May 2013 surgeries

Katiekaboo, from your screen name Im guessing we have 2 things in common, my surgery is also on the 28th and my name is Katie, hopefully all goes well for both of us and I too am dreading the drains!

Blogger, that's interesting.  Maybe I won't have an issue because I had my thyroid removed two years ago (thyroid cancer was my "cancer" introduction.  

Chinney, I hope you have a better day tomorrow.  Sometimes all it takes is an ice cream or a conversation with a good friend.  

katiekabooo - Don't worry about the drains... I had my surgery May 2nd... I had 4 drains.  Five days later they removed 2 drains - didn't hurt at all!!!  I still have 2 drains in and am hoping to get them out this Monday.  I had to have a full axillary dissection on my left side so that's probably why my output is still high.  They are annoying but very managable... so don't be discouraged if you don't get them out in 5 days.  EVERYONE is different.  

Suzan... I don't have a start date for Chemo yet.  I am meeting with another Oncologist today for another opinion.  I didn't get a warm feeling from the first so I hope I click with this one. I was told from the first Oncologist he would give me a month to heal.  I have had a difficult time adjusting to the TE's...burning, pulling. The first oncologist said I need 8 rounds over a 16 week period.  How about you?  Have you had your port put in yet?  I'm feeling very nervous about that and was hoping to hear from someone who has had it done.  

kayezzy, glad to hear you are doing well.  Getting a bit anxious for my surgery next week.  Run4Us, I had a port put in back in january (it will come out next week when I have my mastectomy).  It was a little sore when laying on my side in bed for a bit, but not horrible.

Kay- congrats, glad to hear surgery went well.



Did anyone else have a hard time deciding which reconstruction to do? Im learning DIEP but Im worried about the recovery and being out so long.

I decided on silicon implants, per the recommendation from my BS. The flap type reconstructions have a much longer hospital stay and more risk of infection. Plus the recovery is longer. I had immediate reconstruction and could not be happier with my choice.

Well just got a call. My PS appointment has been changed until Thursday, so gotta keep then drains until then. At least I only have to make the one two hour trip next week instead of two. I see the oncologist on Thursday as well. Hope everyone has a great day!!

Katiekabooo - Yes you are correct 2 of my drains have been in for 2 weeks.  My RS said everyone is different and  that it doesn't mean anything is wrong.  Yes they are a pain but not because they hurt as much as they are uncomfortable.  I just don't like having the drains under my clothes... I feel like I look strange if I go out.

Barb, the tightness can be relieved tremendously by physical therapy-like exercises. Ask your PS or nurse to show them to you. After my surgery I was give a number of exercises to do 5x a day every day, and I'm happy to say I have full range of motion in my arms and my chest doesn't feel so tight throughout the day. Good luck!

Cheri1859 Happy to hear your doing so well after surgery, my turn was to be be in two weeks (31st) not sure what Im doing now

Today was awfully rough. Got a phone call while at work from insuance to be informed that they will pay for my left MX and reconstruction but not my right MX because there is no cancer in right. I thought by law they have to. Well needless to say I lost it at work, first time I really broke down and cried.

Afterwards I did speak with another person at insurance and they said I could appeal decision takes about 4-8 wks for decision. SO now I have more to stress about do I go ahead as scheduled and pray after the fact they approve the appeal, or do I just have left done now, or wait 4-8 wks to have both UGGGGHH!

Those who have had their surgery already, how bad is it when you get out?  I'm asking because with my surgery date quickly approaching, I"m wondering if my 15 year old son should come with us to the hospital and keep my husband company.  On one hand, I think it's important to keep him in the loop and for him to realize what's going on and see that I'm going to be okay, his state testing is over, so he shouldn't miss much at school for one day, and with no family in town (and my request to let me get through this with just my husband and son and see how I feel before people come to stay with us), I think it would be a good distraction for my husband.

On the other hand, I don't want him to freak out if I come out looking horrible.  I did bring him to chemo during one treatment.  He sat with his head in his video game, but I know he absorbed what was going on because that's how he is.  It's awkward to discuss with him that I'm having my breasts removed (for him, not for me), but   I want to use this time as family bonding time.  We're in this together, we'll fight together, we'll survive together.

So, what are your thoughts?  

I'm so glad I found this thread!  I'm scheduled for bilateral mastectomies on 5/28/2012 (the right will be a prophylastic) by a general surgeon and  with reconstructive expanders to be placed by the plastic surgeon.  Was told I will have 4 drains which i'm dreading and also some tubes for pain management that will last 4 or 5 days which I'm happy about lols.    I thought all the drains were for the mastectomies and didn't think to ask.  It helps so much to connect with others going thru the same thing.  

Saw someone else was also scheduled for 5/28 but now I can't find their post.

Oh, I do want to ask a couple of questions.  I have been torn about whether to get the reconstructions.  Is it worth all the extra surgery and recovery?  In the end, I have scheduled the reconstruction because I'm too scared not to.  I know I will not be happy with prosthetics as I don't even like to wear a bra much less removable boobs.  Just being flat  was a probable option, but as I said I will too scared of this great unknown.  Did anyone else have trouble making this decision?

Second, since losing my DH last year (to cancer), I live alone. Will trying to do too much delay healing time.  How incapacitated are you after surgery?  As I got the vaccum cleaner out today, I thought--wow it's over 5 lbs so I guess I won't be cleaning the floors for awhile, etc.  (will I be able to sweep instead?)  Several friends have offered to help but just how much am I going to have to intrude?   My sister plans on being here for a while after surgery but I hate for her to feel obligated to remain longer than is necessary.   How long before one can lift over 5 pounds, or take out the trash, or carry groceries, etc.  I arranged for yard service but maybe I should be looking at more.

TIA for your insights.

Marlene

Went to post op,and pathologist report came back ok.But the one drain i have in,will stay til at least the 29th.But from reading these post ,i know why .But the good thing is,i can shower.Thanks gals for all the good information..

Hey There Marlene!

I would definitely take your sister up on staying with you.  I am actually very comfortable right now and it has only been 3 days, but you never know.  Don't push yourself, you may regret it in the end.  There was no question in my mind that I was going to have recon, just for my own benefit- I want to look as much like myself as I can, but that's everyone's own personal opinion.  To me, recon was important and, since they can put the expanders in in the same surgery as the mastectomy, it was a no-brainer for me.  I feel great about the decision I made, no regrets at all... but this is only a few days in.  Best of luck to you.

Penguin