January 2013 surgery

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  • MMSS
    MMSS Member Posts: 103
    edited February 2013

    Lmimp, I'm glad that you have a decision that you feel comfortable with. Go for it!

    Mirmirpanda, Way to go girl! So happy for your good news. You can do this.

    lbwagner, I am so sorry that you are having such a tough time. Love and prayers for your healing.

    I am doing well and packing for Florida. Hope to leave next week which will be 3 weeks from my surgery. I am back to walking again but it will be much nicer to be doing it in the warm sunshine than on my treadmill here in Ohio. What I really can't wait for is to be able to raise my hands over my head enough to use a curling iron on my hair. BS won't let me raise them for 3 weeks. I can reach the sides and front but the back is out of range and while my DH has many talents hair dressing is not one of them.

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  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 397
    edited February 2013

    MMSS...I'm so jealous your going to the sun!! What a great place to recover!

    Enjoy!

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  • dnadebbs
    dnadebbs Member Posts: 82
    edited February 2013

    so much to read while i've been laid up!   i can't remember if i reported in saying that i had to start all over.   the infections were so bad they admitted me to the hospital and the next day took out the TE's.    i went home with 2 NEW tubes.....but was able to take one out yesterday......so just waiting for the other one to come out and heal up.  the doctor wants to try again in a couple months but i'll be honest......i was in such pain that i am sooo discouraged about trying again.   maybe in a couple months i will feel differently.

    i have read some really great news from all your updates and am so excited for you!   i have also read there are a few of you still in some pain or in the hospital.  LBWAGNER69 I feel for you.....my drains before they removed the TEs were both thick and milky and stinky.....so i know your infections and struggle sucks.   hang in there.....you're right where you need to be in order to get the best and quickest care.

    i seriously cannot wait to get outside and just walk!   i'm soooo tired of being in the house!   

    much love all!

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

    Dnadebs, I had no idea what you were going through. So sorry to hear that you've had such terrible infections, it's so not fair! I do hope you are feeling a bit better today, and you can lose that drain soon. It will make all the difference to the way you feeel.

    I can understand you feeling so discouraged at the thought of having to start again. Take care

    MMSS, so glad to hear of your progress too. I must admit my hair was a bit on the wild side in the beginning too.LOL My husband couldn't do anything to help either. Didn't take too long and I was brandishing the hairdryer like before.

    Have a wonderful time in Florida, the sun will do you so much good. I was kind of glad this happened to me in the Summer here. I have been walking in the sunshine, and getting some sunlight on my scar every day. It really makes a difference getting some UV on it. Take care and have a safe jouney!

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  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 397
    edited February 2013

    dnadebbs....What a horrible ordeal you went through.  Now you can just concentrate on healing and think about the TE's another day. Take your time.

    I have had my TE's in for almost two weeks.  Even though I have not been through what you just went through, I am not enjoying these TE's either.

    I hope its worth it...my DH says, it is!  MEN!

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  • Ceecee1111
    Ceecee1111 Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2013

    I just found BreastCancer.org last night, while Googling something else. I stayed up until 1:30am reading, learning & crying. I was shocked to find out I had BC, 01/15/13. Living alone is hard and I was freaking out. I had a lumpectomy 01/28, the Good News the margins are clear, but the Bad News I may have to have a re-excision, cause the margins were too close. I'll find out more on 01/11, including the radiation & Tamoxifen. Reading everyone's experiences & advice has already made me feel a little better. Wish I had known about this site earlier, it would have relived some of my worries.

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

    Welcome Ceecee1111

    Glad you found breastcancer.org great site with good info and encouraging supportive sisters. Will keep you in prayer & send calming peaceful thoughts as you wait for your re-excision. Waiting is so difficult. Clear acceptable margins are coming!

    Best of luck with your MO&BS&RO meetings on 2/11. I met with my team today. Hoping to have 2 wks off for a trip back home to TX to play before Rads begin in CA.

    Take care ((hugs))

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  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 397
    edited February 2013

    Hi Ceecee...Welcome. So sorry your hear with us but glad you found us. This site has really helped me as no one gets what we are feeling except us! I also have learned not to google anything on BC....I just stay on this site.

    You say you live alone...do you have any support from friends, co-workers, family?

    Clear margins are good!! Hope you hear soon about your reexcision.

    Take care.

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  • Ceecee1111
    Ceecee1111 Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2013

    Thank you RMlulu! I see that your surgery was just a few days before mine. Are you still sore & swollen? The pain meds gave me a terrible headache, neck ache & fever, so I had to stop taking it on the 2nd day and only used Tylenol.

    Have fun in TX!

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

    Hey Ceecee1111

    Our lumps were days apart. I felt good the 2nd day, but took the pain med the first 3 nights. I feel great! Got my stitches out yesterday & those adhesive strips (my skin does not like) back on. Went for a walk today & the bounce was a bit too much even with sports bra. So popped a Tylenol & am laying flat. I did not have any real swelling my tumors were small 3mm 8mm at 12 o'clock near chest wall. Big dimple, only my under arm is tender.

    Looking forward to TX :))

    Again best of luck. Join the rad thread as you move to next step!

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  • liffeybloomer
    liffeybloomer Member Posts: 72
    edited February 2013

    Thought I would check back in with everyone. I am glad to see that many are doing well, and my thoughts are with those of you still struggling with fevers, pain, and other problems. My lumpectomy went fine. Tumor was a bit bigger than originally thought and it was grade 3 instead of grade 2 but those are minor, fixable issues with chemo. I didn't even need pain meds and was back to work by the next week.

    I should start chemo in about three weeks. I'm getting a port put in because I will need Herceptin for a year, so that should happen within a couple of weeks. I've been following the  Feb. 2013 chemo thread as I move on to the next step.

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  • Lbwagner69
    Lbwagner69 Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2013

    Thanks for the prayers and encouragement. I am still here and yes it is a staff infection in my lower ab..the ps cleared and packed it and will put a womb vac....something I NEVER tho ught I would be facing. I am strong and in good spirits. I cried this morning when my mom gave me a card from my little girls first grade class....signed:(

    Fighting hard

    Laurie

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

    Oh Laurie so sorry that you are still in the hospital fighting a staff infection ugh :((

    Prayers & healing thoughts for a speedy recover. You are a fighter!

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  • dnadebbs
    dnadebbs Member Posts: 82
    edited February 2013

    much love to you laurie!   keep your head up honey!  we're all rooting for you and thinking of you daily!  God bless!

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2013

    Joan~  Nice to hear from you!  It sounds like you have all your ducks in a row and a great attitude going into chemo...that's awesome!

    Laurie~  Staff infections suck, but I know you will get past this and things will get better!  Keep the positive attitude!

    dnadebbs~  Hoping things are turning around for you now!

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2013

    I went to the genetic counselor today, and they took blood for BRCA1 and 2 and BARTS.  Hoping that my insurance will cover with no problems!  She said it could take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months to get results depending whether they have to fight with my insurance company or not.

    Tami

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  • robinlee76
    robinlee76 Member Posts: 27
    edited February 2013

    Laurie - So sorry you are still in the hospital.  Hopefully they will get you back on track and out of there very soon :)

    Tami - Did they use the lab in Utah?  I have BCBS and they covered all but 10%.  It only took 1 week to get my results so hopefully they will not drag their feet.

    On another note.  I went and got my prosthetics breast forms and bras yesterday.  We have a Unique Boutique here in Charlotte and they have the best women in the world working there.  So nice to go somewhere and not be treated like the cancer patient.  It was a good feeling to be able to look down and see something again :)))   

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2013

    Robin~  That's great news about your prosthetics and bras...it is nice to see something!  Yes, Miriad is still the only lab that does the genetic testing for BRCA 1 and 2 and BART.  Hope it's quick for me too!

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  • chelle21
    chelle21 Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2013

    I got my pathology report and nodes are all clear. Will go over in detail the rest of the report on Tuesday w/ my breast surgeon. Had a really rough time all of yesterday and today with pain. Long story short I went 16 hours w/out pain pills ;( just tylenol. It was a huge misunderstanding and I suffered big time. Just now starting to feel like I'm back in control of the pain.

    Went to see the ps today - got 1 of 2 drains out and since I was in so much pain he didn't do a fill which was ok by me. He said maybe by next week I'll get the other one removed. I cannot wait to take a shower.

    Laurie - sorry you are still the hospital. Stay strong.

    Hugs to you all.

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  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 397
    edited February 2013

    Laurie....sending you healing prayers!!

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  • Speedy4
    Speedy4 Member Posts: 136
    edited February 2013

    For those of you who had lumpectomies, were you told to ice or do specifics exercises?

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2013

    Hope~  Good luck today!  Let me know how it goes!

    Tami

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2013

    Jennifer~  I'm worried about you...where are you?

    Tami

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  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 397
    edited February 2013

    Tami, it went fine! Didn't feel a thing. Huge needle!! But as the day went on, I needed a extra strength Tylenol. I can't even see a difference. They want me to come in once a week and I will have my exchange sometime in May. My PS said the exchange has to be at least 4 months out from your original surgery. He put in at surgery time, 240cc's and today he put in 60 cc's. I can't wait for them to be out. I think they are very uncomfortable. Not so much, I need a pain pill but I can totally tell there is something foreign in there! Hope the permanents are better!

    Have you gotten your last drain out yet ?

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  • Seriouslysammy
    Seriouslysammy Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2013

    Got pathology report from dr and saw that I am actually a grade 3. My original biopsy report said grade 2. I asked why different and was told that with a bigger sample to check they could more accurately stage it. Dr also said that my case was going in front of a board and they will discuss taking more nodes. I only had 1 node with 0.2 cm cancer left after chemo the other 4 were clear. My dr will argue that it's not necessary so we shall see. Have appointment with radiologist this week.

    I also still have an egg size lump under my arm from lymph dissection. I ha it drained on Wednesday and it came back the next day. I decided to leave it alone to see if my body can figure out what to do with it.

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  • peanutsgal
    peanutsgal Member Posts: 161
    edited February 2013

    Hi everyone! Wow, so much going on.



    Laurie, so sorry to hear you are struggling with a staph infection. Prayers for you that you can join those sweet babies soon. Their little faces are healing in and of themselves.



    Hopex3, I hear you on the foreign things residing in your body. Went to see PS yesterday and got my fill. I've never actually looked at the needle, couldn't see it if I tried! He's got sterile towels draped all over my face. He's been doing 100cc's at a time and this was my 3rd fill. It is the strangest sensation as he does the fill. It doesn't hurt just kind of gives me the creepy crawlies. I'm now up to 350cc's. I had an absolutely horrible night last night and have hurt a good bit off and on today. Definitely will not do that large of a fill again. There's no prize for finishing quickly. I'm pretty much as big as I want to be so I think I will just go with the 100cc overfill (in two separate fills) and call it quits! Sometimes I feel like I traded my tube socks with bean bags in them for bocce balls!



    Glad to hear about everyone's clear margins and for those of you who are still plotting your paths, I pray things resolve quickly for you so that you can rest easier knowing you have a plan!

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  • Erdwoman
    Erdwoman Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2013

    Hello ladies, I just found this sight. Have done quite a bit of reading and relating. I was diagnosed right after Thanksgiving. I had 3 tumors, all under 2 cm. all were invasive, not aggressive and hormone receptive. Had surgery Jan 11, removed both breast and TE placed. Yes they are uncomfortable and I hate the fact I have to sleep on my back for the next 6 or more months. Have had 2 fills, and coming from triple D's, I love my little boobies. I will start chemo on the 25th and am feeling nervous about it. Radiation is probably in my future too, but that will be decided after chemo. Thank you for being here.

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2013

    Hope~  I'm glad your fill went well! I felt the same way after the first fill...they looked the same. but several days later it seemed like they were getting bigger!  I paid attention at the next fill and it was the same, kind of like the saline needed to find it's way to the right place.  Right now I have 320cc's and they seem huge...wide and flat, with major side boob.  I'm wondering when I will see some projection, and how many more fills til I'm done.  I do hate the feel of these things...sooo heavy.  Did your PS use Alloderm?  I have it on the undersides of my breasts.  I guess it is supposed to act like a sling to support the weight of the implant, but right now they are flopped over the crease even farther than they were pre BMX...another thing to talk  to her about. Yes, I still have the one stupid drain...down to 45cc's the last couple of days, so maybe next week???  I have a fill Monday morning, and I'll let you know how it goes.

    Sammy~  Did the grade or stage change...I'm a little confused.  I hope it was just the grade.  Also hoping the breast board helps in figuring out the best approach for you!

    Peanutsgal~  You are absolutely right about there being no rush to finish the fills!  Good luck with the next one!

    Erdwoman~  Glad you found these boards...they are so helpful.  I'm sure you have been reading some of the chemo threads as well.  Hopefully some of those can help ease your nerves.  The fear of the unknown can be worse than the actual procedeures sometimes!

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  • destiny81
    destiny81 Member Posts: 4
    edited February 2013

    To Hopes post.....I am newly diagnosed. mastectomy and implant expanders needed. Thanks for your post. I anticipate only tolerating "small" fills because I have a lot of back/neck migraine issues to begin with. Its encouraging that you are pushing forward...

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  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 219
    edited February 2013

    Hi Destiny81. I'm in Georgia too. Treatment out of Kennestone. Where are you? I had my mastectomy jan 9 and chemo begins Wednesday. I had my port put in Thursday. Let us know when your dates are set. Best wishes.

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