July 2014 Surgery Sisters

Kellogg2006-  Welcome!  Sorry for the reason you here but glad you found this forum.  The ladies are extremely helpful and it is great to have people to talk with that understand what you are going through.  You will do great!   Review the list of things to have on hand as there is some good advice (ie. geet your meds filled before the surgery, buy some tank tops w/out bra shelfs so you can just step into them, etc.).  Please ask any questions as being nervous is very normal!!  Take care!

Ally

Hi all,

I had a lumpectomy, 6 lymph nodes removed, and a total hysterectomy on July 3. (No cancer in reproductive organs, thank goodness.) 

Stayed in hospital overnight and have been doing really well since. The staples and drain came out after about 11 days. 

I am feeling pretty great, except for some soreness under my arm and am going back to work on Monday! 

Of course, I see the oncologist next Thursday to get a plan for my chemo and radiation. I have no idea how that will go, but I have already learned to put one foot in front of the other and to take one day at a time.

Good luck to all of you as you continue on your journey.

Becky - we are with you! All you went through so far with surgery and complication and pain and with such a strength and humor...  I admire you! You have every right to get out of strength, to feel sad or disappointed... I hope it will now get all better for you, for the healing and for the mood.......

Purplegurll - do you know what kind of chemo will you have? How do you tolerate the drains - has the fever been associated with drains? MIne were only 7 days , removed 8 days ago and I still have not healed left drain exit, got antibiotic oinment but I am not sure how well it is working as the pain along that place is still present, no fever though. Is chemo postponed due to the fever ?

Purplegurll - thanks for information, it is also a good idea to check with dentist if all teeth are well - at least that was the advice I received in the past while dealing with lymphoma,  I hope your drains will be removed soon, I seemed not to tolerate mine well, and deal with issues to heal, I was able to have it removed when they were draining below 30 ml it was enough. I noticed that I do have some small fluid build up on right side as it was draining more before drain removal.

I took out the sterile strips from incisions as per surgeon request and noticed that one edge has not sealed properly, guess will try to see my doctor tomorrow.

I am so stressed waiting for appointment with oncologist.... I strongly feel I would get chemo, most likely TC as I cannot take any more of

adriamycin.

Purplegurll - I had already adriamycin when I was treated for lymphoma 18 years ago, one of the rare but possible side effects of this chemo is a heart damage (see here for example

http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/adriamycin.aspx#.U8xrNrFsCXk)

therefore there is a life time dose for it, especially if combined with radiation to the chest (left side - heart) which I also had It might have saved my life 18 years ago but I cannot have it anymore same as radiation. 

It is not to scare you or so, I did have this chemo and I am still here you will also see many many others on this forum who took it but it is good to know about this side effect, some patience opt for other chemo regime when they learn about it but the point is do you have a doctor you trust that can  explain why s/he choose this for you and if there is any other chemo that can work as well but have not this effect. on heart. Maybe I will have heart issues due to radiation and adriamycin but without it I might have never had chance to have my family, to have my sons, to have 18 years of life and hopefully more so you see my point?. Each chemo has side effects and it also vary from person to person

My surgery is 4 days away and I'm starting to get really anxious. I have a running countdown in my head these days ("5  days left with boobs....4 days left with boobs") and the closer I get the more my heart races when I have those thoughts. Hoping everyone else is managing ok whether you are pre or post op. August will be here before we know it, right?!

belleb - waiting is the worst part, you will do great, I agree with Ally we try to think through it, if only we could stop thinking sometimes..

Hi everyone,

I have a question.  Had lumpectomy on 7/17 and it's been almost a week.  I haven't experience any severe pain but my right breast (with cancer) started swelling day after the surgery and it's getting worse.  Now it's 1.5 times bigger than left breast.  Also I feel the heat but don't have much pain. Is this normal after the surgery?  

Hi Straightlover,

I called Dr's office and nurse told me it could be something called "seroma"  after tissue is removed with surgery fluid build up in the area.  And yes I feel the liquid oconsistency under the skin. Think of it I had the same thing when I had core needle biopsy maybe I tend to get it. Luckily I don't have much pain or fever.  1 week to go... I know it was the hardest time for me my heart was pounding and couldn't sleep much.  Your surgery is on 7/30 I will be praying for you.  

Nao, if it's a seroma, they can stick a needle in and drain it. Have you had your followup appt w/ your surgeon? I assume you did not have a drain since you had a lumpectomy? Thanks for the prayers!!!

Kimag, are you taking any kind of med that would lower your BP? My mother just had to stop taking her BP med because she is on Lasix temporarily, and her BP was getting too low.

Kellogg-  Irresponsible tenants...just what you don't need.  Maybe it will keep you busy and make the day pass quickly.  You are going to do great tomorrow!!

Ally

Straitlover-  Yikes...what a phone call.  Glad it was straightened out.  I hate when I have the later time slot in the surgery...ugh.  I am a big breakfast eater and coffee drinker so it is a bummer when I have to skip.  I have a feeling I am going to be late in the day because the PS's nurse said that he likes to get the longer procedures out of the way first.  I had a late time slot for my SNB and, once I got to the hospital, I just watched a movie and sort of dozed so it went more quickly.  The worst was in the morning for me.  LOL!!  Best of luck!!

Ally