October 2014 Surgery Sisters

Davida - I am SO glad you dodged the ALND. That's really good news. And I'm glad that the rest of your issues were handled well.

As for your living situation - you MUST do something to be safe. As SCMom suggested, call the hospital. Even on weekends there are social workers available.

I completely agree, you need to be someplace safe and secure, do you have a friend or family member or church you could call? Regarding swelling, I'm still wearing the ace bandage wrapped around my chest and my swelling is minimal and it actually feels good to have some snugness around there. Take care of yourself!!

Davida, I agree with what everyone else is saying - you NEED to be somewhere safe and supportive. I know where you're coming from (including the somewhat nonchalant way you're mentioning it - I was like that, too), and I can't even imagine dealing with that crap when recovering from surgery. Please, please call a family member or friend who can help you out.

Hi, All,

Day 6 update: Slept nearly 12 hours last night, with only one trip to the bathroom. Almost no pain anymore, and even in the beginning it was barely present. I only took Percocet through the second night then switched to Tylenol. My left drain was down to 19 cc yesterday, and today looks like a lot less. Am hoping I might be able to get one drain out tomorrow, and perhaps the other on Wednesday, but I'm probably jumping ahead of myself.

My BFF arrives this afternoon from out of town to stay with me for the next week. That means I get to go back home to my kitty-cats, too! I've missed them, but I'm also grateful that I had someone to take care of them, as it would've been difficult to pay attention to them until now. The weather has finally given us a glimpse of autumn, so am looking forward to taking some outside strolls. My nurse advised it as I've been having high blood pressure and a bit of swelling in my feet--both very unusual for me. If I get to see the BS tomorrow, she can perhaps weigh in on that issue. 

Off now to take a shower! And I can do it by myself! Best to you all.

I'm on the pink bus for Horsemom tomorrow.   Hoping surgery goes well and you have a speedy recovery!

I'll be on the Pink Bus tomorrow. I'm bringing breakfast tacos. Good luck Horsemom & Hummingbirdlover!

Good luck tomorrow Horsemom!  I hope that you get a good nights rest, and that you find that the pre-surgery anxiety was the worst part of this ordeal. Prayers for a wonderful surgery and a speedy recovery!

Saw my PS tonight as I was concerned about the amount of fluid 

He told me it will take 3-6 months for the swelling to be gone and to feel normal.

They are going to use an ultra sound guided entry to drain some fluid out this week.

Hopefully it will relive the pressure I feel , I'm not in pain it's uncomfortable but tolerable but there is pressure which I believe is the fluid.

The side I had lymph nodes taken from is very inflamed the pecs are very angry but not fluid on that side.

My question is has anymore experienced have to be drained a few weeks after surgery?

We all have swelling after surgery...sometimes lots of it, and it can take a couple of months for it to go away completely. Even excessive swelling usually just goes away after causing you some concern and discomfort.  Sometimes the fluid forms painful pockets that need attention from your doctor. Swoobs, you are not along in having to have fluid drained. If drains come out a little too soon, fluid can build up inside you. Small amounts will be reabsorbed but larger amounts can form seromas which have to be drained. Sometimes those can become infected so it's a good idea to watch for a low grade fever or changes in skin color. Some doctors put their patients on antibiotics if they get a seroma, just in case. Others don't.

Swoobs, we didn't know I had a Seroma until it burst open in Aug last year, 30 days after surgery.  No drain had been used that time, so now we're extra cautious about using them.  

I shared this so you'll know that it can be there without knowing.  There was a barely perceptible amount of swelling a few days before it happened, yet the encapsulated seroma burst.

Hi All,

Hoping everyone is healing well.

My surgery, a double mastectomy was done last Monday and I haven't done as well as others here.  I have another surgery on Wednesday to put in the immediate implants.  It's been a whirl wind.

Found I'm going to need chemotherapy.  My nodes were negative but two of the four tumors were 2 cm.  The MRI was not accurate on size.  

Just wanted to say hi and wish everyone well.

Oceansky hugs to you, hang in there. I am so sorry you didn't wake up with implants that's got to be physiologically tough on a woman. My heart aches for you. Keep your chin up things will make sense in time and we are here for you.

Like I posted on my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000065729... yesterday, I'm alive and kicking. Sore as all get out but I'm doing well.

My surgery was done Friday the 24th and I came home Saturday evening all wrapped up and ready for a night of sleep in my own bed which I accomplished with propped up pillows, a back pillow, and a neck pillow plus a pillow under each arm.  It worked though and I slept great! 

Two of my sentential lymph nodes were removed and came back from the lab showing cancer had spread to those. My Surgical Oncologist removed all of my axillary lymph nodes .. the total number and how many affected by cancer should be known by Midweek (possibly) Wednesday of this week.  I was told chemo is now a given for me but I will have to wait a month until I heal from the mastectomies as I will be in outpatient to put a port in for that.

My plastic surgeon did immediate reconstruction with tissue expanders.  I have an appt to see him tomorrow at 1pm as well as see my Surgical Oncologist after that appt... both will be in the same office tomorrow.  I'm rather hoping that my pathology report for my axillary lymph nodes will be back by then. 

Oh and I did get notice on the 23rd that I am negative for the gene mutation. YAY!

Today is the 3rd day after surgery. I was told that today would be
my roughest and toughest day as the pain meds I was injected with would
be worn off, etc. and I'd hurt more.

Well, I'm not. That's ALL God!! He is strengthening me moment by moment, day by day.
I was talking with a friend about it via text earlier. She commented that HE is definitely
strengthening me as this isn't the norm. Then she jokingly said, I'm
not normal anyway. lol She knows me well. lol

hi everyone! Checking in. It's been two weeks since my flap surgery. I'm doing pretty good. I saw my PS today. He removed my boob drain today, thank god, but I still have my two hip drains : (. My new foob is still purple and a little bruised looking but it is healthy underneath. I will loose some of my nipple skin due to necrosis but it will be all skin color and healthy when all is said and done. Today is the first day I actually feel human. I put make-up on and did my hair. Tonight my husband is taking me out to dinner. I'm on the road to recovery and it's looking pretty good. Hope everyone is healing well. Pink hugs! 

I am barely squeaking into the group with my surgery scheduled for tomorrow. I will be having a mastectomy and lumpectomy. I am looking at those words I just typed and it seems very surreal. I live in a bit of a smaller city centre with an amazing hospital and surgical team. One of the many advantages is that from diagnosis to surgery I've only had to wait 2 weeks. It is however all happening crazy fast and a bit much to wrap my head around. I woke up this morning at 4 a.m. For me information is comfort and I am so thrilled I came across this website and thread, it has really helped me feel less anxious and is a good reminder that I'm not in this journey alone.