July 2014 Surgery Sisters

Hi ladies,

I will join you as well. I am having bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders on July 2nd. I have reconciled to the surgery although I suspect Tuesday night before surgery will be difficult. The core biopsy indicates 1.4 cm IDC and ILC, ER-, PR-, HER-, stage IA. We will see what final pathology after surgery shows. I also had a lumpectomy and radiation six years ago for DCIS. 

kimag and Purplegurll-  Wishing you both successful surgeries.  The worst part seems to be the few days before when you are trying to make sure you have everything and are prepared to go. Just know that you have lots of people thinking of you.  I wish I had some advice for the "choking" sensation but I don't recall anything but a sore throat after my surgery.  Maybe some others will have some advice.

Take care!

Ally

Ally, Nancyinct thank you a lot. Why would I need colace before surgery? so far my bowel works ok, I read that after it may be needed? I have a little cough and some running nose have to ask if this is ok, i do not feel  sick maybe it is allergy but I as scared as I am I do not wont to delay surgery

Tekwriter - The breathing tube can cause a sore throat, hoarse voice etc. I would mention what happened to you last time to your surgical team and perhaps they will be able to prevent the same thing from happening. I had two surgeries in 6 weeks (lumpectomy w/breast reduction) and mx. The first surgery I woke up with no voice at all for about 4 hours. And the second surgery I had no throad issues whatsoever. I did have some nausea with both surgeries which was quickly treated by the wonderful nursing staff. You just have to let them know when something is bothering you or if you need help.

For protein I was told by my PS's NP to get these tubes from Amazon with 42g per tube.  I tried the wild berry I found at Walmart and could only stomach 3 tubes and cannot force another one down.  Told my PS and he said other patients said the watermelon flavor seemed to be the most tolerable.  I have managed 1 a day.  

I also do yogurt smoothie with honey almond butter or cashew butter with bananas and berries.  I can get 20 g from that.  So I try to do one in morning and one in the evening.  

Snack on some nuts in the afternoon.  

The protein tubes are called New Whey Liquid Protein, 12 tubes, $41.15. Not real cheap but for healing problems well worth it.

I will be honest they taste horrible but I could get the watermelon down. 

Hello, 

I'm also joining you. July 7. Right Mastectomy. I'm 30 and terrified of the surgery. I've never had any kind of surgery before, and after reading about drains and the pain I think I'm more nervous than I was before. In fact I'm awake at 3:30am because I'm so nervous. 

How long does it take for drains to come out typically? And before your back on your feet? 

Thanks. I have felt a lot better since getting support from this website. 

brandyrose-  you are going to do great!  The waiting is hard and the drains are a pain but manageable.  There are great ideas from the people on these boards about things to have to make the recovery a bit easier.  Things like a shoelace (to hook your drains to and put around your neck) when showering, notepad and pens to record drainage output and medicines, tank tops that you can step into and pull up (no bra shelf, just a plain tank), lip balm, etc.  If you are feeling anxious, that is ok and you are in good company.  That is what makes these boards so great!  Everyone recovers diffferently,  I was feeling good enough to go to work (desk job) after a week but I am really tired at night even now.  The drains also vary.  I had 4 and 2 came out after about 5 days.  The third came out about 10 days and the 4th hung around for 2 weeks.  It all depends on your output and the work you had done.  

Take care and let us know how you are doing!!

Ally

brandyrose - Just like Ally said "you are going to do great!!!" The fear is so normal. I had a mx on the right and woke up with two drains. I was afraid of virtually everything. The drains were not painful and came out 7 days later. They were not even uncomfortable just inconvenient more than anything. It's hard to hide them if you want to be out around people. I pinned them to the inside of my top. It was not painful when they were removed either. We are all here for you and the anxiety will probably increase as your surgery day gets nearer. Be good to yourself and trust in God; he will take care of you.

Nancy

brandirose and kimag - You most likely can get an anti-anxiety medication to help you get through the next couple of days if you want. My bs prescribed some weeks before my surgery. I did take one here and there, but chose to ride it out. It is normal to have anxiety and be afraid. So I knew that after a night or two of no sleep that I would eventually tire myself out enough to sleep at night. I just got up and did things around the house to keep myself busy. It's all ok. The waiting is the worst!!! Hang in there, you're getting there one day at a time. And if the day is too hard to get through then concentrate on getting through one moment at at time and one procedure at a time. We all here for you.

Nancyinct - thanks a lot, I does help a little when you feel a part of the group, knowing that people before me went this way

I am still struggling to decide should I go for BMX or only UMX and watch.... I am high risk due to radiation to the chest in the past, I have to make this decision by tomorrow

Hi everyone!

I am having a lumpectomy on July 14th.  I also am having implants that I had put in over 30 years ago removed and new ones put in at the same time.  I have been so thankful for finding this site.  It has lessened my fears about the surgery and radiation.  Just knowing how to prepare for the surgery and what to expect when I come home has been so helpful.  Because my implants are so old, the plastic surgeon thinks they may have ruptured, so he will be putting drains in.  I am also scared - can't sleep, but I also can't wait to get this behind me and start moving forward.  I am having brachytherapy three weeks after my surgery, and then I see my medical oncologist to find out what drug I will be taking - my cancer is estrogen positive.  My thoughts will be with all of you during your surgery and recuperation. 

Edit to say~sorry, I'm on the wrong thread.

Re-edit to say I just wanted someone to know I had sent them a PM.  We've since been in touch.

Good luck to everyone here with their recent or upcoming surgery.