May 2013 surgeries

Good morning,

My surgery is May 10th.  Having left side mastectomy and sentinel node dissection.  I know I should be asking my doctor these questions, and I think I already have. I am just still in a very heavy fog and can't remember anything right now.

First thing, showering: Since I won't be able to shower for three days it was recommended that I can go and have my hair done (washed and all that) I was thinking of making an appointment for Sat.  Do you think that is too soon? Also, emotionally I am trying to just get into the rhythm of this and was told that with the chemo that they are going to be using on me, I will be losing my hair.  Also that before I start losing it to have it cut shorter so that it doesn't come out in huge masses (it's long). So should I just cut it after surgery before I even start chemo? I have no idea when I will start that I have post op and oncology appts on the 16th. I'm just really trying to emotionally prepare.

Second thing, sleeping: I was trying to imagine last night only sleeping on my right side and starting to get bad anxiety because I don't sleep on that side (very stupid I know) how miserable is this going to be? And how long before you can go back to sleeping on the side?

It's like these little things I am trying to prepare for just keep popping up. Uggh just want it to be over with.

I had left side mastectomy and node. I went to the salon 5 days post surgery. I don't know if you would want to 3 days post. Are you having reconstruction? That tissue expander is pretty uncomfortable. I went back to my bed about 4 days post surgery. Before then I slept in the love seat downstairs. I still sleep on my back and my surgery was April 10. I was a belly sleeper

Chrissy,



Forget to mention that if you want to send pictures I would be delighted. I don't know what to expect from my nipple reconstruction. A girlfriend of mine thinks I am nuts to have it done. She thinks I have had enought surgeries and should leave well enough alone. I told her I want to look and feel as normal and beautiful as possible. I will send you my email address if you let me know. Many, many thanks.



Suzanne

Hi Chinneymae, good luck on your surgery. My BMX is Tuesday. I'm cleaning house today too... seems to be a 'before surgery' ritual. Best of luck on Wednesday! Keep us posted on how you are doing. 

Thanks bamboogirl. I wish you luck as well. I will be looking forward to hearing from everyone after our surgeries so we can compare notes. My prayers will be with you all.



Sweetpickle, thank you for your support. We are neighbors I'm in SC.

Hi all—

Is anybody using hibiclens before their mastectomy? My mom's surgery is scheduled for Thursday—A radical modified mastectomy—and she's started using the special soap twice a day last week in preparation. Her skin has gotten red and a little bit shiny, and her breast is starting to get a little sore... and we're trying to decide if something's going wrong, or if the soap is just a bit abrasive to her skin. Will call the surgeon's office in the morning, but that whole waiting thing sucks. 

Anyone else experience this?

Hi Ladies!!!! It's Lisa checking in.... Had my BMX on Thursday with Full axillary dissection.  I'm sorry I'm just checking in but I have been sleeping a lot.  The surgery went well and the RS was able to put in the expanders... remember that was a concern because of previous radiation on the left side.  I was so happy when I woke up and heard that news.  Tomorrow or Wednesday we will hear if the nodes were involved... praying the pathology comes back NO... otherwise chemo will be next.  

Overall I am doing ok... tightness in the chest which the nurses said was from the expanders... I wouldn't say pain just uncomfortable.  I have 4 drains and those I can't stand... I have some burning when I move and was told that it is from the drain lines inside of me.  I have a post op appointment tomorrow so I'm anxious to see what the dr has to say about the burning.  The pain meds have been fantastic and my husband has done a great job keeping ahead of my pain ( waking me up at night).

I really thought I would have limited use of my arms but I'm doing really well. I had the full dissection on my left side but I'm able to raise my arms enough to brush my teeth and wash my face with very limited discomfort.  I went and had my hair washed and blown out the day before my surgery and my husband has been spraying it with dry shampoo.  I wouldn't be able to go have it done right now... bending over or leaning backwards would be uncomfortable.  I haven't been able to shower yet so we bought some cleansing wipes to clean off with and those have really helped.  I am also using roll on deoderant... much easier to use and you don't have to press hard.  

My friend let me borrow her recliner and it has been a LIFE SAVER!!! I am very comfortable sleeping in it with a couple of pillows propping my arms up.  I have been sleeping in a velcro cami that has pockets in it to hold my drains... the hospital gave it to me. That with a pair of pull on pj shorts have been comfortable.  I hope I'm not going on and on but I wanted to give you the things that stand out as helping right now.

Please feel free to ask any questions that I may have not answered. Most of all I want to thank you all for your prayers and encouragment. I will let you know what I hear about my nodes when I find out.

Know that you can get through this... I know it is scary but stay positive and kick cancers ass!!! 

Lisa,

So glad you are doing so well.  I am grateful to hear all the details of what has helped and have taken some notes as I prepare for my BMX this Friday.  I was still on the fence about the recliner but after reading your post decided to rent an electric recliner to sleep in.  It just seems easier than waiting until later and we can always return it after a week or two if I don't use it.  I have bought a drain belt so I can eventually take a shower (it's only $20 from the cancer catalogues).  I will consider having my husband wake me to administer pain meds as well.

Barb - 36 hours and counting down

Blessing to all of you having your surgery this month. I had my double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (silicon implants) on April 25th. Sleeping was my main worry, as I am a stomach sleeper and I have to sleep on my back as a result of the surgery. My daughter bought me a nice memory foam pillow and with all the pain meds, I had no trouble for that first 10 days or so. Now that it has been almost two weeks and I am off the pain meds, I so want to sleep on my stomach! I can sleep on my sides, now that the drains are gone, but it is a challenge. My PS said 6 weeks before I can sleep on my stomach..I see lots of tossing and turning in my future.

Overall the surgery was not too bad. I did not have TE, so my breasts still feel tight as the muscles adapt to being stretched around the implants, but it gets better every day. I was allowed to shower, with the drains and everythng after 48 hours from surgery. My husband did it with me and washed my hair the first the couple of times. But now, I can do it all on my own.

I only had my sentinal node removed as it was cancerous, and they removed 7 total, but all others were clean. It is the lymph node site that is having the most trouble healing, it is still swollen and my hubby has to massge the area about 10 times a day to try to get it to go down. Seems to be working.

I know this post is long, but just let me say, the humorous part in all this has been the residue from the adhesive my PS used to put on the gauze after surgery. Oh my gosh, they need to sell this stuff to NASA!  It was hilarious everytme I got up to see just how and where my shirt would stick to me. First we tried alchohol swabs and that didn't really help, then switched to baby oil. That got most of it off, but I sill have some of it hanging on. Laughing at the little things really helps to get through the day!

Just got home, had my BMX yesterday. I must admit, just like some other ladies said, the surgery was quicker and easier than I anticipated. I had some good pain meds in the hospital and at home right now not sure if I need to take any more meds at the moment. I'm feeling pretty good! The whole thing is such a relief to get over with. I can feel the drains but they aren't bothering me all that much.

If there is one piece of advice I could give anyone getting breast surgery, build up your abdominal strength before surgery. I worked on my core strength and abs for 6 weeks before surgery and it's just enough to get myself in and out of bed. I can go to the washroom on my own, and brushing my teeth with an electric toothbrush is easier than a manual one. Combing my hair is possible but a bit challenging. 

The biggest hurdle for me was to control the anxiety pre surgery. The wait is worse than the event itself. I practiced guided meditation and deep breathing, which helped a lot. Now that it's over with I feel a huge weight lifted. I hope this helps anyone who is coming up for their surgery this month. Good luck ladies, you can do it!

kayezzy66, what scares you the most about your surgery? The aftermath or the surgery itself? I am new to this site so if you have posted cincerned before, I am sorry for asking again.

Hi everyone, just got home yesterday. Had BMX on the 8th and all went well. I don't even have bandages! It's amazing. Pain meds have been great. The BS said lymph nodes were clear and she didn't have to cut under my arm to get them so that will reduce my chances for lymphedema tremendously. My PS put 400ccs in each expander for a total of 800ccs so I now have lady lumps. I go back in a week for check up. It wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be. My surgery lasted 5 hours. Hope everyone is doing well.

Chinneymae - that's great your surgery went so well. Keep a positive attitude and let people help you. YAY!

Thank you Leah...i have been praying alot...and i have alot of friends that have been..great support ..but it was so shocking to me..never in my wildest dreams would i have thought i would have breast cancer..but i do,and i have to deal with it...scared or not..but this site helps alot.Answers alot of things i didnt know,or didnt want to know..again Thank you All..