January 2015 Surgery Sisters

Dear So-she-did,

Welcome to our ever expanding group, of whom a few have successfully had their surgery.  I see that you share the same surgery day with Mary59G.  Next week looks like a busy one and I wish you well as we all look toward healing.

This is a remarkable group of women and may you take comfort in the day-to-day exchanges with one another.

Wishing you the best.

Hugs,

~Hygeia

CassieCat and Lulu22 -- best wishes for successful surgeries and recoveries with minimal pain. I'll be thinking about you guys today!

so-she-did -- welcome to the group! I'm so ready to have my lumpectomy, too. Of course I was diagnosed in late June and had to go through five months of neoadjuvant chemo, so I've been waiting for surgery FOR-EVUH.

I talked to my nurse navigator yesterday; it looks like the surgeon will only be taking out the Level 1 lymph nodes, not Levels 1 and 2. Fewer lymph nodes means less of a chance for lymphedema, so that's good.

To all my sisters on here, I just want to say I'm so proud of you that have already had your surgeries and it sounds like everything went well. Hoping the same for everyone here, just stay strong and we can make this history!!!

Hi Mary59G,

I'm so sorry about the passing of your husband. Cancer is tough enough in and of itself. Hellish sounds about right! Hugs to you!

I'm glad to have you as a surgery sister! I grew up in Minnesota so I'm a Midwestern girl myself. January 15th cannot come fast enough and the results of the SNB even more so! I am facing going back to work after a 3 week winter break (I'm a middle school teacher) and the anxiety surge I had after going in to school on Wednesday to prepare for going back made me feel so fragile again - like I felt those days after the breast biopsy. Anxiety seems to lead to unexpected random crying on my part which I'm sure would be an awkward situation for my middle schoolers - lol!

I have the radioactive injection the morning of my surgery. They want me there at 8, at 10 they'll make me radioactive, and then noon they'll do the surgery. I'll be thinking of you, too!

so_she_did I will also be having surgery the same day as you. I was suppose to have it yesterday, but unfortunately I got sick and had to reschedule. I will be having a bmx with no recon on the 15th. I am also very nervous about the snb. Keeping positive thoughts for all of us.

Welcome hugs to So-she-did and Flyolo. Anxiety is so draining. At times, I found it very hard to stay strong for the kids. I would have pity party in the bathroom or the car. Have not had one for awhile and don't plan to have one anytime soon, but you know...it creeps up on yah and hit you at an unexpected time.

So-she-did, I have great respect for what you do. Surely, you didn't go into the profession for money. Teachers are underpaid for the work they put in and you can't really put a price on the positive influence that you have on the children--our future generations. Thank you

Mary, bless your heart. Hugs to you too

Cassie and Lulu, praying for you today!

My partial mastectomy on Wed. went well. Doc took two nodes, all negative. The best news! My breast area is very sore. Took Norco, but prefer to stick with Aleve or Advil. Today my feet and ankles were a bit swollen when I awoke, as was my face. I looked like I did when on steroids during chemo...red and swollen and hungover. Perhaps this is anSE of Norco? Will look that one up. Not getting any worse, so I'll ride it out over the weekend. I will walk around the house. Not up to going outside for fear of scaring little children!

Thankful to have part of a "breast" there. Will be interesting to see how radiation changes the shape. May see about evening the girls out at a later date. My focus will be on taking care of my body...eating well, exercising regularly, doing what is within my control to stay healthy. Finding my thankful place is a choice I have to make, as my default is often whining. Very normal and okay, but wading is far better for me than wallowing!

So thankful to hear reports, questions, concerns from you all.

JeniferE.. Yay for negative nodes. 😃 That's another hurdle crossed !! I like your idea of a "thankful place "..I'm going to take that idea on board , for when I'm having down times.

We are so lucky to have this board, with its wonderful, wonderful women for support !

JeniferE, rejoicing with you for the negative results! It sounds like you might have an allergic reaction to Norco (I'm assuming you have had Aleve or Advil in the past). If you have Benadryl, take it to see if the swelling goes down.

Welcome BikerBabe.

Love, I took a Benadryl, thinking that I indeed might have an allergic reaction. No more Norco, but that's ok.

Elaine, my surgeon had to get to 4 calcifications, one near chest wall, two in between, one very close to the nipple. He went in under my breast. She looks very sad now, shrunken and saggy...definitely not perky! Doc's explanation is foggy now, will ask details at my follow-up next week. I was a C cup too. Will be interesting to see what radiation does to my shapely left breast!

Thanks trailrose, I shall be thinking of you too. 

Unfortunately I feel like I have the beginnings of a cold. Does anyone have any suggestions? Andrew has told me to stay in bed today. 

JeniferE -- well, shrunken and saggy may very well be in my future as well. I've got six weeks of radiation, too. Poor boob.

shaz101 -- hope you feel better soon and can stay on your surgery schedule!

so-she-did -- wish I had your energy! My fridge needs a good cleaning, too!

Thanks Loveroflife. My middle schoolers were so sweet when I told them before we went on break. They really bowled me over with their empathy. I, too, have children. Two girls, 5 and 7.

I  have been home sence Wednesday, feel a little off still. I got a call from my surgeon tonight, lymph nodes are clear, margins are clear so we shall see what chemo doc says but I am really releaved. Thank all of you ladies for your support and help it was much neede. Can't wait to get the drains out and staples!!

A reply to the comment about coconut oil for radiation. A friend of mine was a radiation therapist for years and she recommended trying coconut oil as well. She also said that emu oil is supposed to be great, too. I have very sensitive skin and she thought these would both be a good place to start and see if they work for me. She also suggested biafine.

As I read on here it sounds like everyone already has a team set up before surgery. Does everyone already have an oncologist? So far the only one I have on my team is my surgeon. I just got the name of a nurse navigator to contact but didn't have a chance to call her today.