April 2014 Surgery Sisters

Had a follow up last week with my BS and my cancer had been changed from Stage 1 to Stage 2A because the tumor size was actually 2.7 cm.  Only one node was taken and it was clear.  No cancer found in the left breast tissue that was taken for the reduction, but I believe calcifications we're found.  Because of the change in stage, it will be the results of the Oncotype test that will be the guide on wether or not there will be a benefit from chemo.  I have to say I'm pretty bummed out about that.  They can't send the Oncotype out until 14 days after surgery or insurance won't pay and then it will take 10 days for results.  

Saw my PS yesterday.  Two drains out, one to go that may come out Monday.  Lifted/reduced breast is not looking bad and mastectomy side looks like it should at this stage.  Didn't even think to ask about when the stitches come out, so that's on the question list.  Can't imagine the come out too quickly when they're doing fills so I'd be interested in hearing when others had theirs removed.

I am doing really well. Strange thing---I have no idea how this happened--- my right drain fell out.  So today and this past Tuesday I had to have about 160ml aspirated from my chest.  Sounds wayyyyy more awful than it was.  Healing well.  Zonked out on meds but still feel I need them for pain though pain is far from intense.   Pathology clear but my mastectomy was prophylactic--brca1.   

I keep checking this thread to hear how all of you are doing.  I am a really private person and also have so much love and support but this group has offered me something really deep and different.  When I read about any of your complications or additional procedures or path reports that now need a game plan I feel so freakin pissed for you!!!!!  I think of all of you who post all the time.  As my little boys are doing since I am too sore to hug---they hug my ankles and feet.  So---ladies---big ankle and feet hugs to you.  We are getting through this and that is that.  

Awwww.....feet and ankle hugs!  I LOVE that!  so sweet....

I just passed my 3 week post surgery.  I am feeling tender still, but better every day.  My appetite is finally picking up a little.  I am going through serious grandbaby withdrawals.  I haven't seen her since before my surgery, and at that time she was just learning to put her hands up to get me to pick her up.  I know I can't lift her for quite a while, but I would just love to snuggle with her in the recliner.  I don't know how you moms of little ones are doing this. 

I asked my onco about taking Claritin before Faslodex and he said it was fine.  I had my treatment Monday and used the Claritin.  I definitely notice side effects are not as bad this time.  Thank you sisters for any and all suggestions you have for making life easier :-)

Hi all! 

Just got back home. Surgery went well, both surgeons were pleased, anyway. It was an odd feeling to just be laying there talking and being strapped in and then BOOM waking up with no sense of the time gone. I was in surgery for about 4 hours. I ended up with Allergan 435 cc implants. Not sure style at this point. Right now they are sitting high and tight...up near my collarbone and the drain tube runs over top too so it looks a little odd. Lumpy, bumpy, swollen, but my skin and nipples look healthy so far.

This morning was a bit rough as I was feeling very nauseous and headachey from laying in that hospital bed. Was in a private room off of day surgery unit so it was busy in there. Was excited to leave, even if it meant a 2.5 hour drive home. My day nurse did not want to me go home earlier today as she was a bit flinchy and wanted to talk to my PS though he had already left discharge instructions...my night nurse came back this afternoon, was surprised I was still there, and was all like "send this girl home, she is doing great". Drive was not too bad though.  Took a couple Percocet before I left and they gave me some Zofran in my IV, too. Stopped and got a steeped tea from Tim Horton's on way and drank it from my sippy cup....it was like manna from heaven! Also had to stop and pee at every town due to all the IV fluids in me! Felt a little awkward walking in to all these restaurants on way with my PJs and shuffling along

I am however feeling remarkably better tonight even compared to this morning. 

Now in bed with a snoogle and five huge pillows my husband went and bought me, checking in here and next am going to watch some movies on my iPad, pet my very happy to see me kitty, and try not to let my mother's fussing drive me too crazy. It already is! My husband will run some interference for me

Saved by God, I wondered if muscle relaxers would help after having TE's. I keep seeing people posting about feeling tightness. Do most people get muscle releasers or is this something only occasionally is done? Starting to get a little nervous about tuesday and what lies ahead. 

pain is totally manageable.  They gave me diuladad as pain killer and Valium for muscle relaxers for tissue expanders 

Random update points:

First night at home was not too bad! Slept better and longer than I normally do, actually as usually I only get 4-5 hours sleep and am up early at 4:00 am to work out. I went to sleep at about 9, got up a couple times due to cat and to take meds and empty drains, but slept pretty well until about 8. Only some discomfort. It was nice sleeping in bed with my husband, too, though when he goes back to work next week I won't be offended if he wants to sleep in spare room to not be woken up too much! I have a recliner, but was okay in bed with lots of pillows, and a bit more privacy while my parents are here. I am usually a stomach sleeper but am used to falling asleep in recliner too so that prepared me!

Feeling good today, would of liked to shuffle down block for some fresh air but it is snowing here so probably not best idea with cold and slippery sidewalks. I guess I will stick to walking around the house today and get some more rest. 

My cat is super snuggly, she must realize I am going through what she went through a few months ago getting spayed!  She is not usually allowed in our bedroom as we like to keep it cat hair free, but she is allowed in while I am healing and taking full advantage of it!

My husband is going to help me wash my hair this morning and have a sponge bath so I am very excited for that! I think that will feel great to have clean hair. 

Things still look good. Drains are really easy to care for, and I strip them often even between emptying. One is still draining higher and more red, the one with more tissue removed, but the other one is starting to turn more pinkish clear now already. No seepage in dressings and they will stay on. Nipples a bit bruised but do not look too bad at this point.  Still have boobs up at my collarbone though! Very weird! They are smaller than I had before at this point, even highness aside, and I hope they stay fairly "small" as they settle in. They already are settling a little more from even yesterday. Hoping they turn out well in the end, I did have some aysmmetry before so we will see!

I take my temperature a few times a day, so far so good.

My appetite is low, so I do find it hard to muster to eat, and even when I am well I tend to be a light and picky eater, but I am making myself. I need the protein for healing. Keeping it simple with soup, fruit, cheese, eggs, toast, at this point as the idea of most foods make me feel a bit nauseous. My husband did buy me some Ensure, Boost, etc as well.

Re: muscle relaxants....I am still taking Percocet, but weaning down a bit so I can switch to over the counters like Motrin or Tylenol. I did pick up some Robaxecet with ibuprofen and my PS said that would be fine to to take. I was direct to implant to my pecs are pretty stretched out right now and much of the pain and discomfort seems to be from that strain. I might try and see if the Robaxecet helps with that.

Sodie107...

Welcome! 

I actually had bad nausea with my Percocet the first day, they had to give me anti-nausea meds in my IV after each dose, but have not had such an issue with it the last 24 hours or so. So the reverse of you, perhaps? 

I am eating pretty light still, mostly as my appetite is just not there and most foods seem to turn me off. I am going with my gut, even if others are trying to force more foods down my throat!

Still too early for me to say how I will sleep as days go on, but the feelings you are getting may be the result of your pectoral muscles tightening and loosening as you sleep?

Renee51..

I think that is a personal decision. I do not regret going with implants at this point. The pain and discomfort is quite manageable for me so far. How I will feel later is not known, but even when I was in lots of pain after surgery I felt comfortable with my choice.

It was important for me to TRY recon, and tissue flaps were out...body type and personal preference.

Hi Ladies,

Saw this thread just now.

I had left mastectomy with ALND on April 22. I have multifocal DCIS and IDC and the area was over 5cm big, so lumptectomy was not an option for me and I wasn't even considering it as my breasts are dense. 

My pain was very minimal with the exception of the triceps zapping lately that made scream like a girl lol. The incision is clean but tender to touch. I have these crawly feelings along it which make me think that it is healing okay. 

I have two drains, which I am hoping to take out today. 

I will start chemo in about 3-4 weeks. Seeing the surgeon for the follow in a week and will find out more about the cancer. I am going through fertility preservation as I am only 33 and would like to have a kid after this thing has been defeated. 

Given my age and the suspicion that cancer might be aggressive, I will have to go through chemo and radiation (don't want to do radiation but DH will kick my a** if I don't lol). 

Reconstruction will start after all these treatments are completed. I see the PS this coming friday to discuss options. Having only one boob doesn't feel that bad. I thought I would be crushed as have always loved my boobs but I am not. Perhaps because I know that the cancer is out of my body or at least the larger part is.

Good luck to everyone else that still has to go through surgery!! It is not as bad as we anticipate it to be!!! We are strong and can do anything!!!

Hugs!

I had my bmx in March and 2nd surgery due to staph. I don't get any pain meds stronger than Motrin. The muscle relaxers, Valium, are how I got through. My discomfort was not incision, but muscle aches and definitely tightness.  My incision area is numb for the most part.  After initial surgery, I was having muscle spasms in my pecs, not quite as bad as Braxton hicks, but now that you say that, close.

I would ask your PS about them, that helped more than anything. 

So far today I have only taken a couple Tylenol. May take Motrin later.  Overall I am feeling pretty good though. Just tightness and pressure. I also hope that going off the Percocet will get the Senokot S doing its job! I don't feel too bad yet but I am sure I will in not too much longer if things don't get moving.

Drain output is already fairly low...had 20 ML on one left, and 25 ML on right yesterday. Emptied about 10 ML from each side when I I woke up this morning. Left side drain fluid is already clearing up to an pale clearish-orange though right side is still fairly red/bloody. I hope it keeps up and drains can be out by end of week. That would be fantastic. They aren't that bad, really, and my comfortable drain belt helps a lot, but they are a bit inconvenient and they do feel a bit odd under my skin. The occasional pinching pain where they come out of my sides is the worst part.

Yesterday I was awake most of the day. Went to bed at about 11 and was in bed, sleeping on and off but feel well rested, until almost 10!

Went for a 3.5 mile walk with my husband this morning. I woke up and was just raring to get outside and get moving! It was chilly and very windy, but the sun and fresh air did me a world of good! May go out again later for another short walk if I am up for it. 

drain belt is very helpful. I also safety pinned around the tube near the body exit, to my shirt, so it was held in place well there, and further avoid a tug.

I am recovering fairly well from my 4/15 BMX with TE. Still have drains in place until this afternoon or tomorrow at the latest. Are any of you wearing non-button down shirts yet? I am hopeful that once these blasted drains are out I will be able to put on a roomy pull-over top.

Those with TE, how does the filling process feel? I had a nasty blister on my left incision that hasn't fully healed. PS mentioned not filling that side if the area wasn't healed by this week, and I am a bit worried about being lopsidded!

Tomorrow is 3 weeks post BMX for me. I had my drains out one week after and have been drain-free for two weeks. After getting the drains out, I was ready to go. I walked every day and took everyone and anyone up on the chance to get out for a little while. I haven't been taking regular pain medication for over a week. If I know I'm going out and will be moving around a bit, I'll take a diazepam to keep my chest from tightening up.

The problem is, I'm starting to have skin issues. Any area that was purple and bruised looking when I got home from the hospital is slowly turning greenish/yellow and sloughing off with the help of silvadine as prescribed to me over the phone by my doc. I have to clean and re-dress the wounds 2 times each day. To make matters worse, I'm starting to get a little feeling back (or is it phantom pains) so it's getting very irritating. I actually called and left a message with a therapist for the first time in my life this morning. I had a much more positive outlook even a week ago... I think it's catching up with me.

I go for my first Post-op visits with both my breast surgeon and plastic surgeon tomorrow. I know chemo will need to be postponed due to the skin issues. I have no idea how the skin issues will effect filling TEs. Overall, I'm just feeling a little down and wondering if I'm the only one that feels like I went from "doing great" to "not so sure."