Looking for a place to post---feel like I belong everywhere!!!

LeeLee52
LeeLee52 Member Posts: 41
edited October 2014 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hello to all of the beautiful ladies on this board! I posted a bit at the beginning of my journey (diagnosed Aug 19th) but not much since as I have been taking care of my parents (87 and 90, each in the past 5 months becoming ill, hospitals, skilled nursing, assisted living, those of you my age (52) know the drill.  But they are alive...not quite kicking..but still around, and I am thankful for that. ANYWAY--I have been trying to decide where to post--ILC? yes, that's me...middle aged? (yes, though I won't admit that outside this board, lol) Stage 1? check..going for reconstruction...yep...so many categories that fit.  But I decided it would be lovely to join in with those going through surgeries this month..I know I will be back on here as soon as I am able after this Friday, which is when my BMX is scheduled. I wanted to say hello, offer my support, and say, we can do this!!! As my kids would say (11,13,15) We are going to kick this cancer's a$$ "LIKE A BOSS".... Hugs to all :)    LL

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited October 2014

    Hi LeeLee - Welcome! You sound like a very busy lady. I enjoyed posting with my surgeries sister when I was planning my surgery, but now I just post all over the place. Good luck with your surgery Friday. I found that the thought of surgery was much worse than the reality. If I can help with anything please let me know!

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  • LeeLee52
    LeeLee52 Member Posts: 41
    edited October 2014

    Hello farmerlucy, thanks for saying hi! Keeping busy does help with not focusing on myself, but I think I'm going to take the next couple of days to do just that.  Do you have beagles? I have a 3 year old beagle :)  I am wondering if there are any specifics to do/not do in the week before surgery? I had to post-pone my pre-ops until the day before the actual surgery so I feel a bit in the dark.  I'm guessing not taking medications that thin your blood might be one, but other than that, not sure? I see you are a couple of years out--how are you feeling?

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited October 2014

    We have four beagles/beagle mixes. They are a bunch of middle aged  and elderly ladies from the rescue. They are wonderful. The October surgery sisters might have a list from their surgeons. I started using Hibicleanse three days before per my PS, and she had me on antibiotics ahead of time. Preops the day before seems to be cutting it close. Maybe they can fax or email their instructions ahead of time. I was given a whole notebook.  I had a list of meds to get, instructions for setting up an area to handle the drains and change the dressings. I learned so much from readng these boards. I was pretty prepared. The one thing I needed that I didn't have was a back scratcher, but that was easily fixed. Today I am two and one half years out. I remember early on being envious of women who were two years out thinking I'd never get there. But here I am and you will be too. I am doing great. I still think about BC a lot, but it is mixed in with all the chaos of daily living, and the thought of it is not really that scary anymore. You are going to do great. There are peaks and valleys but just keep putting one foot in front of the other. 

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  • Sunflowercat
    Sunflowercat Member Posts: 177
    edited October 2014

    Leelee welcome to our community.  Sorry you've found yourself here, but it is the best place ever to get the support you need.  Your kids sounds great!  So glad you have them around to cheer you on and help you.  As for preparing for surgery, you need to get in touch with your PS.  While I didn't get squat from my BS, I had to read, initial and sign a million pages of surgery prep information from my PS. (Ok, it was more like 15 pages, but it had a lot of do's and don'ts for the weeks prior to surgery.  Mainly with medications, herbals, food, beverages, etc...and of course, no smoking!)  They are all very different, so check to make sure you are following their directions for the best possible outcome.  Good luck with your surgery! I hope you find all the support you need in our little community.

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  • LeeLee52
    LeeLee52 Member Posts: 41
    edited October 2014

    Ok, thank you guys!! I have both the PS pre-op and surgical onc pre-op the day before, back to back.  Now I am stressing out even more--I thought it was mostly a paperwork thing, but didn't know anything about what not to do, etc, no one said a thing...(unfortunately I had to go out of town last week when my mother was hospitalized, when they would have normally done those appointments...) Eeek....deep breaths...get back on the phone.  p.s. please say alcohol wasn't on that list of don'ts...is so, I'm in trouble!!

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  • clmtootie
    clmtootie Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2014

    LeeLee, I hope you have gotten a list of do/don't from your PS.  You definitely need it sooner than one day before surgery.  I had many things on my list that had to be stopped two weeks before surgery (although none of it affected me other than ibuprofen).  Sorry to tell you, but on my do/don't list alcohol had to be stopped one week before surgery!  I also had to start using an antibacterial soap one week before surgery as well.  I was also told what to have on hand for when I got home. 

    Good luck in your surgery, I hope all goes smoothly.

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  • Leslienva
    Leslienva Member Posts: 489
    edited October 2014

    hi LeeLee,

    I had my BMX in September with TE. This suggestion may already be on here somewhere, but I'd suggest getting some oversized button down shirts. Your arms are sore so it's hard to lift them up right away so buttons are easier. I mentioned oversized so that they fit over the drains. I had the button down shirts but I found I needed a much larger size so the drains didn't poke out. I ended up wearing some of my husband's shirts.

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  • LeeLee52
    LeeLee52 Member Posts: 41
    edited October 2014

    Hi Ladies, thanks so much for the suggestions and good wishes!! Fortunately I had no such restrictions given (other than the ibuprofen, aspirin) which I had already stopped on my own a week ago as I thought that might be an issue.  Pre-ops went well with one minor exception that resolved itself by the end of the day (high bp issues but had been stable lately and primary had cleared me, had an EKG that came back with some slight abnormalities and the NP freaked me out by saying they might cancel the surgery if the anesthesiologist saw that AND my bp was high...but turned out to be a non issue per my primary, so hopefully the show will go on as scheduled today!!)  Feeling pretty positive and strong, heading into the hospital at 10:00 to get the sentinel node biopsy procedure started then off to surgery!!! I am just ready for this to be OVER and on the road to recovery.  Thinking of you all and wishing you hugs, love and strength.  p.s.  GREAT idea about borrowing the hubby's shirts as I literally only own one!!! That will be comforting and practical all at the same time!!! . I have a few moments alone while he is dropping the last kiddo off at school so I think I'll go raid his closet.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2014

    LeeLee - (my sister-in-law's name too) I would also recommend that when you get home you have a basket that holds tissues, pen and paper, glasses, TV remotes, a magazine, phone, etc. so it is all in one place - it may be difficult for you to reach around, or move too much.  The basket can follow you around if you go from bed to couch, or whatever.  I would also recommend that you write down when you take each medication - people always think they will remember but sometimes it gets a bit fuzzy.  You will also need to record drain output.  I don't know what your restrictions will be but I was allowed to shower even with drains in - if so, I found it easy to use a clean shoelace to string the drains on (they have a loop) and tie the ends and slip it over my head like a necklace.  You could also use several lengths of dental floss.  I pinned my drains to the side seams of my shirt, but some wear a sweatshirt inside out and use the pockets - or cut a hole in the pocket from the inside and feed the drains through.  My husband got me one of these - they are genius -

    http://www.homedepot.com/p/Westek-300-Watt-Full-Range-Table-Top-Slide-Control-4010W/100644816?cm_mmc=shopping-_-googleads-_-pla-_-100644816&ci_sku=100644816&ci_gpa=pla&ci_src=17588969&gclid=CPuioOTNxcECFUsV7AodP1EAqw

    Good luck!  P.S. - you will kick cancer's a$$ like a BOSS!

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