June 2014 Surgery Sisters

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  • Frostecat
    Frostecat Member Posts: 447
    edited August 2014

    That is great news ojoyjoy!

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2014

    ojoy-  woohoo!!!  That is a great appointment and I am so glad you like this doc.  Hard to wait but it paid off!!  Doing the happy dance...awesome news!!

    Ally

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  • turtle42
    turtle42 Member Posts: 139
    edited August 2014

    I had my mastectomy June 23rd and I still have one drain in my back. Its still draining about 60 ml in a 24 hour period. My back is swollen and painful and where the drain goes in under my arm there is pus constantly. My ps said its not infected and can't come out yet. Anyone else still have a drain six weeks after surgery? UGH!!

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  • thinkpink4ever
    thinkpink4ever Member Posts: 205
    edited August 2014

    ojoy, that's great news!  I actually got a call from my MO's office today.  My oncotype score is 30, so it looks as if chemo is in my future.  Right now, I'm just numb.  They are supposed to call and schedule me to see him next week. 

    turtle, I am sorry to hear that you still have one drain that's giving you fits!  My four drains didn't stay in nearly that long and were all removed at the same time.  I pray that your last one will be removed SOON, my friend!

    One love,

    tp4ever

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  • turtle42
    turtle42 Member Posts: 139
    edited August 2014

    tp4ever, thoughts and prayers coming your way! So sorry you got  bad news! I feel so bad complaining about a stupid drain. I will be thinking of you.

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  • trish01254
    trish01254 Member Posts: 128
    edited August 2014

    So many ups and downs.

    Wishing all of you the best.

     

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

    Great news Ojoy! You deserve it.

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  • turtle42
    turtle42 Member Posts: 139
    edited August 2014

    What limitations are your doctors advising at about 6 weeks? I keep forgetting to ask. I know I'm not suppose to do any type of sweeping or vacuuming but other than that I don't know if there are any limitations. 

    On another note I just got my last drain removed today and I am so happy.

    Jackie

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  • ojoyjoy
    ojoyjoy Member Posts: 110
    edited August 2014

    Thanks ladies for celebrating the good news with me. My Oncotype score came in today at 11, yippee!

    Tp4ever - Sorry about your Oncotype score :/ Sending you lots of healing vibes and prayers your way. Know that we're all here to help support you on your journey. 

    Turtle42- Yay for no more drains!!!  I'm not sure what type of surgery you had as it's not in your signature. It's 6 weeks post op for me, I went the TE route. Today I went for a fill and got the "all clear" to do anything & everything. 

    Joy

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2014

    tp4ever-  So sorry about your news...gosh darn, another mountain to climb but you can do it!!  Know we are here for you!

    Ojoy-  great news!!  Doing the happy dance for you and congrats on your first fill. Kind of fun to watch them "grow" before eyes. Mine went east and west long before they started to project north!  Haha!

    Ally

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  • ojoyjoy
    ojoyjoy Member Posts: 110
    edited August 2014

    Hi Ally - this isn't my first fill, it's my 4th fill and I'm going in for another next week  I woke up from surgery with 100ccs on each side. I'm up to 350ccs now on both sides. It is funny to watch them grow. Mine have grown different. They have grown north first and are starting to do the east west thing now. I'm going to post some pics tonight on the picture forum to share and also air my concerns. 

    Joy

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  • Wizard50
    Wizard50 Member Posts: 113
    edited August 2014

    My left TE is north and my right is east.  Talk about feeling lopsided! 

    thinkpink - sorry to hear that chemo is in your future.  I was surprised to hear that I would need chemo too.  Spending positive thoughts to you.  

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2014

    ojoy-  I totally misread your post...I thought you were farther along than a first.  It is so funny how different the TEs respond to the fills. Mine seemed to aim straight for the armpits!!  LOL!

    Ally

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

    Ally, you'll be getting rid of your TEs on MONDAY!  I'm so happy for you.

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  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited August 2014

    I got my wound vac off yesterday.  This only healed my deep wound.  Still will have to do wet to dry surface packing to grow new skin over raw tissue.  Not sure how it will be reattached.  Next PS appt on Wednesday, hope to get an answer.  I want to stay positive but having a hard time not being able to picture the end result.  I know patience is what I need but easier said than done. 

    I will update once I have answers.

    To everyone, continue healing and prayers for your future revisions, treatments, etc.

    tp4ever so sorry about the chemo.  Let us know how your MO appt goes.  I will be praying for you.

    Ojoy great news.

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  • thinkpink4ever
    thinkpink4ever Member Posts: 205
    edited August 2014

    I had my appointment with my MO today.  Looks like I'll  be seeing the nurse practitioner on Wednesday for some Chemo teaching, then I get my port in on Monday morning (supposedly in my arm) and chemo is scheduled to start on Thursday the 21st after lab work is done.  I'm getting 4 infusions of Taxotere and Cytoxan every 3 weeks.  I'm very nervous, but also anxious to begin since that means I'll be that much closer to getting it over with.  I also saw my PS today.  So now, my stage 2 surgery that was scheduled for the Sept 19th is being postponed to 2-3 months PFC.  I was looking forward to getting that done, but I guess I'll have to deal with one thing at a time, right? 

    jbdayton, even though you can't picture it, the end result is closer than ever.  I'm sure that your PS will be able to answer your questions on Wednesday.  Stay encouraged, my friend!

    Wizard50, the one good thing about this chemo adventure is that I know I'm not alone, and I have some wonderful forum friends to help me through this!

    turtle, ojoy and ally, thanks for your encouraging words!

    Y'all take care and stay in touch, ok?

    One love,

    tp4ever

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

    Jbdayton, I'm encouraged to hear that you are finished with the wound vac. That's progress. I know you are too afraid to hope that you will continue healing, just at a quicker pace, so let us send healing hope vibes for you.

    I wish I could snap my fingers and make it better for all of you dear women who are having an especially tough time of it right now.

    image

     

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  • Purplegurll
    Purplegurll Member Posts: 135
    edited August 2014

    TP, I understand. I'm still healing up from my BMX on 7/2 and the MO won't begin chemo until I'm good to do so. Although chemo scares the #*%= out of me, I look forward to starting it because it does put me one step farther along on this journey. I will be doing 4 rounds of Adriamycin and Cytoxan followed by 4 rounds of Taxol and Carboplatin. I think I'll probably end up starting chemo early September so you will be a few weeks ahead of me. My exchange surgery like yours will get pushed out, at least 30 days following completion of chemo, so I'm assuming that will take me into 2015. 

    On the up side, I've been cleared to return to the office tomorrow! Seems strange doesn't it to be happy about working, but work represents a return to a sense of normalcy in the midst of all this craziness of the past few months. 

    TP, I will be thinking of you and Wizard, along with all the wonderful ladies from the June 2014 Surgery Sisters group. Take care everyone.

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  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited August 2014

    Just got back from my follow up appointment. Dr. Says the wound is healing but will still need more time; just continue with wet/dry bandaging. I asked him again what it will look like when healed. No real answer. So I asked for more details and he looked at me and he said "I really don't know. Everyone heals differently. We will fix anything after it finishes healing and resting a few months." I told him that was a great answer. I just didn't like always hearing "don't worry about it that is my problem to fix once you are healed". Next appointment is in one month. Sounds like time to plan a vacation somewhere even though water activities are still going to be a no-no.

    Purple, wizard and tp prayers for few chemo SE's.  My first one was the hardest for me because I did not know what to expect.  I got lucky and handled it with just a few very annoying SE's.  Your chemo support forum group here will be a real comfort as you go through the process together.  I loved my forum, but most everyone went to Facebook and I chose not to, so I joined the thread for the next month.  Be open and  share the good the bad and the ugly.  It helps to get it off your chest.  Good luck.

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  • ojoyjoy
    ojoyjoy Member Posts: 110
    edited August 2014

    jbdayton- glad to hear you are healing up...I think a vacation is in order! Sending healing vibes your way. 

    I just took my first tamoxifen pill last night. Hoping I have little to no side effects, fingers crossed. 

    All of you June sisters are in my thoughts. ((Hugs)) 

    Joy

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

    Purple, going back to work sounds like such good news. It's so easy to get consumed by breast cancer 24/7. I love when an opportunity comes up that allows me focus on someone or something other than my own trouble and I bet you do too. You've got this!

    Love to see you all supporting each other and sharing stories. This has been such a successful thread, thanks to all of you. Happy healing and limited side effects are my prayers for my dear June Surgery Sisters.

     

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  • thinkpink4ever
    thinkpink4ever Member Posts: 205
    edited August 2014

    ojoy, I too hope that your SEs on Tamoxifen are little to none.  After my first DX, I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years, and I really don't remember any show stopping SEs.  All I knew was that I didn't want the cancer to recur in my breast, or anywhere else in my body.  I'm sure you'll do fine.  I wish you well.

    I'm now on the countdown to chemo.  Port placement on Monday and chemo on Thursday.  I may do a little wig shopping tomorrow, but won't buy anything because my daughter wants to be there when I choose one (or two), and she can't go tomorrow.  But I'm so eager to see what's out there.  I've never worn a wig in my life.  Now I might become an occasional wig-kinda-woman, especially when I travel.  Quick and easy to get ready, you know what I mean??  Lol

    One love,

    tp4ever 

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

    I saw my PS yesterday to discuss upcoming surgery #5. The bad news is that it won't be my last. I had thought he would be doing fat grafting this time, but he wants to wait until I heal from this surgery to see exactly where the fat grafting should go. Swelling from his work this time will disguise some of the areas. Makes sense. No point in putting me through it twice. For this surgery he is going to be working on dissecting the left pocket (again) to decrease constant discomfort. My anatomy was changed on that side by infection so standard procedures don't always work...as we've learned in the last year. Devil 

    I'll get a new implant (again) but it will be the same kind, just positioned in a better way in a reconstructed pocket. May have some Alloderm this time too which will be worth the extra recovery challenges (ouch!) if it helps in the long run. Since gummy bears do not drop and fluff like the usual silicone rounds I will look a bit lopsided for the first two months (again.) As usual the right side will be happy as can be, just as it has been from the beginning. It shows me how it could have been on both sides if that @^*&amp;$% person in the hospital hadn't given me that horrible infection. <sigh>  Oh well, we all have our challenges. I should be thankful and stop whining. Sick So there will be a surgery #6, probably in December (again.) Oh goodie. It's hard to deal with the disappointment so I'm throwing a pity party for one. I wanted this to be over at #5.  


     

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  • Purplegurll
    Purplegurll Member Posts: 135
    edited August 2014

    Hi TP, 

    My timeframe has moved up for chemo so I'll be joining you starting next week. Port on Tuesday and chemo starting Friday. I will be thinking of you this week. Are you on the August Starting Chemo thread as well? 

    I wig shopped a few weeks ago. There is an amazing variety. I picked one that will virtually match my hair color including the highlights, texture, length and style. I'm sure you and your daughter will find the perfect one for you! 

    Best,

    Robyn

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  • ojoyjoy
    ojoyjoy Member Posts: 110
    edited August 2014

    Sandra - thank YOU for starting this thread, driving us all on the pink bus for our surgeries and your constant support! I'm sorry to hear that you'll have to do a surgery #6. BTW, you are not whining and deserve to have a pity party.....you have a lot on your plate right now. We all need to give ourselves permission to feel the not so pleasant emotions so we can move onward. So let it all out girlfriend! Sending you lots of love and light. 

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  • KLJ
    KLJ Member Posts: 284
    edited August 2014

    Sandra, you deserve any kind of party you want to have! Six surgeries is more than I can even imagine. I am already boo hooing over my second surgery coming up. You are a rock star!

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  • turtle42
    turtle42 Member Posts: 139
    edited August 2014

    Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. I'm 8 weeks out from lat flap. I still have a lot of swelling in my back at night. It goes down by morning but is always swelled again by evening. I had my last drain removed from this site at 6 weeks post op. 

    I have tissue expanders in place but due to the swelling on the lat flap side I haven't been able to get many fills on that side. We are waiting a month to see if the swelling goes down and then will continue with fills.

    Hopefully I will be ready to move to implants by the end of September.

    Hope everyone else is doing good.

    Jackie

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  • HopeEllen
    HopeEllen Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2014

    I've been away for a couple weeks on an actual vacation but it's good to read how everyone is doing. Prayers for everyone starting chemo and upcoming surgeries. I have a PS appointment tomorrow and bit should be my last fill. I'm so ready to get rid of theTEs. 

    And Sandra, I thank you too for starting this thread. It has been so helpful and encouraging to read how all the June sisters are supporting each other. I hope your next surgery goes well and you will end your journey soon. You are a strong lady! 

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  • thinkpink4ever
    thinkpink4ever Member Posts: 205
    edited August 2014

    Hi Robyn, yes, I'm on the August 2014 Chemo thread too.  I'm a nervous wreck about chemo on Thursday!  I'm more nervous about the chemo than I was about the surgery and reconstruction.  I still haven't gotten a wig yet.  My daughter wants me to have someone she knows "create a custom wig" for me.  I may get a custom one, and then also buy a curly one from a wig shop.

    Sandra, you are entitled to your pity party!  I was having one yesterday after my port placement.  I'm bruised and confused!  But I'm glad they were able to put it in my arm instead of above my breast.

    Hope everyone is doing well and hanging in there during these tough times!  We are warriors and we will get through this!

    One love,

    tp4ever 

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  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited August 2014

    tp4ever here are many hugs to get you through chemo 1 this Thursday (((((HUGS))))).

    It is ok to be nervous.  I was very scared for the first one.  I was surprised it went so easy and then wait to see what SE's showed up over the next few days.

    You will do it too.  Keep us up to date but use the chemo threads they are a really tightly bonded group.

    I will keep you in my prayers.

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