June 2014 Surgery Sisters

Glad to find this group. I am having BMX on June 23rd with expanders. I will have the nipple sparing surgery on the right (where surgery is prophylactic) and will have additional surgery on the left to make a nipple 3 months after implants.  I am finishing up with chemo on May 29th (8 weeks of DD A/C and 12 weekly Taxol). My body is worn down from all the chemo so I'm worried about how long it will take to recover from surgery.  I pushed for an early surgery date following because I'm so ready to get this all behind me.  I'm totally at peace with my decision on the mastectomy (I have had 2 lumpectomies and did not get clean margins) but still kind of scared nonetheless. I was in great shape before my DX and am now easily fatigued.  I'm hoping it won't be as rough as I'm expecting. 

hi June ladies! welcome and know you are supported here. Read the May, April and other surgery threads for stories of women who are going thru the same thing and their recoveries. The anticipation and worry is worse than the procedures!  For those getting TE- be sure to read the TE for Beginners thread...and try not to read or take with a grain of salt, the TE Troubles thread.  Many many more women do just fine with their TE tho there are some that have more difficulty, and that a supportive thread for them.  I got super scared before my surgery having read that one. Tho was glad I did for just education myself. But sailed thru and know you all will also!

Just received awesome news from my oncologist!  The tumor and lymph nodes have completely resolved and all three doctors agree I don't need to have any lymph nodes removed.  I couldn't be happier.  Celebrating tonight!

Hi everybody,

I'm an April surgery sister stopping in to say hello.  I had a UMX on the right side with a reduction and lift on the left on April 16.  Some things I found helpful that I would like to add to those mentioned by linda505.  

I did get the button front PJ's, but got satin ones.  They made it much easier sliding in and out of bed.  I actually splurged on these and bought them from Victoria's Secret (online) to pamper myself a bit.  If most of your wardrobe is pullover tops, make sure you have some loose, roomy, button or zip front tops as you won't be able to pull shirts over your head for a while.  Also, if you leave the hospital wrapped in an Ace bandage, you'll need something big and loose.  You may want to grab a bed wedge to elevate you're head when you get home.  Bed, Bath, and Beyond has them.  I can't sleep flat on my back without getting a backache, but with the wedge, I had no problem.  You won't be sleeping on your side or stomach for quite a while.  My bed is quite high and I'm short, so I put a little stool by the bed to make it easier to get in.  Yoga pants or loose workout pants are much easier to pull on and off initially than trying to get into tight jeans.  There's a lot of other suggestions on these boards if you do a seach.

Dealing with all this is by no means easy, but you take a step at a time and make sure you're well informed about every step in your care, and that you're happy with "your team" of doctors.  And ask questions here.  These boards are a great resource and the people here understand and care about what you're going through.  You can get through this!! 

Hi Ladies!

Sandra asked some of the March Surgery Sisters to hop on over to this board to see if we can offer any assistance.  I will say I do not envy any of you right now, you actually are in the hardest part of this journey.  The anticipation of what will be is horrific.  If it does make you feel any better, after surgery you will feel like you are climbing a mountain, and then at some point, and you will know when you reach it, you're heading down the other side of the mountain.

Wondering the results of lymph node biopsy right after surgery, then waiting for final path results is tough too, and then there's the oncotype score.  I proceeded with a UMX with TE's and implant with a lift and reduction at the final surgery.  I am in the TE phase right now.  And yes, I still second guess if I should have had a BMX (especially now since I am extremely lopsided), but both my BS, my MO and PS said there was no medical reason to do that, so I listened to their advice and am leaving it in the hands of my PS to make me as symmetrical as humanly possible.

I feel extremely fortunate that it did not spread to my lymph nodes, and my oncotype score was a 7 so no chemo.  I felt like I could breathe again.  Fortunately you start friending people on these boards.  Test results for all come back varied, and unfortunately this can be difficult too because you sincerely feel for these people who have not received good news.

My advice is of course the button down pajamas, button down shirt for Dr. visit, a lot of people wear the tighter fighting camisoles with a hoodie that zips up, the bras from Walmart that hook in the front, I think they are Fruit of the Loom brand are good.  I didn't realize this until almost too late, get a lanyard that wraps around your neck for taking showers.  I was hooking up my drain in the pain pump bag they gave me that had closeable straps to the shower curtain rod.  Made it difficult to move around.  Then I finally figured out the lanyard, just hook the drain to that when showering (or any other time a needed), easy, breezy.  

I don't think anyone is a fan of the drains, mine was in for 3 weeks (1).  Like Sandra said, when you hit the 3 week mark, it gets a little better, and a lot of that does have to do with the drains being removed, and you feel like you can get out, drive and what not.

I know 3 weeks sounds like a long time, but the first few days/week you will be sleeping most of the time and on heavy drugs, so you won't even realize time is passing. And, each week, after week, it keeps getting better.  As far as the surgery, I remember the mask over me, knowing that I was going to go out, then waking me up in the recovery room, then wheeling me into my room, and that is all I remember, and they told me before I went in, "you won't know a thing happening" which was a huge reminder and relief.

Also, if this can make you feel any better, here it is May, and our March board is practically down to nothing.  Many have moved on with their lives and don't really go on it much, and others are now more interested in other topics that pertain to them whether it be implant sizing, or maybe even chemo :-(  but we have dwindled for sure, but all those ladies helped me through one of the roughest times of my life, and for that, I am grateful.

Our March board got a little long, but it might help some of you to read from beginning to end the process, obviously all posts won't pertain to your circumstance, but we didn't get off subject too much, unlike some other boards.  

I'll put this on my favorite topics too like Linda, and check back every once in awhile.  Sandra is an excellent hostess!

Just remember, you will get through this.

This too shall pass.

Hello June sisters.  I'm popping in from the March thread to offer any help or advice you need.  For those of you newly diagnosed, this is one of the hardest times.  I remember walking around thinking, "I have breast cancer."  I could feel the lump, my breast was sore, and my bra was tight on that side.  It was very hard waiting for surgery and not knowing what would happen next.

Everything has gone very smoothly for me.  I was very nervous about the surgery.  I had only one other surgery back in 2009, an excisional biopsy for calcifications and a radial scar.  The BMX was a 6 hour surgery.  I got really nervous 10 minutes before and that's when they gave me the happy juice.  I swear that's all I remember.  It felt like only 5 minutes had passed and they were waking me up.  I felt great, was making jokes, and went home maybe 3 hours later.  Most spend at least one night.  I have Kaiser and they want to get you out fast and away from hospital germs.  A couple more tips about surgery - if you are having something more than a lumpectomy, ask your surgeon if they use Exparel.  This is amazing stuff they inject at the end of surgery that provides 3 days of pain relief.  Also, ask you anesthesiologist to give you anything they can to prevent nausea.  I told mine that I get car sick easily and have vertigo at times.  I had NO nausea after surgery.

Recovery went well and I returned to work 4 weeks later.  Pain was minimal but I don't think I could have gone back at 3 weeks because I would get sleepy and I needed my naps.  I had help the first 2 weeks but after that, I was driving and doing normal things.  The drains were my least favorite part.  I was fortunate that I didn't need chemo or radiation.  Finally, youtube has a lot of videos about all sorts of things such as mastectomy recovery, DIEP, jp drains, tissue expaders, and anything else you can think of.  Watching videos helped me understand everything better.  Things are almost normal now for me and you will get through this, too.  I've noticed that I don't think about breast cancer or reconstruction every 5 minutes like I did in the beginning.  It's so nice!  I went the tissue expander route and will be getting my exchange surgery on August 8th.  I wish you all the best and feel free to PM me if you have any particular questions.

Hello ladies, long time lurker, rare poster here. I got my membership notice on May 15th and have made the decision (I told my doc before my last lumpectomy if I had cancer even if it's DCIS I wanted to go the mastectomy route) to have a bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders and sentinel node testing. I am scheduled tentatively for June 6th. Although a lot of the information isn't new to me due to long time lurking and research I feel like I'm walking in a haze right now. I'm struggling with even the thought of telling my family let alone my close friends. I'm sure people will soon notice that my breast will look "odd" with the expanders, but since I don't even know the stage I have I don't want to field the barrage of questions that I'm sure people will ask. (FYI, the 4cm lumpectomy was filled with DCIS and also contained IDC)Yet at the same time I want to talk/tell someone, my hubby can only sympathise so much and I know he wants to talk about it as little as possible. He wants to stay positive and strong for me. So as much as this is a bit out of my comfort zone(hate talking about myself) I'm coming to you ladies, if that's ok. Thanks.

Adding my name to the list.  I just finished four rounds of a/c followed by four rounds of THP on May 15 and am scheduled for surgery on June 18.  I meet with my PS of June 10.  What I believe so far is that I am having a lumpectomy with or without lymph node removal, depending on whether the chemo resolved the positive nodes.  Still in the throws of my chemo so no energy this week.  Starting to get my house ready for my mom to come down and help out at the time of surgery.  I will be soooooo glad when this part is done!

Hi Everyone,

Please add me to the June surgery list - June 4th!
I am very lucky to only need a lumpectomy (and SNB), which I was really
hoping for. I'm really not afraid of the surgery as I have had a few
elective surgeries in the past, just the results of the tests afterward.
From the original biopsy, I am grade 2 &3, so Onc says I should
just get chemo, BS says wait until all the results come back (though she
thinks oncotype will likely be high). I can't stop crying about the
thought of chemo. I know so many here have made it through with flying
colors, but I'm so scared and sad. Good luck to everyone scheduled for
June as well!

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this group. I am scheduled for UMX with immediate DIEP on June 6. I completed AC and 12 weekly Taxol on May 2. YAY!!! Rads will follow surgery and I have not read many posts with the same treatment plan. Any info about rads following DIEP would be great. 

I couldn't even think about surgery while I tried to find my "normal" during chemo. 20 weeks of chemo seemed like a lifetime back then. It's hard to believe it's over and that surgery is less than 3 weeks away.

TIPS FOR GETTING READY FOR SURGERY:

Remember, your drains and surgical incisions are open ports to your body and quite susceptible to infection. It’s very important to be extra vigilant your first post-op days.

Getting ready for surgery:

If you have drains, buy a newlanyard to wear around your neck to hold them while you shower.

I bought front closure sports bras from Walmart instead of the heavy surgical-quality bras they gave me in the OR.I attached the drains with large safetypins.

Be sure you have some oversized, button or zip up tops to wear.You will not be able to raise your arms for a week or so, so it’s easier to slide into these tops.(yes, get dressed!, you will feel better)

Wash your chest and upper bodywith Hibaclense or a surgical soap for 3 days before surgery.

Install a new shower head (megabacteria living in your current one), replace the shower curtain liner andbleach the crap out of the shower before your first shower.

When your home:

If possible, consider that bathroom "yours" and an off- limit area for others.  If's that’snot possible, keep some Clorox wipes in the bathroom and wipe down EVERYTHINGafter anyone uses the bathroom. Keep this as your little clinic fordressing changes and emptying your drains.

It is IMPERATIVE that whoever empties,milks and changes the dressings on your drains and chest wash their hands thoroughlybefore and after.

Use clean scissors to cut a slit in the 2x2 gauze pads that will go around the drains.It will create a neat little ‘V” to wrap around the drain.

Showering: Use a liquidantibacterial soap (like Dial) to wash your chest area.Wash this area first.Wash cloths are not recommended, but if youmust, used one wash cloth on each breast and each drain.The idea is not to carry or transfer anybacteria from one area of your body to the wounds or drains.

When you get out of the shower,pat your chest and incision area dry with a clean towel FIRST, before you touchthe rest of your body. Do not touch that area after.   Use aclean towel every day.

Wear a clean bra and pajamas every day, change any linens daily.  My BS had me sleep in a recliner fora few weeks and it was really helpful. 

Do your deep breathing and coughing exercises.

I promise you, 3 difficult daysand then it gets better!

Gila the book I'm reading is Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster.  It also has some meditation cd's that go along with it. 

I had someone ask the other day if I'm getting nervous.  I am honestly so excited to get this all over with.  Here's to hoping that those lymph nodes are clear cause that will be a game changer.  I don't want radiation I want to be done.

I actually just bought drain pockets that stick to the inside of your clothing.  http://www.pink-pockets.com/  I have major neuropathy  and can't imagine handling safety pins. I have butter fingers right now. 

Hibiclense is a product I sell to hospitals.  It is a miracle product and will help with surgical site infections.  You can buy it at the drug store in a tiffany blue bottle.  I have been washing with it in the shower every day.  It kills all kinds of stuff including cold and flu bugs.  Wash with it whole body 1 week before surgery avoiding the head and the private area.  You also have to be careful with lotions.  Some lotions deactivate the Hibi  A couple of easy ones to find in the local market that are compatible: Aveeno, Cetaphil Lubriderm and Eucerin.  Use Hibi to wash your hands before dressing changes and drain changes.

Hope this helps.  All good advice from jbokland