April 2014 Surgery Sisters

My surgery on Wednesday, the 9th went so well, that I am still amazed. I imagine it is because I "only" had a single MX and no reconstruction.

We got to the hospital (Mass General) just before 6am, and I went into the OR around 7:30. In between, I changed into a hospital johnny, and had two pretty comprehensive histories taken, one by the OR nurse, one by the anesthesia team. My BS came in and we talked about swimming for a while and I reminded her that I wasn't going to have reconstruction, that I wanted a lovely scar with no dog ears. "I hang around locker rooms, you don't want me scaring people!"

Like many of you, once I was brought into the OR and slid from the stretcher onto the table, I remember nothing. Not even whether or not I counted back from a hundred, like on TV.

At Mass General, after surgery in the new Lundner Building, you come back to the same unit as pre-op. In other words, Peri-operative is the same as PACU (post anesthesia care unit). So I saw some familiar faces, as I came to. I told them I was glad I hadn't pissed anyone off too badly early in the morning. I think my surgery took less than two hours. The first real thing I remember is some male resident telling me that the frozen sections from the SNB came back clear. 

It was close to noon before I thought to ask for my husband. I think they were waiting for me to ask, cause once I did, he was there in about five minutes. And my BS had already talked to him on the phone. Most of that morning, I would sleep or fade out and then come to and realize 15-20 minutes had passed. 

My blood pressure was low all afternoon, the top number being in the 80s. And once, on the commode, apparently I fainted, and didn't even have the relief of peeing. They were all concerned about my fainting, but it never happened again, tho my BP stayed low throughout. Except for that one faint, I was never dizzy or lightheaded or woozy. 

Between the concern for my BP and waiting for a room to be ready, it was close to 4 before I got upstairs. And this is the best part...a private room! On the 14th floor, with an incredible view of the Charles River and Cambridge. How lucky am I.

I felt vaguely nauseous, yet hungry. They gave me a shot of something to combat nausea, starts with a Z, but I forget. I asked for a tray of clear liquids and drank the entire bowl of chicken broth and ate about half of the Italian ice. My husband left, to stay at the hotel across the street around 7, and I persuaded him not to come back that evening. He had had a long day and I knew that I would not be much company if he came back after his own supper.

At this point, I was getting oral pain medicine, Percosets, but I was never that uncomfortable. I took the meds because they were offered and I knew I would sleep better doped up. Through the night, I would sleep for 60-90 minutes and then wake up and pretty quickly drift off again. I was pretty alert, because I remembered the times I had woken up and the names of the nurses. Everyone who came in looked at the incision and checked my drain. 

I never did have to confront my aversion to using a bed pan. I finally peed, successfully, on the commode down in the PACU, before getting to my room, and once I was in my room, I would ask for help in getting to the toilet, the first two or three times. I peed bright green ... a result of whatever they injected for the SNB, which was gone by morning. I would say I drank a lot of water...maybe 30-40 ounces between four pm and six the next morning, especially once I figured out how easy it was to get to the bathroom.

I woke up around 5:30am and knew it was "for good." I felt tender at the incision and headachey, but not in pain. I got up and used the john, then stood at the window and watched Boston and Cambridge come to life. I took one Percoset at 6am, though they offered two. 

Around 6:30, I saw my BS's senior resident. (And in the night, I had seen the on call resident.) He seemed pleased with my progress, though my BP was still in 80s. I had no ill effects from the low blood pressure, and I do run low as a rule (110-ish), so he said I could go home.

The nurse who came on duty at 7 started my discharge paperwork and was awfully efficient. She gave me a great deal to read, but was kind enough not to lecture me, or read to me. I felt as though I knew an awful lot from lurking on these discussion boards for so long. I had a surgical bra, from which my drain hung. And they gave me a pale blue blouse that I haven't yet worn.

When my husband arrived at 7:30, obediently carrying my requested, non-hospital coffee, he was very surprised to find me dressed and ready to go home. And, bless Mass General, they let him wheel me out, no awkward volunteers pushing me around. 

And that's my story and I am sticking with it. I know I am very lucky and I know I am a good patient. And I am still counting on going to see the Red Sox play baseball on Patriots Day, April 20.

I enjoy hearing everyone's stories and seeing pics...Thank you.  I'm 9 days post-op BMX with no recon.  I had one drain removed yesterday and the other one comes out on Monday.  I'm usually pretty sore & tight in the mornings, mostly from sleeping on my back in the same position all night.  I have been taking my antibiotics and tylenol, when needed.  Was thinking of asking for a PT referral at my 2 week follow up, to help with range of motion, etc.  Path report came back good!  I'm ready to put this journey behind me and get stronger everyday!  Good luck to the second half of April Sisters!

Hello everyone.. Day 2 post-op and surgery went very well. Did not need latissimus flap! SNB negative. Final path report on Monday. 2 drains in place was able to sit in the bathtub today which was great. Tomorrow the bandages come off and I can take showers. Mostly taking 800mg of Motrin for pain. I save the Percocet until I'm ready for bed.Not sure how I will feel when the bandages come off

Thank you for this... just ordered some.

I drove with drains. I suppose they dont want to take chance of them catching on something or if you have an accident, them getting ripped out.

RamblingRose, I can't drive with drain because I am still taking pain meds.  I really don't feel up to driving yet.  It's odd for me because I am usually the one who drives everywhere.  I am happy for you that you are ready to drive and be independent.

I don't feel ready to drive yet either. I've been doing my exercises but don't feel confident yet. My family, however, is pestering me.  

Feeling very anxious for my double MCX and tissue expander surgery on Wed 4/16, It brings me comfort to read everyone's posts. I'm a roller coaster of emotions.

I have to be at the hospital for 6:30am for a 12 noon surgery, I have to have a dye injection and wait 2-3 hours. I hope to only be in the hospital for 2 nights and hope to eat Easter dinner at my mothers on Sunday. I would hate to be bed ridden for Easter.

Huggs to all

Hi vfay…our dx and sx recovery sound very similar, except I didn't get any recon.  Sounds like you are doing very well.  I'm getting my last drained removed this afternoon.  Yippee!  Where did you have your surgery done?  I'm in State College, but work for Geisinger.

amyo … I was only in the hospital for one day for my BMX, but I didn't have any recon done.  If all goes well, you should be able to make Easter dinner at mom's.  However, make sure you don't do any work, let the family take care of you!  You might be sleepy still.  I needed at least one long nap a day for the first week.  I'm about 11 days out now!

Thinking of JSJ - not sure if she's on this board, but her surgery is scheduled this morning.  Also thinking and praying for all my other April Sisters!

good luck, Amyo. I had my surgery last Wednesday and felt up for an active Sunday...but I only had one side off, and no reconstruction. I will be rooting for you!

One week tomorrow (Tuesday) since left UMX SNB and TE placement.  I have been pleasantly surprised at how well I have felt but  am looking forward to having drain out on Wednesday. 

Vfay... I only have the 1 TE and 1 drain and it definitely took a few nights of learning pillow placements until I became more aware of how to have everything fall into place. Certainly makes me stop and think of everyone out there who is trying to balance both sides.   I figure I will just get a really comfortable routine going and then it will be time to start the fills and be back to the drawing board.

  I am still doing Percocet at night as I find I can then sleep pretty much straight through the night and feel well rested in the morning.  I was a 34E (guess I still am ...at least half of me)  and then had 180cc fill at placement. Aside from the TE placement being high I have already found I frequently forget about having it.  I find that I am more aware of the bruising on my lower ribs that wraps posteriorly up to the scapula.  Everyday is a bit different though isn't it?

Had a partial mastectomy yesterday morning.  Had the SNB, too, with the dye injection.  Ouch!   All went well and was home by 4:00.  Sore today.  They think the nodes were clear.  Have an appointment with the surgeon and radiologist in 10 days.  Thanks for all the help and I wish all of you well.

For Vfay:  We have the same surgery date and I live in PA also, fairly closeby. It is nice to see that on here since I don't know very many ladies to talk to about this whole thing.  The first week I felt GREAT. Then yesterday and today I felt wiped out and that came as a surprise to me. I don't think I was overdoing it but maybe I was just upright a bit too much. So I guess I would warn you that when you feel good, and think "hey I CAN!" haha, maybe tell yourself to rest every couple of hours even if you don't feel like it.  If you are like me, you need a babysitter, ha!

surgery was yesterday, getting discharged soon.  Already a lot less sore than yesterday... Very manageable overall!  2drains and I barely notice them. Good luck to the other women who are still waiting, and for those who are done I hope your recovery goes well.

Hi Mamma..it will get better! Time heals all, or at least, makes us start feeling better. Remember you were cut open, dug around in, had stuff shoved under your pec muscles, resewn up, probably injeceted with some saline, etc etc. It takes quite a while for your body to begin to really heal...Rest, relax, do some minor arm excercises...and remember we are here with you.