April 2014 Surgery Sisters
Comments
-
I love my kitties..they make me feel better no matter what !
My first path report from lx came back within about 3 days. My report from bmx was longer. Surgeon sent my tissue for onco test, and that took about 3 weeks.
-
Hi Homemom: my follow up with the BS was two weeks after my surgery but the waiting was driving me crazy so I called him after 10 days and we went through the report over the phone. I actually just had my first appointment with oncologist today. You're absolutely right--so many doctors!!! Hang in there--it really helps when a plan is finally in place!
Radical2squared: I love your user name! I'm a math teacher I have drain envy! That's great that you had yours out so quickly! I was a DD so that's probably why I'm still draining! I told my PS I in. no, way, shape, or form want to be that big again! I had so much skin left that I woke up from my mastectomy with 500cc's filled already! I don't think I want much more!
-
Teachermom4...WOW...I thought I had a lot with 360cc's!!! I am no little girL, DDD's!
-
I had my surgery on 4/9 I'm still draining too. I had 800ml taken out of each breast so that might be why. I have a PS appt tomorrow and hope to have maybe one removed. The right one is draining much less, just 5ccs this morning and 20ccs this evening. The left is still at 60 this morning and 40 this evening.. I'm sick of them especially bc I have these really large cumbersome ones.
Which I think are very efficient but still are huge and not at all comfortable under clothes. Also I had 400ccs saline put in my expanders at the time of my BMX so I'm assuming she won't put any more in. I hope not bc I am still very dependent on Percoset and Valium for pain and tightness. Anyway, I will find out more tomorrow. When did everyone start their fills after surgery? Was it after drains were out?
-
I'm sorry most of you are still having draining issues. I guess the size of your breast has something to do with it! My natural breasts are a B cup. Finally that is a GOOD thing. This drain is a waste of space and is sore at the entry point since I took off the little blue disc thing. Wednesday can't get here soon enough.
I've weaned myself off of the Percocet and am just using two tylenol extra strength. I just can't stand sleeping on my back at night. Has anyone figured out how to sleep yet not sleep on your back??
I have semi shifted my legs over and used a body pillow to turn my head over on. It still isn't ideal for your back. I can't imagine doing this for another 5 weeks.
-
Well, I am supposed to go on an Alaskan cruise 2.5 weeks after BMX. I am beginning to wonder if I will need to cancel after reading these posts. My oncologist thinks I will be able to go and would be a great place to heal. I am soooo glad we purchased insurance though. This trip was a present from my husband because I just finished my masters degree. Then I got the unexpected gift of breast cancer. Time will tell, I guess. Counting down the days until surgery.
-
hello all. I am 6 days post surgery (double mastectomy, reconstruction and tissue expanders) and so far feeling great, no nap today and able to spread my pain meds out to 12 hours. Also found out today no chemo! Best news I've heard in weeks.
I see my PS tomorrow and not expecting to have drains removed still about 60cc from each side. I had very large breast and was thinking they would weigh much more than the did. In the pathology repost one was 1011 gm and the other was 1064 gm. So about 4.5 pounds total. Where I do notice it was in my back and shoulders no longer have the weight pain as before. My appetite is less than prior which I am guessing is do to less activity. How are your appetites been post surgery?
Also I am reading that some are starting to exercise, what have you been doing and are there exercises I should be or not doing at all. I was jazzed I could shower and wash my hair on my own today, but would like to do more without causing harm to expanders or incisions.
Anyone completely off pain meds? If so when compared to surgery.
Thanks all love reading everyone's stories.
-
Im getting nervous, I am going to have surgery again on thursday, I have a new lump hoping its only scar tissue having implants taken out, pocket work and expanders put back in due to the last PS making huge mistakes. I am really not looking forward to two more months of expanders.....
-
Renee51...I'm 2.5 weeks post BMX and I would be up for the trip. However, I didn't have any recon done and that is an easier recovery. Congrats on getting your Masters!
Imnicole...Congrats on no chemo! I, too noticed a decrease in appetite post surgery. I thought it was from the anesthesia. I was a J cup prior and lost a total of 9 lbs. Pertaining to exercise, when the drains were in, I wasn't able to move my arms higher than 90 degrees so that limited me somewhat. Just two basic arm moves were allowed. Now with the drains out, I follow a number of shoulder exercises you can find on numerous websites. I've also been walking everyday. I weaned off Percocet after about 3-4 days, took Tylenol for a few days and haven't taken anything else since. I've been drinking tons of water. The constipation early on was a nuisance for me!
HomeMom...Sleeping has been a challenge for me, too. My surgeon did a great job with my scars and went pretty far back on my sides, but that did leave two "pockets" or "dog ears" that are taking longer to heal. The swelling has come down quite a bit, but still very tender and I'm unable to lie on either side yet. I use a couple pillows to prop me up and for my head, but when it gets really frustrating, then I go sleep on a chair or sofa. Frustrating, I know! As for the drains vs breast size, I'm not really sure, since I was a J cup and had mine removed at days 8 & 11. BS said she wanted <30 cc's for two days prior to removal, but I was allowed to shower if I used waterproof band-aids at drain site and didn't get the area soaked.
SavedbyGod...Best of luck with upcoming surgery.
-
Cdelv66, your story is very encouraging. I pray I will do as well as you have. I will be having expanders though.
Saved by God, I am so sorry you have to go back to surgery. How long ago was your previous surgery? Did they biopsy the new lump? If you had mastectomy previously, it is most likely scar tissue, etc. Praying for you! Praying for all of us!
As for the issue with sleeping, I had enough problems with sleeping with just the biopsy. I have a tempur pedic mattress with adjustable frame, hoping this helps. I am a stomach sleeper, so I slept on the couch when i had the biopsy, so I wouldn't roll over in my sleep. I have a strong suspicion with a mastectomy, I won't be tempted to do that.
-
It's my PS that stated I can't sleep on my sides for six weeks. Seems extreme to me. My BS goes over biopsy reports at noon and 7am each day she is in the office. I had an appt at 1:00 tomorrow with her for post op, then I get a call from her office this morning to see if I could come in at 7am tomorrow morning to go over the path report. Back to being nervous!
I really should stay positive, it's just that every person who has had to battle cancer in my family, lost the battle. That has been my experience with it, so I keep waiting for the other shoe to fall now.
-
Homemom. I'm definitely a side sleeper and was very concerned that I wouldn't be able to sleep on my back. As much as I hate to rely on medications for anything unless it's necessary, I asked my surgeon for some Ambien and it has taken care of the problem. I fall asleep quickly and sleep well. I may start trying to only take one every other night and see how that goes.
-
I'm 6 days post surgery and still have drains. My PS has me in a sports bra with Bacitracin and gauze pads over the stitches, and then wrapped in an Ace Bandage to keep everything covered. While I'm not having much pain, I'm starting to itch like crazy under the Ace Bandage. Anyone else having this and have any solutions?
-
prop pillows behind you, and ones under your arms... You don't have to be sitting straight up but I wouldn't try sleeping flat on your back either. The arm pillows really make a difference too.
-
Hi Scubalady...itchy is good, right? It means healing! My PS had me take the ace bandage off after a couple of days and just continue to wear ointment and gauze over the incisions and under my sports bra. I also tucked gauze between the bra and the drain sites because it kept rubbing! Maybe this would be an option for you?
Take care
-
Hi Renee51...I am also 2.5 weeks (almost 3) out from my bilateral mastectomy and I do have TEs. I definitely would be up for the trip! I do get tired but I'm sure you would have plenty of opportunity for rest. I am scheduled to get on a plane this Friday (for work, unfortunately) and am going to get travel clearance (hopefully) from my PS tomorrow. I think it is really important to try, difficult as it can be, to live deeply and outside of our cancer!
Take care
-
Whoa Ninany, those are some drains! Anything that says reservoir!! How did your PS appointment go? I had 500cc's put in during my surgery and am just really tight, but no pain. Ahh, the journey continues
-
scubalady,
Everytime I see your account name I think we probably have much in common (my name is representative of scuba diving, too). I am a little bummed that I will be spending most of this summer watching from the shore (up here it is cold water diving with drysuits and lots of weight, so even more rigorous and will be harder to get back to). But, I have faith I will be ready to go for our next warm water trip!
Ninany,
Yikes, those are quite the drains! Definitely not the kind you can just tuck away out of sight, eh? I hope you do not have to have them too much longer. I certainly will feel bad complaining about my (future) drains now!
Renee51,
My mum went on an Alaskan cruise during her treatments...though for her it was about 6-8 weeks post-DIEP surgery, and in between chemo treatments (she went during one of the weeks that was more likely to be "okay" and took precautions like wearing a mask on plane, etc). It too was a gift (from my stepfather). It is hard to predict ahead of time how you will be, as reconstruction is definitely harder to heal/recover from than a straight MX, though at least on a cruise you can do as little (or as much) as you want. No one will bat an eye if you want to just sit on deck and watch the view for hours on end, either.
HomeMom,
I am crossing my fingers for a "good" pathology tomorrow. There could be other reasons she wants you in earlier...a cancellation, an urgent matter for afternoon, or a golf game. I will hope it is one of these! I can relate though, as the survival odds have not been very good in my family for those diagnosed either (which is a big part of why I am doing the PBMX).
-
Divecat - I'm just thinking that the path report came back sooner then the post op appointment. Her post ops are 15 min appts and her pathology appts are 45 min. I just know that this is the final word.
-
@imnicoletwo lol, took me a second to figure out your name
I am 1 week out from a double with TE's and the most I have mustered exercise is walking a bit (1 mile or less). Yesterday I started to get naseau and diarreha, so I am back to not feeling like doing much of anything. I stopped taking my antibiotic, because I am fairly sure that is what is making me sick. Might get yelled at tomorrow from the doc. Hoping to get my drains out too, but I suspect one will be left. My appetite was pretty normal up until feeling sick, and now less than normal. I am also cutting back on the Oxycodon, but sheesh- extra strength tylenol doesn't do a thing for me. I am more sore from tightness typically at this point. I can lay on my back and even on my right side without too much of an issue, and no longer prop myself up in bed when on my back. I am so excited to read that you do not need chemo!!! -
no reaction is crazy. This whole thing is all pretty crazy. I have been at peace about my decision and done really well physically and emotionally preop and post op. But there were these moments in pre op where I thought I cannot believe this is happening! I am removing my healthy breasts. Wtf??!!
But I can tell you. I feel more healthy more alive more happy more myself more at peace more grateful than anytime this past year since when I found out about my gene mutation
The tissue expanders do not hurt. I am relaxed. Tired. But I have no sadness or feelings of loss about my breasts. I am only a few days post op and they do not look too awful. I won't call playboy just yet but maybe in a couple of months. LOL.
Ps--/my name is dina
-
my pathology was back the day after my surgery. All clear.
-
Kris - congrats! I'm praying for the same tomorrow morning. I just wonder if she only took three nodes (there is three nicks) that that is a good sign. She looked with the US during the biopsy and didn't see anything. Would she have taken more nodes if she suspected something during surgery?
Ugh, really can't stand this. After my first visit with her after the biopsy and she told me all the "good news", I'm petrified now it will be bad news.
-
my breast surgeon said if something looked off she would have taken nodes at surgery but prob not until she got path report. I will be sending positive thoughts your way but it sounds really good so far.
-
MsMaples, so sorry for your disappointing pathology. It is a crappy feeling. Just when you are starting to feel better from the surgery...whump!
Good luck as you go through your fact finding. I see the medical oncologist on Monday at noon, east coast US time.
-
HomeMom and TeacherMom,
For some reason, I thought that an Oncotype was only useful with hormone positive cancers?
My BS called me with my path report, which was seven business days after surgery.
-
Just returned from my PT appt. The techs there think I have shingles now! Since my rash is near my mastectomy scars and drain sites, I just assumed it was from the surgery. Of course, now I'm just itchy all over!
Thinking of you all and wishing you well.
-
DiveCat,
I've thought the same when I've seen your screen name. I live in northwest Indiana near Lake Michigan but have only dived there when needed for my AOW certification. We normally do a spring two week dive trip and I was just in the planning stage when I discovered the lump that changed everything. This time last year I was in Fiji for two weeks of diving. Now I'm sitting here with drainage tubes sticking out my sides. What a difference a year makes.
If you haven't been there and have an opportunity, you should definitely check out Fiji. You can private message me if you'd like some info.
Wishing you all the best for your upcoming surgery.
-
Rambling - Mine is hormone positive. In her notes from the previous visit she wrote - "Hope to just do lumpectomy sample lymph nodes at the time ---> surgery" "Reasons you would need chemo: 1- bad receptors (this is crossed off) 2 Cancer in nodes 3 Oncotype dx done post op if no cancer in nodes"
I'm guessing here, if there is no cancer in the nodes they will move on to the oncotype dx. She also has the first two stages written out - the path report was a stage 1 but she said if it is <20mm and no cancer in nodes it stays a 1. If size is >20mm or cancer in nodes it's a stage 2. The thing felt so small and it was right at the surface. She has nothing written in stage 3 and 4. I'm guessing she didn't get the feeling it would end up those stages.
Wish my BS would just call me with the results instead of forcing me to drive 45 min in the wee hours of the morning to her office. I won't have my husband this time, he just started his new job on Monday. 7am is crazy and I'm going to be scared out of my wits. Worst case is it is bigger then they thought and a stage two plus in the nodes. Good gawd this is the worst thing I have ever been through in my life.
-
HomeMom~ Have you tried calling the office to see if they could do it over the phone since your husband isn't available now? Waiting is always the hardest during this journey. Sending you positive thoughts and well wishes.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team