March 2013 Surgeries

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  • Keke713
    Keke713 Member Posts: 91
    edited March 2013

    Yes y doctor actually didn't want me to stay in the hospital any longer than needed since the risk for infection is kind of high being there..so he gave me the option..I I felt more comfortable staying over night I could have..but after I came to from the anesthesia, I just really wantsd to get home! So they just made sure I was ok on the pain meds, showed my boyfriend everything he needed to know and sent me on my way! I would def reccomend getting home as soon as you can..it was so nice to come home and lay in my own bed and sleep without being woken up by nurses and noises in the hallways! But like I said, it's not as horrible as I expected! Just rest alot and take your pain meds as needed!

  • TLR
    TLR Member Posts: 55
    edited March 2013

    Keke, what an inspiration you are, so glad you are home and recovering well. Hope the pain gets better for you.



    anne11595, ironmagnolia, Maureen good luck with your surgery Monday. Thinking of each one here and praying for great outcomes and for all.

  • anne11595
    anne11595 Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2013

    Welcome Ironmagnolia ,we are 3 strong surgery sisters ! So now are house is clean,food in fridge,and what ever we can think of is done we can finally slow done and have a little surgery done!So look out Monday morning here we come! Keke so glad your home ,sorry about the pain your in.Hopefully tomorrow will be better!Glad to hear that it's not has bad has you thought it was going to be.Please let me say that when I'm done! Many ((((hugs))) to you!

  • Butterflylady2012
    Butterflylady2012 Member Posts: 187
    edited March 2013

    Question....I am wondering about discomfort and pain after surgery.  Even though I already had my Rt side Mx last year with sentinel node biopsy and know what the discomfort should be like the second time around, this time I will not be having lymph nodes removed.  With the Mx but no node removal, does the discomfort about stay the same around the arm, or will it lessen.  I'm hoping I will have better range of motion sooner without the lymph node issues.  What do you think?  Thx..

    -Sharon

  • Keke713
    Keke713 Member Posts: 91
    edited March 2013

    Hi butterflady,

    I'm thinking your pain will probably be less! I had a few nodes removed for testing and I'm finding that under my arms is where it seems to be the most sore and tight..I can't exactly tell if it's coming from the drains or from where nodes were removed, but from everything I've read and from what I'm experiencing at the mean time, I'd have to say you will probably be in less pain and have better mobility!

  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited March 2013

    Good Morning:) This is an Ativan morning...tomorrow at this time I'll be in surgery (my case is due to start at 1030am) so I've got butterflies today...(((ironmagnolia and anne))), I'm thinking of you...hope you two are doing okay today? What times are your surgeries tomorrow? Thanks to everyone in the group for your support and well wishes...and Keke, thanks for the positive messages, hope you are doing better every day:))) March 5th surgery sisters, I'll send my best wishes and support to you today since I may not be able to get on line before Tuesday to touch base with you but I will be thinking of you:) (((warm hugs))) Maureen

  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited March 2013

    maureeen, I ended up taking .5 mg Ativan at 0200 after I had woken up for over an hour and did not see getting back to sleep easily. My son and husband have both had colds too and I have been keeping my distance as the last thing I need is a cold now! Still 2 more sleeps for me but only one for you. I will think of you!

    My hospital called Saturday to ask if I wanted a private or semi (for more money( which I declined but I did get it out of him that tentatively I am first on the slate which means being there Tuesday at 0600 which suits me. I will find out for sure tomorrow afternoon. 

    I am sure Jenamae, Tracey and tx_anne are all getting ready too.

  • dede707
    dede707 Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2013

    HI, 

    I'm new to the boards too. I have a single mast. this Thursday March 7. I already had a lumpectomy in Jan, but there is still too much DCIS. I am having an expander put in at the same time. I wish you calmness this week. 

  • dede707
    dede707 Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2013

    Hi Maureen, I'm new to this. I have a mastecomy (right breast) scheduled for this Thursday March 7 at 3:00 pm and will have an expander put in at the same time. I would like to share information and support with all those having surgeries this month. I'm nervous about so many things.  I'm glad I can read and share here. 

    Denise

  • dede707
    dede707 Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2013

    I wish you strength. Having cancer, surgery and having young children at home is daunting. I'm learning that others have to help me. The quicker I get better, the quicker I get back to being my normal mom!

  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited March 2013

    Thanks Marian...I will be taking a Restoril and an Ativan tonight before my midnight cutoff - not sure it will keep me asleep but it should knock me out for a little while LOL:) I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday morning, so glad you have an early surgery time...

    Welcome to the March 2013 surgery group (((Denise))) dede707, so sorry you have to join us but glad you found us...I've added you to the list, we're all in this together and we know how you must be feeling right now...you are our only "surgery sister" on March 7th but there are alot of us this week and we'll all be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers as you go to surgery. (((Hugs))) 

    Okay everyone, here's the most recent list...(((Warm Hugs))) and best wishes for a good surgical outcome, Maureen

    March 1st - Bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction/TE's - Keke

    March 4th - Left mastectomy with axillary node dissection - anne11595

    March 4th - Bilateral mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction - ironmagnolia

    March 4th - Bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction/implants - Maureen

    March 5th - Preventive skin and nipple sparing mastectomy with TE's - Jenamae

    March 5th - Right mastectomy with immediate reconstruction/TE's and axillary node dissection - Marian

    March 5th - Bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction and sentinel node biopsy - Tracey

    March 5th - Bilateral mastectomy, with anxillary lymph node dissection on ipsalateral side and sentinal node biopsy on contralateral side - tx_anne

    March 6th - Right mastectomy and axillary node dissection - Linda

    March 6th - Bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction/TE's - jrose

    March 6th - Left mastectomy with immediate reconstruction/possible TE - 2girls-2spaniels

    March 7th - Right Mastectomy with Reconstruction/Tissue expander placement (Right) - Denise (dede707)

    March 8th - Bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction - Cuetang

    March 8th - Bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction/implants - Karrie

    March 12th - Exchange surgery with scar revisions - cat24

    March 12th - procedure? - LKSHER

    March 15th - ? procedure - Nikstar

    March 19th - Bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction latissimus dorsi flap and implants - Mamasixtaz

    March 20th - Left mastectomy with tissue expander - Sharon (Butterflylady)

    March 21st - Bilateral mastectomy with Left axillary node dissection - Foreverchanged72612

    March 21st - Bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders and latissius dorsi flap, axillary node dissection - Leigh

    March 21st - Bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders - patriciahurtado

    March 25th - Bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders - 3mom

    March 27th - Mastectomy with axillary node dissection - Lou4of7

    March 27th - Mastectomy (Right); Prophylactic Mastectomy (Left); Reconstruction: Tissue expander placement (Both) - MauiGirl

    March 28th? - finished chemo March1st now imaging to find out surgical procedure - Shari

  • Lin43
    Lin43 Member Posts: 108
    edited March 2013

    So good to hear that Keke is home and recovering! There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed without all those hospital sounds and patient checks disturbing your rest!

    Maureen, ironmagnolia, and anne--I will be sending good thoughts up for you on Monday! And thanks for keeping the surgery list updated, Maureen. I have it printed out and in front of me right now. I am having the same surgery as Anne, only right side on Wednesday instead of Monday. And I may be having DIEP reconstruction as ironmagnolia is having, only later this year. Wish I could get it all done now but the probable need for radiation is getting in the way. We are all warrior women together and we will defeat the beast!

    Marian--I am also the first on the slate with a 6am report time, only for Wednesday instead of Tuesday. Maybe I can catch up on my rest during the surgery. :/ My doctor gave me a prescription for Ambien--said to take it if I feel the need. I also have Ativan from when I was first diagnosed. I am fortunate to be going to a new hospital where all the rooms are private and they have a couch that flattens into a bed for my husband. 

    Jenamae, Tracey and tx_anne--Reading your surgery summaries makes me think about how specific the treatment is for each person, based on her individual needs. Treatment has come a long way! I'll be holding all of you in my thoughts and prayers on Tuesday.

    Gentle hugs to everyone!

    Linda

  • kap
    kap Member Posts: 73
    edited March 2013

    Maureen, ironmagnolia, Anne you are all in my thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you once you are on the other side of this. Try to relax and remember what we've been told...stay on top of your meds. You will do great!

  • anne11595
    anne11595 Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2013

    Maureen I will be in hospital by 7:15 but surgery will be at 9:15. Finally gave in and took a ativan .Just filling a little to jumpy.So here we go tomorrow ,can't wait to get this part over with and start on the next thing!Good luck to March 5th lady's.Stay strong.My husband is very happy that we have this site to share our fears and success and mostly our feelings.I just want everyone to know how happy I am to have you here with me.Good luck Maureen and ironmagnolia and many ((hugs)).

  • patriciahurtado
    patriciahurtado Member Posts: 489
    edited March 2013

    Good luck to ally beautiful ladies we are strong we can do this .,., yes please ask for all those meds!!!

  • ironmagnolia
    ironmagnolia Member Posts: 85
    edited March 2013

    Hi Maureen-- my surgery is scheduled for 0900 tomorrow, have to be there at 0700. I'm told it will be about 8 hours total for both BS and PS to do their thing. So will be a very long day for my family, about 12 hours from the time they take me back until I get to my room after recovery. 

    Good thoughts, prayers and wishes for both you and Anne, my surgery date sisters Smile!!

  • ironmagnolia
    ironmagnolia Member Posts: 85
    edited March 2013

    Best wishes and good luck to you Anne!! Looks like you and I will be in surgery at the same time.

    Just go home from the SNB injections. I was so afraid, but it was a piece of cake!! I was not numb enough on one of my 3 biopsies so felt like someone had taken a nail gun to my chest. Terrible experience that has left me very distrustful of any procedure now. So glad this one went OK.

    Well, except for the Dr (radiologist) that looked looked he was still in highschool....Surprised!!

  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited March 2013

    Hey (((anne and ironmagnolia)))...you two will be in surgery a good hour before me so I'll say a prayer for you while I wait my turn...I don't go into the OR until about 1030a...are you both staying at least one night in the hospital? I don't want to stay but it looks like I have to so I won't be out until sometime on Tuesday. Once I'm home I'll try to check in as soon as my body and brain will allow it...Thanks so much to everyone for your kind words of support (((Hugs))) Maureen

  • printpal
    printpal Member Posts: 14
    edited March 2013

    Hi, thanks for starting this thread, I was on the July thread last year for mastectomy with TE's and will be back on 3/13/13 for Latissimu Dorsi flap surgery with implant.  We are all different, I did well with the mastectomy, and felt SO much better after the drain was removed.  I'm nervous about a drain in my back this time, but I know we will all get through this!!  Gentle (((hugs))) to you all, we are all each other's fans and that helps a lot!!

    Shelley

  • 3mom
    3mom Member Posts: 45
    edited March 2013

    To all those heading into surgery this week I am thinking of you. Wishing mine was sooner to just get it over with but then on the other hand i'll be so much more prepared learning from all of you this month.

  • anne11595
    anne11595 Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2013

    Maureen,I will be in the hospital until Tuesday to!That ok every one can rest because when I get home it my turn to be waited on! WELL at least a few days! I have no little ones at home,for all of you that do I will have a extra pray for you! Thanks again to everyone ! I'll let you know how things went as soon as I can! You all are in my thoughts.((hugs))

  • Shari0707
    Shari0707 Member Posts: 448
    edited March 2013

    Will update on date; but having. Double mastectomy with tissue expanders and lymph node dissection.

  • Cuetang
    Cuetang Member Posts: 575
    edited March 2013

    Best wishes to all the March surgery sisters this week and healing vibes headed your way!



    Ironmagnolia-- looks like I'll be going through the same type of surgery as you this week! Best of luck on the DIEP. :)

  • 2girls-2spaniels
    2girls-2spaniels Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2013

    My thoughts and prayers are with all of you heading into surgery this week. Keke you have become my inspiration. I am scheduled for surgery this week and am pretty darn worried about the pain. I pray that the lymph nodes come back clear ! I hope to be able to post on Thursday.

  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited March 2013

    Welcome to the March surgery group (((Shelley))) sounds like you are almost done with reconstruction!

    Here's the most recent list with a few more updates...(((Warm Hugs))), Maureen

    March 1st - Bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction/TE's - Keke

    March 4th - Left mastectomy with axillary node dissection - anne11595

    March 4th - Bilateral mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction - ironmagnolia

    March 4th - Bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction/implants - Maureen

    March 5th - Preventive skin and nipple sparing mastectomy with TE's - Jenamae

    March 5th - Right mastectomy with immediate reconstruction/TE's and axillary node dissection - Marian

    March 5th - Bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction and sentinel node biopsy - Tracey

    March 5th - Bilateral mastectomy, with anxillary lymph node dissection on ipsalateral side and sentinal node biopsy on contralateral side - tx_anne

    March 6th - Right mastectomy and axillary node dissection - Linda

    March 6th - Bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction/TE's - jrose

    March 6th - Left mastectomy with immediate reconstruction/possible TE - 2girls-2spaniels

    March 7th - Right Mastectomy with Reconstruction/Tissue expander placement (Right) - Denise (dede707)

    March 8th - Bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction - Cuetang

    March 8th - Bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction/implants - Karrie

    March 12th - Exchange surgery with scar revisions - cat24

    March 12th - procedure? - LKSHER

    March 13th - Latissimu Dorsi flap surgery with implant - Shelley

    March 15th - ? procedure - Nikstar

    March 19th - Bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction latissimus dorsi flap and implants - Mamasixtaz

    March 20th - Left mastectomy with tissue expander - Sharon (Butterflylady)

    March 21st - Bilateral mastectomy with Left axillary node dissection - Foreverchanged72612

    March 21st - Bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders and latissius dorsi flap, axillary node dissection - Leigh

    March 21st - Bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders - patriciahurtado

    March 25th - Bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders - 3mom

    March 27th - Mastectomy with axillary node dissection - Lou4of7

    March 27th - Mastectomy (Right); Prophylactic Mastectomy (Left); Reconstruction: Tissue expander placement (Both) - MauiGirl

    March 28th? - Bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders and lymph node dissection - Shari

  • ironmagnolia
    ironmagnolia Member Posts: 85
    edited March 2013

    Thanks Cuetang!! And best wishes for you as well!

    Looks like you and I are the only DIEP procedures on the March list so far. So intersting to me (as a nurse) that we all have breast CA, but all have different treatments/surgeries depending on our indivdiual needs. 

  • ironmagnolia
    ironmagnolia Member Posts: 85
    edited March 2013

    Maureen-- you are so fortunate to be able to stay only one night. I'll be staying 4-5 nights, hope to be home Fri afternoon at the earliest. I'll have 4 drains (two in my chest and two in my abdomen) along with a pain ball in my abdomen, the drains will stay 2 weeks. I'll have a catheter for 3 days, a morphine pump for 2-3 days, and be on a liquid diet for 2-3 days as well. I won't get to shower until Fri, just sponge baths.

    I am SO not looking forward to this, but trying to stay positive. Laughing 

  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited March 2013

    ironmagnolia...so sorry you have such a long hospital stay but sounds like there are alot of issues to monitor in your early recovery period...Hope all goes according to plan but too bad the drains have to stay so long... The thing I miss the most is not being able to shower, I so look forward to a nice hot shower every morning to start my day and I will not be able to shower til they take out the drains but I'm not complaining as long as I can come home to my own bed as soon as possible and no catheter...They say we nurses make the worst patients so I figure they'll be ready to get rid of me as soon as they can LOL:) Hang in there, let us know how you're doing...Smile

  • Cuetang
    Cuetang Member Posts: 575
    edited March 2013

    Ironmagnolia -- it's amazing how different surgeons do different things. I was told I'd be in the hospital for 3-4 days, but my PS won't use a pain ball (eek?). He said catheter for a day, two at most and that he's ok with shower in the hospital and at home even with the drains. Either way it all sounds so bleeeh, doesn't it? Just can wait to fast forward until next month, when we are all mostly "healed" from surgeries! :)



    Maureen-- best wishes for your surgery as well tomorrow! Get some rest ladies if you can.

  • dede707
    dede707 Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2013

    I so am wishing you peace and calmness and you go through all this. I am thinking of all the sisters going through surgeries these next few weeks. 

    much love 

    Denise

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