April 2014 Surgery Sisters

I just wanted to check in my surgery bmx with expanders was last wed 4/16. Everything went as well as expected, I only had to stay 2 nights.I like everyone else is uncomfortable with pressure. I had 1 drain removed today and predict to have at least 2 more out on Thursday. I've tried to cut back to 2 per day on the oxy and have been getting plenty of rest. I also heard I had a clean path report today clear margins and 0 % is my lymphoid. I have slight hope I won't need chemo but since I'm estrogen negative and Her 2 +3 and this is my 2nd time with breast cancer was told I'll most likely need chemo.

I just wanted to update.

Thanks

Hello April Sisters.

Question:  Driving.  Ouch.  I think I'm just still so sore and possibly my TEs are irritating.  I don't know.  I see my PS on Thurs. a.m. for my first fill.  Are you driving around as usual?  How much rest are you still needing?  Being 3 weeks out I have better energy but feel like I need a nap almost everyday.  I'm taking advil or alleve for pain. I think tonight I need something stronger.

Renee51:  If I were you I'd go on the trip. I'm still sore but oh would
I love to be on a vacay and not be trying to do my usual activities
etc. etc. Sounds like a heavenly way to recoup.

All April ladies: Bad path reports, waiting for path results, possible shingles, drains still draining away, and any other irritating, anxiety producing stuff..... sending lots of positive thoughts for positive outcomes!!

I go to the PS tomorrow morning at 10:30- Fully expecting the drain to be taken out. I've had only about 5-6 mls per day. 7am I have my path consult with the BS.....praying for no node involvement!!

Cdelv66, Shingles typically will be on one side of the body. Yes they itch but there is also a burning type pain associated with it. Shingles follow a derma tone also (the nerve fibers). Are you taking chemo? Is your immune system is compromised it is possible you have contracted shingles. Praying for you, you have enough to deal with, without dealing with shingles too. You might want to see your family physician for a diagnosis. There are some good antivirals you can take to minimize it. 

The Ps appt went well except that the drains have to stay in a bit longer, I'm still above or close to100ccs per day. . But she is thrilled by my incision site and skin condition, I have to put bacitracin on my nipples since they are slightly scabbing, but otherwise all is well. No fills for a while since I had so much to begin with and that's fine with me, she's ok with me staying on Valium and Percoset for a while tho thought I could alternate the Percoset with Aleve and see if that helped equally.  If not back to Percoset.  Which still makes my poops challenging.  And I'm back on another course of  antibiotics.  I see both her and my breast surgeon on Thursday and we will know more then including reviewing the path report which he said was ok.  That's all for now.  Mostly encouraging and positive.  Hope everyone else is doing well.

N

I will be thinking of you this morning.  Deep breaths.  

cdelv - sorry bout the shingles:-(. I had a horrific case all on the left side of my face a few years ago - never good when your doctor says it is the worst case of herpes zoster she has ever seen!  Felt like I was getting them again last fall, but I hightailed it into the doctor right away and got on famcyclovir right away so didn't get the lesions.  Talked to my MO about shingles when we were going over my health history and he prescribed Famcyclovir as chemo can be stressful.  

Hope you get yours under control! They are bad enough without everything else!

Hi, Folks--Hope all that are on the other side are healing well and receive good path results...

For those of you that had a double w/ TE, how long did you all need someone home with you? Do you need someone 24hrs per day? I'm up next week and getting my ducks in a row....

Thanks!

Wishing you the best tomorrow,Divecat---keep us posted!!!

Zeeba, I am having surgery, same procedures as you next week too. I have lots of help coming my way. I don't know that I need it all, but my family wants to "help." So, I am allowing them to do for me because it is good therapy for them. They want to fix this and there is no fix, just gotta do what I have to do. My parents, husband and kids just want to be there for me. I am so very fortunate!!

Cdelv66, so sorry to hear about the shingles. Praying for quick recovery and that you new scripts work miracles. 

DiveCat, Thinking of you this morning and wishing you the best on the start of your surgery/reconstruction journey.

cdelv66, So sorry to hear about your shingles outbreak.  I hope meds are helping with any discomfort.

My PS removed both drains at my appointment on Tuesday.  I did not feel a thing as they were being removed.  I immediately felt a little better.

I am very fortunate to have received a positive pathology report yesterday.  Although I had a large amount of DCIS in my right breast (6.2+ cm removed during lumpectomy and an additional 4.5 cm removed during mastectomy), the DCIS was noninvasive.  I have been told that I will not need any additional treatment.  I was surprised to learn that even though my cancer was estrogen/progesterone positive, I will not need to take any medication.  My BS said that because I had pure, noninvasive DCIS and because I had a BMX, the medical community feels that in my case the benefits of not taking medication outweigh the possible side effects.

I was feeling a lot of discomfort over the past two days because of the long trips to see my PS and BS.  I am still experiencing a feeling of tightness in my chest but it is tolerable.  I am continuing to control my discomfort with Extra Strength Tylenol and Hydrocodone as needed.  I will be showering for the first time this morning.  Yea!

DiveCat,

Wishing you luck with your surgery and sending you thoughts of a peaceful, relaxing dive in warm, clear, turquoise tropical waters.

• April 24 - DiveCat, NSPBMX direct to implant, one step with Alloderm:  Wishing you all the best.  Good luck, today!

@Zeeba- I had a double with TE's 8 days ago.  The first couple days I really appreciated the hubby home, but the last few days I could have gone solo without incident- assuming you have items you will need throughut the day in an area you can reach.  

Had my surgery today number 3,  this time I am having a lot of pain, hence the lack of sleep.  Anyway I luv my new ps he was so imformative...said the lump seemed to be from a bunching of mesh, said that he never seen mesh like this before and redid both pockets with alloderm...also he sent me home in compression bra advised no lifting no raising arms take it easy and gave muscle relaxer, instructions to sleep upright and said I could shower way different than other surgeon.