January 2013 surgery

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited January 2013

    Hi liffeybloomer

    I would get a nice room with shuttle service to/from hospital.

    DH had C surgery miles from home & we spent extra night. So glad. We crashed exhausted on plush beds. Rested&less traffic (socal never know commute) another day post-op able to drive home with smiles&praises.

    You will make the right choice...

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited January 2013

    liffeybloomer~  I have never had a lumpectomy, but I did have a large tumor removed from my breast years ago.  There are pros and cons to traveling that day...you will still have anesthesia in your system, so there is less pain that day.  But with the anesthesia comes nausia, and that doesn't mix well with a car ride!  If it was me, I would plan to stay the extra day.  Take a couple small travel sized pillows with you for the car ride home...they can go between your chest and the seatbelt.  Good luck!

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited January 2013

    melindagb~  Welcome, but sorry that you are here as well.  I had a skin sparing BMX, but my BS does not do nipple sparing except in PBX.  I felt more comfortable removing the nipple based on my strong family history of breast cancer.

    Glad you were able to find a team of Drs that you like!  Hopefully someone else will chime in about your concerns regarding the Diep procedure.  There is also a Diep topic that you could try posting these questions under, and you might have more luck there.  It doesn't look like any of our January girls are doing Diep flap reconstruction.

    Tami

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited January 2013

    liffeybloomer - with a lumpectomy, you could make the drive home. You just might sleep the whole way. You'll be pretty out of it, I imagine. And you can ask them to give you a vicodin or similar right before you leave so it'll be in your system for the ride. You could also opt to stay. I'd say go with whatever you think you'll want. If you're someone who sleeps so much better at home anyway, then I'd go home; if you would enjoy a nice night in a hotel then stay (you won't be able to take advantage of some of the amenities though-not hot tub, etc...). I think going or not is more a function of what you want and prefer to do than what you'll be able to do.

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  • liffeybloomer
    liffeybloomer Member Posts: 72
    edited January 2013

    Thanks for the advice. I think that at this point we are opting to stay the extra day. I will definitely pack a pillow. These boards are such a help.

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  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 397
    edited January 2013

    Here we go....good luck tomorrow MMSS and fight4two!!!

    I'm getting a little nervous too but going to try and stay busy until then.



    Lifeybloom..I would stay in the hotel. Too much of a busy day. I think it would be too much jostling around in a car ride. Best wishes to you!!!



    Jen..so glad you are feeling better.



    Melinda..Welcome to the club no one wants to be in. I am not having a skin sparing surgery so I can't help you there but you might want to check out the other threads like the breast reconstruction site and you may get some answers there!



    Speedy...Hugs to you!! Hopefully you will get the answers you need on Tuesday! Thinking of you!

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  • Mirmirpanda
    Mirmirpanda Member Posts: 89
    edited January 2013

    Has anyone had a reaction to the bandages used after surgery? I'm almost a full two weeks post surgery and I have broken out in an extremely itchy, raised welt rash everywhere the adhesive was in contact with my skin. It's so bizarre, I have no allergies.



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  • JRMH
    JRMH Member Posts: 59
    edited January 2013

    Melinda- Sorry you have to join us, but these are a wonderful group of ladies. I added you to the list.

    Still praying for the ladies up today and also for Joan tomorrow.

    Please remind me if I missed your surgery date while I was in the hospital those couple of days recovering from my surgery. Thanks so much!

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  • kkuziel
    kkuziel Member Posts: 191
    edited January 2013

    Liffeybloom, I just had my lumpectomy on Friday. We live 100 miles from the hospital. We went down the day before which was nice, actually a little bit relaxing. I went into surgery about 1:30 and the surgeon did offer the option of me staying overnight in the hospital. But we decided I'd sleep better at home. I will say I remember nothing about the ride home. I was sleeping within five minutes after we pulled out of the parking lot. But I didn't have any trouble. It's really a judgement call. It certainly wouldn't hurt to stay. The only reason I was glad we left is I have a reclining sofa at home and I've slept on that since Friday. Don't know if I would have been able to lay in a regular hotel bed.

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  • liffeybloomer
    liffeybloomer Member Posts: 72
    edited January 2013

    Thanks kkuziel. I think we are going to play it be ear, but plan on staying at the hotel the extra night. I may very well feel the same as you and want to come home. All of the advice is very appreciated.

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  • wirdgirl118
    wirdgirl118 Member Posts: 231
    edited January 2013

    Laurie, I envy you the recliner! I decided not to get an electric recliner and have been managing ok with manual recliner and regular bed, however the days just following surgery, my abs killed me, then I guess those muscles got fit lol because i had no more pain there, next my knees are super killing me yesterday and today, maybe my sciatica acting up. So I went back to taking the percocet full dose. I have to keep telling myself that even if I wasn't able to reduce the pain meds yet, I am making progress in recovery. The visiting nurses have said the drains are doing their job and the color of the drainage is good, and also the surgical site looks great. I have a post op appt to see the bs the day after tomorrow.

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited January 2013

    Mirmir - I did not react to the adhesive, but instead to the disinfecting scrub they used on my skin at the surgery. It wasn't betadine, but something called chloraprep. The first time it happened it was a week and a half after surgery and my surgeon said that she didn't think it had anything to do with the surgery. The second time it happened just a week after surgery and she said it matched the area they used the scrub on perfectly, they haven't used it on me since and no horrible itchy rash.  It could be the adhesive or the scrub. But it definitely could be related to the surgery even this long after surgery. I hope you're not too miserable - I was very very uncomfortable. Hope it clears up soon.

    Best wished to everyone having surgery today and this week.

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  • Amy4978
    Amy4978 Member Posts: 473
    edited January 2013

    Jrmh... My surgery date is Feb 13. Hope you are feeling much better!



    All you ladies having surgery today keep strong you can do this and its one step closer to being cancer free! Wishing you all a speedy recovery.... Hugs!

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  • mrenee68
    mrenee68 Member Posts: 383
    edited January 2013

    RMlulu yes our dates are here and I wish you all the very best. Trying to tie up the lose ends here at home and for my daycare. Starting to feel nervous and just ready to get this over. Hugs and prayers to all.

    Wishing all of you ladies who have just had surgery, a speedy and uneventful recovery.

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  • JRMH
    JRMH Member Posts: 59
    edited January 2013

    Amy- I added updated your info! I am feeling better each day. Thanks so much! :)

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  • smethot
    smethot Member Posts: 161
    edited January 2013

    drain sucks...i hate it.  I feel pretty good...the boob and armpit incisions are healing well and closed up nicely...glue instead of stitches...and they are itchy...yeah healing.  But the damned drain is painful, bruised and oozy.  I'm not worrying about it...its not the important bit here.  It does its job and gets yanked...hopefully sooner rather than later.  The back of my arm (numb and weird) feels more painful than my incisions.  Think i'm gonna stay working from home until the drain is out...can't imagine carting this POS around work with me!!!

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  • Janipani
    Janipani Member Posts: 24
    edited January 2013

    SMETHOT - I fell out laughing with your last sentance - that sounds like it came out of my mouth!  My drain has been in since 1/7 and how do you cover that thing up to go any where?  Some one needs to create a flatter one instead of a big fat round one that can't be concealed easily.  I've got the same issues with the back of the arm and armpit.  Do the sweat glands get pissed off with the nodes are removed?  I've having an issue with perspiration or some kind of sweat odor under that arm.  Gahross - any suggestions if we can't use deoderant?

    Janice

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  • smethot
    smethot Member Posts: 161
    edited January 2013

    MYGOD!!!  That long???  I'll pull the nasty-ass thing out myself!  Its gotta come out this week...the sludge has changed colour and is slowing down...doc says the visiting nurse-angels can take it out once i'm down to 30cc's in a 24 hrs period...dry up already!!!  I really shouldn't complain too much...surgery was Friday Jan 18th and its slowed down (and gone a gross peachy colour)...now it just needs to f-off.  The back-of-arm pain/tingles and crawly spider feeling are weird...and i'm hoping for no lymphadema...but hey...LE is better than LUMPIE!!!  Did i mention LUMPIE IS DEAD???  BURN IN HELL LUMPIE!!! (actually, get flash-frozen and dissected so docs can figure out how to best make and keep me healthy but whatever...)  I love the thought of Lumpie's death, dismemberment and dissection providing the plan for my treatment.  Take THAT you lump-hole!!!  (ok...think i need to take a nap now...) Smile

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  • Mirmirpanda
    Mirmirpanda Member Posts: 89
    edited January 2013

    Is anyone else experiencing any fluid retention in their muscles? I went to my PS and she said my armpit, the area under my armpit and near the 'foob' have fluid. It's hard in some areas and squishy and sore in others. She didn't seem overly concerned about it, just said to massage it, do my exercises and go to physio. I'll see her in 2 weeks. She wrote me a prescription for healing my wonderful new rash. :) .



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  • Janipani
    Janipani Member Posts: 24
    edited January 2013

    SMETHOT- Woman you made me laugh out loud!!!  Here's the reason I'm leaving mine in.  My first cousin had the same issue, but her drain came out in 1 week,and they weren't documenting the fluid levels discarded daily.  BUT in one week, she had a serious infection, that caused weeks more of problems, worse than the drain bag thing.  So what I'm hearing, the longer you wear it, the more time your body has to figure out where to send the fluid.  If the body doesn't figure that out itself, Lymphedema could be the result.  So I'm trying to be a good girl and leave it there, noting the amounts is discard daily, and even noting the color and my body temperature.  Amasing enough, at night, my temps are always in the 99-100 range but in the mornings always 98ish

    MIRIPANDA - I'm only having pain after the ALND on 1/7/13 really in the rib cage, can't imagine why there.  Feels like some one kicked my in the ribs.  Pain under the arm is tolerable, but is probably not as much pain as it is "what the hell is that feeling" - is it numbness, tingling, etc.  It's new feelings that are hard to describe, but are in your conscience mind.  The pain is still coming from the dam drain in there, and now down to 120cc's of fluid the color of early morning pee - no pink.  

    Does anyone know if more or less exercise helps with the process of drainage dry up?

    Janice

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  • kokoo
    kokoo Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2013

    I will be going for a dmx on Feb 8, 2013. I have LCIS and I've waited one year to make up my  mind. I am kind of scared, my husband works out of town and I have no family were I live. What should I expect? Oh, my husband will be with me for 10 days after the surgery.

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  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 219
    edited January 2013

    Hi Kokoo,



    I've figured out that a lot of the recovery process depends on if you are having immediate reconstruction and what type. It took me about a 8-10 days to no feel like a turtle flipped on its back - needed help doing going from a prone position to sitting up etc. it's getting better, and I am not nervous being by myself for a few hours now.

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited January 2013

    Hi Mirmirpanda, I had the fluid under my incision, and in the armpit too.

    Mine would actually move like a wave, and the underarm area was numbness, tingling, burning, and strange feeling. I am now 5 weeks from Mx and the underarm is getting back to normal. Only a bother if I wear something that rubs on it.

    My Surgeon decided to drain the fluid from under my incision because he said the skin wasn't attaching to the chest wall as it should. I didn't feel a thing, and now it is nice and flat.

    Just out of interest Janice, do you have soreness below your ribs too. I had a lot of discomfort where the drain exited, and my ribs were really sore too. I discovered I had Mondors Cording which was causing that pain. My Surgeon is not at all concerned, said it will resolve itself.

    I was told to do the exercise religiously, but not to reach over my head till the drain was removed. Mine came out after 5 days, so I have been exercising for 4 weeks now and have total range of movement. In Australia it is when the output is below 50mm that they remove them.

    Smethot, I love reading your posts. It is great to have a laugh about this!

    I'm not sure if i posted here, but we have been having a really hot summer. I don't use talcum because of the ovarian cancer connection, but I needed something to help with the sticky feeling under my arm. I bought a box of Cornflour and apply that with a big fluffy makeup brush. It helps with the perspiration, but moreso with the skin rubbing and feeling really uncomfortable and strange. You could put a couple of drops of essential oils in it if you want some fragrance. I haven't noticed any odour at all from my underarm.

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  • robinlee76
    robinlee76 Member Posts: 27
    edited January 2013

    Got my last 2 grenades out today.  I can not wait to take a normal shower!!

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  • kokoo
    kokoo Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2013

    I am having immidiate reconstruction. I can't really explain what is going to be done. My husband will leave to Chicago ten days after my surgery. I am not afraid to be by myself, I think I kind of will welcome it. I am just afraid of having massive pain, or any other complications. Thank you.

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  • kokoo
    kokoo Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2013

    How do you feel pain wise?

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited January 2013

    I still have drains since 1/4 and am really sick of them!  I can't shower, excercise, or drive until they are out.  Boo!  They are still producing about 40cc's per 24 hours and have been for 3-4 days.  PS says not until it is under 30cc's for 2 consecutive days!  The color in one has been peach for 10 days, and the other is just now turning peach, but they have both been putting out similar cc's.  Who really knows what all this means?  The other odd thing is that one breast is twice the size of the other, and I had no fill during surgery.  The one breast keeps getting smaller and the other stays the same...weird.

    Tami

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  • Scatsm
    Scatsm Member Posts: 18
    edited January 2013

     I was told that the more you move, the more fluid is produced. My drains are still in after 2 weeks and I am producing 60-70 ccs in the right side where the nodes were taken...sigh...my BC said the body can absorb about 30cc per side. The BS said she'd see me in 6 mos and that the nurse will pull my drains. Does it hurt?

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  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 397
    edited January 2013

    Scatsm...you are too funny. I have heard that too about the more you move, the more fluid you produce. Well,my grenades as Robin calls them better be out within three weeks cause I have to go back to work! Damn cancer interfering with my life! I don't like it.



    Tami...I'm sorry you have to have those drains in for so long. It must be miserable not to be able to shower and just having those things hanging out like an alien. Is it possible to sit in a bathtub with just a tiny bit of water in it?

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  • AuntieEm
    AuntieEm Member Posts: 30
    edited January 2013

    I love the alien pod analogy for the drains. That's exactly how my teenage son described them. I'm still producing about 30cc. I'm hoping they will take the last drain out tomorrow. What's killing me is that my BS added 40cc to my expanders on Friday. I was starting to feel a bit like myself but since then I have been so uncomfortable! It's like having an elephant sitting on your chest! The only time I feel relief is after a hot shower. I was so emotionally drained the past couple of days. Just tired of feeling physically bad! I normally excersice 5-6x a week and I just don't feel like it. I'm depressed that I can't do the things I normally do. I know I'm preaching to the choir but sometimes you just have a pitty day. I guess today is mine... :-(



    As always my prayers are with you all.

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