April 2014 Surgery Sisters

DiveCat, so sorry to hear about your mom.

Zeeba and Geosomin, best of luck on your surgeries.

After Monday's victory of getting my last drain out and a few stitches removed, yesterday I was hit with a full blown stomach bug.  I spent all morning with my head over the toilet bowl and couldn't decide which was worse, the throwing up or the pain it caused.  At around noon I had my husband take me to the immediate care clinic associated with the hospital I had my surgery at, but because I have an arrhythmia and they're not set up with heart monitors, they couldn't give me the Zofran IV, normally used for nausea and vomiting.  So after spending an hour there, I ended up just coming home, throwing up some more, and then sleeping for 12 hours.  I get an occasional stomach bug, but this one really hit me hard.  I'm feeling better today but I think through all of it I may have pulled open one of the areas on my nipple where some stitches had been removed.  Somehow in my 12 hour sleep, I managed to get off my back and on to my side. I'm hoping the area will be ok until my Monday PS appointment. 

Hi! Gotta tell ya, I've had a very hard time w the post op pain--fingers are crossed that this is the end of it. But all in all I'm doing well and hope to head home tomorrow. Thanks for the good wishes!!!

Drains are out, out, OUT! What a relief. Nurse said things look good, even my scabby nipple. Hopefully she is right. I have an appointment with PS next Friday.

It sure is easier to get dressed now, and well, do most things. I have to therefore be extra cautious as I might feel alright to do something I should not. 

I still have swelling, plus some implant, riding up into my armpit area which feels awkward. 

Yoga gal,

My PS removed my drains at 16 days even though I was still at @ 40-50 /day.  She thought one of my insertion sites was starting to get red and irritated and thought it was better to remove. Once she did, there was no additional fluid nor buildup so my body naturally absorbed.   

In other news, I just got my stiches snipped the other day and an ok to stop bacitracin on my nipples ( I had NSBMX).  She gave me a 100% on healing! though weaning off the Percoset and Valium has been hard.  Today was my first day fully without Percoset.  But she did fill my TEs with 400ccs at the surgery so that's probably why it's been a bit painful.  I still take my full daily dose of Valium but it doesn't make me feel as loopy as Percoset.  I see started Aleve instead which seems to be ok, not perfect but ok.   So far so good.  I start the fills next week so we'll see then.

Best, Nina

Having the drains out is awesome isn't it?!?

Has anyone experienced a swollen area around the incision? It feels quite firm. I have been taking my temperature every night and it's normal. The incision is clean too. I saw the PS to discuss my option she had a look at it as well and she said it's normal. I was worried that it would be accumulated liquid but she said no. 

My muscles are zapping and they feel tense. It feels like I have a huge bump in my chest and armpit. Any suggestion with anything I can do to reduce the swelling. I am supposed to start chemo in 2-3 weeks. 

Happy Saturday.

Lola

@Yogagal- I still have my left drain in, and I am coming up to the three week mark.  My drain is still kicking out over 30 ml per day, so I do not think I will get it out next Wednesday (appointment day).  I hope I am wrong.  My doc wants 3 consecutive days under 30 ml, and right now I have only 1 day that occurred last week.  I am averaging 50-60 ml daily, and if I go for a walk it goes up to 70.  I am starting to freak out a little, as my medical leave is supposed to be over on May 14th, but I can't go back if I can't get rid of this damn drain.  Hopefully one day I will wake up and the drain output will just magically be much less.  

Does anyone know of any strategies to help reduce the output?  I also have an issue where the fluid builds up and I have to manually smoosh it over toward the tubing to get the fluid out.  (Directed to do this by my doc.) 

@Divecat- I am so sorry about your mom  

Hi---I'm on day 4 and I'm feeling pretty good--had a shower each day---getting some crazy zinger pains in my shoulders and back and some spots feel almost sunburned--all the pain is in these random weird places so I figure it muscles and nerves---rolled over in my side in my sleep last night and thought I got stabbed...but the pain is really nothing like I feared--very manageable after the first day.  Had about a mile walk each day and a huge nap afterwards. 2 of the 4 drains have quite a bit of output and 2 are quite light. Still taking dilaudid (1/2 amount) alternated w Advil and Valium.  Have most range of motion in my arms ---so alll in all, not too bad. Hope everyone is healing well and having a great Sunday!!

Today is one month since my BMX with TEs.  Other than the constant discomfort/pain/tightness in my chest, I am feeling good.  I have found it necessary to take small amounts of pain medication and Advil throughout the day to keep my sanity and be able to function.  I am scheduled for my first fill with the plastic surgeon tomorrow.  I was filled to 350 cc/300 cc at surgery, and I am hoping that the discomfort does not get much worse with the fill.

teachermom4, so happy to hear your Oncotype score.  I'm crossing my fingers and thinking positive thoughts for a score of 5.  My diagnosis is similar to yours, except it was grade 2 and I SO don't want to have to go through chemo.

They're supposed to be back by my appointment with the oncologist on the 13th.  I'll probably call next Monday to make sure the have them before going to that appointment.  I'll take all the crossed fingers and toes I can get!

Thanks Coolhart.  I think they said it was going somewhere in Chicago, so I'll have to find out if they can give me info on the lab.

@asb- the tightness in the chest does get steadily better.  It used to feel like a belt was way to tight, whereas now I feel it but it no longer feels snug.  I was able to drop the pain meds entirely 2 days ago, and for a while before that only take a dose prior to bed.  I am struggling with sleeping though, averaging only 3-4 hours due to not being able to fall asleep.  Weird- normally I sleep beautifully, but I cannot seem to get comfortable at all.  Left the hubby and went to the recliner last night because my incessant tossing and turning was disrupting him and he is just flat out tired at this point.  

Still didn't get my last drain out- so now it will be at least 4 weeks with it in.  Ugh.  Had to extend my medical leave at work because of it, so a little bummed.  

Hi ladies! this is for those that still have drains in and are wondering if they will ever come out. My PS had also asked me to call once the daily amount went to 30ishcc daily. I had my BMX on 4/18.  Had 4 drains in, 2 on each side. A week later the PS took one drain out from each side. He said that the access fluid would probably drain into the remaining tube. 

My remaining left drain's fluid really decreased after about 4 or 5 days. The color of the fluid went to a very light iced tea kinda color. The right side on the other hand remained very dark red and continued to drain 45ccs or so. When I went in to see the PS, he spent at least 20 minutes pushing the dark red blood  to come out. He explained it was probably old blood from the surgery. Yes it was uncomfortable but I was fine with it since I was not looking forward to the pulling out of the tubes (the first time was horrendous).  After the right tube came out (it didn't hurt at all this time!), he continued to get more blood out.  The left tube came out without a problem. The swelling has gone down and I haven't had any problems. Looking forward to my first shower tomorrow! Wanted to give it an extra day to heal. 

Is anyone having horrible skin sensitivity on the chest and breast? I put some Aquaphor on. Seemed to help a little. 

Also, does anyone have an opinion/quess on what my treatment will be? I had DCIS and the pathology after the BMX showed 2 small areas of invasive cells (IDC?) near the skin ( I guess the area between the breast tissue and outer skin). I tested ER+ and PR+. My left breast did not have cancer but I had a mastectomy at the same time. I'm 51, no other history of BC. 

Thanks in advance.  Best of luck to those with drains.  Hang in there, they will be out before you know it! Hugs to all!!!

No Nips (thought it was a good name since I have no intention of going through nipple reconstruction)

First fill tomorrow.. From a starting point of 400 ccs.. Can't be worse, right?