October 2014 Surgery Sisters

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  • colbelli
    colbelli Member Posts: 16
    edited October 2014

    Ladies, 

    Please jump in and help me add to my list - I am looking for things to let friends and family help with.   We have had many offers for people to come and stay, but my husband is not too keen on the idea thinking it could be more stressful to have out of town company come, etc. than to simply care for me himself.  He works from home and has a flexible schedule, thank goodness, but I dont want to leave well intentioned friends left out or offended.     I had the idea for the breast cancer pillows (see other post), but that does not suit everyone, I also thought about asking friends to be "on call" to skype with my kids at 7pm weeknights to help with homework (my husbands least best things to do with kids), what else?     Im preparing food, etc, so that will be ready - Im looking for creative ways to involve friends and family both near and far and reduce the workload for my husband - thoughts???  

    Colene

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  • Sacnaillady
    Sacnaillady Member Posts: 59
    edited October 2014


    Hi all! it's been a few days since I have post. Lot's of new surgery sister! Welcome! One of my co workers told me about a web site & App. called caring bridge at caringbrige.org. She signed me up and I'm going to download the App. Its a site that you or a loved one can post your progress before, during and after your surgery. That way people can check in on you and post well wishes with out you or your loved one's phone ringing off the hook. Just thought I'd pass it on. I thought it was a great idea. Well wishes to all have their surgery this week.

     

    Linda 

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  • Lilith08
    Lilith08 Member Posts: 163
    edited October 2014

    CaringBridge is great! I've followed (am following) a couple of friends who use it. I think it's also good if you don't want to put your whole story on Facebook, but want somewhere to share your updates.

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  • SummerSun
    SummerSun Member Posts: 91
    edited October 2014

    Well, Laurie, 3littlebirds and Sandra, looks like we are up next! I hope that everyone's surgery goes smoothly with an easy recovery. You all will be in my prayers.

    Let's get this bus on the road! I will be glad when this is behind me. BTW, my birthday is this month too! Lol! Looks like it is a serious party month. Here's to us all ladies -  cheers, bottoms up and any other one that anyone knows!! We will so ROCK this month!! We've got this! 

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

    Yes, Exparel is the name of the anesthetic. I will never have another surgery without it. The PS injects it into the incisions at the end of surgery. It foams up and bathes the whole area in blessed pain relief for 4 days (96 hours). 

     http://www.exparel.com/what-is-exparel.shtml  When you click on the link, see the section on the top right where it says "Learn about Exparel". It is an short animation describing how it works.

    THIS IS NOT A PICTURE OF EXPAREL BELOW

    A paravertebral block in done in your back and involves several sets of injections into the areas around your spine. Depending on how far up and down they go, you will have numbing. I don't know how long it lasts. It's not like an epidural where they can continually inject more "juice." I tried it on a previous surgery, but they only got in about four injections before my blood pressure dropped and I passed out. They had just placed the catheters, not any drug yet, so I can't tell you how it compares.

     image

     

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  • SCMom
    SCMom Member Posts: 112
    edited October 2014

    Hi Sandra, I saw my PS today and asked him about Exparel...he said that he doesn't use it because of the cost involved :(  It sounds great though, you're lucky to get it!  It looks like you're up next tomorrow along with Laurie2025, SummerSun and 3littlebirds.  I hope you ladies all have a nice relaxing evening and are able to get a good night's sleep.

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

    Best wishes to all of you having surgery tomorrow. Summer Sun, enjoy your October birthday. I hope you'll get to shuffle your feet through some crunchy autumn leaves and feel like a five year-old again!

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  • Fourminor
    Fourminor Member Posts: 354
    edited October 2014

    i worked my last day today and am on leave.  Its been tough to concentrate the last week.  I'm both dreading what's ahead, but also feel like I need to get it over with so its not hanging over me anymore.

    Preop tomorrow at 8am.

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  • Bubu
    Bubu Member Posts: 11
    edited October 2014

    my surgery is set for October 13. Still hasn't decided on uni or bilateral mastectomy. MRI found nothing on the right (good) breast, and brca negative. Doctor told me the chance of my right breast getting cancer is from 0.25% to 0.50% each year.   I will be seeing a PS next week.  Good luck everyone! Appreciate all the tips!

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

    I've not been able to concentrate, either; at this point I'd be more use out cold in the OR :) 

    Good luck tomorrow, Four. Get some rest tonight if possible. Will be thinking of you tomorrow.

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  • Lilith08
    Lilith08 Member Posts: 163
    edited October 2014

    Welcome, Bubu. I've added you to my list (will wait a couple days before having Mods update our header). I can add more info when you've decided on your procedures.

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

    Well, so far no one has called to say surgery is cancelled so I'm optimistic that tomorrow morning will be a GO and the third time will indeed be the charm. I couldn't sleep at all last night, even though I felt tired and was yawning. As soon as I got in bed, my brain began the "what if's" so I'd get up and read for awhile before trying again. At 6 a.m. I was still awake so I just gave up. You'd think after so many surgeries I could relax. Scared

    image

    Laurie, Summer Sun and 3littlebirds, I'm hoping everything goes perfect for you tomorrow. Let's start the day with a rollicking ride in the Pink Bus LIMO!!

    image

    I'm first case so I have a 5:45 a.m. show time. Better drop me off first. GOOD LUCK to all. 

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

    I'm probably next at 6:30 a.m. Have been anxious and a nervous Nelly all day. Hugs and good luck to Laurie, Summer Sun and Sandra (and the ostrich!).

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  • laurie2025
    laurie2025 Member Posts: 117
    edited October 2014

    Oh my what a day!!  Good Luck LittleBird, Summer Sun and Sandra.  

    Maybe I'll try to go sleep in the back of that limo.  Cause there's none of that going on here!

    What a long day!  Drove into Chicago and had appointments with Physical Therapy, the Dr. doing the surgery, then with anesthesiology, and then had a blood draw.  We didn't even get on the road home until 5.  We stopped for dinner for my birthday, but then husband left his credit card at the restaurant, and had to go back.............. OMG it's midnight and I'm still awake!  I have to get up in 2.5 hours!  We need to leave by 3:30 to be there by 5:30.

    Good Luck ladies, I will be thinking about you!!!!!

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  • laurie2025
    laurie2025 Member Posts: 117
    edited October 2014

    Oh I forgot, mine was a paravertebral block, I believe.  But the Exparel sounds great!

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  • Fourminor
    Fourminor Member Posts: 354
    edited October 2014

    Just looking over these pre surgical regimen Angelina Jolie used.  I"m going to add vitamin C and zinc to my shopping list along with hibiclens and dry shampoo.

    http://nancyroberge.com/angelina-jolie-pre-surgery-regimen/

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  • SCMom
    SCMom Member Posts: 112
    edited October 2014

    Good luck Laurie, LittleBird, SummerSun and Sandra! I hope everything goes perfectly for all of you!

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  • Sacnaillady
    Sacnaillady Member Posts: 59
    edited October 2014

    hey girls! Just thought I'd brag. I'm in Vegas for one last hurrah before the big sGAP! I hope all went well for yesterday's surgery sister!

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

    All went well yesterday. In a little more pain than I expected, so trying to keep up the pain meds. Thinking of my fellow surgery sisters and hoping everybody came through with flying colors. Going back to bed now!

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

    So glad to hear everything went well, 3LB. Hope you get the pain under control and it stays that way. Sending you some healing thoughts from the Pacific NW.

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  • SCMom
    SCMom Member Posts: 112
    edited October 2014

    I'm so glad to hear from you 3LittleBirds...I've been checking since yesterday afternoon to see if any of yesterday's surgery sisters had posted yet! I'm glad your surgery went well, now get as much rest as you can!

    Sacnaillady, I'm so jealous...I really wanted to go to Las Vegas this weekend for the Route 91 Harvest Festival but it wasn't in the budget :(  Have fun out there!

    After talking to my BS Thursday I decided to switch to a double mastectomy with immediate implants...it looks like Swoobs is having the same surgery on the 7th so I'll really be looking forward to hearing about your experience!

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  • Alley0622
    Alley0622 Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2014

    Hello everyone 

    All went well on Thurs, and I got home last night.  It was very difficult to rest in the hospital, and I was in a fair amount of pain.  I got a couple of doses of Dilaudid in my IV, great stuff and I could finally sleep.  

    I do have sharp stabbing pains in my side, but the oxycodone sure helps.

    I did not see either of my surgeons yesterday, quite irritated about that.  The PA came in a couple times and wrote my discharge notes.

    Hope everyone who had surgery yesterday is doing well tonight.

    Thinking of you all :)

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  • SCMom
    SCMom Member Posts: 112
    edited October 2014

    Hi Alley, I'm so glad to hear that your surgery went well!  I'm sorry you weren't able to rest in the hospital but hopefully you can rest now that you're home. I can't believe that neither of your doctors checked in on you yesterday after such a big surgery...did you see them at all after your surgery on Thursday?

    Prayers that the pain goes away quickly, and for a speedy recovery 

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

    The third time really was the charm. Surgery #5 is now in the books. PS said pockets were too big so they were re-done to hold the 740 cc FF 410's tighter. Implants had bottomed out so fresh new set was positioned several inches higher and Alloderm was placed. It took two plastic surgeons three and a half hours. Trouble left side with it's super thin skin is getting that lavender color in a couple of spots...just like when I got the infection. Blood flow is barely adequate but PS is optimistic. One drain - on other side, which PS said was quite vascular. I had two "leaks" last night but gushing blood from drain entry site was stopped. No more trouble today. This feels like it did after the BMX in spite of having Exparel this time. Tylenol is no match for the pain but I know it will get better. 

    My signs that remind staff to wash their hands are working.

    image


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

    Oh Sandra, so happy to hear from you. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed that this time really is the charm. Rest and heal!

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  • SCMom
    SCMom Member Posts: 112
    edited October 2014

    Sandra, I'm so glad to hear from you too!  I hope this surgery is a success, no one should have to go through what you went through. You look great, and I love the heart pillows and the hand washing signs!  I hope you rest well tonight and feel better in the morning!

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

    I'm glad that's behind you. Rest well and feel better every day.

    I've printed out signs to take to the hospital, too. Thanks for planting the seed.

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

    It's so nice to be home. This is the shortest time I've ever had to stay in the hospital. I sprung another leak from the entry point of the drain this morning but it's just dripping, not gushing. Apparently the part of the drain that is inside is getting obstructed so all the "juice" is looking for an alternative way to get out. Seeing blood on my pajama top makes me nervous but it's much less than the two Friday evening episodes. I'll go into the ER if it doesn't stop. Plan for today? More naps.

    This is the soft surgical bra I wake up in, complete with pouch for the drain. It has Velcro and attaches anywhere along the band.

    image

    Implants are looking weird, lumpy and bumpy, plus all the swelling.

    Edited by Mods to remove photo. For your protection and security, it is strongly suggested that naked photos are not posted on the boards.
     

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  • Lilith08
    Lilith08 Member Posts: 163
    edited October 2014

    Hooray for being back home, Sandra, 3LittleBirds, and Alley--be gentle with yourselves!

    KayG, get yourself some rest and relaxation today. We're prepping the bus for your surgery tomorrow!

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  • SummerSun
    SummerSun Member Posts: 91
    edited October 2014

    Glad to hear that Sandra, 3littlebirds and Alley are back home!  I am back home too and am in more pain than I thought I would be. The pain meds are not helping much. I think the pain is coming from the TEs.  I feel like I have on the tightest underwire bra ever.  Everything went well. I ended up with 4 drains. I also have only waterproof bandages on, so I was able to get a shower today. Sentinel node came back negative. Should have the path report by Thursday. 

    Good luck with your surgery tomorrow Kay!  I will be praying for you. 

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