January 2013 surgery
Comments
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Tangles~ When is your surgery scheduled? I know that the thought of a lat flap scared me as well...use of the arm and all, but I "talked" to quite a few women who have had it done, and they seem to be able to use their arm just fine. One of them swore by swimming to rehab it and get her range of motion back...and that made perfect sense to me. Do you have a place you can swim?
About the clients...they will be patient. I was surprised that most of mine came back to me after I missed so much work last year. My books are busier than ever! I hope you see the same with your clients
Tami
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Feb 6th. Taking four weeks off and hoping that is enough!
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That's tomorrow!!! I hope it all goes well for you, and that the recovery is as easy as it can be! Please keep me posted!
Tami
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That's a pleasure Tami!
I hope you find what you need and can be comfortable while you wait for the next bit. They're not wrong when they call this a journey!
I wouldn't think there would be TE's again, maybe, drains, but I know very little about recon, I didn't do any research because I didn't consider, it for me. Now I have a "FoobMoire" with every conceivable Boob, Foob or Prosthesis and tank, cami, crop top and sports bra! I doubt it will ever end!
Take care and let us know how you're doing. M x
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8 days post surgery. Managing pain with only Tylenol and Advil... the Percocet was just too strong (I can handle mild pain, but severe nausea, no thanks). Drain #2 was removed yesterday, as well as the pain pump. I am averaging about 50 cc total per day with Drain #1... hoping it'll be removed early next week (I can't wait to take a full blown shower). Now I have a full blown yeast infection, but thankfully, I still had one pill left from the last time I had one, so I should be better tomorrow.
The first time I looked in the mirror, I wasn't all that shocked. I don't know if the depression will hit later, but I feel lucky to be alive... and cancer free. I pray for each of you just starting on this journey, because it is terrifying. For those of you post surgery, I pray you are able to remain strong, and to be surrounded by those who love you. Staying positive is such a huge part of this journey. God bless each and every one of you!
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Tami, whoops!! typo Im having the surgery the 26th. should have proof read my post! LOL
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Tangles,
Question, with a diagnosis of DCIS why fidbu require chemo and herceptin? Also I have DCIS and was told I didn't have an HER status........ Just curious!!!
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My Type of cancer tested positive for HER2 so one year of hercption needed
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Hi Tangles, I am confused too. I see you had an Axillary node dissection, did you have a positive node and therefor had to have all the nodes removed?
If that's the case, your Dx would have changed to IDC. The initial finding of DCIS would have been correct, till the invasion was detected in your final pathology and perhaps SNB.
I too was Dx with DCIS, which remained my Dx after my Mx surgery and final pathology. I understand that chemo is never indicated for pure DCIS...... Just wondering.
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Hi y'all
What a year...and the roller coaster keeps moving!
Tami & Tangles - what a journey. So sorry infections, complications, modifications, hard to wrap our mind around all that has transpired and still choices...
Fingers&toes crossed for future choices working well and peace of mind moving forward. You've come so far...hang in there!
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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Thank you Cindy!
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OK Im so sorry to confuse everyone. I guess I just don't understand all this cancer lingo.I do remember seeing DCIS at one point. My situation is a bit different. I had a ultrasound of the breast and armpit in which they saw the tumor in the breast, lots of pre cancer areas, and one lymph node that looked enlarged under the armpit.. When I had my mastectomy the surgeon was suppose to go up under the arm and try and get that one lymph node out that looked odd and also take a few around it to test. Well he MISSED all of them and when pathology reports came back it was no lymph nodes test positive because none were removed. Of course I was very upset, as we knew something was going on in that area. We decided to get started with chemo and take another look after treatment's. After a few chemo sessions the ultrasound didn't show anything unusual. the once swollen node was now normal size. When I got my exchange in June I opted to have all the nodes removed just for my peace of mind. They all tested negative, but that was no surprise after they all had been subjected to chemo. So for you experts out there should I change my diagnosis? Maybe? I guess I should educate myself more:-(
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Hello Tangles,
That's quite a journey you've been on!
I am no expert on Dx, my only reason to ask you is because DCIS by its very nature is confined to the milk ducts and only when it has broken through and morphed into IDC, the Dx of DCIS becomes somewhat redundant and there is a new Dx.
DCIS never requires chemo because it is stage 0 and therefore classified as pre cancer, which was definitely mentioned in your original report, but it seems you had another tumor, and perhaps were supposed to have a SNB, or Sentinel node biopsy which failed during your Mx surgery.
The only reason I asked, is because we get a lot of new members who are Dx with DCIS, I was one, just a year ago, who are told there is no Chemo, only Rads if they opt for a Lumpectomy, or occasionally if they are found to require it after a Mx. To then see your Dx as DCIS with chemo and full axillary section can be confusing.
Your story is a very different one. I am glad to see that everything is going well for you now. Take care, and thank you so much for the explanation!
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whoops sorry I didn't mean to confuse anyone. I know my entire breast was pre cancer so I guess that is where I got that from. I did have a VERY tiny tumor. The size of a grain of rice. Then the whole lymph node issue. Guess I need to update my profile and get things straight. I don't want to confuse anyone. I Really need to educate myself better that's for sure!
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No problem at all Tangles, none of us were versed in the "lingo" or the Dx for that matter. I had never heard of DCIS when I was Dx. I was just lucky that I found Beesie's contribution to these boards, she is our DCIS Guru! I printed those out for friends and family to read so they would understand what was going on with me.
Thank you again, for the explanation!
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Read often, seldom post. But it seems all are doing well, a year out for some of us. Good to be on this side of things. But it looks like many of you took a year or more to get back to where we were pre cancer. I know for me three surgeries, a blood clot and finally a staph infection prolonged my journey. A friend of mine, who is doctor, told me to prepare to take a year to navigate through this dx. At the time I thought he was nuts, seems he was correct. It took nearly a year from time of dx to clearing up all the complications and set backs, and get back on track. Still dealing with the aftermath of the blood clot and life long issues from that, but all doable. So many of you helped me through those first few months when I was in a total panic. This group and others in the forum were really instrumental in helping me navigate this mine field. Continued good health to all.
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Kkuziel~ Happy one year to you! You have been through so much and just wrapped it all up in a beautiful post!
Tami
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Hello ladies. I had my tram flap surgery last month. It was by far the WORST thing I have ever been through. I have never experienced pain like this in my life. I am 4 wks out and still in a good amount of pain. It really feels like I was cut in half and sewn back together. I hope someday I can look back and say it was worth it, but right now there is no amount of pain that is worth looking "normal" again. I would rather be flat.........................
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Tangles - Congrats on tram flap done. But so sorry that you experienced such pain and continue to do so...ugh this c and the choices we face...to be 'normal' & alive & healthy & thriving! I do pray that 6 months, 12 months, and 50 years out you believe it was worth it.
Sending pain free days full of laughter and love!
For those of you who are game...check out Casting for Recovery...my application was accepted and I will be attending in April...I've heard wonderful things about the experience...I'm an outside girl and up for a new adventure:)
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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hi Laurie! Hi everyone! It's been 14 months since surgery. I'm on the Neurontin for a year now and it is helping me live my life with less down time. I fell on the ice on March 2 and sprained my left ankle. But I got through my breast cancer surgery recovery so I was psyched to recover from the ankle sprain. I feel like there is hope, and that my stubborn determination to live life is a force for healing. How are you all doing? I love all of you.
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Be patient with yourself. This is a new chapter in your life. It's like having a newborn in terms of healing and getting to know your body in the world of the New Normal. I had to re learn what my body was trying to tell me. I was scared when I felt my armpit and felt the bunched up lymph fluid. I learned to gently touch my arm and armpit and move the lymph fluid. These days, when I have pain, I can often ease it by that gentle stroking. I went to a fundraiser where women at my table said casually that their post surgery friends had the nerve pain resolve itself eventually and so they said just be patient. That meant so much to me. We have been given the gift of time. We have time to heal, to re connect with ourselves and to celebrate our New Look, whatever it is. And whatever it is, we are beautiful.
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Hello Wirdgirl, long time! So sorry to hear about your fall, but glad it wasn't a break!
I wish you all the very best, for a full recovery from your nerve pain. I haven't had the pain you've experienced, but have had strange sensations caused by the nerve regeneration. I am 15 months out now and happy to say they have lessened so much, that what is left is very manageable. I recently had a revision of my "Dog Ear" and that made a huge difference. I always felt like there was a little bunch of cut nerves in that flesh which would zing when it was being restricted by the side of my bra. It is now flat and numb like the rest of the incision. It has been a very "different" experience!
Take care!
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Hello ladies! I am so sorry for not keeping in touch with everyone...hope all is going well! I finished tamoxifen in May amd had one last big surgery in June (hopefully the last) I am back with my personal trainer and am feeling great. This is the start of my #getmybodyback year!!! I get worried every time I visit the oncologist for bloodwork but I think that will be something I will always be with me. The tram flap recovery hasnt been so bad, thank goodness. Hugs to you all!
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Tangles, just catching up on all the posts and read that you had a tram. How are you doing? I did have pain, but mine was complicated by a staph infection which just about took me out! It does get better. You are right...it did seem as though you were sliced in half and put back together. I am back to working out with a trainer and am feeling stronger each time. Best wishes to you and keep in touch. I will try to check in more often....
Tami...so sorry to hear of your infections...hope all is well!
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Hi LB! great to see you and glad you're doing so well now, you had a bad run there for a while, but it is so good to see you're into training and getting your body back! All the best!
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Hi everyone!
Laurie~ I totally understand that "get your body back" year! You are probably feeling great! Keep it up!
I've been doing the same thing since March and honestly look and feel better than I have in forever! I've spent the last 9 months without reconstruction, and I have to say it feels so much better to me. I've been able to get a lot of my arm strength back and also almost 100% range of motion. The downside has been trying to wear a bathing suit, and how I feel about myself naked. Soooo after deep thought and consideration, I've scheduled reconstruction for January 22nd...another January surgery lol! Both my PS and infectious disease Dr. said no to trying implants again, so I am going to be traveling to Charleston SC to have a flap procedure. It will either be a PAP flap or SGAP depending on the outcome of MRA tests done pre-op. They will choose the best donor site based on the best blood supply. Now that all of the logistics are in place, I'm starting to relax a bit and will eventually get excited for it I'm sure. Right now we've had accumulating snow for 2 days and a week of almost record cold, so SC for a month Jan/Feb sounds heavenly!
I've also spent some time recently reflecting on how grateful I am for surviving cancer...mentally and physically, and for being able to afford to have the care I've had. It's obviously Thanksgiving time, but I need to reflect like this more often. I'm so fortunate!
I hope you all are doing well, and are also enjoying good health! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving to those who celebrate it!
Tami
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Glad to hear things are looking up for you Tami - We were diagnosed and had surgeries at close dates. My less complicated than yours - I just decided to make everything more complicated with the addition of a blood clot and a staph infection. You are right being thankful is something we might have taken for granted - but it doesn't seem possible any more - Of course in my stupidity I allowed them to schedule a mammogram for the day before Thanksgiving - I will know before I leave the hospital the outcome - but yikes I really don't want another trashed holiday - as always freaking out - but hoping for good results.
We too have been experiencing snow and brutal cold in our neck of the woods in Michigan - seems like it arrives here earlier each year. "Enjoy" your "vacation" to South Carolina - at least you'll be out of the cold. Best of luck. Kris
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Hello I have not been on here FOREVER! Tami you are doing a FLAP?? I hope you have great success!!LBWAGNER my Flap was a HUGE regret for me. BIG giant FAIL! One of the biggies I wish I could take back. I still have back pain and only about 50% range of motion in my arm. I am back to the gym but still cant do some tings I enjoyed like bike riding. I have a hard time supporting my body bent over on the bike. My radiation side has once again encapsulated and my non cancer side is not good either. My implant has fallen and my PS said it is pulling away from the flap. ALL that pain suffering and loss of range of motion for nothing. My PS said I could travel to the Mayo and get another flap surgery taking skin from my butt or thigh but I said forget it. Im done being cut into. The radiated side is as hard as a rock so I may HAVE to do something eventually, but for now Im giving all this a REST!!!!!!!!
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Hi Tangles. I'm sorry to hear that you've had such a rough go with the flap. If I remember right, you had a lat flap right? I'm having either an SGAP or PAP...so it's tissue and an artery from my butt or thighs depending on the blood supply. They are not taking any muscle. I'm traveling to Charleston, SC for the surgery and will keep you posted just in case you change your mind about wanting/needing a different type of flap. I'm not sure that the Mayo Clinic does these bilaterally. I was only able to find 3 places in the US to do it bilaterally. Luckily Charleston was in my insurance network!
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2015!
Tami
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MY PS seemed to think Mayo did them........ I would LOVE for you to keep me posted. I don't check this board too often anymore but you can PM me. GOOD LUCK!
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