March 2014 Surgery

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  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited March 2014

    Wow Vintagegal, glad the problem was found before you were released.  I had to be re excised 3 days after I went home from my BMX in August.  The sooner they catch the problem the easy they can solve it. 

    Hoping for good resting this weekend.  Let us know how things are going.

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

    VintageGal, well that was certainly exciting! Not what anyone expected. Good thing they got you back into the OR so quickly. Did they give you any blood afterwards? You must be exhausted. Fingers crossed you continue to do well.


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  • iwannaseeyoubebrave
    iwannaseeyoubebrave Member Posts: 226
    edited March 2014

    Admitted to the hospital yesterday.  Strep, ear infection and the onset of pneumonia.  Pumped me up with antibiotics and breathing treatments. .  Excisions look great though.  If they send you home with a contraption to measure and exercise your breathing.  DO IT. It's for you own good. Take care ladies. 

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  • linda505
    linda505 Member Posts: 847
    edited March 2014

    So sorry Iwannaseeyoubebrave that you are back in the hospital but glad that your getting the treatment that you need - sending prayers and positive energy your way.

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  • EverForward
    EverForward Member Posts: 242
    edited March 2014

    Second lumpectomy scheduled for March 19. Hopefully they'll get all the DCIS foci out this time.

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

    Sorry to hear VintageGal and iwannaseeyoubebrave.  I wasn't given any breathing exercises but I definitely feel pain when I try to take deep breaths, especially when I wake up in the morning.   It's that elephant on the chest feeling.  That's probably why I don't sleep in!  I'm thinking this tightness is due to the expanders stretching the muscles. I got 200 on each side during surgery.  My first fill won't be until April 3rd because my PS is so booked.  I also wasn't given any arm exercises yet so I'm a little lost on what I should or shouldn't do.  I'm just making sure I don't raise my arms above shoulder level.

    Was anyone told to put neosporin or anything on their incisions or drain sites?  I wasn't.  My incisions are very long and rough looking :-(  On my non cancer side, it's more "puckery" looking.  I hope they'll look better in the upcoming months as they heal.  I'm happy my post op is finally tomorrow.

    Hang in there, everyone.  Dealing with pain, drains, and meds gets old fast!

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited March 2014

    Thanks Sandra

     everything in this journey has had a lil bump or glitch LOL so I half expected something! Doing ok this a.m. Sponge bath & clean PJs,  graduated to the couch waiting for VNA to call.

    My sister got stuck in the elevator at the hospital. Yeah had to have the whole rescue, maintenance, Fire Dept, my hubby was leaving 5 minutes after her & my brother was just coming into the hospital so we had a whole family event going on. LOL She kept texting all of us. And I guess it was the talk of the floor for a day or two.

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited March 2014

    Thanks jb

     they told me if I'd gone home, or started home, I would have ended up having to do the ER thing whern returning which of course would delay the surgery. I could not believe how that *foob* grew. One nurse brought in another to see it. Hard to believe in 20 minutes how it filled up, phew!

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

    Oh my gosh, Vintagegal.  I'm happy you're doing better today and I hope you get to go home soon.  One day you will all laugh about this :-) I'm sure she wasn't too happy while she was stuck in the elevator.   Oops I think you ARE home now :-)

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  • faerywings
    faerywings Member Posts: 173
    edited March 2014

    Just a quick pop in to say that I am thinking of all of you who are up this week. (((((((HUGS))))))

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  • KLJ
    KLJ Member Posts: 284
    edited March 2014

    Julie, I think I would call and ask about the exercises. Of course I haven't had my surgery yet but at my consult with my PS he was very clear about the fact that my surgeon would give me arm exercises to do and that for the best outcome I should do them!  He didn't say when to start them or what they were but I know that I am not leaving the hospital without that info. I have a list of questions that will either be asked by me, my husband, or my daughter already written out and I already have my first post op with the PS scheduled for one week from tomorrow. Now I will be adding the "Neopsorin" question to the list! He also told me that he will only place the expander and not do any fill. Fills will start when the drains come out and they will only be 50 cc's at a time and one per week. Every doctor is so different! Make sure you call. Still sounds like you are doing great! I am going to enjoy my last 24 hours before surgery!

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  • aviva5675
    aviva5675 Member Posts: 1,353
    edited March 2014

    i put neosporin on one drain incision. It started weeping a bit. Then covered with gauze. I also put a safety pin around the you've near the incision and pinned to shirt, to help from pulling on it.

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

    For those of you that haven't had surgery yet, be sure to talk to your anesthesiologist about nausea.  I told my anesthesiologist that I get car sick very easily and that I also get vertigo.  She gave me an ear patch an hour before surgery that I would leave on for 3 days and told me she would give me meds during surgery to prevent it.  I never had any nausea whatsoever!  I had an RX for Zofran and never used it.  I was so happy about this!

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

    For those of you wondering about post-op exercises, here's a link to a WONDERFUL video for breast canceer rehabilitation.

    http://breastcancerrehabilitation.com/Rehabilitation.html

    After surgery #1, the BMX with permanent implants, Bacitracin was put on all the incisions, covered by gauze, covered by a soft surgical bra. Unfortunately I got an infection in the hospital anyway, but at least it was never in the incisions. After 7 days in the hospital, I came home for 7 days, still on the IV antibiotic and still with the Bacitracin and gauze. Then I was readmitted for surgery #2 and woke up glued back together, no sutures. No Bacitracin but IV antibiotics for another two weeks at home. For the exchange and pocket revisions, surgery #3, they used glue again. No Bacitracin but home with IV abx for a week only this time. I don't know why I had Bacitracin once but not the next two. Now surgery #4 is coming and I don't know what I'll wake up with. Smile




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  • Footballnut
    Footballnut Member Posts: 742
    edited March 2014

    tx for ur friendship!  Has anyone had a modified radical mastectomy as day surgery?  My surgery us scheduled for 10 am tomorrow then recovery then home. Many are surprised that this is day surgery and see it as deterioration in our health care system. Initially I thought that it's great to be able to go home rather than stay in the hospital. Now I'm not so sure.   :-(

    My surgeon does not think that I will experience too many issues with my arm seeing as I have to use it since I don't have a fully developed right arm. Hoping to pick up my guitar and strum a bit this week at some point. 

    Love the pink bus. I'm there!!!!  

    Thanks for ur support!

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  • KLJ
    KLJ Member Posts: 284
    edited March 2014

    Sandra, was there ever any reason given for the infection?

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

    Footballnut, I had a bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders at 7:30 AM.  It was a 6 hour surgery that ended at 1:30 PM.  I went home at 5:30 PM and I was fine!  I had no pain or nausea and I even stayed up until 9 or 10.  My surgeons said it's safer to go home because of hospital germs.  I was OK with it and it was nice to sleep in my own bed.

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  • Blueberry4
    Blueberry4 Member Posts: 98
    edited March 2014

    I was not told to put anything on my incisions. I have internal stitches and steristrips (sp) holding it all together. My drain sites are covered with the same kind of tape they use to cover an IV. 

    I'm sorry you've had it rough iwannaseeyoubebrave and Vintagegal.  I'm wishing you a gentle yet speedy recovery. 

    Footballnut, mcbeach, and KLJ, I'll be on the pink bus for you tomorrow and wishing you peace and strength this evening. My BMX was nowhere close to what I feared. You can do it!

    Footballnut- I was originally on a 23 hour observation. When I said I wanted to stay, everyone said okay and they admitted me. Juliecc went home the same day and seems to be doing awesome. I think it depends on the person. Do you have someone to help you when you get home?

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  • KLJ
    KLJ Member Posts: 284
    edited March 2014

    Thank you Blueberry! I am feeling very positive today. Even though my husband has chosen today to tear the kitchen apart, sand the countertops and oil them! His form of stress relief sure does create a lot of dust but whatever works right?

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  • MCbeach
    MCbeach Member Posts: 110
    edited March 2014

    Hi gals, I'm ready to hit the bus w KLJ & Footballnut!  I'm less nervous for the surgery part; more anxious about the emotional side after Sx and hoping this will come out great. It's all a process. 

    Vintagegirl-I also had a bleeder, they caught mine early. I went from Sx to post-op to Sx again. All is good though. Haven't had any issues as a result. It did however take a long time (4 weeks or so) for the bruising to go away (not sure if you have that or not).

    Peace and happy healing all. I'm not much of a poster, but it read A LOT. Thanks for those that do post so much esp Sandra (I love your point of view, you have helped me so much indirectly) and SpecialK you too!

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  • Footballnut
    Footballnut Member Posts: 742
    edited March 2014

    my hubby and sister will be with me tomorrow. More nervous about the IV then the surgery. In addition to the radical mastectomy which includes pulling at the lymph nodes kn the left side I have requested that my implant be pulled from the right side. This will allow me to get two  forms so I'll finally look balanced!!  Silver lining to all if this is meeting all of you!  I'm truly ready for the pink bus now!!

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  • linda505
    linda505 Member Posts: 847
    edited March 2014

    Thinking of MCbeach, KLJ and footballnut!!  Have a great surgery tomorrow and a quick recovery.  I have one more day and I will be joining you all.

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited March 2014

    Oh yes good thoughts to you three going in tomorrow! And then to Linda!

    I am just 3 days post op, (BMX) still feel weak but haven't had pain at all. Getting bored! LOL

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  • iwannaseeyoubebrave
    iwannaseeyoubebrave Member Posts: 226
    edited March 2014

    footballnut, mcbeach and KLJ, I'm back on the bus for you all. Wishing you all the best and bringing my breathing inhaler in your pocket to keep taking those deep breaths to keep exercising those lungs! 

    Feels great to be back home.  Plastic Surgeon took out my drains today before releasing me. No drains equals freedom!  Ahhhhhhhh.  Take care lovely ladies and keep resting and getting stronger. 







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

    Welcome Everforward,

    I've added you to our list of March Surgery Sisters. The ones who've already had surgery are doing well, even after a "scenic detour" or two. So you are having another lumpectomy. Is this a re-excision because your margins were not big enough? Will this be outpatient surgery for you?

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

    Faerywings! How are you doing? It's been two weeks since your lumpectomy, right? Is your incision healed?

    Mcbeach, good to hear from you too. I know what you mean about the emotional side of all this. Frankly, I think that's been the hardest part for me. I'll be doing fine for a couple of weeks and then feel that veil of depression come down. I feel like I have tears ready to spring out at any minute. It's been such a long haul and sometimes you are just sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.

    Iwannaseeyoubebrave, I hope you are feeling better today. You must have felt awful with an ear infection, strep, and pneumonia at the same time. Yuck. All that on top of recovering from surgery...I feel for you. Sad My hospital has the incentive spirometer sitting on the bedside table when you get to your room and they want you to use it every 15 minutes. I didn't believe it at first, but it's true that doing it often will keep your temperature down. I saw it with my own eyes several times. It also helps keep pneumonia at bay since it makes you breathe deeply and keeps your lungs inflated. One time they said my lungs were collapsing at the bottom and were "crinkle-y" so they made me use the incentive spirometer nearly constantly for about an hour. I was exhausted from the effort, but it worked - no pneumonia.

    Vintagegal, how is your visiting nurse? I'm not all that happy with some of them but others are wonderful. Are you getting your strength back? Your family will have to stay away from elevators for awhile! What a story.

    Blueberry, good to hear from you. Your drain sites were covered? I'm jealous! All I had were the sutures and it hurt like *%# when I inadvertently pulled on some of the drain tubing. I'm going to ask if I can get my drains "protected" this time.

    KLJ, does your husband always start major renovations when he gets stressed? LOL. At least the noisy part is over so things will be peaceful during your recovery. Like you, I didn't have any saline put in my TE when it was put in. Of course I was fighting a nasty infection so maybe the doctor didn't want any more stress on nearby tissue. Just guessing. I had to wait until the last drain was out (3 weeks!!!) until I got the first fill. I got 180 cc's but felt no pain at all. The next week I got 240 cc's! Tightness but no pain. I have no idea why. Smaller fills happened after that but still no pain...until we got to the last one. Who knew that 60 cc's would put me over the edge! That brought the pain but it only lasted a couple of days. I told the PS we would have to stop there. Forget more fills. 740 cc's would have to be good enough.

    Julie, you continue to be the fast-healing Queen! Amazing. Somebody is going to have to tie you down to get you to rest. Smile

    Footballnut, you're the second person of our group with plans to go home the same day. Julie not only went home the same day but into her own bed. Goodness, I didn't make it up the stairs for several weeks. I slept in a recliner because everything hurt when I tried the bed at first.

    Good luck on surgery tomorrow Footballnut, Mcbeach, and KLJ.


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  • Kitty62
    Kitty62 Member Posts: 102
    edited March 2014

    Wishing only the best for the three going for their procedures tomorrow. I'm just a week behind you! 

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  • Catoklyzmk
    Catoklyzmk Member Posts: 12
    edited March 2014

    I too just wanted to pop in and tell how much you all inspire me.  I don't post as much as I would like but I do read often.

    I go for my BMX on Tuesday and I am feeling more apprehensive about the "aftermath" so to speak than the surgery itself.  The fear of the unknown is never fun.

    Wishing footballnut, KLJ, and MCbeach all the best possible outcomes. Can't wait to hear how you are all doing.  Sending strength and *hugs*

    Cat

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  • KLJ
    KLJ Member Posts: 284
    edited March 2014

    Would like to thank everyone for all of the good thoughts and wishes! Hope to be back on here real soon to give good reports and good wishes to everyone whose dates are coming up!

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  • faerywings
    faerywings Member Posts: 173
    edited March 2014

    To MCbeach, KLJ and footballnut: Wishing you an easy surgery and recovery. *pink flowers are waiting for you on the Pink Bus.*

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