June 2014 Surgery Sisters

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  • Marren
    Marren Member Posts: 59
    edited June 2014

    hello everyone,

    Good luck to those having surgery today and tomorrow. My 8 year old daughter is literally over my shoulder waiting so I'll have to tell my story later. 

    But I was wondering to those who have had surgery- do you think a recliner is tremendously helpful? If so I found a cheap one I was going to order it.

    Thanks! 

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  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited June 2014

    I have spent most of days in my recliner.  Used it for all 3 surgeries.  

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  • jetgal23
    jetgal23 Member Posts: 44
    edited June 2014

    It was recommended to me to use a recliner.  When I got home after surgery I barely left it, but I wanted to sleep in bed that night.  I'm sure everyone's different - I thought I'd have to stay in the recliner too because I'm a restless sleeper and I toss and turn a lot in bed.  But I really wanted to sleep in bed so I managed, and have not slept in the recliner but it was very comfortable for recovery during the day.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2014

    As you can see, I have had a lot of surgery, have never used a recliner. I have an abundance of pillows that go behind and alongside to make a semi-upright chair situation on the bed. No problems, but I know some swear by their recliners. You can also rent one short term from a medical supply company.

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  • aff
    aff Member Posts: 279
    edited June 2014

    I have been home for 2 weeks and have not needed a recliner. I did purchase a 12 inch wedge pillow for my bed and it has worked out great. 

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  • thinkpink4ever
    thinkpink4ever Member Posts: 205
    edited June 2014

    I lived in a recliner once I got home from the hospital, day in and day out, plus sleeping every night for the first 10 nights.  So yes, it's helpful.  Then I moved to the bed at night, surrounded by pillows - a backrest and two pillows for my head, a pillow under my knees, and a pillow by my side under each arm.  Works good for sleeping and prevents me from rolling on my side, even though I'm not sure it would even be comfortable at this point.  Now I just spend my days in the recliner.

    One love,

    tp4ever

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  • SouthernBling
    SouthernBling Member Posts: 63
    edited June 2014

    Just giving my input on the recliner question. I tried the recliner one night and Googled a new solution the next morning. Hubby ordered a Backmax Full Body Wedge Cushion Set Deluxe from Contour Living and just left it on the bed. Hubby didn't have as much room, but he liked it way better than the recliner! Make sure to order the Deluxe instead of the Standard to have enough room. I just put regular pillows beside me to support my arms after my BMX. It comes in a zippered storage bag so I will have it ready for my exchange surgery. If my little guy was still into gaming, I'm sure he would love it for that!

    Hope you wonderful ladies have a wonderful rest of the week!

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  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 2,913
    edited June 2014

    We're all agreed that you need something that will prop you up, be it pillows, a wedge, or a recliner. Sleeping "flat" was just not an option for me for many weeks. I still need my pillows if I sleep on my side. (Three months out from last surgery.) I do not like the way the top implant kind of falls toward the bottom implant when I'm on my side. A pillow against my chest keeps everybody in place.

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  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 2,913
    edited June 2014

    Well, the last two of our June sisters are heading to the hospital in the morning. (We have one more in early July, but that's all the June women.)

    Calling everyone for the Pink Bus. Please send your best wishes to our sisters Worryocd and Ojoyjoy who are both having a BMX with TE's.

    image

    I'm bringing beads for everyone! 

     


     

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  • thinkpink4ever
    thinkpink4ever Member Posts: 205
    edited June 2014

    Worryocd and Ojoyjoy, wishing you both successful surgeries!  Please update us as soon as you can.  The bus might have to blow loudly for me in the morning!  I'm tired...

    One love,

    tp4ever

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  • kcat2013
    kcat2013 Member Posts: 391
    edited June 2014

    Worry and ojoyjoy, thinking of you as you head off tomorrow.

    I'm feeling better each day, and off the pain meds except Tylenol.  I took pain meds around the clock for 4 weeks after bmx, so it's nice to do things differently :)  

    My recliner has been priceless to me and I bought it at the last minute before the first surgery. But I agree with the others that the most important thing is to have a way to comfortably prop yourself, since laying flat can be painful.  So lots of pillows or a wedge.  

    It's hard to believe June is wrapping up, it was hard waiting for it and now it's almost past.  Thanks for keeping this thread so active, I don't post a lot but read it regularly and it's a source of encouragement.

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  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 2,913
    edited June 2014

    I finally got my surgery date - Sept. 19th. Although it was supposed to be in June, my PS had to clear his schedule of patients who could wait in favor of an influx of soldiers with burns. His primary job is reconstruction on burn patients at Brooke Army Medical Center here in San Antonio. Those guys can't wait and if I'd been asked, I would have been the first one to step up and say, "Please take my space."

    But, now I can start thinking ahead to the day when surgery is over, I'm finished with repairs and reconstruction, and can move on. It will have taken 13 months and 5 surgeries, but it will finally be all behind me. This time the PS will address the "skin and bones" on my side near the implant and under my arm where I lost so much soft tissue because of infection. My remaining mudflap is very large on that side (too big for lipo) but the PS is going to use that tissue to fill in and give me some padding. He'll do lipo to harvest fat to graft into the shallow dents (divots) on my chest and supplement on my side. The implant, which has never been "happy" on that side, has migrated up this time and tilts slightly towards the other implant. (It migrated down below the IMF before & that was fixed with more pocket work and another row of sutures in March.) The infection after the first surgery back in August did so much damage to that poor left side. No matter what implant the PS uses or how much adjusting of the pocket he does, that side doesn't fit. The other side has been happy from day one and has never cared what kind of implant is in there. It likes them all. So looks like I'll get 3rd kind of implant - don't know what yet. So much pocket work has been done in the last three surgeries, I don't know what will fit.(sigh) You know, at this point I don't really care. Let's just be done with all this. No nipples. No tattoos. No revisions.  


     

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  • Marren
    Marren Member Posts: 59
    edited June 2014

    Hello, thanks for the responses. I do have a wedge and lots of pillows. But I may get the recliner since it's cheaper than the deluxe wedge, haha Southernbling mentioned.

     I was suppose to have my bmx on June 11th. But due to a cold my BS wanted to postpone. So I'm now scheduled for July 1st. It wasn't easy changing gears and waiting an extra three weeks. But I'm also pretty terrified of having surgery.

    At least now that I'm 6 weeks out of chemo. I'm feeling better each day. 

    The only other hiccup I've had was due to my echocardiogram. I was told to skip my next two herceptin infusions. Then they will repeat the echo, and will hopefully continue with the treatment. An echo right after bmx with TE doesn't sound fun. 

    I was told I was getting an on Q pain pump. Sounds good, did anyone have that?

    Good luck and speedy recovery to all you ladies.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2014

    worryocd and ojoyjoy, sending our best wishes to you both today. Hoping all goes well and you have a speedy recoveries. Thinking of you all!!

    from the Mods

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  • Helenna
    Helenna Member Posts: 86
    edited June 2014

    Marren  you made a good decision rescheduling until you could get over your cold! My medical team said I was healthy enough to go ahead with surgery last week, though I'm glad its over, battling bronchitis has been hard.  Get healthy and your recovery will be less stressful. Thinking of you and sending good vibes! xoxoxo

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  • Helenna
    Helenna Member Posts: 86
    edited June 2014

    worryocd and ojoyjoy  Sending good wishes for your surgeries today and speedy recoveries! 

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited June 2014

    worryocd and ojoyjoy- thinking of you both today!!  I am boarding the Pink Bus with pink party hats and pink daiquiris!!  You both are going to do great!!

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  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited June 2014

    Just jumped on the bus.  Decided to bring fruit and cream, it just sounded right today.  It is hard to believe we are closing out the month of June.

    Of course we will be there for our July 2 sister.  

    Sandra I will keep watching for September to make sure all goes great for you.  Thank you so much for continuing to host this thread even after your surgery was postponed.  I really wanted to help but I guess I am just too tired after this surgery.  I saw the PS yesterday, he said my wound is looking remarkable so we are going to continue wet to dry and not have to put in a wound vac.  He said we have almost "turned the corner". Will follow up next Wednesday.  

    The kids will be back for next week then off to Seattle and LA for 10 days.  Then they will return and spend the rest of their time with us until they leave July 30.  Praying I have most of my strength back by then so we can go a few places.  I am hoping I can go to Austin with them to get the dog and cat registered for the next year in Baku.  They have to get annual paperwork to take their pets overseas with them.  

    Now I need to go design and print out our family reunion invitations for the end of July.  I thought someone might volunteer to take charge this year.  I have been doing this for the past 25 years.  My husband will help me though, it is his direct family.  

    Talk to everyone later and many HUGS to our surgery sisters.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2014

    Sandra - I will be with you in September, and glad you got on the schedule.  My 40th HS reunion is mid-Sept. so I don't want to risk having any surgery prior, since I tend to spawn more surgery.  I really need a trip to California, so don't want to risk anything in August even though my 90 days will be up then, the only downside is I will be wearing a prosthesis all during that trip.  I will have an expander placed and go through the process for the third time, then hopefully exchange before the end of the year.  Like you, my one side has been happy as a clam (the cancer side!) and the other nothing but a problem, but we will forge ahead, right?

    As June comes to a close you ladies should be proud of how well you have done and what you have endured, you are all doing great!

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  • Wizard50
    Wizard50 Member Posts: 113
    edited June 2014

    Hi ladies!  Here's a quick update - surgery was scheduled for 130 but was pushed back to 330.  I had a great deal of nausea post-surgery so I didn't even get to my room until 11 pm.  That was with the nausea patch too. Still had nausea yesterday so they kept here another night. Taking pain meds every 4 hours but every hour that passes I feel a little bit better.  I should be going home today...YAY!!! 

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  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited June 2014

    Hope you get released today Wizard.  Continue healing without complications.  HUGS

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  • kcat2013
    kcat2013 Member Posts: 391
    edited June 2014

    Marren  I had a Q pain pump after my BMX with TEs, and I'm glad I had it.  It lasted about 3 days and then you pull the little wires out of your chest that deliver the pain med.  (Well, my husband pulled mine out because it weirded me out to do it!)  I had an definite increase in pain for a couple days after the Q pump came out, so I think it must have been helping keep the pain down the days it was in.  

    Sorry about your heart function on Herceptin.  I've had a 13% drop in my ejection fraction.  Not quite high enough to hold the Herceptin though (my MO holds at a 15% drop).  Hopefully you'll get a gentle tech for your echo after your BMX.  It is a bit harder for the techs to get a good picture with the TEs in but they've all been careful and considerate with me.  

    Kendra

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  • kcat2013
    kcat2013 Member Posts: 391
    edited June 2014

    Wizard  hope you get to go home today!  That's rotten you dealt with post op nausea :(  

    Kendra

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited June 2014

    Wizard-  So glad you are feeling a better and hoping that you are home soon!!

    Anyone heard from ojoyjoy?  Hope her surgery went well!

    Ally

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  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 1,111
    edited June 2014

    Worryocd,M

    Yes everything is being removed: uterus, Fallopian tubes, ovaries and cervix. I have been setting up my room this week with a friend and my sister. I'm hoping all goes well. I understand your what they say as rest and take it easy is different than yours... I have 4 kids; ages 12, 10, 7 and 4... Rest?!?! What's that??? Lol

    My intentions are to catch up on laundry by Monday and then not do a dang thing for 6 weeks lol- I hope!!!!

    How was your recovery? How long wre you in the hospital? What should I bring? I had 4 c sections so I'm thinking it'll be similar.... But no baby. Hey maybe I'll sleep! Lol doubt it I've been having trouble sleeping since my diagnosis in December!

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  • Marren
    Marren Member Posts: 59
    edited June 2014

    Helenna-so sorry your sick, that's no good. My BS said she didn't want me coughing while she had just placed TEs. 

    Wizard50-glad your feeling better. So they kept you two nights? I wonder if I should ask for anti-nausea drugs. I get nauseous easily. Especially since I won't be able to eat all day.

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  • Marren
    Marren Member Posts: 59
    edited June 2014

    mommyya-wow, 4 kids. I hope you have a lot of support. I have two and luckily it's summer and my parents can take them for awhile. I don't trust them to not jump on me or pull my arms. Right now they are wrapping a Chinese jump rope around me...I've been wrangled ahhh.

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  • Wizard50
    Wizard50 Member Posts: 113
    edited June 2014

    Marren - Definitly ask got anti-nausea drugs.  I told then ahead of  time that I have a history of nausea and vomiting after surgery and even with the patch and drugs I was still nauseous.  I think they kept me 2 nights because of the nausea and getting out of surgery late.  Good news is I'm home now and resting.  

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2014

    marren - ask for a scopolamine patch for nausea.  Just don't touch your eyes before washing your hands while you have it on, and as you take it off.

    mommyathome - my total abdominal hyst/ooph was very similar to my C-sections.

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  • Wildflower50
    Wildflower50 Member Posts: 16
    edited June 2014

    Surgery went well and I came home yesterday.  I've been sleeping a lot from the pain meds. My first post-op appt is tomorrow and am hopeful I can't get rid of a drain although it is probably too soon.  I'm pretty sore when the meds wear off so im trying to stay ahead of the pain-- it's just hard to stay awake. :). So far, so good!

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