January 2015 Surgery Sisters

so_she_did: in my center they give you your team as you need them. I was going to have surgery prior to chemo and I just had a surgeon. The plans changed because of tests I needed so I ended up doing chemo first so I got my oncologist. I haven't seen my surgeon since July though. I will see him on the 16th. I don't think I will be doing radiation but if I do they will get my RO then. I think each center just does it a bit different.

Revup congrats on the great news. What a relief. I am dreading the drains. My surgeon said I will be coming home with 3, but he said I can shower 24 hours after my surgery so I will focus on the positive.

So she did- they will get you set up with everyone you need. They had my team set up right away, but I rejected the first surgeon due to really bad reviews. I am thrilled with my new surgeon so far

Great news, CassieCat. Glad to hear that you've mastered your drain and your pain. (Wow! That rhymes! Pretty clever for a woman with permanent chemobrain....) Hope you continue to feel well and that your path report has nothing but good news.

CassieCat, glad to hear surgery went well and you are managing your pain. Praying for favorable path report.

MorningGlory and Lulu--hope you are doing well.

Yay for CassieCat! It will feel great to be home in your own bed, and congrats on the good news

so-she-did, I love your username. Sorry you have to join us here, but it sounds like you've got a good fighting spirit! I started out meeting with a surgeon, but my hospital has a tumor board that reviews cases weekly. After they reviewed mine, neoadjuvant chemo was recommended, so I was referred to an MO. After we get pathology back next week and tumor board review my case again, I'll know if I need to meet with an RO or not.

FLyolo, I felt like I could have come home last night, though it was nice to have the one night in the hospital, oddly enough. I had a unilateral MX and not a BMX, so I still have full use of my right arm and hand. I can use my left side too, but I'm kind of babying that side, just to be safe.

JeniE, and I holding onto a lot of water now too. I can't really get my wedding ring back on. I'm hoping my body flushes it all out sooner rather than later. I haven't had any Norco; I've had tramadol, dilaudid and toridol. I'm focusing on what you're focusing on - protecting my health any way I can through my choices. I wish a lumpectomy/partial mastectomy had been an option, but between two lumps and my very small A cups, it just wasn't indicated.

Bikerbabe, I don't know if you'll have a drain or not, but so far mine hasn't been any big deal. I was pretty freaked out about it but it's been fine so far.

revup-65, it sounds like you had some great results! That is terrific!

Wow ladies! What a strong and supportive group. There is strength in numbers and I am gathering a lot of courage and strength from all of you. Thank you!

Shaz101- Just lots of rest and make sure to let the breast surgeon know. I had a terrible cold in December! I have since then been using an immune support mushroom mouth spray by Hostdefense. Supposed to ward off cold/flu viruses with it's 5 mushroom extract! Look up Paul Stamet's. interesting man who has studied mushrooms for almost 40 years.

Hi Lucy55, I have 3 kids. My oldest daughter is a freshman in college and lives away from home. I have 14yrs old and 9 yrs old at home. They are both active in sports and I've been blessed with friends/family who help out with driving to/from practice. I hope my recovery period from BMX will be minimal..... I will have cabin fever.

Thanks loveroflife, my neighbor has just brought me some zinc tablets and I'm juicing up oranges. I don't feel as phlegmy today so tinkers crossed.

And if you can't complain on here where can you??? I know I've gone through a few rant sessions. 

Glad you made it home, Cassie. Good to hear such confident words from your surgeon. Take care and rest!

Lover of life, I took a Benadryl and am sticking with Tylenol now. Definitely an allergic reaction to the Norco. Thanks for checking in. Thankful for Benadryl

Thanks trailrose. I will try to. How far do you run? I was running up to 10km but my hips decided against it. I have bursitis on both. I found a great physio and I managed to walk 100km trailblazer walk in October. It took me 28 hours. I was hoping for under 26 hours but it was really hot on the day. I'm very happy I finished. Especially since I would have had the cancer then!

Wow! After reading these posts, I am feeling so much better about my surgery scheduled for the 21st. Thanks for posting all the updates, ladies. I will do the same!

CassieCat wow that is awesome news, I am so happy and relived for you. Blessings on a speedy recovery sounds like you have this all handled now!!!

Dear Cinvee,

I haven't seen you post for awhile. Are you still scheduled for your PBMX on the 14th? If so, we are sharing the same day. As I'm having a lumpectomy, sentinel node removal and dissection on the right and excision of several papillomas on both the right and left breasts I will be an outpatient. I, too, had originally planned on a PBMX (and yes, I do also have Aetna insurance) but later decided on a more conservative approach as my BS told me that I was an excellent candidate for lumpectomy. I have a fairly early occurrence of ILC. These decisions are so very personal, aren't they?

We live 2-1/2 hours away and the hospital has arranged hotel accommodations for me and that works well because my son has therapy there the afternoon before my surgery. He can sleep in the following morning and I will arrive at 8 on Wednesday, have the dye and wires done around 10 and surgery at noon and my son can be there by that time. I hope my lovely doctor gets her beauty rest the night before. She would make any mother very proud to have her as a daughter.

I learned of my situation only nine or ten weeks ago and feel as if I have been cramming for the SAT. I knew very little--virtually nothing--about BC and am amazed by all the information available and the great number of women (and men) willing to share their stories. You have been on quite a journey and I wish you well. I have been thinking about you for several days and hoping you are finding your area of peace as we count down the hours until Wednesday.

After the post-op appointment 12 days later I will meet with the oncologist, then the radiologist and begin treatment in early February. I will also take an A/I. So at this point I feel there are few surprises other than the surgery itself. As Wednesday nears, my son who has been my rock has become "a "deer in the headlights" and I am concerned for him. I am all he has had since he was two and even though he is an adult, he is very attached to me. So this is an opportunity to help him to learn that there are individuals outside his small family that he must learn to allow into his life.

How is your family reacting to your situation? I hope you have strong support from them.

Well, that's about it for this morning. If I don't hear from you, please know that I shall be thinking good and positive thoughts for you and your family.

Cheers,

~Hygeia

P.S. Greetings to all on this road and thanks for sharing your experiences.

I should also say that thanks to this site, when I was in the hospital two people, an anesthesiologist and a nurse, asked me if I was in the medical profession because I already knew so much about my procedures! Bc.org and the women who contribute to it rock.