March 2013 Surgeries

Well, drains were not pulled on Tuesday! I went in all ready for it and the left one had 25 in it!! Grrrrr! They are also watching a spot on my right breast incision line that looks "funny". The skin sloughed off on that area, but it looks like healthy tissue underneath. Praying I don't hit another speed bump in this journey! Instead of drains being pulled, I went to therapy and had my chest muscles worked on! What a difference one treatment did for me! My homework was to do snow angels in bed and butterflies with pushing my elbows to the bed! I actually slept pretty good IN BED last night!! So to all my sisters with the expanders, if your BS or PS doesn't mention it, ask to go to a breast therapist to help stretch that pectorals muscle! Mine told me that sleeping in the reclined was doing more harm than good! I slept with only 2 pillows last night! Am I still stiff, yes, but not like I was! Plus, I haven't had a muscle spasm since the therapy!! Surgery sisters are in my prayers today! May God watch over you and your surgeons today!!

Dawn

PS will be seeing my MO today and then having my drains finally pulled!!

good morning Surgery Sisters- I am thinking and praying for the sisters who have surgery today. 

After catching up with the posts, one, I can't believe that this month is almost over and this board really helped me as I went through surgery. Thank you ladies!!!!!!! 

I went to PS again this week becasue I was put on another antibiotic and so he wanted to check the results- He was surprised that my skin looked so great. Another BC sister told me to use lavender oil- a few drops in lotion. I know it worked. I am 3 weeks post surgery and have hardly any scabs left and no discoloration. It is very strange to not have a nipple but my aeriola is hanging on- good blood flow. It is very strange not to have any feeling around my "breast". I still get deep pangs once in a while- anyone else?? Also the scar under my arm can get very sore at times. All in all, I feel good. 

My kiddos are thrilled that mom is back up and running them around, although, I need to rest or nap after that.  My Chemo starts monday and I am very nervous about it. I can't believe all the meds or supplies you need for the anti stuff. And all the things you may need for the hair loss. Wig? Hats? It is a bit overwhelming and I think I might just let it happen and then get what I need. I just cut my hair super short- Pixie style to prepare myself and my family. My daughter said, Oh know, it's coming- the hair loss. 

So I will be crossing over to the chemo board but I want to stay in touch and know I hold you all in my heart- healing and loving thoughts to you all. 

Denise 

I think I'm finally getting my last two drains out tomorrow - yay! But I am having a weird issue. I was in the emergency room all night after having abdominal pain, back pain, and a fever of 101. The doc found that my liver levels are waaaay high. But they couldn't figure out why after doing an x-ray, ultrasound, and testing for the flu, pneumonia, gallstones and hepatitis. 

Now I had thought the pain was stemming from an incident where, on Monday night, clumsy me walked into a door frame while carrying a hardcover cookbook which jammed into my stomach/ribs. But they're looking into whether my gallbladder has something to do with these symptoms.

I pointed out that the liquid in the drain on my right side has turned brownish, rather than light red like the other side's drain fluid...and when I emptied it early this morning while still at the hospital, the fluid smelled like rotten eggs! What the heck?

Has anyone else ever experienced smelly drain fluid??

My ER doc told my breast surgeon that the fluid was "cloudy" - and I told him that's not correct, the problem is that it's brown. I hadn't know yet that it was smelly... but I did relay that to him before he discharged me. Tomorrow I have an appointment to have the drains removed (and will talk with the nurse about these issues, because maybe we should keep that drain in if it's removing bad stuff?), then meet with my primary care physician for a follow up on all of this craziness, and then I'm meeting with the new oncologist that I was referred to (Dr. Denduluri). Busy day, but hopefully everyone will have some thoughts on what the heck might be going on.

Maybe the Percocet affected my liver function? I took one yesterday when I was in so much discomfort...Hopefully I'll get some more answers soon!

Hi I'm new to this sorry. I had a mastectomy feb 20th 2013. Waiting for drain to stop draining before I can have chemo not that I'm looking forward to that. It's been 5 wks and its still going strong. Has anyone else had this issue. Please let me know. I need the forum for feb surgeries

Tparksprof-- Sorry you couldn't get the drains out, hopefully soon! Glad to hear that there's little pain. Listen to your body and rest up.



Gma04-- you are most certainly welcome to join our group as well even though your surgery date was February. Glad you found us on BCO. Our March sisters are a wonderful group of gals who I'm sure someone will chime in with regards to your question. For me, I had 4 drains, 3 removed 7 days after surgery and the last one around 2 weeks. Hopefully you can get them out soon so you can feel better and not have those annoying buggers to deal with! Are you draining a lot over 30ccs consistently? Also, have you been very active with the drains? I heard you get more output if you're trying to do a lot... I kinda turned into lazy couch potato for the two weeks.

I just joined the forum and saw your post. I hope your surgery went well. I had a left breast, radical mastectomy on March 20th. Sending you healing thoughts!

Had both drains removed yesterday!!! Hooray, but I did say a naughty word when she pulled the left one! Lol. Last night was difficult sleeping. Thought it would be better with the drains out, but I am very stiff and sore on the right side. Waiting for PS office to call back. Sitting in the living room without my ace wraps! PS said I need to "air" out my right breast incision. Still monitoring that area. Praying that nothing opens up! (Worst fear!) Saw MO yesterday and will not need chemo!! Thank God!! She offered Tamoxifen, but said it was my decision.......thinking of not taking it due to the fact that the recurrance rate is so low andI don't have breast tissue anymore!! The side effects scared me, so hopefully I am making the right decision to make sure I am here for my girls and hubby!!

Surgery sisters are in my prayers as always! Love and many healing prayers to you all!'

Dawn

Drains,drains they are the cause of our pains. I maybe could have had #2 out.

When I was on the phone with nurse to tell her what my drains were at, #2 at 25 and the day before 30. She said " want me to ask Dr. If we can pull that one?" I said nah, I'll be fine til Tuesday! OMG, the sites where my drains go in are red and sore. I've been putting neosporin on them. I'm afraid it could be the sports bra I bought and have been wearing. Hence, let the girls be free, I took that damn bra off.

Well, I continue to pray for all my surgery sisters, and am happy for the good news many have received.

Gardengirl-- I feel ya there about the stupid drains! That's why I somehow convinced my BS to remove my last one instead of waiting for my overbooked PS another week later. Good idea to let the girls free to help relieve some of the pain.



Ssla01-- great news!

Gardengirl33......don't put neosporin on those drain insertion sites!!! That can cause more damage than good!! The first 24 hours after the drains come out, keep covered but you can change the bandage. You can shower but don't submerge in a tub until those are closed! (I only tell you this because I work in my PS office as a medical asst and tell this to all my patients!) To forewarn you, they do hurt when they come out, but it only lasts a few minutes! I kept a gauze pad around the drain at the insertion site and that helped me. I hope you get those things out soon!!

Ssla01 so very happy for your good news!!!

I pray you all have a blessed Easter!!

Dawn

Yesterday was a great day: I got my last two drains out - yay!! Apparently the brown color and the rotten egg smell were not a concern. Note to everyone who still has their drains in: make sure your nurse/doc who removes the drains OPENS the drain bulb before they remove it. That way it's not suctioning the whole time it's being pulled out of your body. THAT is one of the things that can make it hurt, or if it gets kinked inside of you as they're pulling it out. Thankfully I didn't have that problem so it didn't hurt at all.

Then visited my Primary Care Physician to get blood work and urine samples to test my liver function - I seriously hope it has calmed down. (Can't start chemo until it does.) I still feel sick to my stomach, but I don't want to take anything for it because I don't want to make it worse. I'm steering clear of the Percocet and alcohol (I'd started having some wine at night once I stopped taking the Percocet, but now I've stopped.)

Then I met with a new oncologist (Dr. Neelima Denduluri at the Virginia Hospital Center) and had an AWESOME experience. Soooo much better than their practice's other locations. Phew! First chemo is now scheduled for April 25. (4 rounds of A/C and 4 rounds of T, all 2 weeks apart.)

My stomach still doesn't feel good though. I tried to sleep on my side now that my drains are out but with my expanders in my chest it still felt uncomfortable, so I cried a little about that. I really am tired of sleeping my back!! Having to "massage" my chest with the expanders in it makes me nauseous and I can't help but cry because I look so yucky and it feels so weird. I woke up at 2 am feeling like I had acid reflux in my throat and ended up sleeping in a recliner just to be comfortable. It's like a preview of what it'll be like when I go through chemo, I imagine, that I don't feel like eating - in this case because every time I eat in the last couple days it makes my stomach feel sick. Blech... 

But hey, at least I got the drains out and found an awesome oncologist! Gotta think positive, healing thoughts and remember my favorite saying: This too shall pass!

Hi to March surgery sisters!  My surgery was the 27th March!

Well my surgery went very well apparently. Surgeon spoke with dh after procedure.   3 days post-op R mastectomy & R axillary lymph node dissection & doing well. Went for a 2 mile walk today. Pain was well controlled post-op. Taking Dilaudid 1 or 2 mgms @ night only. No nausea. I have 2 drains that should be removed on Monday (5 days post-op). Quite a bit of numbness in the incision area but especially in the axilla...also some swelling there too. Trying to keep up with exercises.. Will find out the pathology report on the 18th...Regaining my strength slowly everyday! Hemoglobin remains low due to 8 cycles of chemo prior to surgery. Radiation to follow in May..

Gentle hugs to all & Happy Easter!

Vegannicole, yay! Is right glad you got drains out! Glad the dark color and smell of eggs wasn't a concern.

Lou4of7, amazing two mile walk! Did you walk a lot before your surgery?

My good news is my drains are putting out only 30 cc together. Yay! Bad news I have to wait til Tuesday, wwhahhaaaaa......

I'm going to have a glass of wine to celebrate!

I also found out if I get a Drs. Prescription I can get my insurance to pay for a bra, and a partial prostheses. While I am in an expander, I am very much two different sizes, it would be an ego boost to even the girls out.

Thankful2day, tips on drain sites, great. Looking much better, less red and sensitive, but still tight feeling. Two more day, and they'll be out!