October 2014 Surgery Sisters

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  • MomDemmer
    MomDemmer Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2014

    I have just recently joined the site and came across this group so I wanted to introduce myself. I am 35 years old and have DCIS. No one can agree on a stage but they told me it doesn't matter unless it has spread to my lymph glands. I am being treated by an amazing team at MD Anderson in Houston. I had a lump ectomy on an egg sized tumor about three weeks ago. Then last week for some reason the incision site and my entire under arm all the way down to my arm started swelling up. Right now the doctors are trying to just let everything calm down before they go in and do additional biopsies on my lymph glands. I'm scheduled for a bilateral double mastectomy with a DI EP reconstruction on October 28 but they are trying to move it up a week. I was told today that they can set our mind to be around the stage two possibly three they told me that approximately half of the mass of my breasts are filled with tumors of varying sorts. Other than that I'm very healthy I have two kids my youngest is nine so the thought of having surgery three days before Halloween is not sitting very well around our household. Good luck to everyone that having surgery this week!

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  • Alley0622
    Alley0622 Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2014

    Hello everyone,

    Please add me to the October surgery sisters.  My surgery is tomorrow, October 2nd.  I have DCIS, stage 0, high grade (found on MRI), and am having a bilateral mx with tissue expanders.  Up until today, none of this has seemed real...however, I am almost in a state of panic today. 

    My oncologist gave me the choice of  having a lumpectomy with radiation.  I did not want radiation, and my right breast is already smaller than the left due to removal of a benign Phyllodes tumor almost 9 years ago. 

    I am fortunate to have a great support system, my husband has been with me all the way, and my mother is coming Saturday and staying for a week.

    Thank you to all of you whom post here, reading of your experiences has been invaluable to me.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Alley

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  • Gosiagalas
    Gosiagalas Member Posts: 6
    edited October 2014

    Thank you Sandra today it is a better day. Im not in so much pain.Got my pathology results all is clear!!!!!!!!! I'm so so happy.

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  • Lilith08
    Lilith08 Member Posts: 163
    edited October 2014

    Lots of new Sisters in less than 48 hours! Update should appear soon.

    Alley0622, all the best to you tomorrow, and may you get a good night's rest, too!

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  • Lilith08
    Lilith08 Member Posts: 163
    edited October 2014

    What is it with this October group and birthdays? It's my birth-month, too!

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

    Gosiagalas, what wonderful news! So happy for you.

    Welcome to Momdemmer and Alley0622. Sorry we have to meet under these circumstances, but I'm glad you both found us. Momdemmer, I know you are anxious to have all this done sooner rather than later. Waiting is the hardest part but it sounds like you are in good hands and have confidence in your team.

    Alley, of course you are in a panic. We all understand. I've had four breast surgeries so far with the fifth scheduled for the day after yours and I still have a tough time in the days before. Having both a supportive husband and your mother's help is such a blessing. Be sure to let us know how it's going as soon as you are able.

    image

    October Sisters: who is going to be on our Pink Bus of support tomorrow? We're taking Alley0622 to the hospital. Post your good wishes here. I think I'll bring a reggae band complete with a steel drum so we can dance all the way.Winking 

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited October 2014

    yes, every one needs one of the others in their pocket on surgery date!

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  • 3littlebirds
    3littlebirds Member Posts: 101
    edited October 2014

    Welcome MomDemmer and Alley!

    Gosiagalas, congrats on the all clear! Such a relief. Waiting for those path results is nerve-racking.

    Alley, again the waiting is so difficult. I've put in a request for that reggae band on the bus to play us some Bob Marley (you can probably guess what one of my favorite songs is from my screen name!). I'll bring some Red Stripe beer. Good luck tomorrow:)

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  • nancybel
    nancybel Member Posts: 81
    edited October 2014

    I'm in. I'm scheduled for prophylactic MX on the left and TE placement on both sides for Oct. 15.  Excited to get this part of the journey started, but anxious about surgery and losing yet another part of myself, even though I feel good about my decision to have a PMX. 

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  • nancybel
    nancybel Member Posts: 81
    edited October 2014

    Alley, good luck tomorrow.  I'll be thinking of you and praying for a smooth recovery.

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  • mefromcc
    mefromcc Member Posts: 188
    edited October 2014

    Alley, good luck tomorrow and may your pain be well controlled.

    My sister and I went to our local American Cancer Society office today and picked up two of the little heart shaped pillows that were recommended earlier in this discussion group. The lady also gave me a shoulder seat belt pad she said I would need. Now that I have them I can make a pattern and make more for them.

    Saw the PA at my MO office today. She said my BS does a lot of day surgery MX and his patients do fine. But you need someone at home to feed you, help you get up, etc. My family can provide the nursing care I need, so I don't need to stay in a hospital. I heard once that you only need to be in the hospital if you need nursing care, not medical care.

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  • Lilith08
    Lilith08 Member Posts: 163
    edited October 2014

    Welcome, nancybel! It looks like you've been busy this year--I hope that means everything's looking better for you.

     

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  • SCMom
    SCMom Member Posts: 112
    edited October 2014

    Wow, lots of new surgey sisters for October.  It looks like you're leading the way Alley...prayers for a successful surgery and an easy, speedy recovery. (((Hugs)))

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  • laurie2025
    laurie2025 Member Posts: 117
    edited October 2014

    Hey, I'm on that Pink Bus!  I'll bring some pink feather boas and a big tray of Mai Tais!  Good Luck Alley!!!  We're with you!!

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  • SCMom
    SCMom Member Posts: 112
    edited October 2014

    I was able to get an appointment to see my BS tomorrow, and have been putting together a list of questions. I wanted to ask him about a medicine (?) that I read about on one of the boards...probably the August or September surgery boards. It's something the surgeon puts in/on the incisions that makes them numb for a few days...does anyone know what I'm talking about and what the name of it is?  Also, I know I'll think of a lot more questions as soon as I walk out of his office and I won't see him again until my surgery...any suggestions for questions to ask?  Thanks!

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  • laurie2025
    laurie2025 Member Posts: 117
    edited October 2014

    I cannot believe the number of October birthdays!  Crazy!  

    Lets gas up the bus for Alley tomorrow, and then we have 4 of us on Friday.  Good luck to all; 3littlebirds, SummerSun, Sandra4611!!!!!!!

    I will be wishing all the best for you ladies!!!!  {{hugs}}

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  • laurie2025
    laurie2025 Member Posts: 117
    edited October 2014

    SCMom - could that be the block they use?  I had one in my back for my mastectomy last year.  I was numb for at least 2 days.  It works fantastically well.  I'm not sure of the name, I'm sorry.  Hopefully someone else will know.

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  • 3littlebirds
    3littlebirds Member Posts: 101
    edited October 2014

    I think it's called Exparel. Sandra would know.

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  • laurie2025
    laurie2025 Member Posts: 117
    edited October 2014

    Ok, I think what I had is something else.  I had a paravertebral block, or nerve block. 

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  • SCMom
    SCMom Member Posts: 112
    edited October 2014

    3littlebirds, that's it, thanks!  

    Laurie, the block sounds good but I'd be afraid that I'd leave the hospital thinking everything was great and then get knocked over with pain and not be prepared for it when the block wore off. I think someone had posted on the earlier threads that they had both the block and the Exparel. My understanding is that the Exparel just numbs where the incisions are so there would still be pain, just not as much. Hopefully Sandra will see this and chime in (crosses fingers!)

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited October 2014

    Laurie, did you have a paravertebral block or paracervical block? Just curious. 

    MarieBernice - glad that's over with for you! 

    OK, I'm fine with a bus but does it have to be pink? It's October - let's have harvest orange, a few black cats and some bales of hay on which to perch. And make mine hot spiced cider, please.

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  • SCMom
    SCMom Member Posts: 112
    edited October 2014

    Alley, good luck to you today!  Praying for peace and calmness this morning.

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  • SummerSun
    SummerSun Member Posts: 91
    edited October 2014

    Alley, I hope everything goes well for you today. You will be in my prayers.

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  • Alley0622
    Alley0622 Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2014

    thank you all for the good wishes and prayers!  At the hospital now and waiting for a room.  Told yesterday to be here at 0730, admitting clerk just told me I'm early and didn't have to be here until 0900, arghhh! 

    I will post an update as soon as I'm able.  

    Big hugs for you all.

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  • colbelli
    colbelli Member Posts: 16
    edited October 2014

    Thinking of you - best wishes tomorrow.

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  • colbelli
    colbelli Member Posts: 16
    edited October 2014

    I just got pushed to 30 Oct.... I hate that I will be in the hospital for halloween!  But glad that at least its still in October and I will be on my way soon!

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  • colbelli
    colbelli Member Posts: 16
    edited October 2014

    Thinking of you today.

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  • colbelli
    colbelli Member Posts: 16
    edited October 2014

    Im on the bus and buckled in!   Best wishes to you all!

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  • Akitagirl
    Akitagirl Member Posts: 142
    edited October 2014

    Praying for you Alley!  Go get 'em!

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  • colbelli
    colbelli Member Posts: 16
    edited October 2014

    Hey there, I know there was a post about the heart shaped recovery pillows - I found a site on line that shares the guidelines, when my friends are asking me what they can do for me to help, I share the following link:  http://www.breastinvestigators.com/content/how-ma...

    And tell them to try and make or find someone to make some of these for me to bring with me to the hospital.   This is a great service project for 4-h, girl/cub scouts, church groups - and while I sit here waiting for 30 Oct (M-day) I am keeping myself focused on helping and positivity - thought this might help you too!   Colene

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