May 2013 surgeries

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    catey, glad you are doing okay.  Sorry about the drains, but soon you will be without them.

    ck, I've had the phantom nipple pains too.  I told the surgeon today that we used to make fun of our cat.  He would go out all night and we'd laugh about his phantom balls that he didn't know he lost.  It's not funny anymore.  

    Sweetpickle, don't know how you are going in for more this soon.  I don't think I could handle going back to sleeping on the recliner right now.

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  • AMBNH
    AMBNH Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2013

    Hi Ladies. Can't sleep due to tissue expander pain so here I am.



    The good news is that I get my drains out today, 19 days post op. I can't wait.



    I have TEs in wont be able to get the recon done until 6 months after my last rad treatment, which will start when I finish chemo. I meet with my oncologist on Thursday to find out how many chemo treatments and how much radiation.



    The TEs are extremely uncomfortable/painful. I keep telling myself it hasn't been even 3 weeks since my surgery but I'm getting anxious about having to live in this much discomfort for the next year. I haven't even had a fill yet and I'm starting to dread that process.



    Does the discomfort get any better over time? I have to return to work and I'm getting a bit scared they I won't be able to cut it. Thanks for letting me vent and be a wuss. :)

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  • melmcbee
    melmcbee Member Posts: 1,119
    edited June 2013

    Hey Ambmh. Let me tell you what I did. I took pain pills if needed and put eucerin on my skin or vit e oil or anything to soften the skin. Get the lidocaine cream to put on your port and the port of the tes. EMLA CREAM is one. I had mine in about 10 to 11 months. It was true that in the beginning when I started getting fills it quit hurting. Just go slow with the fills until you see how it feels. Oh and I took neurontin for my hands and feet but it did help nerve issues with te

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    Had some of that pinching/burning last night in bed after the draining of my underarm.  I slept okay otherwise (not great, but okay).  Hoping that subsides soon.  I still have that feeling like I have on a too tight bathingsuit or tank top under my arms.  I find myself constantly pulling whatevr I have on away from my skin (even though they aren't tight).  

    Hope everyone is doing well today!

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  • ckmoss
    ckmoss Member Posts: 613
    edited June 2013

    Good Morning Sunshines!Smile

    Actually, slept..I put back on that bra-harness thing they had on me for two weeks and put gauze in..and it actually helped..I don't know..stabilize everything..So didn't hurt so bad this morning.  Or could have been percocet..LOL..

    You know I feel like between MX and lumpectomy 3 wks before I have been sore forever..and reading the above post..I can feel the pain..don't have the TE's but I feel for you!  It looks like melmckbee has some good tips.  

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  • AMBNH
    AMBNH Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2013

    Thanks ckmoss, gowiththeflow and melmcbee. Just getting your posts is making me feel better. Today is a new day and I woke up in a little less pain this morning.



    Drains are coming out today, too! :)



    <3 to you all today! </p>

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    LOVED the drain removal day!!!!!  Good luck AMBNH!!!

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  • ckmoss
    ckmoss Member Posts: 613
    edited June 2013

    AMBNH-Drains out today?  Will be a red letter day for you!!  Take pain pill...hold your breath for 5 seconds..and life will be good!~...Drains so suck.

    GoWith-I know how you feel..I caught myself driving the other day pulling it away or shoving back in stuffing where it rides up..lol..not sure what other drivers thought//..I remarked to my husband after I got out of shower last night ..that I could leave shades up..I could be like "shocked straight" recovery for peeping toms..as this whole extra skin MX is horrendous..lol..

    Well is first day no appts..going to attempt to organize something in this house, as we are looking at ugly weather today and rest.  How do you rest with all these Dr's appts??

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    I try to nap between them CK.  I've got a meeting at my son's school at 1:00.  Going to nap afterwards.  Then have to decide between taking him to swim practice from 6:15 to 7:45, or going to a survivor's council meeting for Big C, New Me.  I'd really like to go to the meeting, but am feeling like my son needs swim practice.  He missed it last night because I didn't get back from the doctors until 6:30.

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  • cateyz2
    cateyz2 Member Posts: 419
    edited June 2013

    Just recieved phone call from my BS, final pathology report came back from my nsbmx, lymph nodes all clear and only DCIS and ADH confirmed in L breast tissue and no IDC and nothing at all found in right

    AMBNH Congrats on getting drains out today

    CKMOSS- love your sense of humor

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  • AnnBR
    AnnBR Member Posts: 853
    edited June 2013

    AMBNH, Good luck today and let us know when you are drain free. I had one of three drains removed yesterday and my outputs are WAY up today, so they may be in for awhile. My birthday is Sunday and I was counting on them coming out which would have been all I needed for a gift. I guess they are still doing what they're supposed to and I'll have to be patient.



    Ann

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  • AMBNH
    AMBNH Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2013

    Cateyz2, congrats in a good path report! One more step in the right direction.



    AnnBR, thanks for your good wishes. I hope your remaining 2 settle down and start decreasing quickly. And Happy (early) Birthday to you! The real gift is that you are an amazing woman who is kicking cancer's ass. BAM!



    Dolls, I love you all. This forum is keeping me sane. This and all the Golden Girls reruns! LOL!

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  • AnnBR
    AnnBR Member Posts: 853
    edited June 2013

    I LOVE the Golden Girls. They're on late at night and are a wonderful way to relax before going to bed. I've seen every episode a million times and I still love watching them. So comforting.

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  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited June 2013

    Catey- Awesome news congrat!



    AMBNH- Way to go getting those drains out! Feel the freedom! Hope your te's feel better soon.



    Gowiththeflow- I know it sucks big time but I will be glad to have the big surgery behind me.



    Well ladies, me and my uniboob self went to walmart and even drove. I didnt even care that one side of me is flar! LOL

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    Catey, WOOHOOO!  Congats!

    sweetpickle, LOL about the walmart trip.  I'm sure no one there even noticed.

    Ann, I hope your drains slow down and happy early birthday!

    Anbnh, This place has kept me sane too!

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  • ckmoss
    ckmoss Member Posts: 613
    edited June 2013

    Sweet pickle-curious-did they test any of your lymph nodes? 

    Cateyz- Congratulations!!  That is so awesome!!!!  Big relief, huh?  Thanks for the humor compliment..its always better to laugh then cry, right?  Course, this journey having to dig deep in my humor basket.

    Ann-Happy prebirthday and prebirthday wishes going to no drains...

    GoWith-fluid you had drained off..was that under your arm? and you said that it was showing as lump?  This new surgeon said I had a bit of fluid build up in this extra skin..but didn't seem concerned..should I be concerned?  When can I tell I should be concerned?  okkkkk ativan time...lol

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    ck, eventually, any fluid built up will absorb into your body.  You only need it drained if it hurts.

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  • cateyz2
    cateyz2 Member Posts: 419
    edited June 2013

    Not sure but I might just have to share my Norcos

    Seriously my daughter was over yesterday and accidently stepped on one of the dogs paws Bruno (the puggle) she felt so bad she picked him up and set him on my recliner and covered him with the blanket. He was reluctant to share the recliner with me last night but weve been sleeping in it together since I got home on Sunday. Well this morning he wouldnt get up so I had here come over before work to carry him outside to do his business and brought him back in. Well he was fine for a bit then started whimpering after jumping off recliner again when some dogs walked past the house. So I called Vets office and explained my situation that I cant pick him up to bring him in and receptionist is going to check with Vet and call me back to see if I can share.

    Sorry kinda long but him and my Fuby have been my buds keeping me company all this time. My kids have always joked Bruno was the stoner dog cause his laid back mellow attitude and if they say I can give him one of these or half of one he can join me in lala land :)

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  • ckmoss
    ckmoss Member Posts: 613
    edited June 2013

    GoWith-then I think Im good..not really hurting from that.

    Catey-so have you felt and bent his paw to make sure nothing is broke? He's probaly just bruised..I've no idea about narcs..but do know what its like with fur babies!

    One good thing today..the cancer Gods must have heard me..I just said out loud..I would like to go one day without looking at a nurse, a doctor, a surgeon or someone with a CONCERNED look on their face..every day is some huge appt..I was suppose to come in for precert tomorrow at hospital for Friday port, and nurse called and said we could do on phone..yeaaaa! Of course, Ive had surgery every 3 weeks since April 18..!

    They are still going to make me take pregnancy test..I told her..my husband has been fixed..and even if he wasn't I can guarran-damn tee..Im not pregnant!

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  • ckmoss
    ckmoss Member Posts: 613
    edited June 2013

    especially since they just took one the day before MX on 15th...hellllll no...lol

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  • laurie2025
    laurie2025 Member Posts: 117
    edited June 2013

    Well surgery was May 15th and here I am with 1 stinking drain still in.  ARGH.  And I feel like I am wearing some kind of medeival torture device around my chest that is squeezing me.  So tight.  Not a good feeling.

    I am getting Physical Therapy to loosen things up and having some work done on my arm, since I had so many lymph nodes removed.  Stretches and things like that to regain shoulder motion. 

    I am wondering how long until I will be able to start radiation?  I imagine the last drain has to be removed before they will let me start...

    Hope everyone else is doing well!!

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    ck - pregnany test LOLOLOL.  I laughed and snorted when they asked if I could be pregnant when I went for one of my scans months ago.  Then I yelled across the hall to my husband to include him in the joke.

    laurie, I hope you can get rid of that drain soon.  ((HUGS))

    I am off to take my son to swim practice (well drop him off) then heading to a meeting.  I will NOT be contained in the house forever.  

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  • AMBNH
    AMBNH Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2013

    And the drains are finally OUT!!



    Exhausted, sore and tired, but drain-free.



    It didn't even hurt. She said take a deep breath and I did. I kept holding it and finally said, "I'm ready, go ahead." She said, "It's out already!" I'm like, "Are you kidding me?"



    Chilling on the couch now.







    Thx ladies for your support!



    Ps. Cateyz2, hope Bruno feels better.



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  • ckmoss
    ckmoss Member Posts: 613
    edited June 2013

    AMBNH-Congrats on drains out!!! ...and if you didn't feel that ..I think I want to be like you when I grow up!!...I am very happy for you!

    Laurie2025=I've not went that route yet..radiation..however, I know when we had planned on doing that instead of chemo..back when this was all "slow growing ,..just need lumpectomy and some radiation..chemo/mx would be overkill"..he said that same as chemo..3-6 weeks..depending on your healing..I would def not think while drains are in. HOWEVER, one thing I have found from reading everyones post is that every doctor is different..some wayyy different...ask squeaky clean Sweet Pickle..while I was trying to wipe down with one good arm for 2 weeks!  lol...not that I was jealous mind you.Undecided

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  • AMBNH
    AMBNH Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2013

    Oh, Laurie2025, Honey, I feel your pain. I call the tissue expanders animal traps. My surgery was on 5/17 and I just got the drains pulled today.



    Ckmoss, we started out the same. Initially, it was just gonna be tamoxifen only. Now it's chemo, then rads. I meet with my oncologist tomorrow to find out when all this fun begins.



    Dolls, we will ALL get through this together.

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  • melmcbee
    melmcbee Member Posts: 1,119
    edited June 2013

    Hi ladies. I am sending prayers of strength to you. Its great for those who got their drains out. For those who couldnt, just try to hold on.Its almost over. caty that fantastic news about your path report. I am exhausted today and just am having a bad chemo brain day. I went to a hair salon at 230 today and walked out a platinum blond. Since my hair is so short it wont take long to grow. I just wanted to stop by and see how everyone is. I will try to get somerest tonight. Gentle hugs

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2013

    Re: Radiation. They DEFINITELY will not start until you have no open sores, so obviously not while you still have drains... wanted you to know :)

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  • AnnBR
    AnnBR Member Posts: 853
    edited June 2013

    Cateyz2, congratulations on your report!

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  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited June 2013

    CKMOSS-  Yes they tested the first three that they took out.  He told me that the dye lights up the nodes and they take what lights up and test them on the spot and move further up if they need to.  With me they didn't need to because nothing lit up but he took the first three to be sure I suppose.

    ANBNH-  YAY!  Congrats and happy dance for you on the drains.

    I am exhausted today!  Drove kids to school, went to Walmart with MIL, went to lunch for mexican food, went to Big Lots to get teacher gifts, came home and vaccuumed and then made dinner.  Holy moly do I need a vicadin!  LOL   It actually felt really good to be a part of life again.  Tomorrow I will finish packing us up and then we head down to Charlotte and I show up at surgery brigh eyed and bushy tailed at 5am Friday morning.  Hoping this one goes as well as the last one did.

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  • ckmoss
    ckmoss Member Posts: 613
    edited June 2013

    Sweetpickle-You know I am so happy for you..wasn't long ago the thought of Walmart was not happening!  Now look at you!//  I'm so hoping all goes well and as you and I have the uni/DIEP in common..I'll be anxious to hear all...I'll def be thinking  of you this weekend..as we will be in Charlotte also ..goddaughters graduation and visiting kids/grandkids..(they are my stepchildren..but 14 years..they feel like mine).

    Ann-How are you today?  You know, you get so use to the drains when you have them in for 2 weeks or so..that feels wierd when they take them off..I kept watching to make sure that I didn't hit that side.

    Jakig-Haven't heard from you in awhile..hope all is well.

    AMBNH-I'd be interested to hear what your oncologist says about radiation. It dawned on me the other day, if I had same day reconstruction..they wouldn't have done the radiation.  I am having 4 rounds of chemo..was hoping that I would be so quick wouldn't feel so bad..but according to my pharmacist (shes had 4 same kind of chemo) you do..but at least is over quick.

    Melmcbee-Im so sorry you've had rough day!  Get some good zzz's!

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