March 2014 Surgery
Comments
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This is day 8 for me and I feel really good! I was having pain when I took deep breaths but didn't feel it when I kept my shoulders back. So last night I slept flat on my back instead of propped upright. It made a huge difference. Last night I went out to dinner with my boyfriend, his son, my mom, and my son. It was my first outing that wasn't a doctor appointment. It doesn't look like I had major surgery a week earlier. My hair was dirty so it had to go in a pony tail. I think I'll wash it today :-)
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Am at work, but just had to say a quick....YOU ARE AWESOME, JULIE! Your picture helps ease my mind seeing your smiling face.
Best wishes to Linda and Cat today!
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Thanks. I'm sure you'll do great, Kitty62. Good luck, today, Linda and Cat!
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A day behind me too! Exchange went well. Just had a peek at them, happy so far. They are a bit flatish but I think the muscle will release a bit and help that (hopefully). They did FG from my thighs, they are a bit sore, but totally tolerable. A bit surprised on what I got tho. Was suppose to be HP silicone and I got the 410s. MF 640g. The width took away the gap at my sternum (yeah). A bit sore due to the pocket work but losing the bandages, taking a shower, putting on makeup and jeans made me feel a lot better. I'll try to post some pics to the forum in the next few days.
Happy healing all.
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Never liked pink and less so now. Some good threads were out there in the fall about 'fucktober' and anti-pink.
In the hospital ask them for the hair wash cap, the nurse can put it on and do your hair. Its like a shower cap but with cleaner inside. Massage 5 minutes, comes off and hair nice and clean. At home in the beginning I had my hubby do mine in the ktichen sink, til I could lift arms enough myself, and then later, I could shower.
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not to change the subject, but does anyone else here think the steri-strip adhesive smells sort of like cinnamon? I normally like cinnamon, but this scent is overwhelming, sort of like cinnamon mixed with an antiseptec "medical" smell. -
My goodness, we have such an active thread! It's a shame on one hand...too many women with breast cancer...but on the other hand, we March girls are doing a bang up job supporting one another! Keep those comments, questions, and reports coming in.
We've had so many positive reports this month that I hope it doesn't keep some of you from posting "not so positive" things. We all should feel comfortable sharing everything, even if it is scary or different than everyone else's story. You might say, "I don't want to scare anybody" and I understand the thought, but lets face it. Not everything is sunshine and roses. Women need to know how you are coping and any tips for getting through not only day to day recovery, but "scenic detours" too. We need to learn from mistakes women make also. Those cautionary tales helped me avoid several situations I would have surely done too - but now knew it was a bad idea and why. I believe that most of all, women going through breast cancer want the reassurance that what they are feeling is "normal." BC.org has taught me that there are all kinds of "normal."
Personally, if something is likely to hurt, for instance, I want to know about it ahead of time. What scares me is NOT knowing ahead of time. I immediately jump to the worst case scenario and think, "Nobody said anything about this...oh no, it hurts so there must be something wrong!" Years ago I asked my neighbor for advice because she had just had a hysterectomy and I was going in for the same operation. She said it was no big deal and much easier than her C-sections. Well, for me it was tremendously painful and I was just not prepared. If I'd known what I was feeling was normal, I wouldn't have been so frightened. My neighbor admitted later that hers was also very painful but she "just didn't want to scare me." When you post, think of how you can phrase it so it will help others. If my neighbor had said, "Yes, it's going to hurt quite a bit BUT here are the things I did to help" it would have made a huge positive difference in my recovery. If she had said, "You're going to wallow in pain for days" it would have scared me to death.
This forum has helped me enormously in the months I've been here. I knew that getting out of bed the first time after my BMX was going to be a painful challenge, but I remembered all the things others had posted about how they did it. I took it slow, avoiding all the things I'd heard would NOT be good, and got to my feet. Yay! I was proud of myself and said a little silent thank you to those who had posted. During recovery, I knew to expect zips, zots, and zingers of shooting pain across my chest. I knew that pocket work revision can hurt (!!) but that it WILL go away, that having a tissue expander could be hell at times, that new implants were funny looking but would smooth out a little each day, that "buyers remorse" might happen after the exchange surgery, that it was normal to feel such profound anxiety before surgery and bouts of depression from time to time, and a thousand other practical tips and hints to make life better. I've learned more than I ever thought I would about complications from breast cancer surgery but more importantly, how to recognize a complication before it gets worse and how problems are solved.
So I encourage those of you who've "been there, done that" recently to continue to share your journey, challenges and successes, practical tips, what to expect and how to make life easier at every step of the way. If it's going GREAT, much better than you expected, say so. We can always hope we'll be just like you and want to know what you might have done to ensure such a postive outcome. If it's not going as well as you'd hoped, share that too. We care. This is a safe place to share concerns.
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I had a visit from a home care nurse today. She changed my dressings and told me that she might be able to remove 1 of my 3 tubes tomorrow. While that's good news it also makes me very nervous as I had a bad experience with having a tube removed many many years ago. Have done all of my exercises and feel numbness creeping down my left arm. Also have numbness creeping down my left leg. This concerns me but the nurse wasn't too concerned. Day by day. Thing us that I feel fine! Hard to believe that I have cancer cells in me. I gad no symptoms other than a lump on my left breast last June which was being watched. Continue to hope for a good diagnosis April 2. How is everyone else doing?
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That numbness would have me asking questions too, Footballnut. I don't have much faith in home health nurses. You really don't know their background and in my experience, you can get great ones and some that don't seem to know what they are doing. Does your doctor know about the numbness? If he says it's nothing, I'd tend to believe him before I would take the word of someone I didn't know. But that's just me. Your nurse could be wonderful and knowledgeable.
When you find out what it is, let us know. The visiting nurse is going to take your drains out? I've never heard of anyone but the surgeon making that decision. My goodness, you just had surgery yesterday and she is talking about taking a drain out tomorrow? Are you measuring the drain output? Did your doctor give any instructions to the home health person about when he wanted your drains to be removed?
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Be careful with home health care nurses. Most are great but insist on seeing the doctors orders about your drain removal.
I had an incidence with my mom where they were going to remove a monitor. When I looked at the orders it had a by date which was 6 more days. Since her next visit wasn't for 7days she said she would do that now. I told her no not without checking with the doctor first. Doctor agreed to wait until the next visit 7 days later.
They are only doing what they feel is best per the orders but remember you are the most important person in these decisions. You do not have to do anything without feeling you and your doctor are on the same page.
So happy to hear you are doing so well though.
I had two drains after my BMX that stopped draining 2 days after surgery but when PS checked them they found blockage. They had to remove one and clean out some infection that was already growing. They put new lines and drains and they stayed in for another good week.
On the flip side, last week I had reconstruction surgery (DIEP flap) and all 3 drains were removed on day 4 and everything appears to be doing great. Will see PS in the morning.
Hang in there and do what you feel is best.
Praying for good path reports on April 2.
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FootBallNut
I didn't know the vna could remove the drains. I see my surgeon tomorrow, hoping for at least one to be removed. Good luck!
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Hi Sandra
it was very busy in the infusion room at the cancer center today. Makes me sad to walk in & see all those cubicles filled.
I had a herceptin infusion, all went fine. But I was beat. First day off the couch post op so I was ready for a nap when I got home.
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hi all! Tx for ur comments!! Here in Ontario canada it is common to have home care. The drain that she is considering removing is on the right side where I had an implant. There has been next to nothing draining on this side. I was told by the surgeon and hospital that the nurse would remove the drains so am ok with this. Hopefully she knows what she is doing!! As for the numbness in my leg I will call the hospital and ask about this. You are all so wonderful!! Tx for being there for me!!
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Three more March sisters need the Pink Bus for tomorrow. Cinchgirl and SandraC3 are both having a bilateral mastectomy and will get tissue expanders. Everforward is having another lumpectomy. Good luck all!
Welcome to all the newcomers. Wynne50, Warrior50, and Frostecat will have surgery in the last week of March. Lovebeingnana had her BMX a week ago and Scary is nearly two weeks out from a right MX. So glad to have all of you join us here.
Lakegirl, are you still having the cloudy thick drainage? That doesn't sound good. What does your doctor say? I know drains are a pain, but yours are still pumping, so it's better to keep them in rather than risk a seroma. I had one for 3 weeks one time but I've read about women having them longer.
VintageGal, I thought about you today because I was in the chemo clinic too. I was having an iron infusion, which they say takes 4 hours but each time I'm there nearly all day when you add the prep time. There's plenty of time to watch the others come and go. Some look great, others not so much. You are right. It's an emotional time. Glad you are doing fine.
Lovemytwinz, I don't have a typical "night before." The first time, the BMX with permanent implants, I was so full of anxiety I didn't sleep at all. We had gone out to dinner, but I could barely eat. I felt ready but so worried. Remember, I'm the one who can't take any kind of narcotic or opiate plus have bad nausea after general anesthetic. Fear really gets to me. My pastor came over in the evening, which was great and his words helped me to be more peaceful the next morning. The night before the second surgery two weeks later was totally different because I was still fighting the infection. However since the BMX was easier than I had expected, I wasn't too fearful. By the time the third surgery came around, I was sick of the tissue expander and ready to get the new implants. I think it's like being pregnant. At the end, you just want the baby OUT. We went out to dinner and tried to enjoy the evening. However in the morning the case before me went long and the longer I waited, the more anxiety I felt. I was in tears before we went into the OR. I was looking for the exits - seriously!
Mcbeach, I saw the pictures you posted on the other site...girl, you look awesome. Those gummy bears look huge! The fat grafting appears to have been a real success too. How great was it that your surgeon let you shower the day after surgery. Nothing else feels as good!
Julie, you continue to inspire us with your amazingly fast recovery. I think they gave you some happy juice in the OR. I've never heard of anyone laughing and joking right away! I don't think I even knew where I was the first day because of the anesthesia grogginess & nausea.
Cat, did you find out if the vibration you feel is related to chemo? I don't think I've read about that, but that doesn't mean anything. I haven't spent much time on any of the chemo threads. Keep us informed, won't you?
Faerywings, how did your first day back at work go? Vacuuming must have been a challenge. Are you sore?
Granof2 and Jbdayton, you two are doing so good. Fayth too...no more nausea?
Note to everybody: keep us informed on your progress as you wait or and share your concerns, challenges and successes. We care.
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Hello Surgery Sisters,
12 days out for me today. Saw my PS and he said everything looks great. I swear he hardly looked at me but he must know what he is looking for. The Nurse removed both of my drains
So happy to have those gone and so happy to have the experience of removing them over. It didn't hurt at all but one side felt a bit creepy coming out. I was worried about them coming out because I haven't taken any pain medication except extra strength Tylenol or Advil for the past two days and I have to say that I am far from free from pain. I didn't like the way the oxicodone made me feel. I was also taking lorazapam for the muscle spasms that I was having. Everyone said that I seemed very upbeat and lucid but I hardly remember even talking to people. Another nurse did my first fill today. I was hoping for immediate implants but that didn't happen. I had watched a video on utube about how the fill is done and I am glad that I did because I think that I would have been more nervous if I hadn't.
I also got a call from my BS on Sunday night with my pathology info. I went from having DCIS to having a lot of DCIS and 3 invasive tumors. Had a dark night Sunday night. Ready to push forward now. I have been very cheerful and positive around all of my friends and family who have visited or called but it gets to me sometimes and it helps to know that I am not alone in this. Wouldn't it be so great if we could really be on the pink bus? Thinking of all of you and hoping you find happiness in each day.
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Oh Stfne, I'm so sorry. Having to change your diagnosis from DCIS, Stage 0 to IDC, Stage 1 is NOT what you thought would happen. (((Hugs)))
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Dealing with two 1" open skin areas on the face of the breast, in the area that has been operated on so many times. My incisions are IMF, but I had skin necrosis across the front of both breasts after BMX. My skin is like tissue paper in the area where the worst necrosis was, and that area was excised back to healthy skin in three surgeries within a one month period, but ultimately it could not stay closed and I lost my expander because I had to proceed to chemo. Yesterday I did not like the way they were looking, so I called and made an appointment with the PS for today. I am switching to xeroform dressings which need to be changed three times a day with Silvadene applied each time, going back on oral antibiotics (I do not have an infection - this is precautionary due to open skin), and praying. PS was happy I listened to my gut instinct to have him put eyes on this situation. My dissolvable stitches put in to close those tears at the time of surgery are not holding, but I can be restitched later in his office when I have healed a bit more. Barring any new issues, I see him again in a week.
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SpecialK...so sorry to hear. Good for you being proactive. Can't be easy with all that you've been through. You are one tough warrior.
Julie...love the picture of you. Hope I look HALF that good even BEFORE my surg! Ha! Will try and get on my lap top and post pics as well.
My thoughts are with those going in tomorrow. Best to the three of you...Sandrac3, cinch girl and ever forward.
Sandra4611...my hat is off to you. Not sure how you keep everyone straight and organized. Good job!
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Good to see that everyone is doing so well!!! I saw the general surgeon and PS today.
Gen surgeon is recommending a port for chemo, even though only 4 rounds. My good arm didn't do so well with the IV from surgery. They couldn't get the 1st one and the one they finally got, blew out before they were really ready to take it out. I now have some numbness in my wrist just below the thumb and sharp shooting pains up my arm. I have already had carpal tunnel surgery , so pretty sure that isn't the issue. Also still have a purplish bruise at the IV site.
Cancer side is doing great, all drains are out on that side!! Woo hoo!!! However, prophylactic side not doing so well. Drain output doubled late last week. Today, there is lots of redness and swelling and likely a fluid pocket PS is thinking cellulitis.
He is treating aggressively with Bactrim and Augmentin, heavy doses. He also broke out his markers, again, traced around the reddened area so we can monitor. If these don't work, IV antibiotics!!!
Anything to take into consideration re: port?
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Stfne...hang in there!!! Gen surgeon advised today the found lots of DCIS and another tumor no where near the 1st!!!
Sandra...many thanks for keeping this all running so smoothly!!!
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stfne
Hello NH sister! Nice to read a post from you! Hang in there!
I had BMX last Thursday then a suprise surgery the next day. I see my BS today. Hard saying about the drains, just when I think the output is low I will have a good amount from one the next day.
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LakeGirl
I had a port put in when I had a lumpectomy/node removal in Aug. No question, I was facing 5 months of chemo. When I had my BMX a few days ago he had to movce it to get in there for surgery. Yesterday I had an infusion & let the nurse know it had been repositioned, all went fine.
I never had a issue with it. I will be having Herception infusions til Dec so this port will all together have 16 months of use! can't beat it. Good luck.
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2 says after surgery. Pain is bearable. I haven't taken any pain meds. Glands in my neck are swollen and feeling stiff from sleeping on my back. Other than that I can't complain. Hone care nurse cleaned and changed my dressing yesterday. She might be able to take out one drain today. Started my arm exercises yesterday. Heard that I have staples. Ugh. The thought if getting those removed freaks me outcast much as the drains. I hate pain!! What a suck! But at least time seems to be passing quickly!! The thing that freaked me out the most was when they hooked up the IV in the operating room. I remember them saying that I would get sleepy. I recall them putting an oxygen mask on me and my eyes were open and I wanted to talk but I couldn't. That scared me. I wanted to tell them that I couldn't talk but couldn't move my mouth to speak. I'm could only think the words. Then I woke up in recovery. And now here I am today 2 days out!! I sent my hubby to work so it's my first day alone and I plan to keep myself busy. Thanks to all of u for ur support and friendship!!
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FootBallNut
Sounds like you're doing ok!
I missed out on that OR anesthesia stuff both times! When I went down Thursday I recall being taken in the room & them transporting me from bed to table...kinda but that's it. When I had to go back down the next day same thing. Never heard them talk to me or got the count down!
When I had my lumpectomy it was an awful long wait (6 hours) in pre op & I had a killer migraine so they gave me all the happy juice early so I never even remembered the ride down the halls to the OR.
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Stfne and Lakegirl, sorry they found more stuff than the original cancer. I'm expecting my final pathology any day now and I'm expecting the same. I have no idea if an OncotypeDX will be done. My surgeon said it would be up to the oncologist. I don't even meet with one for 2 more weeks. I assume they hold on to my tissue so that might be an option.
Healing is still going ok. I'm keeping an eye on those dark pink skin areas. Yesterday, my incision oozed a tiny bit on my bra. The spot was only the size of a pea so I think that's ok? The skin on my chest seems to be a litlle less numb. I can feel it more but still just take extra strength tylenol during the day and a valium at night to sleep well. My last 2 drains are unpredictable! I need to be under 25 cc two days in a row. I only measure at 9 am and 9 pm and it goes up and down, but not under 25 for the day. Boo. They make dressing and showering complicated. But all is good. I have full range of motion in my arms. My mom leaves Saturday but I have my 19 year old son to tak out the trash, vacuum, and stuff :-)
I'm taking a total of 4 weeks off from my desk job and I kind of feel guilty about it! I could probably return in 3 but I have appointments in that last week so I'll stick with my plan :-) My work has been great but there are people working extra hard taking over my duties for me.
Take care, Ladies.
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Oh SpecialK, I'm so sorry. You've had more than your share of surgeries...heck, more than enough for 9 people since this was #9, right? Bless your heart. You've been so strong over the last 3+ years and now you have another challenge to deal with. With your experienced eye, you caught it right away so that's good. My PS has used surgical glue on my "thin skin side" in my last two surgeries. Is that an option for you?
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Just wondering...we're past mid month & so many of us have already
had surgery, many left to go....how many of you now have chemo treatment
ahead of you? Radiation? Or did you have your treatments before surgery? -
Vintagegal, I don't know yet until I get my patholgy. A male oncologist before surgery told me 10 years of hormone therapy for sure. But I just requested a female one instead. The male one didn't even know whether I should get my Mirena IUD taken out or not :-p
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Sandra - yes, this was #9. Half of my surgeries have involved this same area - I had BMX, exchange, ALND and fat-grafting, but all the others have been excisions or repairs, or dealing with removal and replacement of the TE due to that area. I looked at it last night to change the dressing and it is looking a bit happier. I was glued for the ALND surgery but I am thinking the location might not make that ideal - even Frankenstein stitching didn't hold it together previously and it stresses the surrounding skin - it needs to heal from the inside out.
Julie - I would recommend calling your oncologist and asking if he/she could order the Oncotype Dx for you. There is only one lab nationally that does the test and the results take about three weeks, so you need that info sooner rather than later. Otherwise, if you require chemo it might be delayed while you wait for those results. There is an optimum window for starting, and they also need to determine if your insurance will cover it - it is an expensive test.
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howdy all. Surgery went well. Two drains. And I think three lymph nodes all initially negative Very little pain a little bit of pressure I'm not taking really anything for pain already they stopped putting it in my IV around 9 AM I can give myself a little pain meds by pump when I need it literally have not needed it
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