March 2014 Surgery

Hey Gramof2boys

 Good luck! I got the bandages off & the drains out yesterday! (March 13 surgery) All looked good. But I just had BMX no recon started.

I am getting bored too but am still weak. Get so wiped out just getting myself dressed. Dr said I can drive when up to it but I will wait a couple more days. (snowed again this a.m.)

Wow Julie, great news, congrats!

Sandra...the press n seal also works to cover whatever bandages you come home with after bmx and can't take a shower. Makes taking a sponge bath or "canary flutter" as my dad calls it a little easier.  We just wrapped it around the ace Bandage covering the incisions and drain sites. You can at least be a little more liberal with the water and not worry so much. Also, pin the drain to the ace bandage before you wrap and cover them too!!!

In the pink bus.  You guys are doing so great!  I feel proud of you all, actually.

I am having a hard time bouncing back from this surgery -- 3rd one in three months.  I'm really tired.  Back to work after a week.  Scared of reinfection.  The hospital scared me this time with their infection precautions.  I know it is procedure, but I didn't consider myself still infected.  The nurse said many people don't get on top of one of the infections I had.  So here I am, two weeks after sx, sitting here scared.

Thinking of all of you.  You are all rock stars!

today makes 2 weeks since my r mx.  i really hope to get my drain out today.  it's hardly putting anything out but air bubbles anymore.  and it drives me crazy.  i call it my tail (my tail under the arm, ha ha).  i guess i'll hold my breath when they pull it so it won't hurt so much.  i am also getting nauseated by the rotten cinnamon-like smell mixed with the "medical" smell, of the adhesive they used for the steri-strips after they pulled out the staples on monday.

although it's a weird, numb and itchy feeling, and the extra flaps of skin bug me, i feel freer without a breast.  i wish i could have done both breasts at once, but the surgeon said the medicaid had to be finalized (meaning i needed the official card, etc) before that can be done.   i should have realized something was wrong when my breasts grew from a C or D to an H or more, even though the rest of me didn't gain much weight over the last few years.  but my mammos were all okay, except for alot of densities, which may be why this wasn't found sooner.  i'll bet when they remove the other breast, they will find cancer too.

I believe that I said it previously, but it bears repeating, if you think you will be having a drain(s) removed - particularly from the axilla - take either an Ativan, Xanax, or pain med in advance.

my home care nurse just left. She is so wonderful!!  I am thankful to have her. Looks like my remaining 2 drains might be removed this Saturday. I might take perc or Ativan before she comes to calm my nerves. When she removed the one kn the right side it wasn't too bad but I get so nervous. Ativan or a perc?  My staples might come out Monday. Can't wait!  So far no swelling and everything is healing fine!!  Wish the best to everyone!!

Grabriella & Sandra, all the best to both of you tomorrow!

We will be there for you!!!!

thinking of GabriellaM and sandra 4611 for tomorrow - hope you surgeries go great and your recovery is fast.  The hospital got it squared away with my insurance so I will not have a copay for these nurse visits - first one will be here at 330 today.   I really want to see what is going on on the right side.  Left side feels great - no pain but right side is not so great and I am concerned that there may be a little infection or something - I did run a slight fever  100.2 for a bit but that went away quickly. 

I will be ready to join the bus for Gabriella and Sandra tomorrow.  Still not up an running but I can sit in your pocket as well as the recliner.  

Best of luck to you both.  

Sandra hopefully nausea and pain will not invade your territory tomorrow.

HUGS to you both and all you sisters recovering from your procedures.  

For those still waiting we are with you in spirit as you wait.

Hopping on the bus for Gabriella and Sandra tomorrow! I'll be in your pockets making sure those anesthesiologists make you feel most comfortable! 

Several conversations going on about drains.  I had a plan to prepare myself for when my dear doctor would remove them.  She surprised me during my last sick visit to the hospital.  She said, ok, let's get rid of these things! I looked up at my husband scared to death...it wasn't part of the plan!   LOL!  I must say that it wasn't painful,  just more uncomfortable. Breathing helps.  My dear hubby's eyes were popping out of his head. He couldn't believe how much tubing was actually in there.  I think that was the highlight of his day. ;-)

One more topic, uncomfortable one, to bring up. I've cut back on my pain meds but at the same time cut back on my daily mirolax. Bad idea. Stay on top of your colons ladies!  You'll be glad you did.  I had a very rough day in that category today that I do not plan on replaying. I know,  maybe too much information but I'm only sharing because I love you all. :-) 

Gentle hugs to all of you. Wishing you a relaxing eveninGabriella and Sandra !

I'll be on the Bus! 

Good luck to Gabriella and Sandra tomorrow. Kick butt!

Juliecc - My BS was telling me that my age, also 46, is one of the reasons they are thinking chemo. My mom was 36 so I wasn't feeling that young. Not exactly sure of how age plays a part except that there would be many years left for a stray cell to grow. Do you know anymore about that?

VintageGal- So happy to hear your good news on the path results! Do you have to go into Boston for the Herception infusions? How often? I am already sick of the drive in but if I have to go get chemo I will try to make the visit in fun somehow.

Scary- I smell something too!!! It is seriously driving me out of my mind and I am driving my husband out of his. I smell burnt, sweet, chemicals!!! I don't know if it is coming out of my skin or If I had tubes up my nose and something is still there or what. I can't stand it!!

SpecialK- Your so on top of everything! Sorry you have to be going through more @#$%. 

iwannaseeyou- your drain story is the same as mine! My husband thought it was so cool. They told me to breath in and I was waiting for her to say breath out but instead she said, "It's out". Wonder why it is so different for everyone. 

I want you all to know that I read your posts every night and look forward to hearing what you are all up to. I wish I could keep up with and respond to all of your posts. Also, sometimes if I am having a pity party (usually in the middle of the night) I think of all of you and hope that you are sleeping well and also know that there is probably someone up with me and I am not alone.

One more thing....MY ARMPITS ARE KILLING ME WITH THESE TE's and I can hardly move my stinking arms!!!!! So annoying especially with little ones who want hugs and cuddles.

I have had drains removed by a number of different doctors - my PS is very gentle and removes them carefully.  They have a different philosophy in my BS office, the first four drains from BMX/TE surgery were removed in less than a week due to a raging allergic reaction.  They needed the drains out so they could start me on oral steroids.  I never drain much and have never had a drain longer than a week.  In the BS office my drains were literally pulled, as in yanked.  Hard.  I was less than a week out from surgery and simultaneous port placement so I was still in some discomfort.  Five weeks later had the ALND surgery and had the one axilla drain removed, also yanked in the BS office, but by a different person.  That is why I think it is their modus operandi.  Because there is so much nerve involvement with ALND it felt like I had been electrocuted briefly.  It was the only time I made any noise in this whole lengthy process, I kept repeating OMG, OMG, OMG, and I may have said a bad word somewhere in there too!  It took about an hour for the electrocution feeling to go away.

Bless your heart SpecialK.

 All doctors and their helpers sshould always be gentle in everything they do to us. 

vintagegal,

I am new to this thread. I was diagnosed in December and started chemo in January. After 4 tx my tumor size has not changed so I am stopping chemo to have surgery then will pick back up afterward with either the same regime if the path says it was working or new regime if it was not responding. I was wondering about your port replacement. I have a port in now but BS said it will have to be removed since it is on top of breast tissue. He thought I could do the last two rounds with an IV but I will be on herceptin through next January, so will have to have another port. Did you have any problems with them moving your port? Where did the put it ?Did they use the same one or put a new one in? Was it done at the same time as BMX?  I am trying to get my head around surgery while trying to regain strength from last round of chemo.