May 2013 surgeries

I had a stitch on either side holding the drains.  Not a big deal really.  They just snip it.  Take a pain pill before you go and you will do fine

*snort*  Vicodin has become a very good friend of mine since December.  It's been an on and off relationship, but more on than off it seems.  Thankfully, I found a drug that I can function while taking.  Percocet and Vicodin both make me throw up.  

I'm hoping to break up with it soon.

Sounds like tomorrow is a big day for alot of you. I hope everyone gets good reports on followups or questions tomorrow. Good luck!

Hi ladies. I was just reading thru your thread and wanted to say hi. I wish I would have seen it sooner because I just had my last surgery on May 30th. I had my exchange surgery with fatgrafting and as soon as I recover I will be at the end of this nightmare. I did want to ask 1 question. Ck did you say that someone said you wouldnt need chemo? Is that what your medical oncologist said? What type of bc do you have? I had to have chemo because it was in my lymphnodes. On top of that your sig line says that your tumor is 4cm in size and I would think that would constitute chemo anyway. Also you have mets listed in your sig line. Are you referring to lymphnodes being positive which isnt considered mets or do you have it in some other organ? Im sorry to ask so mamy questions buy I just dont want you getting shotty care. This road is hard enough to walk on without someone else letting something slide. Anyway I just wanted yall to know tht my surgery thread t the beginnih was so importnt to me. We still check up on each other. You will definitely make some strong bonds here. Unless someone has gone thru this experience they really cant understand. I Also want yall to know that this coming year is very doable. There are plenty of meds out there to help with the side effects. There is always answers from someone on this board who has been there before. I pray for everyone of you to have minimal problems and contonued good health.

Hi ladies! I just got back from a drive this afternoon and ended up being treated to pizza. It's been a good day.



My MX sites have glue strips which are holding up very well. I've had little or no pain in those areas, my pain is under my arms where the drains are. I had my husband look at the side that has two drains and he said it was looking kind of red. It's been bothering me the past few days so I wasn't surprised. I also have stitches where the drains are and I swear one of them is embedded in my skin. Although I know it's going to smart, I cannot wait until they come out. I think I've said that a few times




Hello melmcbee! Best of luck sweetpickle!



Ann

oh thank God I misunderstood. I just wanted you to know that you need chemo. What type of bc do you have? Ilc or Idc or something else.

I had my DIEP one day after yours. How are you doing?

Melmcbee-I have IDC.  Sorry that took a minute -had to find my path report and look it up.  I was told that in the beginning but as so much info has been shoved in my head..not enough brain cells so was deleted apparently. lol..

Sweetpickle_Good luck today..I will be thinking of you!!

Cateyz2-Yes, one of mine constantly got clogged..the red stuff is actually blood cells, from what I understand, and they bind making..well go back and read prev post and you will read great visual descriptions..lol...my husband did my drains because of ick factor for me..and was nice bonding thing..but he unclogged drains every two/three days..and then they would start back..you really want to get all that crap out of you, so I wouldn't "cheat" by not moving much or whatever so they won't produce.  If you elevate your arm and do fist clinches, besides bringing down swelling that will help get out of you and just plain moving.  They day I drug myself through Walmart, I really had a lot.  Someone in this website said "drains are your friends" and thats true,,but its kinda like a friend that comes to help you ..and thats good..but she won't shut up and leave..lol..Its hard to tell if they are stopped up..my husband would just squish the lines back/forth between his fingers where you see the red at...thats what stops up.

Busy day today!  I have oncologist appt today where I guess the ball gets rolling about chemo at 9:30am..then from that to that cognitive test right on the heels of that (I may get kicked out of that).."IF ONLY I HAD A BRAIN!"...lol..  then at 6pm..Look Good Feel Good makeup class-which I think will be fun.

Melmcbee

yes I am keeping a log, 2 drains , and I have them pinned near my waist, what do you mean by stripping the line???

I also feel as if Im retaining fluids just below my waist and into my hips, was wondering if that had anything to do with wearing the compression tube top corset. PS said I didnt have to continue wearing it so I switched to camisole which is more comfortable.

Your thoughts??

Thinking of your sweetpickles!!!!

GoWithTheFlow, with my first MX, I went back 3 times for fluid removal. The surgeon doesn't like drains to be in more than 2 weeks so he removed them before I was at 30 ccs. He kept a close eye on me for several weeks, even after all fluid was removed. I was still numb for the first two removals so I did not feel a thing and the last one was uncomfortable, but just for a few seconds.



I have a different doctor this time at a different location (3.5 hours away), so I hope I don't have a problem with fluid buildup. I could go back to my local surgeon, but he is on a three week vacation.



Cateyz2, hope you continue on a successful recovery.





Ann

Hi there.



I had a BMX with tissue expanders on 5/17 and came home with 2 drains.



The requirement of my PS was to drain less than 20 CCs in both drains for 2 straight days. I finally reached this goal yesterday, 16 days post op. During this process the drains had to be "milked" 2x per day and this helped draw out clotty type of material.



Hope this helps and good luck to you!

Back from oncologist..so I will be starting chemo (he called drugs TC..said was lighter version but still just as effective..I know its not the taxol cytoxan..hmmm) on the 13th..I'm not real happy as I need to get port in and my surgeon is on vacation. I love my surgeon and want him for port. Does anyone know what the general time range for insert of port..start chemo is? Or is the port a simple thing and this shouldn't matter about the surgeon????

GoWith-We had debate about radiation..apparently he has seen your video..sigghhhhhh...Let us know what doc says that lump is I will sooo be thinking about you and pray is minor and fixable with least amount of pain!

Sweetpickle-Hope you come back drainless!

ckmoss, I don't believe my surgeon put my port in.  It was put in at the hospital.  They put you into "twilight" where you apparently aren't asleep, but you have no idea what is going on.  My port was put in on a Wednesday and I started chemo the next day (so really no wait time).  My surgeon DID take the port out during my mastectomy though.

LMAO, I'm glad you are sharing some funny stuff with your oncologist.  It bonds the relationship.  I had several funny conversations with mine.  My husband has been overprotective during this journey.  

First it was whether or not I could drive.  Then it was whether or not I could go to an indoor waterpark with my son during chemo.  Then it was whether or not I should be going to a wedding during the end of chemo.  She took my side on everything.  I told her I'd pay her off for that later and winked.  My poor husband.