August 2014 Surgery

Reading lately and keeping all in my thoughts and prayers - due to chemo brain effects and fatigue still after BMX won't even try to respond to everyone's situation.  

I finally got my last 2 surgical drains from BMX removed after 4 weeks, yeah!  After BMX I also had a lot of swelling in my feet and ankles, but I cotinued walking as Dr. wanted me to (walking over a mile in the neighborhood).  Finally feet/ankle swelling went down to normal size maybe week 2 or 3?  In week 4 I had some really "low" days and I stopped going out for my walks, many days just rested for hours.  When they took the last 2 drains Friday, still cautioned me that I shouldn't start any of the "post-drain" exercises for at least 5 more days (and to just let my body heal as those drains had been in a long time).  This week I started my walks again and can now drive - yeah for independence! 

Allydp - warm hugggss to you! God Bless You for all that you are going through! I will keep you in my prayers! 

Imheretoo - Please continue to share..because we are all happy for you that you are doing well! 

Milaandra - I think we all had thoughts of dying when we first got our diagnosis..You are not alone and I am sure its pretty normal to have those feelings...Just cherish the moments that you are here..And continue to be positive that you will be here a long time!! I know I promised my kids that I will be here to see their kids, kids!! Also, Yay! for the comfortable bra!!!

Sunflowercat- Good news! Positive thoughts for your test results!!

Sunflowercat!  **happy dancing for no chemo**

Seashore!  **happy dancing for no drains and driving**

It's so funny.  I'm getting ready for another surgery, incredibly, but I am not going to go on the October sx thread!  I am going to stay here.  XXX

bobo - good luck with your next surgery.  You're always welcome here and we'll give you all the support we can.  

Bobo - I'm sure you're gorgeous.  Before AND after surgery.  

Hello ladies, do you still have swelling in arm pit area after your surgery. I do and just wondering if this is normal. I am not having it in operation site, but in arm pit area yes.

Hooray Ally!  No more recliner!  PT does do wonders.  It's not my favorite place to be always, though.  

I have two more sx to go, at least.  Don't know if I spilled all my beans here yet, but I had a double MX December, two life-threatening infections (sx New Year's Eve -- Happy New Year), crazy TE trouble and removal, revision sx, and all of that left my right side pretty devastated.  I could see my heart beating when I looked down, for instance.  And my voice sounds so funny when I talk -- I feel like it's just booming in my chest, because of the giant gouge and no padding.  **graphic description**

So they are trying to fix the gaping hole in the right side.  I am using this medical device (BRAVA) that's not approved by the FDA for this sx (it's for women with boobs who want larger boobs, usually).  They've started to use it for Mx patients, off-label, but with my giant gouge, I am not exactly in that category.  Two more of those surgeries to go.  Next one is October... 16th, I think.  That Thursday.  But I am not going to the October surgery thread!

I am huge Starbucks fan but I have NOT had a pumpkin spice latte!!  Are they really that good?  Right now I am having a beer.  **toasting**

Sending you and all my sisters here big kisses.  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Bobo and Allydp - my daughter says you should try the pumpkin spiced latte as a frappaccino.  I am not a fan of pumpkin, but she loves it that way.  She says it is better cold.  I am an iced tea and lemonade girl when I go to Starbucks until it gets cold and then I get hot chocolate with peppermint extra hot or a white peppermint mocha. 

I lost 40 pounds last year and was really proud of myself and this is going to sound HORRIBLE, but I am upset that I will gain weight with chemo and Tamoxifen.  at least that is what everyone tells me.  I am so thankful to be in the position I am in and have the prognosis that I do so I feel guilty even being upset about gaining weight.  Heck - I donated all my big clothes last year because I knew I wouldn't use them again.  Oh well, my husband says that it is a small price to pay and once treatments are over (chemo), I will drop the weight but I will be on Tamox for quite awhile.

My youngest daughter says we are definitely going wig shopping if chemo is what we do (I think it will be).  I think I could rock the bald or scarf look, but I think at 12 years old (13 in March) that the baldness scares her so I will go wig shopping if it comes to that.  I have already seem some cute short ones on Amazon that don't cost a lot.  I also work for a healthcare system for the Vice President of Cancer Services (imagine that) so I know about the Look Good Feel better classes.  We also have a program called Unique Boutique that does donate wigs as well.  There are two wig shops in my area, but they are crazy expensive.

Thank you ladies for everything you are to me.  I have come to rely on you ladies an awful lot and am glad to call you my friends.  I keep you in my prayers daily just as I would a friend that I see often.  There are reasons for everything in life.  I don't know the reason that we are all here together, but if we have to have cancer, I am glad that I have you to turn to.

Hi Ladies!

sigh* sigh* sigh*

So had a post-op appt with BS(actually her PA) and everything looked good. But she asked when will I see my oncologist..I see him next Thursday..She then said that because of the few lymph nodes that was taken, we need to see if he wants to do radiation..

I was floored!!!!!! Because my BS called me several days after surgery with the pathology report that showed everything was all gone/clear..meaning ALL cancer gone! I asked if I would still need radiation and she said no, she didn't think so..

I'm so confused..why say that and then come back later and say you might need to have radiation? Is it because they need the oncologist to officially say no radiation is needed?

I'm stressed now and just ate peanut butter chocolate chip cookies..LOL!! I don't want to get depressed but this has thrown me for a loop!! I thought I saw the light at the end of the tunnel, but I guess it was a mirage...sigh* sigh*

I'm gonna try to take a nap now..I don't want to think about it!

Oh Bobogirl, so here you go again with another surgery!!    This whole story has been particularly nightmarish for you!   But at least you'll be making progress towards getting things put as right as they can be.     And you sure do deal with it all with the right attitude!      You KNOW you look good in your lightly covered spaghetti strap camis and body tanks, sis!!    And whatever this d-mn disease throws you, you handle it with grace and determination.  This "August" group has really become a family, just like Sunflowercat says.     You know we'll be with you on October 16th,  hoping that with this one you make even more progress than you are expecting!

Quiltlibrarian, my surgery was the day after yours.    I only had a quarter of my breast removed (or maybe a bit less) and also two lymph nodes were removed.     A separate, underarm,cut was used to get the lymph nodes.    For the first two weeks after surgery, my underarm had a big bump the size of a small egg.   (There was no real underarm swelling before the surgery)      In my case, I'm pretty sure that the underarm swelling was just the reaction of the remaining lymph nodes to the surgery.     That has gradually reduced in the past week, and now the lump is only about 2 cm big, and that is actually very near the incision area, so perhaps is a different thing, and is now just deep scar tissue (?).      I do not know if this is the same thing as the swelling that you are experiencing.  (and perhaps yours is more dramatic and long-lasting since your surgery was more involving than mine?)        I see that you had a drain in until August 29, so maybe that could be prolonging the time that your lymph nodes stay reactive?     I do not feel any impediment in range of motion of my arm or pain (or, at this point, even discomfort) when I move my arm, and never felt to be filled with fluid in my underarm area.       Of course, I have not responded to any of my surgery with fluid accumulation (did not have to have any drains).       If your underarm swelling doesn't show signs of reducing soon, I think you should mention it to your BS, but not panic about it.    ( Do you have a next scheduled check coming up soon or have you been given an all clear?)    If yours seems more like fluid build-up than enlarged nodes or lump, then that's a totally different thing than I'm describing.

Ally, - So your onc's RECEPTIONIST finally woke up, is double-ordering your scan and is going to push the onc to argue your case to the insurance company ("if necessary").   That onc should pick up the phone immediately and talk to the ins. company, so that they know NOW that the test is being ordered urgently by an oncologist and not just by a surgeon.     But as I write this, I realize I am making a big mistake.         I almost cancelled  those words, but decided to leave them just so that you know that I care and am feeling your situation.    But I do not in any way want to inject you with my agitated emotions.      You need to do exactly what you are doing.       You KNOW that this exam is going to happen, (hopefully very soon!) because you  have taken the steps to get things moving on the right path.    And now you know that the onc is really, at least now, attending to your health situation, so that is a relief.     So stay cool, continue to handle the situation well, hope that the scan payment will be accepted, follow your plan if it isn't.    I'm SO glad to hear that it's scheduled for FRIDAY and sure hope that a positive response from the ins. co. arrives today!!!!

I remember when I was in a bad psychological place because it seemed like my doctors were ignoring me and putting me on long time hold,(a situation that is totally nothing, and even silly, compared to what you are going through)        My family in America unintentionally hurt me a lot by their agitated uncomprehending inability to accept the malfunctioning system here at a time when I knew that the only thing I could and needed to do was stay calm.      So I certainly don't want to do that to you.        This scan will happen.     And we are all so so hoping that the result will be tranquilizing.     

I am very happy to hear that the PT's work was able to help your range of motion and comfort!!     Great that you're finding a solution, even if the sessions are painful!

ml, Ugh- one more thing on top of all the other difficult to handle and scary effects of chemo-- But the weight will come and go and then you'll be HEALTHY!!!!     Wig it if you must, I'm sure you'll look good either way, and maybe daughter will even realize that bald isn't so bad.     

I had my first meeting with my Oncologists yesterday.     I have a nice, young team of a man and a woman.     Very caring and attentive to all potential isues, easy to ask questions to, I feel taken care of.        I will be doing an Aromatase Inhibitor.     Not sure yet when I'll start radiation, but it should be fairly soon.

As for those Lattes, Quiltlibrarian, I suppose you and I can whip up some homemade almond milk with fresh  cooked  pumpkin and special spices?     I guess we need to add coffee too?    I'd probably leave out the sugar, but that's just me.      I think I can hear you shaking your head and making a face!

Ally!  The pumpkin spice latte has milk in the spice mixture!  I cannot have it!  **very disappointed**  I'mheretoo, your almond milk (homemade) sounds so good.  I want to make some -- have Vitamix -- but do not have 'nut bag' (nor do I know where to get one...  you are so sweet, you don't need any sugar in your homemade PSL.  So glad your team sounds nice.

Angelfaith, rock those peanut butter cookies!  We will be with you as you figure this out.

Ml, that does not sound silly at all!  Gaining weight would SUCK.  F that!  I am swearing!    So are you going to talk to the nutritionists, give up all your fave carbs, and fight it all the way?  Or are you going to eat just what you need to eat and worry about losing it later?  I don't know which one I would choose.  They said I would gain from instant menopause but I have been so stressed out I think I haven't gained as much as they thought.

Quilty, have you seen a PT yet specializing in LE?  That's what I would do.  Not saying you have LE.  But it's good for all of us to keep the fluid moving in the right direction in those areas.  Do you have someone good there?

Ally... standing by to see if you get an approval from insurance!  On pins and needles!  xxxxx

Ally,, forgive me for butting in (I'm a friend of Bobo's)   but you can have shingles w/o ever getting the rash. It is not usual, but it happens. I have shingles when I was in my 30's and it was wrapped around my rib cage and the most painful thing I ever experienced in my life.  I did get the rash after a few days,, which  is how I was finally diagnosed.

Now that you have a rash,, make sure they look at it. If they think it is shingles, you need to get on anti-viral med STAT. And I mean tomorrow!! If they are "not sure",, ask if you can have the med anyway.   Valtrex 1 gm 3 times a day for 7 to 10 days. 

 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/basics/symptoms/con-20019574

Here's a link,, and it says right here, that you can have it w/o the rash. 

((HUGS)) and I wish you all the best.  I would never wish shingles on anyone,, but I guess there are worse things.

AllyP

I am about ready to fly to Hartland MI and give those doctors of yours a piece of my mind. And it will not be pretty. Then call your insurance company on the way back when I am all warmed up. I am infuriated for you. 

Meanwhile, sending you peaceful, positive prayers and thoughts.

Katy (aka Sassy)

Hi sisters, 

Sorry I've been MIA, trying to manage staying at my parents and home with two under 2 1/2yrs old. It's been crazy! 

I have been picking up the 8 month old, is that a no no?? I'm only 3 weeks out. My stomach doesn't hurt at all but this iron bra feeling is so dang annoying. 

I woke up today and my right flap feels heavy and a little hard in places, is that normal? I forgot to put my bra back on after my shower last night and finally put it on about 3pm today. I have been doing more than usual. But today I feel like something isn't right. Can anyone help?

Bobogirl you crack me up! Lol