in that area. BS has offered to do an ANLD next week with this next surgery but I have declined and will rely on regular monitoring, the chemo that I have already done, Tamoxifen and Herceptin.
If something shows up in that area then I will agree to biopsy and removal if appropriate at that point.
Jenn -
Sneakychiquita, my surgeon is Carol Dingee, just in case you need a reference point - they are collegues after all and should be using same protocol with the checking of the radioactive tracer prior to surgery. Jenn, I may well be writing something about this once I get my results. I am taking the book with the study results highlighted with me on Monday when I see the surgeon just in case.
Off for a walk trying to ward off anxiety - 12 days post op today.
Marian
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JennT- it's high maintenance me again! Much to my surprise my original surgical date is going to work out for my new surgical team. Got a last minute phone call to get all my pre op done today!!! PS even did his markings on my chest as well, and sent me home with a purple pen to do touch ups if it rubs off. I'm back on AGAIN for Mon. 9-24! I promise I'll drop off this thread before I ask you to do ONE more surgery date change for me! Lol, Sorry!!!
Thank you ladies for all your surgery updates, and packing lists. My BS is in a fairly new cancer ctr building. On the bottom floor they have a little womens boutique and much to my surprise found out that most insurances will pay for 2 of these special cotton/Lycra full cami tops by amoena. They have little internal pouches that Velcro inside to hold the drains. Once your drains are no longer needed you can remove the pouches and just wear the cami. It also has a fiber filled form that can be placed in the breast cup if desired. The things they come up with. Had to chuckle, but wondered why I wasn't told about these if in fact insurance does cover them. I've also heard of women turning housecoats inside out and using the pockets to hold the drains. I love practical solutions to especially temporary problems. I think my DH's button down shirts sound like a great idea.
Sneakychiquita- I hear ya about your lymphadema concerns. I had a dvt in my lower leg almost 10 years ago after a long flight, it was initially misdiagnosed as primary lymphadema when doppler studies failed to locate the clot. So I'm sensitive to the subject. My BS has suggested doing a bio impedance test a few days prior to surgery. It sounds like somekind of baseline testing for sub clinical lymphadema, and can be repeated after surgery as well. However, avoiding unnecessary biopsies or dissections is our best bet. I'm sorry it's causing you so much stress, I completely understand your fear. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of node studies, I was not aware of them. Ill also be asking about this Geiger counter machine. Looks like we'll both be going in on the 24th. I'll be thinking of ya! -
After my lumpectomy on the 13th, I thought I would cruise into the next phase....wrong. I developed an allergic reaction to the bandages. Not fun but then the Doctor called with news that my 2cm tumor was actually over 4cm and the margins were not clear. My inclination at this point is to go for a bmx...I really dont want to piece meal this cancer out, I want it gone.
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Marianelizabeth - I think my surgeon was implying that sometimes the dye shows up in multiple areas... not sure if the wand tells that side of the story or if that's something that's determined in surgery. Best of luck on Monday with your surgeon. I've heard good things of her.
Cthynsh - Sorry to hear of this. When do you meet up with physicians to discuss your next steps?
KellieDenise66 - Glad to hear you're back on schedule. We'll have to compare notes.
Jennt28 - Thanks again for getting us all together
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Sneakychiquita - friday will be the follow up. She called this evening to give me a heads up and let me digest the news
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Forgot to mention good luck to LockeKopp and RainMaze tomorrow. Hopefully the group who went in this week are doing well.
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Cythynsh - Oh geez, the phone call. That's how I found out about the cancer. Mixed emotions on that one... I guess it's good to be told ASAP, but over the phone is harsh. Hope tomorrow goes quickly for you.
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