April will be my turn, can we share hugs?

All April Sisters--Sending hugs to everyone. It's a beautiful sunny and cool day here, looking forward to a relaxing weekend.  Yesterday, my daugther and  I got breast cancer nails for my surgery next week I am beyond lucky to have the family I do.

Keepswimming--what a awesome gift from your son.  He sounds like a wonderful, loving and thoughtful son.  I'm so glad you have his support.  

Ukkate--glad to hear the surgery went well and that you're home. How are you doing?

Bella42771--Kimberly, Glad to hear your doing well. Thanks for keeping us updated.

Second_time_around--An ex-Jersey girl, hu? I love NJ, so close to the Philly and NYC, mountains, beaches and the
rivers. I ll never get bored and now I appreciate the excellent hospitals we have all within a few minutes drive.
I was real anxious last week and came down with a severe head cold but I'm feeling more relaxed and prepared for the surgery.

Ukkate, that is truly great news!  What kind of pain meds do you have.  I was extremely allergic to mine: hydrocodone plus tylenol.  I've got to have something different for my MX.

Robin, please elaborate on BC nails!  I want to get some too.    And what makes you think they will last for more than a week without chipping?  (Smile)

This is a whole new world for me Robin!  Removed?!  It's not too bad, is it?

And Swarthmore!  Just moved sound from Philadelphia.  Lived in Bryn Mawr for a while.  So pretty out there.

xxx

Hi All, 

Just checking back in 12 days out from my surgery, just to give others an idea of how things progress...

Drains out day 8 and that was a huge turning point.  I switched from my pain meds to OTC (tylenol & advil) over the past few days, and that's been good.  I still take 1 vicoden at night just to make sure I sleep.  Most pain is gone except for the sore spot under my arm on the side they did the SNB.  I have a pretty good range of motion.  I can more my arms very well.  I still find lifting things, and pushing and pulling anything difficult.  Trying not to do too much!  The TE's are uncomfortable, but I am pretty used to them.  Still sleeping in the recliner because it works well, and I am getting decent sleep, but I miss my hubby and hope to switch to the bed soon.

Keep taking stool softner & drinking lots of water...ran into trouble there  Thought I was good and backed off a bit...apparently backed off too much.  Trying to eat mostly protein and vegetables.  But sometimes indulge in the baked goods friends drop off.  

My one incision is very well healed.  The other incision is red, with some swelling and blisters.  Doctors have me treating it and watching for infection.  It seems to be getting better, but it causes me great worry.  Also, still waiting on final pathology, which I believe I will get on Thursday at my next follow up appointment. This also has me on edge.  There is a very good chance I will not need further treatment (dx - DCIS), but I need to confirm that there isnt any signs of invasion in the breast tissue or nodes.  Will feel much better after confirming this!

Hope all who have had surgery are having smooth recoveries so far.  Those still waiting for surgery, things do get better, little by little, rather quickly.  Take your pain meds & stool softners & drink lots of water!!

Gentle hugs to all!!

Showered, dressed, and at my desk, semi-working.  I have 4 puncture type incisions in my abdomen from the hysterectomy. They told me only one of them would really hurt, and showed me which one  -and they were totally right - that is the only one that hurts. 

I am so thrilled to have the surgery behind me and start healing.

I WILL take it easy, but there is only so long i can lie in bed without starting to go crazy. But I will not push myself too much or too fast. Just a little at at time.

Stay strong ladies. We can do this - we ARE doing it!

VACUUMING???? What's that?  

I am pretty sure that was on my DO NOT DO list from the doctor - or maybe on the list that I wrote for myself!  

(The shower feels great though.)

Keepswimming - 

Hang in there...The drains coming out is a HUGE turning point.  (I'm with you on the independence and having my DH help with the drains made me tear up several nights).  Also, my most painful spot is where they took 3 nodes, so I'm sure you must be hurting if they took 20!!!  Just take it day by day....and follow dr's orders on lifting, reaching, etc.

Bobo Girl easy on the vaccuming!! Dont hurt yourself.  

Just got my p53 genetic testing results back - I have the Li-Fraumeni syndrome...

Argynnis, I just looked up what that is.... that is shocking news.. where do you go from here?

Idesim:  So glad you are safe!  You have no results yet?  Keepswimming, we both have doctor's appointments on Wednesday..

Argynnis, thinking of you.  xxxx

Argynnis , I'm so sorry you have the positive gene, and need to undergo another mastectomy. You are so young to have to be going through this. This is difficult news, do you have a good support network? Having another mastectomy is a difficult decision, but I think you have made a wise choice, and to also avoid future radiation exposure.  Please also be sure to check on whether you should have a colonoscopy.

Are you doing okay? Has your oncologist recommended that other family members be tested? Please let us know how you are doing.

Michelle

Update: My surgery was April 3rd....am still really sore and having a hard time with all the exercises. I did get my drains out yesterday, so hoping the soreness will get much better.  Since surgery, I am having trouble with chest pain when I take a deep breath...nurse yesterday said my lungs sounded clear. She pulled 3 feet of drain tube out of my chest yesterday....so hoping that will help with the chest pain. She also told me to take advil for inflammation. I didn't get the complete patholigical response I wanted after chemo however. I still had several spots in the breast all under 1 mm...but I did get clean margins and not close to the chest wall! I have one node positive out of 11....that is what troubles me the most. The nodes ranged in size from .5 to 1.4 cm...not sure what normal size is on nodes. I was pretty upset when my Dr called last Monday, but I have come to terms the results weren't NED, but it could have been alot worse. I asked for a copy of the pathology report yesterday, and was pleased to read the footnote from the lab that said that this was a significant reponse to chemo...ALMOST a complete pathological response, coming from a 9 cm tumer....so that made me feel good. Hope my cancer sisters are doing well this morning...always remember we can follow all the Dr's orders but in the end cancer is so out of our control...only He can number our days! God Bless!

Keep swimming, I am well enough!  In pain, and I could use a nap.  Worked a full day today, and teaching tonight, in fact!  Yikes.

Will be thinking of you at 5!  My appointment is at one.  The suspense is killing me!  I don't think they should do it this way.

xxxx B.