April 2014 Surgery Sisters

Chiclet92, Happy to hear you are home and now on your way to recovery!  I do have a question.  Did you feel the need to have anyone stay with you in the hospital room overnight?  My husband has a room at a nearby hotel but will stay with me if I feel it is necessary.

Vfay49....I had someone stay with the night after surgery.  I am historically very bad with gen anesthesia and narco pain meds. I just wanted someone there to advocate for me re: those issues when I wasn't able.  

I'm home! Wasn't too bad. Whatever "cocktail" they gave me on the way to the OR out me out for about 4 hours. I literally don't remember anything from the hallway to the recovery room. They said that I slept for 2 hours in recovery...LOL. Not a bad day. 

On the subject of anesthesia and nausea, I stressed the face that I get motion sickness terribly and have a very weak stomach. The anesthesiologist ordered a few anti-nausea shots in my IV and a patch behind my ear. I also got another shot in the recovery area bc I felt a little clammy after I got up and went to the bathroom. And, I'm happy to report virtually no nausea and no vomiting. 

Now for the real news, my dr said that my margins looked clean and they took out one SN. He had planned on taking one or two of them out before going into surgery. He thought that the node looked good as well. He said he obviously can't know 100% until the labs are in, but he liked what he saw. He also said everything went better than expected, and I will have pathology on Friday. So far, so good. 

I'm feeling tired, gonna take another pain pill and go to sleep. Thank you so much for the well wishes and kind words!  How did everyone else do today???

I'm sending good vibes to all those that had their surgeries today and those coming up tomorrow, with a little extra for their friends and families!

lespring:  what great news that your nodes were clear!  What a relief. I sure hope he got it all so you don't have another surgery......fingers crossed. How are you feeling?

YAY! My surgery was yesterday. Prelim in the OR was that my nodes are clean, but the surgeon wasn't sure about margins because there were lots of spidery things on the tumor. He just called me a few minutes ago to inform me the margins are clean!!!! YAY!!!!! Feeling SO much better about things! Final staging is Stage 1, grade 2. 

Speedy Recovery to all who have had surgery.  Yay for clean margins!

I've been drugged up and sleeping all day. Have a lot of pain especially under my arm, and they only took one SN. It's swollen, but not too bad.  

How are you ladies doing tonight? Missmaples and cdelv66. Yay for clean margins lespring! We had surgeries together.

I'm a little nervous to get my results tomorrow, I'm praying for good clean margins and SN. 

Good night all!

In the hospital, post BMX done today.  Feeling ok. When I get up to go to the bathroom, I have to call the nurse. I have those electric compression devices on my legs to help eliminate blood clots, plus with

all the IV 's (Saline and Antibiotics, plus the morphine buttom, it's just safer to use the call button). When I stand up, I get dizzy & nauseous - that's normal I suppose, but it is easing up some each time. My urine is greenish blue due the sentinel node biopsy injections. They've drained the drains twice already.

The SNB injections weren't that bad - felt like bee stings for the most part. My surgeon only took one node and the pathology preliminarly was beingn - Woo Hoo!

The surgeon will be checking (and removing, I think), my bandages tomorrow. Also hoping to get discharged tomorrow as well! I'll keep you posted! Thanks for letting me vent and for your support.
~Carla

You can see the blue markers the surgeon drew on me beforehand and the cleaning solution they use - I'm not turning into a smurf? ... lol

The drains and axillary regions are the sorest. And I hate how big my belly looks with the tight guaze on my chest. But overall, I'm very calm and content with everything so far, but that could be the meds talking. I'd be happy to answer any questions about my surgery. Thanks again!!

Lespring--So sorry the drugs are making you sick...There are other drug options....I'm very allergic to percoset, but dilaudid works ok for me. Maybe call the docs office and ask for something else? 

Thanks everyone.  I was discharged today, so only spent one night in the hospital.  I found the weeks leading up to the surgery were the hardest.  It's constantly on your mind and weighing all the options a billion times.  Today, I really feel at peace with everything and happy to get back into a routine.  Best of luck to all of you still waiting!!!

I am having single skin sparing MX with TE, SNB, latissimus flap and an augmentation on April 10. This past week I have eaten everything in sight! Somehow that takes a load off. These forums are so comforting

Hi!  Wondering how everyone is doing. Today is my 4th day post surgery. I took Tylenol instead of Percocet this morning. If I move about too much I get pain/spasms. But I know I also need to move around. My drains are decreasing the amount of output. And let me tell you,  I am SO glad I have my sister-in-law to help me with everything.  I have a 10 year old son and a cockapoo puppy (and me being semi-helpless) for her to deal with! My husband is a big help too but he has a demanding work schedule.  

Good wishes to all who are recovering as well upcoming surgeries. Be mighty!!

P.s.  Txrangersgirl80 - I made sure I had a few zip up hoodies.  I got a couple new ones that are lighter weight. I have on the wrap I came home in, a cotton tank I pulled up (not over my head) and the hoodie. My drains are pinned to the hoodie. I got one from Hanes and it's soft and lighter weight. I also got a couple of button front pjs. Velcro cami sounds comfy. Just make sure you have stuff you can wear that zips, buttons, velcros, or can pull up.  

2 days post-op and feeling well.  Still sore at drain sites and axillary regions.  I woke up at 5:30 am and was pretty uncomfortable, so took a Percocet, but that's the only pain meds I took so far today.  Been taking some stool softeners, but haven't gone yet .  Also, I had to have my Mirena IUD removed after I was first diagnosed in Jan and just got my period for the first time in 9 years…Go figure!  I'm still at peace with my decision to go flat and pleased with the symmetry of my stitches.  Tomorrow it should be a nice day, so hoping to take a short walk outside.

I had my hubby and 28 y/o daughter with me at the hospital.  They took turns running errands, to pick up prescriptions and food while the other waited for any news.  I'm sure it was a long day for them, but I was glad they were there.

I plan on wearing DH button up shirts. He used to find it sexy when we were first married, not sure it will have the same effect lol! But it should be comfortable.mi have several zip up hoodies and yoga pants/leggings. I am going to look for satin pjs, they are supposed to make it easier to get in and out of bed. I will also stock up on milk of magnesia and prune juice for my White Cows. Someone also suggested a squirt bottle for the bathroom to help keep clean. I am just so ready to get on with it. The waiting is awful.