March 2014 Surgery

so i got to the surgeon's office today, and he said the reason why bubbles were coming out of the drain is because there is a small infection of necrrotized fat there which was stopping the flow, so he had to pull out the drain.  it actually felt good when he pulled it out, because it was itchy and annoying while it was in.  then i asked to see the part that was in me, and ew, how gross.  i didn't realize it was in that far.  then the surgeon prescribed keflex 500 mg. 4x day, for 10 days.  i go back tues, so he can check how i am doing.  he said to watch out for fever, and to change the packing every day.  it is not a pretty sight.  my temp. has been above 99 degrees, and usually it is barely 98, so for me, that's a fever.  i took two tylenols so far, because i am afraid to use any blood thinners.  i am drinking lots of fluid to keep my body temp down as much as possible.

Stfne.   Hi, I have had all my surgeries and chemo treatments etc at The Cancer Center at Wentworth Douglass hospital in Dover. 

Stfne, I really doubt they'll have me do chemo even though I am 46.  I'm happy I got them to order the Oncotype DX, though, to help with the decision.  I am grade 1 and my IDC was only 1 cm.  The core biopsy said 1.4.  I noticed you are getting your ovaries removed.  Do you have the BRCA gene?  The geneticist didn't approve for me to be tested for that.  I'll be taking tamoxifen for sure.

Good luck tomorrow, Sandra and Gabriella!

Morning FootBall!

In this last week post op for me I have had good days/nights & not so good. Numbness wears off, discomfort, tugging, itchiness even stabbing pains come n go. Bruising down my right side torso is lovely (not). Sleep & trying to be comfy hasn't been good the last couple nights. But range of motion & strength are gradually improving. Finding positives daily.

I have teeny eye lashes & brows just starting, (last chemo 2/4) Yay!

I think we'll all have good days and bad, Vintagegal and Footballnut .  I've been getting up at 5 am usually every morning because I wake up with pain and soreness.  I don't really have much to complain about because so far I've had good news.  I feel guilty about feeling bad because I could have it so much worse.  This morning I have been emotional and tearful watching sentimental videos on facebook.  I have no idea why because I don't cry that often.  Yesterday I was GRUMPY and tried my best to hide it from my mom who is helping me.  Boo.

I've been going through the similar things emotionally. I was pretty good earlier in the week. This morning I found myself taxing about different types if breast cancers and trying to understand why I haven't been told what was found in my ultrasound biopsy. So then I start thinking that if I wasn't told anything that it must be bad. Then I think that there was nothing to tell yet and that I'll know all once I meet with my surgeon on April 2. Then I forget all about it and move on. The back of my arm feels fairly tight and tingly. I haven't even had breakfast yet. A friend of mine just called and she told me to stop reading anything about cancer and to focus on positives she is right. So I'm a bag of emotions and am also going through premenopause so that's not helping!!  Lol. I find that the hardest thing is being alone during the day. My hubby is working. I told him to. He's been great now I just have to give myself a kick in the arse and get on with it!!  :-)

This board has been a great resource of information for me and I thank you ALL!  I haven't been able to post much, I've been working a lot trying to get caught up before my extended leave.  I do have a question for you, as I have struggled with my decision.  I noticed a lot of you are opting for BMX.  My BS said that it was not necessary for me to have that, that if the cancer were to return, it doesn't necessarily mean that it will return in my other breast.  She said research has shown a lot of women opting for the the BMX, when if fact it isn't necessary.  I am so confused over this, a part of me says do the BMX, get rid of the worry, the constant retesting, better symmetry, the other part of me says why would you remove a healthy breast?, the PS should be able to achieve good symmetry anyways, moving forward you are always going to be on high alert moving forward as far as recurrence.  This has been a struggle for me, as I am sure it has been for you.  This is why everyone says you have to make the decision that is best for YOU.  Can you share with me your thoughts on why you chose the surgery that you did?

Frostecat, I went from dcis in one breast to path report showing invasive in another area on that side, as well as a small tubular cancer on the other side in tissue removed during the lift to match the lumpectomy side. For me personally it was a no brainer at that point to remove both. The one side was a given, but the other side I could have had lx again. But just didnt want to spend the rest of my life waiting to see if the bomb would drop again. I am very happy with my decision, but that is me.

Aviva - absolutely!  One thing I have learned on this "journey" is to expect the unexpected.  Thank you for your input.

Frostecat

I had a BMX with - but only had cancer in my Left Breast. I spoke with a good friend prior to my decision -- who had faced the same situation.   She said she had the Left Breast removed and reconstructed and a complete round of Chemo and Radiation and recovered physically very well.  She however spent the next 18 months without a good night's sleep -- wondering, fretting, and worrying about the right breast.  She finally decided the "worry" would never go away and went back and had the Right breast removed and reconstructed.  She regretted not doing it all in one fell swoop.  This is what helped me make my decision.  I went BMX straight away.  One month out -- I am happy I did. 

Sandrac3 -- You are amazing to be on Tylenol ONLY at this point.  Hats off to you. The spacers take some getting used to.  Establishing the new normal that is.  I am almost there I think I hope.  Frankly I really don't know.  But everyday seems a little better and I like this feature -- as I am establishing the new normal during this reconstruction phase.  Elephant on chest -- vice gripping your rib cage!  There that is truly the description.  

frostecat - I was also a lumpectomy candidate that chose BMX.  My 2 cm lump was never seen on mammography, and I was diligent about annual exams - I still had significant breast density at 54 (age of diagnosis) and after having a total hyst/ooph nine years prior.  I felt that imaging was not reliable and did not think going forward I could trust it to see any issues in the breast tissue.  I had a pre-surgical MRI which failed to see ADH and ALH in the "prophy" breast - that was discovered after the tissue was removed, I was Her2+ so had very aggressive cancer, and had two undiagnosed positive nodes - one of which was a 1/2 cm - never palpable or shown on any imaging before surgery.  I have no regrets but have been faced with a ton of surgery for healing issues.  It is important to discuss reconstruction thoroughly with your PS, if you are choosing to recon after a BMX, so that you have a handle on the complication rate. 

Hoping this week's surgery ladies are doing well!

SpecialK,

Wow, that is so informative!  I can't believe all you have been through, my goodness! But you have a beautiful smile on your face and are here to post and keeping up with it, so I've got to believe you have a positive attitude and that is everything!  One thing that rings true what you said, is I have very dense breasts too, so I often wonder if they are or will be missing anything too.  Thank you so much for sharing your story.

Bravo SpecialK!

bobo - dang!  Let me know when your next doc appt. is and I will send you a drug reminder, lol!  Also, gently "remind" mom that you just had surgery, and maybe your energy/focus/enthusiasm is a bit sapped?  If she is not listening, PM me her number and I will give her a talking to.  Ha!