June 2014 Surgery Sisters

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  • thinkpink4ever
    thinkpink4ever Member Posts: 205
    edited July 2014

    Marren, I had all 4 of my drains removed at 6 days post-op.  Like SpecialK, I must not be a drainer either!  Lol!

    One love,

    tp4ever

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited July 2014

    marren

    Everyone is different. Make sure you are up and about, coughing and deep breathing. Getting moving around is very important and may cause the drainage to continue...that's not a bad thing!  You want any excess drainage out and not accumulating under the incision.   

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  • Marren
    Marren Member Posts: 59
    edited July 2014

    specialk- great. Maybe I will too.

    Did your docs tell you to wear a bra or something after surgery? Anyone?

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  • dancingdiva
    dancingdiva Member Posts: 475
    edited July 2014

    Maggie, 

    I am so sorry for your loss and to have to be going through this at the same time. That's crazy. Your fists up positivity is inspirational and you are courageous. 

    DD

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  • ojoyjoy
    ojoyjoy Member Posts: 110
    edited July 2014

    Hi Ladies, 

    Maggie- sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you. 

    Going for my post op tomorrow and cannot wait! I haven't been draining a lot and could of had these things out earlier but because of the 4th of July holiday I'm still lugging them around. I've been trying to ease up on my pain meds during the day and take the max dose at night to help sleep. Even though I was on stool softners for a couple of days before surgery and the whole time after I still had constipation  issues (sorry if its TMI) but it was a real pain in the ass, lol. Finally got that under control the last couple of days,thank god. I've been surprised of how tired I've been. Other than eating, bathroom breaks, showers and laps around the house all I want to do is nap/sleep. Guess that's what my body needs. 

    Okay- ending on a great note- my BS emailed me today and informed me my pathology showed a stage II breast cancer with negative margins and negative sentinel lymph nodes. Great news!!!! I hope this means I'll get to bypass chemo/rads??? I'll see what they say tomorrow. 

    Love to all! 

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited July 2014

    ojoyjoy-  I may be repeating myself but woohoo on the path report!!! That is awesome news!!  Let us know if you get the drains out...we will be sending "drain-less" vibes your way!! 

    Ally

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  • Margie7121
    Margie7121 Member Posts: 19
    edited July 2014

    Dear Ladies!

    Thank you so much for everyone´s replies and best wishes, so so much appreciated, it´s been a difficult time but sometimes in life you just get the courage to carry on regardless of what happened!

    Marren: I have been given some exercises to do for my arm after the lymph node removal, but I did not get implants, not sure if it makes a difference though... I have to admit the arms seems to get better as the days goes by, I try to do my exercises 3 times per day as I was told, it is going much easier now than a week or so ago, but still the pain wakes me up at night but sure that will go away over the time..... just positive thinking!

    Sending everybody positive thoughts and positive energy, may you all heal quickly and be without pain

    You are all in my prayers and thoughts!

    Bigs hugs!

     

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  • Marren
    Marren Member Posts: 59
    edited July 2014

    ojoyjoy- yay!! That's great news about the path report. What a relief.

    I get mine on Wednesday, everything looked good in surgery but I can't help but hold my breath a little.

    Today has been a bit of a challenge. I very so uncomfortable in my skin right now. So tight, sore, and my feet and fingers are kinda tingly. 

    I haven't been up and around too much. I feel uncomfortable no matter what I do.

    I think I'm just getting sick of feeling crappy and cooped up. It's making me anxious, grumpy and sad.

    Sorry just venting.

    Hope everyone else doing far better.

    :)

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  • Margie7121
    Margie7121 Member Posts: 19
    edited July 2014

    ojoyjoy

    So glad for your path report! 

    Marren: that is pretty normal to feel like this, I felt exactly the same, was later so frustrated I wanted to scream, but it gets better and you will feel SO MUCH better after the drains are removed, just take it easy and enjoy getting spoiled!

    I know it is a lot to go thru, just take it easy and remember you are not alone, we are all here for you!

    Sending you a big hug!

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  • turtle42
    turtle42 Member Posts: 139
    edited July 2014

    I'm three weeks out from my lat flap mastectomy and I still have two drains. Has anyone else had them this long? One has minimal drainage but the other ( in my back) is still draining a lot. 

    I am having a lot of discomfort in my chest. If I drink anything cold I feel a weird sensation in my chest as well. Also the lat side is still really swollen and I wasn't able to get fills at my appnt last Wednesday.

    It just seems to be taking longer than I thought to feel better.

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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited July 2014

    Turtle 2 weeks is normal and yes, if you have tissue expanders, you might feel a weird coldness move over your chest when you drink something cold.  I rarely notice that anymore.

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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited July 2014

    Ojoyjoy, congrats on your path report!  Do you know the grade?  Did your surgeon or onc order the Oncotype Dx test?  That will tell you the benefit or lack of benefit of chemo.

    Marren, sorry you're feeling down.  You've been through a lot and it's ok to let yourself have bad days.

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  • Frostecat
    Frostecat Member Posts: 447
    edited July 2014

    I read about the "waterfall", "cascade" of cold water.  It's like you can feel it moving slowly all the way down.  Just a weird sensation that I never experienced before surgery.  If I hadn't read about it on other threads here, I would have thought it was just me, so somewhat relieved to find out this is somewhat normal, but strange none the less.

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  • Marren
    Marren Member Posts: 59
    edited July 2014

    thank you, I guess you do just need to let yourself have those bad days and know they will pass.

    Margie-I have thought about you a lot and I'm sending you lots love. I hope you have a good support system.

    I guess I can relate to your situation and it's my worst nightmare. I don't know if I could handle it as gracefully as you. Xoxo

    Turtle- my moms surgeon had her drains in for 5 weeks. When I asked my surgeon about it she said no longer than 3 weeks or you risk getting an infection. Now you had lat flap so maybe it's different.? But guess what my mom got an infection. Did not like her surgeon though, so we are getting a new one.

    But my surgeon said something like it creates I vicious cycle because of the suction. I can't remember exactly what she said it made sense though.

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  • trish01254
    trish01254 Member Posts: 128
    edited July 2014

    Specialk - will find out more from dr office today on the STD stuff.  I dont know exactly what dr office has sent as far as my return to work date or if their reasons were compelling enough to extend my paid leave.  I need the paycheck and really dont want to use my vacation time.  would love to be able to use that later this year for something fun - like visiting my son in Miami.  :)

    Great news on the path report Ojoyjoy - wishing all other July surgery ladies the same.

    Marren - been there on the blue uncomfortable days.  Still wishing for my old body back but I am soooo much better today than last week even.  My gripe now is the drain hole in my left ab is painful if my belly starts swelling more than usual.  That drain was pulled last week.  Forgot to wear binder yesterday while walking grocery store.  Holy cow did that hurt.

    I'm afraid to get on a scale.  I have not been eating all that healthy and fear I have gained all the weight I lost prior to surgery.  Also worrying about what the heck I can wear when they make me go back to work.  I have never been big on wearing dresses but think I'm going to need something loose for the belly.  I don't think they would appreciate me showing up in my stretchy shorts. 

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  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 1,729
    edited July 2014

    turtle, my PS just pulled my last 2 drains yesterday.  I had a lat flap with TE on June 25.  2 drains were pulled one week after surgery. PS said if the drains are putting out less than 30cc's per drain per day, they can be pulled, the sooner the better.  I was scheduled to see him this Friday, but they got me in yesterday instead.  Then I was wrapped in an ace bandage, around torso, not tight, but light, and have to wear this til next Monday.

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

    Hi to all. I'm still without my computer but hope to get it back from the IT gods today. In the meantime, I've stolen my husband's computer for a few minutes.

    Take your drugs as long as you need them. I don't think your implants are making it harder to recover from the BMX. My experience was that getting one TE was more painful than getting two implants. I had BMX with direct to permanent 800 cc implants and did not have unusual pain issues. Later when I lost one implant and the PS put in an empty TE, I had mad muscle spams. The pec muscle had been stretched by the permanent implant already, so you wouldn't think it would "complain" so much. But maybe it's because the implants are soft and conform to the shape of your chest wall while the TE's have a hard back.

     

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  • trish01254
    trish01254 Member Posts: 128
    edited July 2014

    Sandra. Not sure if I said this already but thank you so much for taking us through our surgery month.   You have been such a positive voice thru all our worries and blues.  Ty Ty Ty 

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  • thinkpink4ever
    thinkpink4ever Member Posts: 205
    edited July 2014

    Ditto to what trish said - sandra, we appreciate you and jbdayton too!  The June surgery sisters rock!

    One love,

    tp4ever

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  • turtle42
    turtle42 Member Posts: 139
    edited July 2014

    thanks for the reply Keri. I thought one drain was infected and there was very little output so I called the ps and got in this morning. They said there was no infection but agreed to take the drain out since there was not much drainage. My ps likes to do a fill when a drain is removed so I got a small fill in one side. This was my first fill beside the one I had during surgery and I'm pretty sore tonight. Next fill is next Wednesday for both sides as long as the swelling in the radiated side goes down. 

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  • HopeEllen
    HopeEllen Member Posts: 37
    edited July 2014

    I'm at the two week mark from my surgery and my chest is still so bruised like I've been beaten. I told my hubby that I feel like I bruise more every time I move with the TE. Is anyone else experiencing what feels like excessive bruising?

    Ojoyjoy, great news on your pathology report. 

    It's very easy to get the blues and feel lonely even though there are tons of people around. Watch funny movies and read some good books. Anything to keep your mind off reality. 

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  • Wizard50
    Wizard50 Member Posts: 113
    edited July 2014

    HopeEllen - I'm 2 weeks out too and like you, I feel like I bruise inside every time I move.   Im still sore and by evening I can barely stand up straight because my chest feels so heavy and swollen.  Thank goodness these TE's are temporary!  

    I stayed away from the boards last week because I was feeling pretty down.  Sitting around being a couch potato is very difficult for me and I was having my own little pity party.  I had my last two drains removed yesterday so today I was able to take a real shower and I feel so much better!  It's amazing what that shower did for my psyche!

    I saw the breast surgeon today and we went over my pathology report.  I went into surgery with DCIS and Pagets, Stage 0.  Final pathology showed IDC with one positive sentinel node, Stage 1B. Praying that I won't need chemo.

    I'm so sorry for loss Margie, you are in my prayers.   Your positive attitude is a true inspiration. 

    I hope all my fellow June Sisters are having a speedy recovery and doing well.  

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  • trish01254
    trish01254 Member Posts: 128
    edited July 2014

    wizard50 -being able to shower and drain free is liberating.  Sorry to see your path report wasn't as expected.  Prayers for your wish of no chemo.  

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited July 2014

    Wizard50-  Woohoo on getting the last drain out.  It is so nice when you don't have to accommodate those pesky drains any longer!  Hope you are feeling better and that your final path report comes back clean!!

    turtle42- you will likely feel tightness and muscle spasms after each fill.  It bothered me the most the evening of the fill and a bit the day after.  Then it would seem to calm down just in time for the next fill.  I did my fills weekly (60cc) but others went every other week and some different from that.  Just remember to go at your pace!!  Take care!

    HopeEllen- I did not have excessive bruising with my TEs but others may have.  Everyone has such different experiences so likely someone will have some good suggestions for you.  My main thing is that the TEs seem to be so wide and go out past my armpit.  I feel like I hit them each time I move my arms and that I walk like a cowboy with my arms awkwardly out.  Lovely visual haha!!  Hope you are feeling better...stay positive and know that each fill is a step forward toward getting done!!  

    Ally

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  • worryocd
    worryocd Member Posts: 41
    edited July 2014

    Hi ladies!

    After the surgery I was sent home with four drains.  Two were taken out at the last PS appointment.  So now I have two.  The drainage is very little.  I have another appointment on Friday. I noticed the gauze that was covering the drain site was leaking.  So I changed the gauze.  Should I be calling the PS about this?  The drains are so annoying.  They are very constricting.  Have any of you ladies noticed some drainage from the drain tube site?

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  • aviva5675
    aviva5675 Member Posts: 1,353
    edited July 2014

    2 weeks out from surgery is still very soon--- it might take several more weeks for the bruising feeling and general pain to subside more. Remember that we were cut,sliced and diced during the surgeries! That takes a toll and is painful...

    I had a bit of leakage on one drain site. Just changed the gauze regularly. Since it never looked red or unusual I didn't worry about it.  I also used a big safety pin and pinned around the tube near the opening to my shirt, helped with chances of tugging/pain.

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  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 1,729
    edited July 2014

    hopeellen, weird about the bruising, are you taking ibuprofen by chance? My PS said it can cause bruising/bleeding.  Just a thought.  

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  • worryocd
    worryocd Member Posts: 41
    edited July 2014

    Thank you!  :)

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  • ojoyjoy
    ojoyjoy Member Posts: 110
    edited July 2014

    Hi everyone, 

    As excited as I was to go for my post op, it ended up being a very hard day. Even with the good path results and getting all 4 drains out. I guess the constipation for the last couple of days took a toll on my body along with everything else it's been through. It's an hour and a half car ride to my doctors. My stomach was upset & with the car ride I ended up throwing up the half the way there. Thank god I had brought a large ziplock with us. If any of you get car sick, it takes a couple of hours for your stomach to settle. I was so car/laxative/pain pill sick when we finally arrived I was a mess. It took everything I had to make it through the two appointments and get back home. When I got home I slept for 4 hours. 

    When I left the hospital they didn't send me home with enough Percocet to last me until my post op. I had enough for 3 days. Since I didn't want to drive round trip 3 hours to get a refill for the P (because you have to be present for that drug) they had to call me in Norco which makes me nauseas.....we discovered that in the hospital. I had been trying to take less pain meds during the day(supplementing with Tylenol) and full doses at night to sleep. Anyhow, the gave me another script for Percocet and I'm doing that with Advil or Tylenol.  

    Julie-my grade was IIa. I'm making an appointment with a onc today to go over what's next. Hoping to get in with him next week when I go for my first TE fill. 

    I'm so grateful to have those drains out and have a great path report and have all my incisions healing up wonderfully. I'm just having a hard time emotionally right now. I'm sure getting my period, that was 3 weeks late, helps with this. This whole thing is so big and most of the time I feel positive and strong. I just can't seem to stop crying since yesterday's drama. Guess I need to let it out....this will pass. Everyday is a new day and a chance to start fresh. So here go....

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited July 2014

    ojoyjoy-  Cry away, weep a river.  Yikes, what an ordeal that car ride was and then to not have the meds you needed in order to stay ahead of the pain really stinks!!  Get some rest if you can and tomorrow will be better!!  Hang in there!!  

    Ally

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