March 2014 Surgery

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  • FrannyM424
    FrannyM424 Member Posts: 55
    edited March 2014

    I'm jumpin on the bus!  How bout some buffalo chicken dip and ice cold Miller Lites???

    Wish I was still scheduled for Weds with you bobogirl!

    But since they bumped my surgery, I'll keep hanging in there for 4 more days with you SpecialK!

    Think we're leaning toward doing the tissue expander rather than straight to implant after my R mastectomy.

    Need to wait to see pathology report after surgery to make sure that I have wide, clear margins at my chest wall.  Otherwise might need radiation.

    Praying for everyone having surgery this week and later in the month.  Our March list is getting way too long isn't it?

    Franny

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  • FrannyM424
    FrannyM424 Member Posts: 55
    edited March 2014

    Trying to think of happier times.  My avatar is of my Siberian Husky Sami (today is her 4th birthday!)

    She's pontooning with us at sunset on a beautiful lake near our house.

    We hope to have the boat back in the water mid April. 

    What's everyone else looking forward to when our surgeries are over???

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  • bobogirl
    bobogirl Member Posts: 2,777
    edited March 2014

    Me too, Franny!  Wish we were together.

    On the bus for our Lakegirl!  You can do it Lakegirl!

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  • Luppie
    Luppie Member Posts: 20
    edited March 2014

    Franny,Your Sami is gorgeous!  I have been thinking of things to look forward to also. My big look forward date is to attend my daughter's graduation-she's getting her PhD from Brown at the end of May - we live in Arizona so a long plane flight. A few weeks ago when I was lying in the MRI machine face down for 50 minutes, that was one the events I visualized and it helped me relax. Now when I begin to worry too much I try to stop and think of something I look forward to. Sometimes it actually helps, but  sometimes the worries win out.

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  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited March 2014

    Lakegirl on the bus for you.  We will jump in your pockets for the rest of the day.

    Prayers for you and your surgery team for a smooth operation and easy recovery.  

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2014

    Hope our March peeps who have already been to surgery are doing well!  Hope the ladies this week are getting ready and not too worried!

    Franny - you and me baby, lucky 7's!

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  • tlr1128
    tlr1128 Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2014

    March 12   Bilateral Mastectomy with Tissue Expanders

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  • KLJ
    KLJ Member Posts: 284
    edited March 2014

    Has anyone else been told by their surgeons to not have any vitamins, supplements of any kind, no teas including herbal tea like Celestial Seasoning Sleep Time tea, and nothing but regular Tylenol? Sleepy Time tea is my evening go to drink. Seriously, nothing like that at all? What has everyone else been having for the last 2 weeks prior to surgery?

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  • Blueberry4
    Blueberry4 Member Posts: 98
    edited March 2014

    I'm jumping on the bus for you too, Lakegirl.  We'll be in your pockets and watching over you during surgery.  You'll do great!

    All of you are in my thoughts and prayers for strength, courage, and speedy recoveries.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2014

    klj - yes, they usually have you stop supplements because some of them, particularly aspirin, fish oil, NSAIDS, carry a blood thinning and/or bleeding risk.  Have not been told to stop drinking tea though.

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  • iwannaseeyoubebrave
    iwannaseeyoubebrave Member Posts: 226
    edited March 2014

    Thinking about Melisden and faerywings.  I hope you lovely ladies are resting and on your way to a steady recovery. 

    Lakegirl, you are also on my mind tonight.  I hope you are resting and finding some calm and peace this evening.

    KLJ, I was also told to stop taking herb supplements but nothing about tea.  In fact, I'm sipping on some nice warm green tea as I type.

    jbokland, Thanks for posting some cleanliness tips.  I've been using my hibiclense in preparation to surgery.  I went out today and purchased some clorox wipes (great idea) and antibacterial hand gel to have on hand around me.  We had a cleaning party on Saturday so we are ready.  Infection is a scary thought.


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  • KLJ
    KLJ Member Posts: 284
    edited March 2014

    Thanks SpecialK and Iwannaseeyoubebrave, I could have misunderstood and I am not going to miss out on my Sleepytime Tea tonight. I will double check with them again tomorrow.

    Melisden and Faerywings I hope you are both comfortable and doing well. Lakegirl please be relaxed and get some rest tonight.

    Would any of you think that it would be a bad idea to even think that 2 1/2 weeks after surgery I would be up to going to a concert about 1/2 hr. from my house. Not a rowdy concert. A nice, sit down country concert. John Anderson and Tracy Lawrence. I am so tempted to buy tickets but DH is not so sure. What do you think? It would be a great pick me up!

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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited March 2014

    I was told not to drink green tea or take supplements.  I believe she also said fish oils and vitamin B.  The paper I was given lists these supplements you shouldn't take in the 2 weeks before - Chinese mushrooms, chromium, echinacea, garlic, ginger, giseng, gingko biloba, Ma Huang or ephedra, St. John's wart, and vitamin e.

    No pain relievers besides tylenol.

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  • Lakegirl1
    Lakegirl1 Member Posts: 316
    edited March 2014

    THANK YOU all for the good thoughts tonight!!!

    I saw the PS today and am all marked up ready to go.  I just hope the markings he made last through the night...they are already smudged and I have to take one more "special bath" with the wipes PS provided...

    Unfortunately, no Pedi for me today. PS struck that one down flat, too many germs in those places. I was bummed to say the least!!!

    I have issues with both general anesthesia and nausea...getting ready to put on my scolpamine patch, finish packing and hopefully get some sleep.  

    Catch you all in a few days...Just wanted to say it is good to know we don't have to do this alone...prayers to all who went to day and those the remainder of the week...

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2014

    klj - hard to say, but my first instinct is probably not.

    lakegirl - good luck!

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  • mnmbeck
    mnmbeck Member Posts: 313
    edited March 2014

    just catching up on these posts.  My prayers are going out tonight for those who had surgery today, and those of you in those awful days of waiting before your surgery.  It is all so scary.   Sometimes, the simplest words are the best.  For me, those words are "It is going to be OK".  I forget that sometimes.  But it really is going to be OK.  Maybe you are forgetting, too?  Also, Fanny asked what we are all looking forward to after all of our surgeries are behind us.  That question actually made me cry.  I haven't thought about the future for so long....always wrapped up in the worries of today.  HOW SILLY!!!  What is life without hope of tomorrow?  Thank you for reminding me!  I am looking forward to warm summer days on the water, and cool nights by a campfire.....just hanging out with my family.    I say it all the time, but I can't say it enough....I appreciate all of you beautiful women so much.  I can't imagine what I would do without you!!

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  • faerywings
    faerywings Member Posts: 173
    edited March 2014

    Lakegirl1-- thinking of you!!! 

    I am home and recovering well. I am sore, but I'll take than any day. I wish I could take some of the pain you are all going through away :(

    Next step- waiting for Path, and clearance from BS. Then off to radiation....

    Hugs and healing thoughts to all!

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  • linda505
    linda505 Member Posts: 847
    edited March 2014

    In my thoughts Lakegirl!!  

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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited March 2014

    Good to hear, Faerywings!   I hope you recover well and you have a good path report.

    I had a cry this morning which I really hadn't done yet.  I'm feeling sad that I am putting my mom and boyfriend through this.  They have been amazing!  I think I'm more sad for them than I am for myself.

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  • iwannaseeyoubebrave
    iwannaseeyoubebrave Member Posts: 226
    edited March 2014

    Faerywings,

    Wishing you a comfortable recovery and good pathology results. 

    Take care and get some rest!

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  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 2,913
    edited March 2014

    SmileSounds like your lumpectomy went fine, faerywings. Did it go the way you thought it would?

    Melisden had a bilateral mastectomy so we will hear from her in a day or two. Lakegirl1's bilateral mastectomy (BMX) is today so it will also be several days before she is able to post.

    Tomorrow the Pink Bus will be stopping at bobogirl's house. Unfortunately her remaining tissue expander (TE) will be removed. Let's send her off with a party!

     

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2014

    faery - yay!  Also hoping for no post-op pathology surprises.

    Julie - it is good to release some of that emotion you are holding inside!  I am sure your loved ones are happy to be taking care of you, don't feel guilty.  We all struggle with feeling like a burden, just do the best you can and concentrate on healing after your surgery, don't worry.

    I am not really specifically looking forward to anything after surgery - but my big surgeries are behind me, so I am in a different position than many of you.  My hurdles are much smaller, so my expectations for post-surgery are as well.  Unfortunately, it looks like I will have at least one more surgery in the short term, but it is a fat-grafting, so there is the upside of insurance covered lipo, lol!

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  • Tarot
    Tarot Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2014

    I also feel bad for my kids and boyfriend, silly I know!  I am looking forward to riding dirtbikes in the desert, and getting back to sculpting, painting, and working in charcoal. Are there any bike/quad/horse riders or artists out there?

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  • linda505
    linda505 Member Posts: 847
    edited March 2014

    I was glad to see that I am not the only one that feels bad for their families in all of this.  My daughter - who is 28 just closed on her first house and I felt like my disease overshadowed the joy that should have been hers - she worked so hard to do this all by herself and I am so proud of her but when I told her all that she just cried as I think it made her feel like I was saying things in case I can't at some time in the future - ughh and that isn't what I wanted to do...I would have said the same without BC.  I just got married in August to my BF of 12 years.  Now I feel like I am going to be a burden - financially etc on him.  Had I known then what I know now - we wouldn't have gotten married.  Sorry to burden you all with these thoughts - but not sure where else to say them LOL

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  • melisden
    melisden Member Posts: 18
    edited March 2014

    my surgery went really well.  I'm actually being discharged today-one day post-op.  I'm sore but not having extreme pain of any kind. They did node biopsy on both sides taking one on the left and two on the cancer side.  FYI - I was told about this great site called caringbridge where you can keep everyone posted on your surgery and healing all in one place.  And your friends and family can leave you messages there too. Best wishes and healing thoughts to faerywings. I believe lakegirl1 is up today. For everyone else this week and in the coming weeks I wish you all the best. Keep us posted!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2014

    melisden - yay!  Take it easy and stay ahead of any pain by taking meds at regular intervals, even when you move from narcotics to OTC like Tylenol.

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  • fayth
    fayth Member Posts: 30
    edited March 2014

    I know that I am looking forward to getting this mastectomy behind me.. I have arranged a beautiful cottage for the whole month of July to just sit on the dock and listen to the loons. I have a 14 year old son who will recover with me after he has surgery to remove a tumor from his Pituitary gland on March 18 (4 days after my mastectomy) I will be relying on many people to get us through this time. I truly believe that loved ones want to help, and generously give of their time and support to do all that is required. Don't feel guilty for asking for help.

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  • Luppie
    Luppie Member Posts: 20
    edited March 2014

    Melisden Yay, it is great to hear from you. I'm glad that you are feeling well enough to let us know that things went well. Lots of healing thoughts and thanks for the tip on caringbridge.

    lakegirl1 You have been in my thoughts today.

    bobogirl  Sending you virtual very gentle ((hugs)) When you can let us know how you're doing.

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  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 2,913
    edited March 2014

    Fayth, yes you are right. People WANT to help. Think about how you would feel if a friend of yours was going into the hospital. Wouldn't you want to help her? Of course! It makes us feel better to be able to DO something, even if it's a little thing. In a round about way, YOU are helping THEM deal with a tough situation. It's hard having to watch you go through this and not be able to help. Give them a job!

    Families also want to help. My husband has that typical male syndrome of needing to FIX a problem. It was just eating him up inside to know I had cancer and he couldn't do a single thing about it. He was trying to cover up his worry and concern for my sake, but that was just adding to his burden. We've talked about it several times since the first surgery, although he wasn't able to talk about it before the BMX. He said when I was in the hospital he could finally DO something. He brought me things he thought I'd like such as some delicious orange juice right after I got to my room. I was thirsty but the hospital juice was yucky. He raced downstairs to get me the good stuff. Every day afterwards he found something to bring or tell me about that he knew would please me. It really kicked in after we got home because he became by nurse (I had a PICC line and IV antibiotics) and did absolutely everything around the house. He spent time thinking of what I might like for lunch, for instance, and actually enjoyed shopping and cooking. Bless him, he's taken care of me for three surgeries and is about to do it all again in two and a half weeks. He doesn't mind. It gives him something to do plus he knows he is doing all he can to "fix" it. Give your family jobs!

    Finally a thought about daughters. I handled the news far better than my two adult daughters. I was seeing a counselor (an absolute Angel) and she said that it's very common for them to have are harder time. Daughters have to try to deal not only with their mothers diagnosis, they have to think of what breast cancer can mean to their lives. They now have a 1st degree relative with breast cancer! They can't share their panic with you or anyone else. Everyone will think they are selfish for thinking of themselves at a time like this. It's also the first time for many of them to have to deal with mortality

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  • goldlining
    goldlining Member Posts: 1,178
    edited March 2014

    Hi ladies

    I am a repeat customer, as my signature shows. My March 2014 surgery is clean-up on the DIEP. It has healed very well, but I asked for adjustment for symmetry of shape and size (probably due to different techniques used in the delayed vs the immediate sides). After a lot of ab scar massage, the "dog ears" loosened up and are ready to be tailored.

    My date is March 12. I may be in and out the same day, but to be honest, I would rather sleep over. Getting dressed and going out in the cold is not that appealing.

    I've been through the "what will they find on pathology???" of the lumpectomy, the "drains for Christmas" of the mastectomy, and the "you're going to keep me under for 12 HOURS??" of the DIEP. This one, I am pretty comfortable with it. (I hope I have not just jinxed it.) The most lingering trauma I've had from my stuff so far has been the aggravation of dealing with administrative overlords at work over not just being away but being able to return gradually instead of all at once. I do whine about the incompetent removal of just two nodes causing such damage to that shoulder and seemingly LE-like swelling over that foob, but it's manageable, unlike the administrative overlords. 

    I don't need a lot of comforting, unless it goes sideways :o -- ask me after! But I'm sending well wishes to Team March 2014, especially those still wondering how it's going to go.

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