June 2014 Surgery Sisters

Hi sjbaker - Welcome! I am having my lumpectomy tomorrow. I've been having good and bad days as well, but I am actually really looking forward to getting this lump outta me. I've had a 3 other surgeries (mostly elective) over the past 2 years, so I know what to expect and am not really nervous about the procedure luckily. My emotions are crazy though. So many people have been so kind and supportive to me that I keep breaking into tears. I can't figure out if I'm surprised that people are actually so caring, or suprised that so many people actually care about ME. Good luck next week!

Hugs,

Kelly

Hi!  I hope  those ladies who have had surgery are all doing well.  Please post when you gals are up to it! Good luck to the gal who is having a lumpectomy tomorrow.  I hope the procedure goes well and the pathology is clean.  Prayers are coming your way!

I have a question for the ladies who have had the mastectomy.  After you have had(1st night after the actual surgery), is it difficult to move your arms?  Is it very difficult to get out of bed and goto the bathroom?  What about drinking, is it difficult to reach for things?  Are you constantly buzzing the nurses for help to do simple tasks?

Gotta keep that Pink Bus rolling!  Best wishes to kpmacmill - we pray that all goes well with your surgery tomorrow.   

I've had bubble guts, loosey goosey bowels all day today and couldn't stay out of the bathroom.  There's no such thing as TMI on the discussion boards, right? Lol!!!  Gotta laugh during this ordeal, don't we?  I think it's my nerves that are in knots.  So can I expect to go from loose bowels to "pain medicine induced" constipation?  Talk about from one extreme to the other!  What a journey this is....but we gotta keep on keeping on, y'all...

One love,

tp4ever

Hello all, 

I have been looking online for the little heart shaped pillows to buy. I've heard a few of the sisters have found them very useful after surgery. I have not been able to find them  Does anyone have a link they can share? 

Thanks,

Ojoyjoy

Please add me to the surgery list: lynnie-p -  June 16 double mastectomy TEs  no chemo or rads hopefuly, stage O

ojoyjoy, I saw some online by putting "mastectomy pillow" in google.  Here is a link to one on amazon.  It seems pricey for a little heart shaped pillow.  I'd mail you mine but I think I'll need them for my upcoming exchange surgery.   I was given the pillows from a friend of my mom's that makes them for Kaiser patients in San Diego.  Maybe you have a similar organization near you?

http://www.amazon.com/BFFL-Co-Axillapilla®/dp/B008R0OEHK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401852821&sr=8-1&keywords=mastectomy+pillow

Worryocd...

Yes, it will be difficult to move your arms. I notice you are having TEs, so your PS will be cutting and lifting your chest muscles...your pectorals help your arm movements like lifting and rotation. So you will be weakened. Also, it is important for the first while to let your body heal, internally as well as externally. Sudden or certain movements can strain internal stitches, etc. Your PS should let you know of any restrictions or limitations, like pushing or pulling heavy doors, etc.

At the same time, you do not want to get frozen shoulder. You should discuss with your PS when you can start some arm and shoulder mobility exercises (basically various stretches).

In my experience, I was not constantly buzzing the nurses. I slept a lot for the first few hours. I needed a bit of help out of bed the first couple times as the side gate was left up, I needed my leg compression sleeves hooked, and I needed my IV cart unplugged and oxygen removed. But, I was shuffling down the hallway to use bathroom on my own a couple hours out of recovery. I never had a catheter and did not want to use a bedpan. That night I was making patrols down the hallways in my ward and getting up to pee a lot from all the IV fluids, all on my own (by this time leg sleeves were off and so was oxygen)

In the hospital I just made sure I had a lidded cup with a straw on the rolling table right next to my bed. With slow and deliberate movements I could reach it and other things on my table (lozenges, Chapstick, etc).

I was in hospital for about 24 hours and then it was a 2.5 hour drive home. My husband had to help me do up my seatbelt, open heavy doors for me at rest stops on way etc. I am sure I looked quite the sight shuffling into Tim Hortons with PJ pants and my drain belt adding some bulk under my shirt! We had to stop a lot, again from all the fluids!

I had help at home, but things you need should be in reach. You should not be reaching over your head or out to side, or lifting more than 5 lbs, for a bit. I found using small or paper plates a good idea, as well as plastic spill proof tumblers with straws for liquids as they were lighter than glasses and easy to drink from.  I needed help washing my hair until my drains were out (at one week). If your microwave is high, move it down to counter height before surgery. I also had to shove mine to back of counter so there was a counter force when I pressed on the button to open it. Set up a box or supplies by your bed or recliner, like medications, snacks, Chapstick, charger, phone/tablet, books. Get button up shirts, or stretch scoop or v neck shirts that you can step into and pull up. 

It was only temporary and things got better each day. I was back to all routine movements, many of my activities, walking, cardio, in first 2-3 weeks and now am even some weight training (I still need to limit how much I lift though for another few days, but I am allowed to lift up to 10 lbs now). I no longer look at a door and think "ugh, why did they have to install such a heavy door!". And another pro...it forced me to clean put my purse and commit to carrying a lot less stuff. I used to pack around enough to survive in the woods for at least a long weekend!

bethq

Be aware you will pee st. patricks day green after the injections!

sandra4611...jumping in on lumpectomy question...I had mine jan. 3 2014...axilla node dissection...no drains...did well...I guess my ignorance helped me as I was out and about the next day using my arm,  tending my fire pit with my niece and sisters yelling at me to sit down! Lol...I was never told to do any exercises, and was never told about the chording or " web" that you get...I think moving around helped me with range of motion?  My friends also showed me some exercises...only now, am I going to go for PT since I asked my RO about it...my general surgeon never mentioned pt.after my surgery....just when I asked about the "web"...she said if it bothers you we can set it up...so I asked for pt the other day...I don't have much webbing but sometimes when it comes, I get real numb under arm, and back of arm and it travels down...normally, now the back of my arm remains numb, down to my elbow...not sure if it goes away...I will learn more when I go to pt...Rosie 

thinkpink4ever, bethq, slappy-squirrel - good luck tomorrow, best wishes!!!! I'm right behind you on Friday.

Oh Bethq, that's a horrible sounding experience.  I'm glad you posted that because tonight I was going to salon and was going to ask to have that done too.  I think I will stick with a fresh shave on Tuesday night.  

Best wishes to speedy recovery for KPmacmill. 

Good luck tomorrow all June 5th ladies. 

Days are flying by now.  We will be all on the other side before we know it.

Another Monday surgery patient checking in!

I was home Tuesday afternoon, about 24 hours after surgery (bilateral mastectomy), all bandaged up with two drains and a post-surgery camisole.  My dear sweet husband's contribution to drain maintenance is keeping the log.  Who knew a tough-as-nails retired Marine (Purple Heart combat vet to boot) would be so squeamish about his wife's bloody discharge?  I'm really hoping I'll be getting these out on Monday when I see my surgeon's nurse.  He'll feel so much better then.

Sleeping propped up in bed is a bit challenging in satin pajamas.  Despite what I thought was clever positioning of pillows, I kept slipping down and by morning wasn't as vertical as I'd hoped.  I may go back to wearing my old cotton PJs.  As my daughter would tease, "First World problems, eh?"

Dear Linda

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, as the days goes by I have made piece with it all. I have HER2 +++ BC stage IIIB and yes he said I would need Herceptin for 1 year, we are going to start Herceptin together with the radiation around 4 weeks after the surgery. I need 30 radiation sessions after surgery. Still a LONG way to go, but I am super positive that all will be good!

I will remember the T-Rex arms! My husband said he is going to get a strap and strap my arms to my body so I can not use them, I am a super busy body and always talking with my arms ( sometimes I look like a windmill......) so I need some restriction as I really don´t want any complications! Already got the recliner, pillows, pj´s, just need to buy the surgical bra´s and think I will be good, I do suffer from Neuropathy in my forearms and hands after the chemo (can´t even hold a mug or glass), so maybe I should just play incompetent like a baby and let everybody else do everything! Wow sounds like a true vacation!!

Thank you so so much for everybody´s encouragement this blog is a true inspiration from all the ladies and a true blessing to know you are not alone in this! 

Have a superb day!