September 2012 Surgery
Comments
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Since there wasn't supposed to be any cancer on my right breast, they didn't do a sentinel node check on that side, so I don't know what they'll do next. Is thereany other way they can check the nodes after the double mastectomy? I didn't ask the doctor when she called. My PS said he had to fill my TE to 150 cc in order to apply pressure and stop the bleeding. Has this happened to anyone else? How much did they fill you?
Thanks!
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Kittykoma, I noticed on my pre op paperwork that a sn biopsy was only indicated on my left (cancer side) as well. You bring up a great point since we never really know what's going on until we receive our final path. How are you feeling? I love the hospital bed idea. My Mom is temporarily living with us from a badly broken arm. Her hospital bed is in our living room. Maybe we should order one more! When it rains it pours.
Lockekopp & RaineMaze wishing you the very best tomorrow. Please keep us posted on your recovery. Following closely behind ya. -
Kellie moved yet again. Geez you are "high maintenance" ;-)
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
KellieDenise66 - BMX with TEs
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 -
Dang! I have a cold. :-( Coughing and sneezing does not feel too good.
Good luck today Rainmaze and Lockekopp. Hard to believe we are reaching the end of the month. -
Good luck today girls-
LockeKopp
RainMaze
* as said on this site before and I love it--- we got this !!! -
Went for pre-op assessment today and got my bloods checked and they are within acceptable level again so it's all systems go for the 24th, that's only 4 days away!!! Before today's appt I was so gung-ho on this operation and even embraced my date for surgery but after today I feel a bit....well sad I guess. It's hard to believe at 32yrs of age I'm going to lose my breast. And being pregnant does create additional anxiety that all goes well. My obstetrician will be present on the day aswell so I know I'm in the best of care and they are all confident it will be fine, but heck I am scared!!!
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Hey ladies! I am so scared! I was dx on Monday and will be having at least a mx on the right on the 27th if not both. This is my current delema. If they see anything on the MRI on the left off it comes but if they don't I don't know if I want to keep the left for fear I will be going through this again. I am only 28 and have two kids one 3 and one only 5 mo. This momma doesn't have time to do this again! I wish us all te best in these surgeries.
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Mumtobe, glad all your pre op went well and that you're good to go for surgery Monday. You totally have the right to be more than
"a bit" sad. This completely sucks no matter what! Sounds like you are in great hands with your OB present to take care of your little one. Extra big hugs for you. I'll be keeping you very close in my thoughts & prayers throughout this 4 day count down. -
Thank you so much KellieDenise - you're right it is completely shit isn't it? But I'm a practical person and my attitude has very much been "get this out of me no matter what you have to take". Heck I was offered a lumpectomy yesterday rather than having a full MX because docs are so happy with my response to treatment but I declined, it's not that I don't want it gone....But today it just hit me....I'm going to lose my breast, not because I value them so much or anything but I guess I just wish I wasn't pregnant with all of this going on and yet am so grateful this can all happen and my baby doesn't have to be delivered early, with the help of God. Oh I'm just all over the place.....why now!!!!!
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Mumtobe- It's completely unfair that you have this dark cloud over you at a time that is supposed to be nothing but joyous. The fact that you're a practical person is probably whats keeping your head above water. Regardless we're losing parts of bodies and we should allow ourselves to be sad. I promise I won't tell you to hang in there! I'm learning to hate those words! Lol!
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kmfrost - Sorry you've had to join us, especially at such a young age, but welcome to the group. Post your questions, rants, etc., here. This is a very supportive group. Be sure to check out the threads related to your diagnosis as well, as they can help with treatment queries.
Mumtobe - Very understandable to be sad at losing your breast, especially with the pregnancy. My breasts are very small and I wasn't planning on having any more children, but everytime I look down at them little girls I'm angry and sad that one is leaving. I'll be thinking of you on Monday as well.
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Welcome kmfrost, ditto to what Sneakychiquita said, "sorry you have to be here!" This site has been an enormous support for me. There is so much information, resources, and above all wonderful women who genuinely care, and understand what you're going through.
Please keep us posted on your journey.
Big hugs,
Kellie -
Kmfrost-
Sorry ur in our club but welcome. U will probably hear its a personal decision whether to have bmx or umx (bilateral or unilateral ) its what u feel comfortable with and what u can live with. There are so many things that could sway people in either direction. HelP is here if u need it !!! -
Good luck to all...
Mumtobe - if you had a lump you would then need rads (?) and I can't imagine travelling everyday for 6 weeks of rads with a small baby. Sometimes I wonder if drs really don't think of the whole person...
Welcome kmfrost. I will add you to our list. Good luck om your decision and make sure you don't get to rushed by your drs. I am one that was told a lumpectomy and rads was the simple option. After the lumpectomy and problems with moving ahead with rads I am now going back for a bilateral mastectomy. These breasts tried to kill me and so I'm getting new ones :-)
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
KellieDenise66 - BMX with TEs
25 Sept 2012
Teri060811 - BMX
FightingLikeAGirl - BMX with TEs
26 Sept 2012
sandrav - bilateral DIEP
27 Sept 2012
kmfrost - UMX/BMX (deciding)
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 -
Hi kmfrost, I agree with Jenn don't get rushed by your drs. Get as much information you can before making your decisions..wishing you the best!
Mumtobe~ I would be all over the place if I were in your shoes too, my thoughts and prayers are with you throughout these difficult days.
kittykoma~ I was filled to 180cc. Tuesday will be my first fill, 2 weeks post surgery. I had my drains removed on day 8, but my left one is still leaky, so no shower yet!!
Wishing all a good nights rest!
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This morning's FNA results are already in - no evidence of cancer! Whew, I'm back on track with having only the SNB with my UMX Monday. Although, I don't even want those nodes removed. I find my fears are focussed more so on the complications and SE from surgery in the axilla than they are on the whole mastectomy and reconstruction process.
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Sandlake- I feel very swollen in the area under my arms. It feels like all the saline from the expanders settled there. Do you also have that feeling? I feel and look horrible like I have side boobs instead of boobs on my chest. I hope this gets better with time.
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Kittykoma, I have not had any sort of reconstruction or tissue expanders. And not sure if it is the same thing. The swelling under my arm is driving me crazy. It is swollen along the side of my chest my entire underarm and into the top of my arm. It is driving me crazy! Has not gone down at all since surgery. All of the swelling across my chest is gone.
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Sneakychiquita- great news on your FNA results. I'm jumping all over this website reading as much as I can about these sn biopsies. I also read some preventative LE precautions. Off the top of my head was limiting as much action in the arm the node was removed, no blood pressure cuffs, blood drawing (Not sure if that includes an IV line.)
I can't imagine thats going to be an easy task during an in house hospital stay.
A nurse called today to tell me my pre op pregnancy test was at a 5? Does anyone know what that means? She wanted me to repeat the test until I told her I'd had a complete hysterectomy a little of 3 months ago. I'm a bit concerned if its an elevated estrogen level. I was started on a low HRT right after my hysterectomy, and as soon as I found out I had BC and that my cancer was ER+ I ripped that hormone patch right off!
Nerves are setting in. Three more days. I think it's time for an Ativan. -
Sneakychiquita, good news and now forget that node stuff and try to concentrate on your weekend with your daughter pre op. Sun still shining all weekend I hope. As you have surgery I will be getting those results - 0800 appt.
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Sneakychiquita~ great news!! I've had no SE with my SNB. I don't do any bp or draws on that side. In the hospital they checked my bp on my leg instead. I obsessed over the amount they were going to fill my TE's!! It was the first thing I asked about in recovery
I hope you enjoy your weekend!!Kittykoma~ My boobs are very swollen too. I don't like looking at all the weird shapes going on right now! Did you have any problems with leaking after your drains were removed? Are you still taking pain meds? I am 11 days post surgery and still have some pain. I keep telling myself to hang in there, It will get better!! I need a shower........
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Thank you ladies, feeling much better about the whole thing today, let's get this boob off!!!
SneakyChiqita - that is great news. Will be thinking of you also on Monday, the very best of luck.
Jennt28 - I am having 5-7 wks of rads after my 12wks of taxols (after baby is born of course). It was never an option for me as I'm also having a full axillary clearout, I was given this treatment plan but my cancer is hormone negative and I guess we all want to throw everything at it because I don't have any more options. If I had opted for a lumpectomy and it came back with good path reports then they may have changed the goalposts slightly but I didn't and I don't regret that decision. My family and husband have been such a source of support for me so it's not really an issue about going for rads every day. I don't live too far from the hospital either which is also a bonus (funny the things you see as positives when you're going through TX).
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rozem- I am also having a BMX with TEs on Tuesday
I went to Nordstrom and bought a camisole with pockets for drains. Your insurance company will reimburse you in most cases. I also bought a few button down nightgowns instead of 2 piece sets. Since I won't be able to pull down and up my underwear I thought I would go commando. I also bought a short sleeved robe that zips up the front. I ordered 2 baby pillows from amazon because I couldn't find them anywhere. Best of luck to you 
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Sandlake- I still have all 4 drains in and I'm still taking hydrocodene and Valium. We'll see what happens next week.
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Hi all, just had the expanders put in 9/11/12. Suurgery wasn't so bad but its the damn drains that are keeping me down. I breezed through the double mastectomy on 6/5/12, drains were taken out one week later. For the expanders I've had them now for 11 days. Getting very discouraged because I need to be under 20cc's in each drain. At this point I'm still draining 30 in each.
At this point its completely throwing off all my schedules. I had only planned to be out of work until 10/1/12 but doesn't look Like that is going to work because of the drains. Which throws off my last surgery for sometime in December.
So we will see. Looking forward to better news about these for the weekend hopefully less then I can get them out early Monday. -
HI all - Pathology from lumpectomy shows my cancer is an "angry" cancer. (I didnt know there was any other kind) Lymphovascular Invasion. Heading for a BMX sometime in October. Have to coordinate breast surgeon and plastics guy. So much to juggle! Caught off guard by this...thought the lumpectomy went well and I would be heading to rads but now its back to step one. Trying to find the positive ....
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Cthynsh,
I'm sorry your lumpectomy path came back "angry" and that your treatment plan isn't what you had originally prepared for. You're deep in my thoughts while you coordinate this next leg of your journey. You're right, it is a lot to juggle. Please keep us updated on how you're doing, and your new surgery date.
Hugs,
Kellie -
Cthynsh, what does "angry" mean? Still waiting for results that as of late afternoon were not back even though my lumpectomy was two weeks ago and I see the surgeon on Monday at 0800. First time I really wished I had gone to MSK or MDA. Just about lost it with that news but went to a yin yoga class instead and now a glass of white NZ wine. I will see the surgeon anyway and I know she will be able to tell me more about the second unexpected lump she found and the two "pearly" nodes. So now I am calmer but still know it will be a long weekend. More sharing ahead, thank goodness! Thank you all.
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updated my profile to show the path findings after surgery. Still don't have all the info, like the second cancer type??? Weird. Anyway, sounds like we're all on the mend and for those of you still waiting, be strong, you can and will get through this. Love and hugs to all of us.
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