June 2014 Surgery Sisters

Dear Trish

I am having the same problem.... too scared to get on the scale!

I have picked up weight during my chemo but I am pretty sure this is the same with surgery namely due to the fact that I was not that active for the past 3 weeks! It hurt too much to just even breath needless to say to do any exercises! But the pain is getting better now so maybe I should just get my act together! I am just so so happy for my hair has started to grow out after chemo, wow a whole half inch of hair has appeared over the last week!! Can not wait to have a hair do and be able to comb my hair and not having bald anymore yeah, I massage my scalp every morning with the hope it will grow out faster, my husband says it looks as if I am trying to pull the hair to become longer... !!!!

Again thanks to everybody for their kind words of encouragement thru this whole ordeal that is what makes this group so so unique and amazing, we stand by each other and comfort each other no matter what else goes on in the world! We as women are strong and we will make it thru this together, always always remember you are not alone, this is what helped me a lot knowing that there are other ladies going thru this as we speak and whole lot more before us and there are a great deal of survivors out there, why can´t we be part of the survival rate and getting back to having a normal life after all of this, yeah sure our bodies will never look the same again, but it is not what´s outside but what´s within our hearts and personalities that counts! Nobody gave us the insurance it was going to be easy, but life never throws something you can not handle, we will all come out on the other side better, stronger and more beautiful!

I have found in the past week that doing my arm exercises has helped a LOT with the pain and numbness so I am doing it 3 times per day, where I could not move my arm and now I can even start to use it slowly and with caution

Sending everyone a big hug, wishing you speedy recovery and loads of positive energy and you are ALL in my prayers!

June 6, 2014 Lumpectomy

Finally got the pathology results I had been waiting on. Now I wish I had not been so eager. Originally thought 1.4 cm in actuality 3.0 cm and involved 3 of 6 lymph nodes. Final staging I guess is II b. Chemo and possibly some radiation. Was holding out some hope that surgery alone would do it for me. I would have to say, not one of my better days. 

I am so sorry you ladies are getting path reports showing more involvement than originally suspected.  

I pray you can relax and breathe deeply and regroup.  Your treatments may change and not be what you wanted but I know you will fight for your best results.

Keep us updated.  I will be praying for your comfort both physically and emotionally.

I'm sorry to hear about the path reports. Mine wasn't what we expected either but it makes me feel so much better about my surgical decision. Nothing showed on my mammograms 8 years ago when this all started for me. At that time I chose lumpectomy. Fast forward to now and I just couldn't shake the feeling that here was something going on even tho mammo was clean.

Never underestimate your strength. Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers to you!

Jackie

Wizard50 and Purplegurl Im so sorry your path reports werent what you were expecting, my heart goes out to you. Sending you extra kicks for cancers ass from San Francisco. 

Purplegurl and Wizard50, sorry to hear that the path report results were not what we hoped, but please know that we are still praying for you both.  Stay encouraged!

I went shopping for some soft bras to get me through the next couple of months until my Stage 2 surgery, but no luck.  And the one bra I tried on depressed me because it really showed how different the size of my breasts are.  Oh well, I guess I'll keep wearing these soft surgical bras until September.  In the whole scheme of things, it's really the least of my worries...

Happy healing, surgery sisters!

One love,

tp4ever

Trish - I have regrets too, like I told you before, I have buyers remorse.  But I'm still holding on to the fact the my Dr's told me I didn't need a BMX  . . . time will tell.  Looking forward to my next surgery that will include exchange and a lift/reduction.   The hardest part is now, and I'm hoping when it is all said and done, I will ultimately be happy with the decision I made.  Keeping fingers crossed.

turtle/Jackie, I haven't been told to wear a bra yet, still in ace bandage.  Did your PS say to wear one now? 

Genie Bras are great for going through this stuff.   I live in mine - got them at walmart in the "as seen on tv" section usually towards the entrance.  Walmart also carries these

 http://www.walmart.com/ip/Simply-Basic-Women-s-Fu...

They were in my bra section at walmart and are less expensive than the genie bras.  I bought some of those also and they work well.  

The genie type bra has been great going through the fill process as they expand as you do and they seem to help with the discomfort.  I usually wear them at night to sleep for a few days after my fills also - it helps me alot.

I'm with you ladies on the Genie bras. I had some before surgery and love them more now. Easy to get on because you can step in them. I wear them pretty much 24/7.  For doe reason Bed, Bath and Beyond has genie bras too and you can use the 20% off coupons.  

I had my first fill today and it went well but tonight I'm pretty uncomfortable and feel like my boobs are in my throat.  I had just gotten comfortable sleeping again but not tonight 😊 This to shall pass. 

Hope everyone has a great weekend! 

Purplegurll and Wizard50- also I want to send hugs on the path report. No one needs surprises on this journey but lots of support here when you need it.

worryocd and ojoyjoy  I hear you guys on the constipation, why don't they warn us about that more? all I can say is it was awful, I cringe just thinking about the pain I had.

Do you guys still have the surgical tape on your incision? Mine is falling off at both ends so I trimmed it a bit but is mostly still tight as can be despite showers and soapy water. I know I'm not to remove it so just wondered.

Sending best wishes and healing vibes to all my June surgery sisters. xoxo

Good morning June surgery girls! I'm not sure if I have posted in your group before but after reading your post Purplegurll I thought I would re-post the advice my BS gave me about constipation. One full glass of room temperature prune juice. If that isn't effective after a bit make a "White Cow". A glass of room temp prune juice with a shot of Milk of Magnesia. I never had to resort to the MOM. It's something to do with it being room temp! It worked like a charm for me and I never suffered with constipation. Hope that helps and hope you are all doing well!

KLJ, thank you for the humor. That was great and so appropriate! Could have used your prune juice cocktail a few days ago )