May 2013 surgeries

Yay Ann, drains are a pain but each day will be better. Take care and rest up.

Mind if I stick my head in here?  I came home from my double mastectomy on Saturday; surgery was last Wednesday the 15th.  I got 2 drains out today, but the drains on the side I had the lymph nodes removed are still way too productive to be removed.  I had 28 lymph nodes removed, luckily only 2 were cancerous.

I am tired, and the drains cause a lot of discomfort.  Still getting pieces of tape/glue off my skin; luckily I can shower; just hang my drains on a lanyard with pins.  But the pain is manageable and I am sleeping well, which is amazing, since I've never been able to sleep on my back before.

As far as pathology goes, as I said 2 cancerous lymph nodes, and all the tumors are completely gone. So, WHEW!

Thanks for listening!

GoWithTheFlow...lol..I really like my surgeon..he is one of the best around, but he is def old school. Do miss baths..but actually I am not completely ready to look at where my breast was. My BA says I shouldn't look at it at first dead on in mirror..to try and and look down a bit at a time.  I really would like to never see it ever..but know that is unrealistic. Did any of ya'll have issue with that? 

Laurie2025..That is wonderful news! Tip for the tape/glue stuff...get a cotton ball and put some cooking oil..canola, whatever..on it and hold it on the left over sticky on your skin for a min or two..then rub..should come off

Grow- thanks, im hoping it does too!



Ckmoss- its those small things in life like showering that make all the differnce! lol



Ann- Congrats on having clean nodes! Speecy recovery.

GoWithTheFlow-Its not your age..I'm 47..I think its just different for everyone. My tumor was sizable 4cm, but according to everyone very slow growing and so I did try lumpectomy..oncologist said..oh lumpectomy with 10 rounds rads and you will be good!..I did lump..week later, surgeon released me..went back to oncologist (thought I was going back to work the next day) and he said still cells in margins and 1 lymph..he said I didn't have to MX we could try again..but, I was so crushed and scared to do surgery and it be the same news..plus, even though I have D cup. the first had dented pretty good..so I said lets just do MX..it came back there were no cells at all left in breast..and only 1 more lymph had cells..but, I'm ok with that..somewhat..I know it would have been disfigured by then anyway..but having time adjusting to this.

Kayezzy66- I have had surgeon, oncologist, BA ..everyone preach over and over to make sure the first week to elevate 45 min and clinch fist 15 times..bend elbow back and forth..then after that do wall excersises..you don't want to get that frozen shoulder. But, you aren't suppose to start any kind of ex. until the 2nd week and dr oks. Ive been doing the elbow /fist thing from the first day..I still have tightness a bit..but now they only took 7 lymphs so not sure what yours should be.

I think that rainbow is a GREAT sign.  We had a storms come through but I was too out of it to look for a rainbow.  Thanks for doing that for the rest of us.  

Day 2 and I am so itchy - everywhere. Does anyone else have this problem? I didn't experience it last Dec. with my first MX.



Ann

Thank you cjmoss..i return to the dr. the 29th,and see what he says...and i do use my arm..im a righty,and its hard not too.lol

GoWithTheFlow sorry you are feeling so bad today, hope it doesn't last long. I'll have my husband pick me up a back scratcher today!

I talked to my surgeon this morning and he told me that my potassium was low.  In fact, they considered putting off my surgery.  So, I took an anti-nausea pill, ate a banana, cut a potassium pill in 1/4s and took two of them (saving the other 2 for later) and I'm feeling better.  

But the best is the surgeon just called me back and everything from pathology was clear.  Nothing in nodes, nothing in breast tissue (remember, I've already had chemo).  I just started sobbing.  I'm so happy that the chemo did, in fact, kill off the cancer cells.  I didn't realize how much that was worrying me until I got the results.

I agree, God IS good. That's wonderful news and is a great start to a long weekend!

Finally got the itching under control and then I took a pain pill on an empty stomach. I know better than that! Lying here fighting off waves of nausea. This too shall pass....

Ann, I would let your doc know about the itching.  Some can be normal but it can also be a reaction to medications.  After my lumpectomy I was super itchy and discovered I had hives which meant I was allergic to the pain med.  They tried others and now I have one that gives me minimal itching but no hives.  They said it was normal and suggested I take benedryl when I take the pain med.  I am not telling you to do that - only to speak with your physicians as they usually want to know any and all reactions you have.

I got my pathology report earlier in the week and found that my right breast had 2 other areas of DCIS that mammo and MRI did not pick up so am so relieved I elected for BMX so I won't be going through all this any more.  And since my node was clean- no chemo, radiation or tamoxifen.  Left breast was normal tissue.

I am surprised at how tired I am two weeks out.  I am supposed to return to work in June but wonder if I can.  Taking a shower makes me tired and I am taking 1-2 naps a day (and not using narcotics for pain management).  This is a lot harder recovery than the lumpectomy.  I try to take brief walks to build stamina but am not good at sitting around.  Anyone else having this problem?

And worst of all, we have had to send our daughter to sleepovers and playdates 2 weekends in a row cuz I am no worn out and unable to attend to her as per usual.  Although my husband is there, she wants her mommy back.

Barb

Hi guys, I made it through surgery and it went really well. They only took three nodes. Im here at the hospital and my dh and my best friend ar hanging out with me. Not in pain but my iv site is bugging the heck out of me, they put it in a horrible spot. I should be going home tomorrow so luckily Itwont be for long.



CKMOSS- I thoughtof you today because surgeon gave the ok for me to shower tomorrow.



Gowiththeflow- Congrats on your awesomenews!!!!! :-)