May 2013 surgeries

Hey There, CK!

Yes, we did have surgery the same day.  I am feeling pretty darn good!  I actually went to watch my daughter's soccer game this a.m.- but now feel pretty tired out.  I think our bodies are trying so hard to heal from everything that we're going tire out quickley... I'm just guessing.  When do you think you'll get the drains out?  I got lucky with that, they came out last Thursday and life got so much better!  You don't feel like a human science experiment anymore!  Are you having recon?  The expanders are a little uncomfortable sometimes, just will take a little getting used to... I know it's all a small price to pay in the big scheme of things !  I so hope you are feeling great- wonderful you got out for dindin- you deserve it!!

Penguin1

Run4Us-my oncologist said you usually start 3-6 weeks after surgery. You have to heal first.

Penguin1-Yes, eventually having recon. I did skin sparing and am going to do DIEP. I'm debating now on radiation. They say that they will end up having to throw away skin..AND..will have to wait a year after radiation.  I had 2 lymphs come back with cells, but he thinks he got all cancer. Doing chemo as precaution..i dont see point for radiation since I had MX. That was the whole point to me of doing MX. I'm not sure. Another decision...

Yes ma'am.  And I'm not in a bed, I'm on a lazy boy.  Hurts really bad, like a pulling burning.

So, now I'm wondering how long folks had to stay in the hospital after their BMX with a sentinel lymph node dissection and expander placements.  I was told 2 days by the PS and 2 to 4 days by the surgeon.  

GoWithTheFlow and Ckmoss--are the pain meds helping at all?  Owwww.

Marlene

My incision has stapels and clear glue over it. Its freaky looking for sure

Ladies that are experiencing a burning "clawing" feeling when getting up.... I also had the SAME thing - I slept in a recliner and hated to have to get up in the morning because of how it would feel.  I got my last 2 drains out Monday and by Tuesday I was feeling so much better.  It's is Sunday and I almost don't feel any burning at all....so if you have drains that's what I think it is. 

Someone asked about how long the stay is in the hospital for a MX with node dissection.  I Had a BMX with an axillary dissection and TE's.... I was told 1 day hospital stay.... but I ended up staying 2 days because of an upset stomach.  I was ready to leave by day 2....nothing like your own bed.... or recliner in my case. :-)

I'm in pain. My (L) breast is the affected one. A couple of days ago, that shoulder ached. I thought I had hurt it cleaning house. I took Tylenol, 2 every 4 hours. It finally subsided after 48 hrs. or so. Now, it's my (L) hand. It's slightly swollen but hurting I'd say a 6 on a scale of 10. I can't find info on if compression is ok or not. I am going to start the Tylenol again every 4 hours. This is freaking me out. I've not had any serious pain, and now, 4 nights before the mastectomy, I'm in misery. Anyone know links, info, etc. on pain prior to a mastectomy? My lymph nodes do not feel swollen, but my intuition says it's the cancer. I know it is. But the pain is incredible, and I'm just trying to connect with anyone who has experienced same/similar. Thanks.

jakig, I had pain on and off from December until now.  They thought my cancer grew so quickly that it was pulling on a nerve under my arm (which is how I found the lump to start with).  I was taking 8 vicodin a day up until the day I had my first chemo in January, then dropped to two the next day and one a day for a week or so at bedtime.  The pain then went away.

In late February or early March I had a clip put in under that arm to mark the spot of the nodes before they disappeared from chemo.  The pain started again and I took vicodin up til the day of my surgery last wednesday.  Goes without saying I'm still taking it.

I would call the oncologist and just check in and let him/her know and see if there is any advice or concerns.  

I hope you can get some sleep and  you get relief from some meds tomorrow.

I'm right there with you about bedtime and getting comfortable. I dread getting out of bed in the morning too. I just took a shower which is quite a process. I do think each day is better than the one before. I am still so tired but I know that is expected. The drains are kind of creeping me out.



jakig, I am praying that you will get some relief soon.

Oh! By the way..I am going to have to go through chemo soon and reading about it in this manual they gave me.  It appears that if you have sex within 48 hours of chemo you have to have him wear a condom.....WHO WOULD WANT TO HAVE SEX AFTER CHEMO??????

Yea, Ann, the drains are gross.  The worst is when you have that blood snot hanging from it that you have to pull off.  

Run4Us - I am going to be at almost 5 weeks post surgery to start chemo. I still have several big scabs where my implants went in. I am hoping they will clear me to start tomorrow. I still have some redness, too. I am usually a fast healer, but these scabs are just hanging on. Chemo is going to be a tough and emotional time, you have to be comfortable with your doctors and nurses - Don't settle!

Fats,I would call the surgeon regarding swelling in breast.  Could be nothing, but better to ask about it.  Chemo is long and drawn out, but do-able.  You can get through it.  take one day at a time, enjoy your good days and do something fun, rest on the yukky days.  It's not horrible, it's just not fun.

I, actually, am all for chemo.  I refer to it as my coming "Chemo Cleanse".  I want this out of my body and if there is a cancer cell lingering in my big toe ..I want it gone.  I have been fortunate to go all my life without being admitted into hospital and really having nothing major wrong other than flu once and did an emblasion (sp?) for monthlys. This has scared the crap out of me and every step of the way..from biopsy..making major lifechanging decisions.. reconstruction..lumpectomy not working to mastectomy has not been fun. Plus the whole emotional thing..so I am ready to get it under way!  However...I am sure that I will be whining and complaining the whole way through it..lol..Did ya'll lose your eyebrows and eyelashes..for some reason this is bothering me more than my hair.