March 2014 Surgery

Sandra, have fun in Chicago!  

I don't have any tassels but I do have some sparkly pink pasties around here somewhere.  Ha, maybe I'll just wear those instead of getting a new nipple.  lol

I called the surgeon's office and told her nurse I have a UTI and starting taking Cipro last night and she said that's fine.  Not that I want to have this procedure (I think I like that word better than surgery) on Friday, but if it has to be done, I want to get it over with.  If all goes well in the next two weeks, we'll be going on our planned vacation to Key West in early May and hopefully act like life is normal for a week.  

Ucfmom, my nip surgery was due to healing issues so maybe that was why I needed another drain.  It was a surprise though. Hopefully you will breeze through. I like the pasties idea.  Do you think you will have nip reconstruction?

Update

4/15 I saw Oncologist.  Seems surgeon did not order Onco type test so now I need to wait 2 or 3 more weeks before we decide if I need chemo and/or radiation.

Today I spoke with my disability insurance company.  They just don't seem to get it.  They wanted a time off work set prior to surgery.  They considered nothing prior to the surgery to be part of the disability.  So my surgeon said off work for 4 weeks.  I saw surgeon one week after surgery and she said return in 3 months.  Oncologist and radiologist who I saw this week won't make decision on further treatment for another 2 or 3 weeks.  4 week mark would have me return to work end of next week.  I'm still taking pain meds most days and if I spend a full day out of the house I am exhausted and can do nothing the next day.  Stupid insurance company want to know what my symptoms are.  I'm guessing they are going to force me back to work no later than next week.  I'm also guessing they are only looking at the surgical recovery as disability. They are not looking at the other weekly doctors treatments as part of the disability.  Currently I'm seeing the surgeon, Oncologist, OB/GYN, and Family doctor.  All four are separate practices.  Radiologist may get added back into the mix for a total of five doctors.  Lets not forget the genetics testing which for some reason they cannot just do the swab and run the test.  NO - they figure group counseling about how to interpret the test is important.  

Doctors don't seem to understand that I cannot just take off days here and there for treatment at their convenience, Insurance company does not seem to understand multiple doctors, and I'm beginning to wonder if I would have been better off ignoring the lump and just working.  I'm pretty sure if I just worked until the cancer killed me the life insurance would accept the single death certificate and pay out and I would not need to worry about my family becoming homeless.  

Hi Ladies!  Want to thank everyone for their responses re: hormonal therapy.  Worked up my courage and started on Tamoxifen last Friday.  I've been taking at bedtime.  No side effects so far after 7 doses.  I know this could change at any time but for now I'm very relieved.  I'm going to ask my PS and MO, but can anyone tell me if I'll need to hold Tamoxifen prior to my exchange surgery in Oct/Nov?  I thought that I had read that this is necessary?  Went back to work yesterday for the 1st day after being off 6 weeks.  I'm a PT in an acute care setting and spent yesterday in the ortho gym working with patients after total hip and knee replacements.  Worked 7 hours with 45 min commute each way.  Thought I had a really good day but was so exhausted and sore by the time I got home.  Not my "chest" thank goodness but my back, neck, R shld and upper arm.  Really was not expecting that.  Got frustrated and tearful.  Needed ES Tylenol, heating pad and back rub from hubby.  Had today off and will try again tomorrow.  It has to get better right?  So thankful that I only work part-time.  No way I could do it full-time.

Do not assume with hormonal therapy that you will have any, or all, of the side effects.  Not everyone has hot flashes on either Tamoxifen or one of the AI drugs.  Discontinuing Tamoxifen prior to exchange surgery is the call of the plastic surgeon - and it is because of the potential clot risk.  If your doc does not ask you to stop, point out that it is a drug you are taking, and ask whether or not they want you to stop.  If your plastic surgeon has no opinion ask your MO for permission to stop briefly.

Frostecat,

I took 3 weeks off of my work, which is homeschooling my 9 year old fourth grader (and little musical prodigy), and teaching very part time music lessons on the side (plus of course the usual mommy stuff with both my kids - my oldest isn't 10 yet, and goes to public school, fourth grade also).

I needed those 3 weeks. I had planned on taking only 2 weeks off, but there was no way I had the energy (and physical ability as far as range of motion and strength goes) to homeschool full time again and teach music lessons. I wasn't even able to play my violin until 17 days after surgery, so teaching was out. Each week really does make a big difference. 

I am now exactly one month out (my single mastectomy, no reconstruction) was on March 17, and while I don't feel 100% back to normal yet, I'm pretty close. My range of motion is a good 70% back to normal, per my PT as of Monday, and my energy is getting closer to normal too. I'm still more tired than usually in the evenings. It's now 9 pm, both kids are in bed, and normally I would have practiced my violin for at least another half hour, possibly an hour. I just don't have it in me anymore now. I've been going non- stop since 7:30 am this morning, and I'm beat. I practiced my violin on my own for half an hour this morning, and this afternoon my son and I rehearsed some chamber music together for a good hour. We didn't do any formal bookwork for school today, since he's done so much the previous 3 days, but we did a lot of other things, such as baking and cooking together, getting some work done around the house, and of course the music. We spoke some Flemish together (my native language), and read. I also taught a couple of violin lessons and one viola lesson this afternoon and evening, and then of course had to scramble to get dinner on the table for my family right after that. And now, I'm beat! LOL. And that's when I feel that I'm not quite yet back to normal. Normally I could get just a little more practice in. But it's ok. I'll get there. I'm going to go downstairs, and if my husband is watching something interesting on tv, I'll watch too, otherwise I'll just read.

I didn't have to deal with getting off pain meds, since I was never able to take any, due to my Crohn's; not even regular Tylenol. It was a rough first few days, but not too bad after that. Now I have so little pain or even discomfort left that I often forget all about it, and then reach somewhere too far and/or too fast and feel it. But the PT is helping a huge amount with getting my range of motion and strength back. It takes time to do those exercises twice a day and go to the sessions early in the morning 3 times a week, but so worth it!!

I also started easing into doing ballet again with the DVD that I was doing pre-surgery. Only doing 3 of the 7 sessions I was doing before so far, and not forcing anything. It feels good to get back into it!

Frostcat, you were one day after me. I had DMX with 100cc fill and the scarless dorsi flap and 10 drains. Still having pain and still taking 2-3 Percocets a day. Stopped by my unit yesterday. After less than 5 minutes of chatting and hugging a few people I had to sit down. I could not believe how quickly I became weak and ready to pass out. Once I sat down I was better,but Im not even close to getting back to part time. My doc told me 6 to 8 weeks off so I have a ways to go before I even think about going back yet. I am lucky in that I do not have to rush back. If you can don't rush back. Take good care of YOU!

Hi Lynnelyre - I had a little fluid build up on one - after drains were removed- and it actually got absorbed in a few days - the PS had me watch it for a couple days in case it didn't - I just layed low during that time - tried not to use my arms much.  However - he did drain some from the breast that had a healing issue - don't know what you had done and it you have TE's or not - but it didn't hurt at all when he drained some and it didn't take him long either

I too have developed a seroma.  Just when I finally got that dang drain out Monday, finally feeling good after the fill too now this - it hurts!  Back on the Percocet and put a compression bra on to see if that helps.  One step forward two steps back.  PS mine is under my armpit.

You are NOT a wimp! Take as much time off as you need, if you can! I was only approved for 12 weeks off. Used 3 for lumpectomy & re-excision lumpectomy. Went back to work for 2 weeks. Then took 6 weeks off for mastectomy. Would have loved 2 more weeks off since my job is so physical. But I only have 3 more weeks of leave left out of the original 12 & that won't even be enough for my next surgery in Oct/Nov for exchange surgery on R and lift/reduction on L. If you've got the time, take it!!! And don't feel guilty!

I went back to work part time this week two days short of four weeks after BMX/immediate reconstruction with implants.  I normally work 7:00 - 3:00 (or a little later as needed) but worked 7:30 - noon four days this week.  We were closed today for Good Friday.  I have a desk job but often have to crawl around under desks hooking up phones and other equipment.  I'm not able to do that part of my job right now, I'm just telling others how to do it for themselves as the need arises.  I was exhausted by the time I got home and yesterday was the worst.  I started having pain in my rib cage about 11:00 and just barely made it till noon.  I was hoping to work full days next week but will need to leave an hour early on two days for follow up appointments.  I actually did some work from home starting just a few days after surgery because I have a big part in doing payroll and felt more comfortable doing it myself.

I don't have short term disability.  I do have 4 weeks extended leave built up, but company policy says we have to use our sick and vacation time up first, so I've used up everything except for about a week's worth of paid time and have not touched the extended leave time.  We're not giving up our already booked vacations this year, so most of those will likely be unpaid time off.  

Surgery really does take a toll on our bodies and we need to listen to them and not overdo it.  I should have taken my own advice and left the office at 11:00 yesterday morning when I started hurting.  lol

I'm happy to say my surgery went well this morning and I woke up with no drain, thank goodness.  I too was worried about fluid buildup.  The left drain was taken out at 2 weeks and I've had a little (not a lot) of fluid on that side under my boob, just above the incision line.  I wasn't worried about that one, but the right drain was removed at 3 weeks (last Thursday) and I noticed when I leaned over, my right nipple drooped out because of the fluid on that side.  I mentioned it to my breast surgeon this morning and she said she'd get some of it out in the operating room.  After surgery, she told my DH there really wasn't all that much fluid there.  Sure looked like it to me, so I was glad to hear that.

I'm amazed at how quickly I was out of surgery this morning.  I had to be there at 9:15 for the 11:30 procedure and I definitely spent more time waiting around to go in.  I think it was around 9:50 when they took me back to pre-op.  The nurse I had was awesome - she numbed my hand before she put the IV in and she got it in quickly on the first try.  That never happens for me!  I had IV anesthesia with no nausea afterwards.  They took me into the OR at 11:00 and by then I was feeling so good, I showed everyone my boobs so they could see what a good job my PS did last month.  lol  I woke up feeling great in recovery at 11:30 and was out the door shortly after noon.  We stopped for lunch on the was home, dropped off my prescription for pain meds then came home and I promptly fell asleep for 3 hours.  I woke up with a headache and took Tylenol but haven't had to take any pain meds - knock on wood!

I'm really not sure if I will get nipple reconstruction done on that side or not.  I'll take my time and think about it because right now I'm just inclined to say no, mainly because I don't want to face any more surgery if I don't have to.  I'm leaning towards a 3D tattoo instead.  My BS and I were taking about it this morning and what a shame it is I had to have one removed because they looked so good.  She said oh well, he (my PS) can make you a new one.  I told her I was strongly thinking tattoo instead and she said instead of a nipple tattoo I should get something fun like a daisy.  Maybe I will.

 

klj - your fills are too big.  Seriously - it is not good to stretch the muscle and skin that fast, and not necessary to cause pain and trauma for you.  I did 25ccs weekly and had no issues.

I still have one stubborn drain left which is teetering between 29 and 32 the past week. My PS is very strict and will not remove unless it's below 30 for 2 straight days so it's looking like next week. My Oncotype also came back at 34 so chemo it is. My MO wants to start ASAP and possibly the same week as my drain removal which seems too soon for me.  I'm concerned about the drain hole healing and infection.  Am i being paranoid?  

Thanks SpecialK. I'll ask my PS and MO next week when I see them.

klj - you are in charge!  Definitely indicate that you were too uncomfortable with the previous fill and would like to limit the size so that you can do the things you need to!