June 2014 Surgery Sisters

Hi All,

Wish I would have found you ladies sooner!  I had my BMX on June 5th with tissue expanders.  Have 150cc on both sides (60 at time of BMX and 90 at  weeks post-op).  I had DCIS stage 0 on left (prior HX of Hodgkin's Lymphoma and radiation to chest 26 yrs ago so most likely the cause) and was found on yearly mammo.  I chose to remove both and was glad I did.  I had lumpectomy first on left for diagnosis, but after BMX path report also  found another small area on same side/area and also suspicious activity on right.  My newest scare 2.5 weeks after surgery is a small pea sized lump I found on left the other day when I was checking out my expanders. Freaking out!!  Called Dr office but nurse couldn't answer--which I knew before calling anyhow (as I am an RN) plus I have appt tomorrow with PS at 1030am.  Trying to get through today without losing it.  It is nice to meet you all.  

JKB

Back from PS office.  Only took out two of the four drains even tho less than 20 for three days.  argh.  at least they said I could call in on thursday and if numbers lower i can get out rest on Friday.  Pain meds winding down.  Really disappointed but like others have said fluid better out than in.  Otherwise, feeling good and ready for nice afternoon nap. 

Hope all surgery girls this week are staying positive.

Loved the pinwheels.  Can tell I am feeling better since the sight of them did not bring on the waterworks. 

Claire - nice to find another UNI on here, not too many of us.  I have to say, I'm a little worried after reading your post.  After second guessing myself and wishing I had just gone with the BMX at this point in time, they told me the exchange/lift/reduction would be a piece of cake compared to the UMX.  UGH!!   I am not looking forward to another painful surgery.  Heck, Amy Robach was back on air 1 week after her exchange.  They gave me a cocktail to prevent nausea for my surgery, I will definitely have to make sure they do whatever they did before.  I usually always get sick too, but this time nothing,  I woke up hungry.  Oh geez, I guess I gotta keep my eye on the prize.  I can't wait to get this all over!

hello! I had my left complete mastectomy yesterday. I have to say I'm feeling pretty great (bette than I though I would) and pain control has been easy with lortab every 4-6 hours. I was walking around the corridor a few hours after and came home this morning.My husb works from home (that helps!) and my daughter came ino town to stay for a week and cook, shop, etc. Great to have help and not worry about details! my only glitch was needing a catheter overnight cuz my bladder wasn't emptying fully---but that was back to normal this morning when they removed it. So----yae science and yae God! Now, if my DIEP Flap goes as smoothly next week------ 

lissa-  I am at 800cc!!!  TEs are uncomfortable, annoying and keep you from sleeping through the night. The further out you are from your surgery, the fills get easier.  

hi everyone,

I came home today.   My surgeons said that everything went very well.   The first 2 days in ICU were rough due to the surgeon keeping my room at a very warm temp to increase my circulation following.  DIEP.  I am walking around without out too much pain.   My abdominal skin was pulled very tight, but should loosen up in a few more days.

Best wishes to those having surgery this week.   The whole process was not as bad as I was afraid of and so far, I am happy with how I look.   My surgery was 06/20, not 6/23 as appears in my profile. 

Rose

Sandra4611, thanks for asking about my recovery. I am really struggling with discomfort and pain. My PS warned me that this would be very painful. I saw him today and he is very happy with how things look. I think it looks like I have a TE again! The breast is very round and hard (and bruised...). BUT it is looking much better. I am to do nothing all week, wear a really good bra all week and take my pain pills. I spiked a fever of 101.9 tonight, but I have been coughing, deep breathing and trying to get that down. 

A lot of DIEP's here.  I was very interested in this type of surgery too, however there is no one in my city that performs this, so I would have had to travel out of town.  So with aftercare opted for the tissue expanders instead.  I thought, wow I can get a tummy tuck (much needed), but my BS also said that it is a very long surgery too.  Seems to me like the DIEP is becoming more common and those that have chose it are happy with their decision.  It's nice to see progress being made with surgery options.  Now if we can get to the point of NO surgery!

Hello everyone. I got home last night and so happy to be home. Surgery was longer than they told me. It lasted about 7 and a half hours. No complications. Pain is managed with hydrocodone  and Valium. I had a pain pump inserted in the right side in my back so that side is good. They couldn't do the pain pump on the left because they needed access to the back for the lat flap.

I have a couple of question for you ladies. I expect to be uncomfortable but my pain is under my left breast. It feels like something is poking me from the inside and it is very painful to move. Also i have numbness in three of my fingers on the right. Just wondering if this is all normal? 

We'll be thinking of you today, kfinnigan! See you on the other side!

woke up crying today...feeling a little blue. Heading out in a couple of hours to get injected and have my scan. I can't wait till this surgery is over!! I report bight and early on Thursday, 5:15 - surgery at 7:15. I'll wake up to go back to sleep, lol. 

Good luck Kfinnigan! Sending healing thoughts to all.... 

Claire, a friend of mine had a reduction/lift  and she showed me her breasts and the scars around her nipple were barely visible.  Give it time.

ojoyjoy- I would be surprised if your emotions weren't on the surface.  You have been through so much and still have a hurdle in front of you but we will all be thinking of you and sending hugs and prayers your way.  Remember, we are here for you if you need to vent...the Pink Bus will be whisking you off to surgery before you know it and you are going to do great!!

Ally

Hi all -

I just joined and kept myself awake last night reading the discussion boards.  Decided to jump in here as I still have so many questions but the news is that my surgery was 13 days ago.  BC on right side only, 2 benign tumors removed on left side.  I couldn't wait to get surgery done and over!  It was positive except for the first few hours after - I'm new to surgery so I was not only groggy but a bit nauseous due to horrible anesthesia taste in my mouth! That and a sore throat for days due to the breathing tube.  I took pain meds for about 36 hours though I really didn't need them.  Everyone said to stay ahead of the pain so I decided to take them just in case but the next day I was fine.

Can I give one piece of advice to those going in for surgery? Wish I had known this.  I was told to wear a bra if I wanted to after surgery but I thought it would be better not to wear one.  It turns out that I REALLY needed to wear one, and wear it even while sleeping.  In fact, a sports bra was actually better.  I had 7 nodes removed.  A few days after surgery, while wearing a bra, I heard sloshing which I assumed was fluid in the holes where the nodes used to be.  This happened only when walking to the bathroom, or going upstairs, etc (not laying down).  I've now heard those are fluid pockets and you don't want them.  I have since worn a bra, including an itchy sports bra, almost all the time.  The sloshing has stopped.  Now I'm waiting for news about chemo - getting the results from an oncotype test on July 9th.