Bilateral Mastectomy Decision

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  • GreenCowgirl
    GreenCowgirl Member Posts: 237
    edited February 2013

    thank you to all my breast cancer babes on here!  I am ready to be on the healing side of this journey.  I am feeling the good vibes you girls are sending me.:)

    Nancy

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  • Shellshine
    Shellshine Member Posts: 1,039
    edited February 2013

    Good - because they are being sent with serious intention! 💝

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

    So good to hear you're in good spirits Nancy, it won't be long till you are on the healing side.

    I wish you all the very best!

    I have checked the time difference, I am in your future, it is 7pm on the 28th right now, so in my world you're already doing great! x

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  • Shellshine
    Shellshine Member Posts: 1,039
    edited February 2013

    I've been thinking about Nancy and Kathi all day. By now they should be getting close to being in the recovery room or in their hospital room.                         Love, light and prayers.   🌺

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

    Me too Shellshine!

    I hope they are both awake and feeling well, relieved that they are through to the other side of that fear and uncertainty.

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  • kdh
    kdh Member Posts: 34
    edited March 2013

    Thanks girls. Home one day later than I thought because I couldn't stop throwing up. SNB preliminary negative. Appears the first rough step is behind me. Thanks for all the good thoughts!!!

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  • GreenCowgirl
    GreenCowgirl Member Posts: 237
    edited March 2013

    Hello GAls, So I am back!  I made it through the scary unknown and am at home now.  I was soooo estatic when i woke in recovery with both nips!  This is what i was hoping for,and the ps said both sides had great blood suppy -woo hoo.  The surgery was 6 hours, i was wheeled in a 730 and to a hosptial room at 530.  My PS placed the Te's but did not fill a he thought he might, but on the good side the sentinel node biopspy frozen slidse show no invasion.  This area of dcis showed up very small on mammo and mri, but during surgery they found it went all the way back to the origional tumor site.  getting sore typing, will check back soon. thurs nite was awful, trying to get my pain under control, but doing good now, so we headed home.

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  • Shellshine
    Shellshine Member Posts: 1,039
    edited March 2013

    Yahooooo, so glad Nancy and Kathi are back home. Both of you take care of yourselves, we're here if you need us. You did it - Hurray for you!

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

    Nancy and Kathi, I am doing the happy dance for you both!

    So glad you are both home, take care of yourselves, and let us know how you are doing.

    (((((((HUGS))))))))


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  • GreenCowgirl
    GreenCowgirl Member Posts: 237
    edited March 2013

    thank you so much, you girls have been a ray of hope for me. I am feeling very swollen today, lots toward the armpit area, plus a burning down the center of my chest-normal?  no redness but warm. KDH i would high five ya if i could get an arm up. my surgeons reccomend no ice or heat.  i made my hub photo document my presurgery, after and will continued.  He does not like it one bit, but i may have to use it as part of my healing journey.  I am fortunate to have such wonderful strong women to walk the path with me.

    Nancy

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  • ShaneOak
    ShaneOak Member Posts: 206
    edited March 2013

    Greencowgirl~So glad that the surgery is over and you're getting back on your feet.  I know it's hard but you can do it and it gets better every day.  You just rest and heal and try and stay positive!!  You got this, cowgirl!Embarassed

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  • Shellshine
    Shellshine Member Posts: 1,039
    edited March 2013

    Yes! 👊    ....and we are right here beside you. ❤

     

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  • kdh
    kdh Member Posts: 34
    edited March 2013

    Feeling like a slug sitting around in my recliner with my hubby waiting on me hand and foot.  So out of character for one who works in medicine taking care of others.  The pain is a little better today, sat in the bathtub and that felt good...it had been too many days.  Just need to work up a little better appetite and those Colace need to kick in so I have some space to put the next meal.  You guys are great and so supportive!!!  Thinking of you a lot GreenCowgirl.  Ain't recovery a blast!!!  Kathi

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  • lisagwa
    lisagwa Member Posts: 232
    edited March 2013

    Kdh- Great to give yourself permission to feel like a slug. You had major surgery.



    Kdh and GreenCowgirl- I was reminded by these Boards after my surgery to take (pain and sleep) meds as much as needed. I was told not to wait to feel the pain and to take it around the clock. At some point, and you will know when, you will gradually need it less.



    We are all proof that you will feel better in your own time. Best wishes.

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  • AnnBR
    AnnBR Member Posts: 853
    edited March 2013

    Hi Nancy,



    I've been thinking about you and am so happy to hear you that your surgery went well. Praying for a successful and complete recovery! Ann

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited March 2013

    Rest well, GreenCowgirl and kdh!!!  Don't try to do too much -- it's just for a little while.  Prunes and colace!!!!

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  • kdh
    kdh Member Posts: 34
    edited March 2013

    So right about the prunes and colace and anthing else that works!!  Gave up on those narcotics yesterday and justa taking Tylenol with a little Valium for good measure.  Unwrapped this morning and hubby says it all looks great.  I wasn't ready to look quite yet.  Just rewrapped with those big ace wraps and wait to see both the GS and the PS on Friday.  Little cabin fever, but it's almost too cool in Florida to wander outside today, maybe tomorrow.  Thinking of you GreenCowgirl and hope it's all easy going for you. 

    Kathi

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  • GreenCowgirl
    GreenCowgirl Member Posts: 237
    edited March 2013

    i got a call yesterday that the finfal path was cancer free.  Yippiii   They also found more dcis that as not found on the mammao or mri, about 4-5 cm long that went right back to the origional tumor site,.  the did not try to fill the te, i will know more thursday, likely my right radiated side could not handle it, it is soooo painful.  the left side is mobile and going good.  i cant get off the meds yet that right side is a killer and both are so swollen clear into my armpits.  drains are slowing way down, hope we get rid of those babies.

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  • lisagwa
    lisagwa Member Posts: 232
    edited March 2013

    Drains were such a pain so hang in there. They will come out. Not sure what to make out of the swelling. Maybe you can call your doctor to make sure the amount of swelling is okay. I don't remember having unusual swelling. As far as pain meds, it's ok to take them until no longer needed. I had to learn to give myself this permission. ((cyber hugs to u))

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  • kdh
    kdh Member Posts: 34
    edited March 2013

    Interesting call from my general surgeon about my pathology from my 2/28 surgery......apparently the breast that came off "just because" showed lobular carcinoma in situ not revealed in mammogram or MRI. Also more dcis in affected breast that wasn't read on MRI. Surgeon says good choice on my part (about had to twist his arm to forego the lumpectomy and do the BMX.) Scarey stuff!! Moving forward. I'm over it!

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  • kdh
    kdh Member Posts: 34
    edited March 2013

    Oh, and thanks girls for all the support and hugs and thoughts. I could not have made it to this day without them and you. (((((((HUGS))))))))



    Kathi

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  • savgigi
    savgigi Member Posts: 376
    edited March 2013

    Kathi, sounds like you made the right decision! Will you need follow-up treatment?

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  • Shellshine
    Shellshine Member Posts: 1,039
    edited March 2013

    Dear Kathi & Nanci, Phew - what a journey....more DCIS..... BMX sort of puts that to rest. My GS says thats it - not more treatment needed.

    Nancy - I had a little swelling on my sentinal lymph node removal side but it resolved pretty fast. Overall, I would say that my overall swelling resolved within a week. What does the GS/PS say about your R sided pain? 

    I'm with you both on the drains, it will be a real milestone when they come out. Hang in there - we're with you.

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited March 2013

    Hello ladies, just had my first and last meeting with the MO. Since I skipped the lumpectomy and went straight to the BMX, no follow-up medication needed. ( they also discovered that my "unaffected " breast had DCIS and LCIS that was not picked up in mammo or MRI-BS said I made a good call to do the surgery. ). No regrets here! However, it's never "really" over for any of us, is it?

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  • kdh
    kdh Member Posts: 34
    edited March 2013

    I have an appointment with MO next week so anxious to hear his thoughts on more treatment. Will definitely let u know.



    Kathi

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

    Kathi and Nancy, that was a surprise to find more than was shown before surgery. So glad you are both doing well.

    I had quite a large swelling from the SNB too, but it resolved in about two weeks I think.

    Moviemaniac, you too have discovered more than was originally seen in your MRI or Mammo. That's sobering stuff.

    Glad to hear you're not going to need any further trreatment either.

    Take care everyone!

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  • windycityDCIS
    windycityDCIS Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2013

    I was diagnosed with diffuse DCIS in November and decided on a BMX which i had in January.  I have had a good recovery and in another week I'll have the exchange surgery. 

    I agree with all the posters that this reaction is not uncommon, and I tried to preempt it by basically walking people through it in an email.  "All breast cancer starts in the ducts, but not all ductal cancer becomes invasive cancer. However a significant percentage does, and at this point, they have no way of determining which DCIS will and which won't."  

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  • GreenCowgirl
    GreenCowgirl Member Posts: 237
    edited March 2013

    HI Girls!  getting a little better every day, just woke from an excellent power nap.  ahhhhh.  But then stiff for a while.  i had two drains pulled thursday.  eeewwww, that was funky, now now shower for two days-  ugggg.  I am so swollen the ps assistant thought i had a fill, but checked her notes and said nope.  They put 700cc Te's in and they are rippled since they are empty.  all the swelling is just from the trama from bmx(my breast were huge,so lots of work on their part) plus i wanted nipple sparing and I was so thrilled when i woke up with them, they are still hanging in there.the spy cam showed great blood flow even on my radiated side.  i have my first fill in 2 weeks which should help smooth the rippling in the skin and the pain.  Thanks for being here for me, you ladies understand sooo much better than my family members. 

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

    Woo Hoo! to you green cowgirl!

    Sorry it is unpleasant at the moment, but it won't be long and you'll be feeling great again. So glad those nipples are hanging in there too.

    I understand what you mean about getting those drains out, mine wasn't pleasant either. Just think how great that shower is going to feel in two days time though...heaven!

    I am so glad it has gone so well for you, hang in there and let us know how you're doing.

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  • Shellshine
    Shellshine Member Posts: 1,039
    edited March 2013

    Good going Nancy and Kathi - it's quite a journey but it keeps getting better, 2 steps forward and one step back sometimes, but we are making progress! 

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