May 2013 surgeries

Ckmoss, I didn't have the recon yet because my surgeon and PS felt that they wanted to hold off in case the cancer snuck into a lymph node. The 2 sentinal nodes looked clear in the OR but 1 tested positive post op in the lab. The tumor was also touching my pectoral muscle so both those areas are gonna need radiation.



Soooo, no recon until 6 months after the last rad. I'm glad they were conservative. Things looked cleaner before the surgery. You never really know until you get in there.....

My head is spinning trying to respond to everyone.  

Congrats to losing your drain ambnh!

Melmcbee, I cant wait til I have enough hair to color!  I'll bet it feels good!

Sweetpickle, reading what you did today makes me tired.

I got lost going to my meeting.  Should have paid more attention to the address.  It was good to get out though.  

Run4Us, let me give you some benefits.

It's summer, you won't have to shave your legs or armpits, showering and getting ready to go out is literally a 5 minute process.  I haven't brushed my hair since January.  

I was not happy about losing my hair, but I've become used to my stubble.  It's a bit longer than it was in January, but it's still short and thin.

I'm glad you found an oncologist you like.  It's very important to have confidence and a good relationship with your oncologist.  

Runforus- you will be amazed at how little time you will need to ready in the morning. I do miss my long hair but it jas been nice to throw on a hat or scarf and go.

Run4Us-I am very happy you are back! In ref to your wig..if you have the money try to get one as expensive as you can buy..from what I hear you get what you pay for..(we paid 150 after 20 percent off and insurance paid half)..as those look more natural and last longer plus do not shed..the place I went to was great. She had me in chair and apparently had dealt with chemo pts as she picked out one that was really close in color but with great highlights and great layers/cut..she then turned me around to face mirror..so was like I had been to Hollywood stylist.  Actually better than my hair and style. I was a bit worried about chemo..but I have heard so many good tips and if you look back at our post the last week, they gave me a lot of great tips on things to buy...which I did. Let us know how your appt goes and when you start. I start chemo next Thursday and am going to get my head shaved that weekend. I'm going to have to do anyway..don't plan on going through trauma of clumps coming out then having to do anyway..getting it over.

Morning to all you! 

Gowith=so did you ever make it to your meeting? Do you have a smartphone? I would have been lost a thousand times this past month..as brain not functioning..too many places to have to be..if not for my google navigation..she talks me through.

I just returned from prostetic lady..who I now love!..since this has happened..have had to either keep bra/harness thing on from hospital or trying to stuff bras..that ride up and hurt either my incision or under my arm...she fitted me with 2 camisoles with little puff thing (still healing not ready for prostetic) and OMG does it feel good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mine are wonderful!  I have wished since this happened that I was a smaller cup size so poss not as much sagging (actually never thought I sagged much until this!) ..but no way can go out without a bra with one swinging D cup..Jerry Springer would snag me up!!! lol..plus I can't sleep braless because can't stand the way it all feels against something loose..I don't know ..hard to explain..but am happy camper now...no more pain..yeaa.  she had bras, but I told her when I look at those made me think of torture devices.  Still because puff is not got weight on bottom of it..like prosthetic would ..not quite symmetrical..but close enough and to the point ..who cares.

I don't recall anything about the port being put in.  Twilight is when you are totally not aware, but are't fully asleep.  I felt nothing, I remember nothing.  you'll do fine!

Ann-What are your plans for your birthday??  You know, I haven't drank alcohol in 14 years (husband doesn't drink) but I'm thinking I might drink a big tequila sunrise in honor of you!...Might just drink one in honor of every person that has posted on our May board...Because I am selfless like that..oh..forgot..don't mix with meds...siggghhh....LOL

Wow this thread does make your head spin. My brain cant remember all of it by the time I reply. So I apologize if I miss someone or screw something up. Here goes.

Ann happy birthday. Hope you get everything you want and pamper yoursrlf.

Catyhow is the baby. Is he still limping or whining from pain? Did they say you could give him some meds?

Ck I wish you lived closer my hubby doesnt drink either and I would love a teq sunrise with you. Also wanted to tell you that when i went to surgeon to schedule my port removsl he said no we srent scheduling it im about to remove it and he did. I was freaking out but he numbed it up and cut it out right there in his office. Good luck you really wont know a thing. Run4us and Ambnh I got a wig from american cancer society and Look good feel better and I ended up never wearing them. I would wear scarves or hats to work and go bald everywhere else. I actually enjoyed being bald and thought I carried it well and will never grow my hair long again.

I got my drain out today and was feeling great and on the way home i sneezed and i felt something pop and that bad pain i had before surgery is back. My luck get hurt by sneezing.

Healing hugs.

Melmcbee-Judging from your picture, you look great with very short hair.  My sup is almost bald..wears hair very close to head..but like you -pretty face.  I think I am fairly nice looking in the face..however, look HORRIBLE with hats on and would not look good bald. You should have seen me in my shower cap before surgery..no makeup..!  My husband works at this hospital and everyone that came by in holding for surgery he introduced to me.  These are co workers I have heard about for 10 years he has been there and they were like.."Oh we've been wanting to meet you!"..I wanted to dive under stretcher.  My mom thinks its sweet that he is proud to introduce me this way..hmph!----------------------Curious, that popping..was it kinda like a rubber band being stretched and popped in to?  If so, was a muscle.  I had that happen with bronchitus..lying in bed sick..coughed..not even as hard as I normally cough and pop..in back..then horrible pain from where it was-this happened some time ago. Anywayyy-muscle relaxer will help pain if thats what it is.

melmcebee Im with you, by time i read posts to end what ive read is all mixed up thanks to the norcos, daughter piced up pain med for puppy on way home from work and we spent the rest of the night in lala land together in recliner

ann happy bday!

sweetpickle Good Luck with surgery

ck good luck

Sweet pickle--Good Luck to you! May you get great perky ta-ta's!

You are in my prayers sweetpickles

Liamsgrand, welcome! I am very sorry to hear about your failed DIEP, but it sounds like you have a great attitude. Congratulations on the pathology report and let us know about your oncotype test. We are here for you.



Ann