November 2014 Surgery Sisters

Awest is right, accept help! Be prepared to sleep sitting up so have whatever is necessary to do that comfortably. I would suggest a breast buddy, it goes over the seat belt. Mine was $15 and I got if from Cure Diva, ordered on line.

My husband was home with me the first week, but then went back to work. Try to have things for lunch in your freezer. Anything in cupboards above the first shelf, that you may need, move to the first shelf. The first day I was home alone, I couldn't reach the glasses on the second shelf! My husband took care of all that, that night.

If your shower things are on a shelf that you have to reach, have them on the edge of the tub or the floor of the shower. Also, shampoo in a pump bottle is helpful, I couldn't squeeze the shampoo!

Good luck!

Hello everyone. I had my UMX on Nov 17th. I was diagnosed with DCIS and a lot of it, including protruding into my nipple. I woke up in the hospital with my nipple intact. Surprised to say the least, but now I am worried that there may still be cancer cells since they didn't remove the nipple as planned. Then my BS called last week to say that they found invasive cancer and I will need chemo after all. I am crushed and was completely blindsided by the news.

Anyway, I just started sleeping on the couch in an upright position and find that is the only way I can sleep with my drain. I wish I had tried that last week. I cannot wait to get this drain removed!!!!

When I had my surgery (11/4) the pathologist actually did the readings while i was on the table so I knew when I woke up where I stood on my DCIS as far as invasive or if my lymph nodes were clean etc? My nipples were left intact but my surgeon warned me that if the pathologist saw anything even close to looking suspicious during surgery they were coming off.

I know they also sent it off to a lab as well afterward but beforehand they told me the reults almost never differ from the ER pathology result. It took about 3 days to get the other report but it was the same thank goodness. Luckydog42 so sorry that you have to do the chemo. That sucks but since it didnt show up initially hopefully its just a tiny bit invasive and you won't need that many treatments. Hugs to you xoxo

I had my lumpectomy done on 11/18/14 - 0/3 SN -I still have a numbing sensation on my right arm, can't raise my hand - any suggestion?

NOVEMBER SISTERS how are we all doing? It's a busy time of year but please check in if you can!

I had my 2nd post op visit with PS - he removed my second drain (it feels great to have that gone) and did my first post-op TE fill (boy was I sore last night)... So now I'm at 400ccs and since our target is 600ccs im over halfway there. Hopefully can finish fills in next couple of weeks then exchange in February or March...

The only place giving me any considerable trouble at this point is the SNB site - still gets swollen and bruised... Sometimes I have good range of motion and sometimes the SNB site gets swollen and it limits my ROM... I also take arnica which helps TREMENDOUSLY with the swelling and bruising, but the SNB site is stubborn... Anyone else have this? I see blueflowers was having some trouble with this too...

HOW IS EVERYONE ELSE DOING?

Glad to hear your pathology was good Awest.

I'm fine emotionally with the surgery, but I had a BSO and just went into full blown surgical menopause. I feel like I live in a sauna that suddenly turns into a freezer, the hot flashes are unreal. And I've burst into tears several times because of the dumbest things... I really hate that... nothing I can do but cry it out. Dr said maybe I can take effexor to help with hot flashes and mood but I'll hold off for now. I think.

PS wrapped my chest up with an ace bandage and it's driving me crazy when I have the hot flashes but I bet it would hurt like hell if I took it off. I took it off last night to change dressings and my bra was wet. This is gross! The fill was more difficult than I remember it being in the past but I should only have two more to go so I'm really gonna try and suck it up to get through it... He's out Christmas week so I'll get a break there! On one hand I wish it was time for exchange, but on the other hand, that means drains again (UGH) so I guess I'm ok to wait for a while. Just want it to be over. Patience is a virtue. One that I lack.

When was your surgery Tigger14? I had mine on the 20th and do not feel ready to return to work either. I believe the doc said I could possibly return after 3 weeks, which would be next week, but I am glad I am not. I teach so next week is the last week before break so I backed the surgery up so I'd be off til Jan. One nice thing.

What type of work do you do? I pray it goes well for you.

Your chemo story is interesting. It would be amazing if they were able to spare people from hair loss. Please share with us how that turns out.

AlexaP - I too get tired with doing tasks I used to do before the surgery. I find myself having to take more time out to rest than ever before and it doesn't help that I have to sleep sitting in an upward position so I have to sleep on the couch which isn't that comfortable for me. My dh will sleep on the couch on his day off with me. We have one of those couches where both ends recline and have a raise up leg rest. He works 6 nights a week so we don't get to spend a lot of time together because on his work nights he sleeps in the bedroom during the day for a more peaceful rest.

Have any of you gone back to work since your surgery? My recon surgeon filled out my FMLA paperwork for me to return on December 8th and I just couldnt. I still was not driving by then. I am just now slowly starting to drive again. Have only driven 3 times. Still use small pillows under the seat belt.

Do any of you November girls still have a lot of swelling under your arms where they leave your natural fat? Mine is still almost rock hard and on my left side it is still almost rock hard under the breast. My right side is still swollen but not quite as much. My right side is the one that had the tumor.

Please lete know about the return to work and the swelling. Thank you all.

Hi there I had 5 nodes removed on the 19th and the mastectomy with partial reconstruction (expander) on the 25 November. I now see an occupational therapist for my webbing under my arm. I was so afraid of having a frozen arm that i caused the e webbing to be worse. when I realised this I rested a lot more. FIrst day back at work was today...I was absolutely exhausted, but it felt good to be person than a diagnosis...I would have preferred to rest more and not go back just yet but i need to conserve my sick leave for my chemo and my final reconstruction surgery. Everyone at work have been amazing and supportive but there are certain things only I can do. I am in Learning and Development and have deadlines for early January. It appears to me that there is not a lot of guidelines of when you should be back at work. I think we should listen to our bodies but also to not think ourselves sick. For me, I had major surgery and am in pain and have to be careful with how I work and need to rest more often...but I am trying not to be in bed too much anymore, although I find myself horizontal a lot. I sang In a carol by candlelight this past weekend. It was great to be normal again...I admit though that I crashed afterwards and spent the day in bed. I am struggling with the fact that i was very fit before the op and now have done zero exercise. my legs are now crampy and muscles not happy...I am dreaming exercise!!! I am n no superheroo, i am taking vacation leave next week...it is our summer holidays and the kids need a break. So visiting friends before chemo in the new year.

I love reading all of your updates. It feels nice to be surrounded by understanding people.

I had my first fill today. I had read that the fills themselves are not painful, but my mind would not accept that as truth. I was a mess - sweaty, blotchy red, shaking, and about to cry. The doctor and nurse were taken off guard by my demeanor. I wasn't acting out just internally freaking out. I was a little shocked that I am the abnormal patient and that others are so calm. I think that made me feel even worse.

Anyhow, I am very uncomfortable right now. No idea how many CC's went in but it sure looked like a lot. I almost feel like I'm back to square one. This is a short set back, right?

My next appt/fill is on what was supposed to be my first day back to work. So now I am worried that I will be in pain when I go back the next day. I am going to have to learn to suck it up!

How well are all of you sleeping? I'm still sleeping propped slightly up. The expanders really bother me when a lay down.

Keep your posts a comin.... I enjoy reading about all of my sisters. Good wishes for work yo be easy on you Tigger14.

Thanks Tigger14 those are all things I needed to hear. Curious about your location. You mentioned summer break coming and public holiday. Are you not in the states? Sounds interesting and I love to learn so fill us in.

Hi All,

I wish I had known about this site prior to my surgery on 11/6. Had mastectomy (R) with permanent reconstruction done. Just saw my plastic today and I'm cleared back to work on his end. Now, just have to go through a minor surgery to remove marker clip that migrated. Praying that nothing is attached to clip and that everything is clear.

regarding size...I have been warned that the fill is going to cause a very large breast but that is just so the PS has enough to work with...so I am preparing myself for lopsided breats for some time. I too want to go smaller, as I want to be able to jump around in comfort LOL.

Izzyfran...Good Luck with your marker, I am sorry it migrated, I have realised that on this journey although we all on a fast flowing river, they all have different rocks and rapids .

BTW...work is getting easier ...the new challenge is not to do too much

Awest I'm sorry your fills were so difficult! I NEVER look when they do it. He tells me to take a deep breath and exhale and I feel a teeny prick when the needle goes in and that's it. But I never, ever look. I talk a lot and goof around and thankfully he is fun to talk to so its over before I know it... Hopefully it will get easier now that you know what to expect 😊

tigger I'm sorry you had a rough night. Remember "this too shall pass" and be gentle with yourself. I totally get where u r coming from, sleep has been a HUGE problem for me for years. Had to have a sleep study which confirmed insomnia several years ago.. If it wasn't for my sleep meds I'm sure I wouldn't be sleeping at all, and even have a rough time with sleep sometimes anyway... Hang in there...

Izzy welcome to the club. I think if we all hang in there and go through this together we can really help and support each other... It's never too late for that!

I had my third fill this past Monday another 100cc and besides coming down with another upper respiratory infection, all is well. Surgical pain is gone and I don't really feel the expander as much as I did before... But I don't think 600cc will be enough. Just have to wait and see.

Momma that's interesting about the sleep/gravity thing. I'll have to ask my PS about it. It never occurred to me. I always fall asleep slightly propped up but wake up flat on my back with my arm up over my head, hand on my face, which is my usual ridiculous position lol