January 2015 Surgery Sisters

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  • Loveroflife
    Loveroflife Member Posts: 5,563
    edited January 2015

    Elaine--I was keeping my fingers crossed for your path report. Happy to hear the nodes were clear. There are exercises you can do to help prevent lymphedema. Poor you....20 nodes?!?!

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited January 2015

    Yep, Loveroflife, 20 nodes. But, I had locally advanced cancer that was Grade 3 ("Multiplying like kudzu in the lab!" said my comforting oncologist) that -- prior to chemo -- had made it into one lymph node. Fortunately, the path report showed that all the IDC is gone; they did find a little bit in situ and that was taken out as well. But, nice clear margins and clear lymph nodes. And, the boob doesn't look bad....for now.....of course, once I've had rads, it might shrivel up and all.....

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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited January 2015

    Ah, I only had two removed, so that could make a difference.

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  • Robin73014
    Robin73014 Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2015

    hello ladies!

    I have all of you in my prayers! I remember starting on this site with some of you in July/ August. I have been up reading some of your recent adventures and I am so glad to hear cancer free and clear margins for @ ElaineThere and @Cassiecat ! My surgery is 1/19 and I am having BMX , Lymph nodes removed, and One Step ( Direct to Implant) Reconstruction. I think this site has educated me more on what I need to prepare for the surgery than any of my surgeons office! Question sisters, what size cami should I purchase for after surgery? I wear a (medium/ Large )I am tall so length determines size. Do you buy the initial bra before surgery? How will you determine the size? Anyone with neuropathy ? Chemo ended in mid December for me and it still is here. Also I feel lie I have more hot flashes after chemo ... Urrghh!

    I thank you for sharing your experiences! Add me to the January surgery list !


    robin

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  • Robin73014
    Robin73014 Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2015

    FYI I meant prepare not prepay for my surgery!!

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  • Gatomal
    Gatomal Member Posts: 483
    edited January 2015

    justamy and cassiecat, good luck this month. My surgery was postponed, trying to finish taxol first, righter four or eight weeks, then off a couple weeks to build immune system, then lump ALND,SNB, and recon on same day. It will be either eight or 12 weeks after giving birth so maybe my boobs will continue to shrink. Tumor already seems smaller after delivery. Good luck this month all!

    Hugs to you!

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  • MrsTee
    MrsTee Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2015


    Hello ladies!  I was told about this board and decided to come on over since I am scheduled to have surgery on Jan 28th....haven't decided if doing a UMX or BMX (still praying!) but I know I am doing reconstruction.  They are also planning on removing level 1 and 2 nodes...NERVOUS!!!!

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  • fezabel
    fezabel Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2015

    Hi everybody. Surgery went well. I've been sleeping a lot & trying not to take the pain meds. I'm off work at both of my jobs until next week so that's a really good thing. Now I just need everyone to stop asking me about how I'm feeling & if the dr has said anything yet.

    Thank you all for your support & kind words. I've been thinking of you & hoping you're doing okay.

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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited January 2015

    Robin, welcome. I'm sticking to shelf camisoles for now, as I didn't start reconstruction and am only an A cup on the good breast anyway. I did buy one front close bra with a pouch you could attach for a drain. It was helpful, but I don't know that I really needed it. I have a camisole like that on order that I'm actually just going to return (especially since I don't have the drain anymore).

    Gatomal, good luck to you too. If your surgery pushes into February I'll just follow you there to cheer you on. :)

    MrsTee, welcome! Nervous is normal. I didn't have reconstruction, but I can say that my UMX went off without a hitch and really barely any pain. It was 6 days ago and I feel really good.

    Elaine, I'm glad the lymph nodes were clear. We knew I had one with cancer in it going in, and that sure changes the ball game when making treatment plans.

    fezabel, great to hear that things went well! Rest up and let yourself heal. :)

    I had a good check-in with my surgeon who agreed the drain could come out. Woo hoo! By the way, pulling the drain out didn't hurt. He just did it quick and in a flash it was out. He checked out where I felt sore and wasn't concerned. Just some normal soreness and swelling post-op in the lymph node area. I got half of my staples out and will get the other half out next Thursday. Hopefully next Friday when I see my RO I'll have a better idea of whether any radiation is indicated or not. I also get my first Herceptin-only infusion next Friday.

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited January 2015

    i am going to my BS tomorrow to get my official date and find out what we are doing as far as type of surgery and recon. Praying that he will go ahead and do BMX since I have (so far) non cancerous calcium deposits (several) in my "good" breast. I'll let you all know what happens tomorrow.

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  • Lulu22
    Lulu22 Member Posts: 175
    edited January 2015

    Robin-

    Your PS will probably want you to wear something specific. Mine sent me home with a specialized post-mastectomy bra (Elizabeth pink surgical bra) and my nurse gave me an extra less fancy one. The bras are like a sports bra but essentially a size larger than would normally fit properly.My PS wanted me to have support at all times except when I'm in the shower, but with no compression at this point. I think the idea is that the bra is supposed to keep things in place but still allow for lots of circulation to allow the incisions to heal. She also put surgical tape in the upper part of my armpits to provide extra support. In my follow-up appointment yesterday she said the greatest danger other than infection is in overdoing any reaching or stretching and knocking the implants out of place before the body has had a chance to heal around them.

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  • AnotherLifeExperience
    AnotherLifeExperience Member Posts: 45
    edited January 2015

    Hey everyone, I am home from the hospital and doing really well. The great news in the preliminary report came back the node was negative, so he only took out one node. I am ecsatic about that. I was in a lot of pain when I first woke up from surge, but am doing great now.

    I hope everyone else has a good a day as I did. :

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  • Kittybelle
    Kittybelle Member Posts: 19
    edited January 2015

    Hi, everyone! I'm home too, settled in to my recliner. Surgery went well. My doctor was able to do the SNB through the mastectomy incision and she put the drains in the incisions, too, so I'll only have the two long scars. She took two nodes and said they looked normal, although we won't know for sure until the path report comes back. Pain isn't bad; I took Norco in tthe hospital and now Tramadol.

    It's great to hear everyone is doing so well. Good luck to all of you with upcoming surgeries.

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  • AnotherLifeExperience
    AnotherLifeExperience Member Posts: 45
    edited January 2015

    Yay Kittybelle for your good news. Hopefully the others ones that had surgery today are doing as well as us. It feels great to have this part behind me.


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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited January 2015

    Welcome home Anotherlife and Kittybelle! Sounds like it went well. Now rest and take it easy. :)

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  • Loveroflife
    Loveroflife Member Posts: 5,563
    edited January 2015

    Great news again! Rest up Kittybelle and AnotherLife. Gentle Hugs.

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  • JeniferE
    JeniferE Member Posts: 130
    edited January 2015

    So good to hear positive reports post surgery from you all. Take it easy and follow directions. It is so wonderful what our surgeons are able to do to get rid of cancer. I am very thankful for my surgeon and for all your surgeons. They do good work!

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited January 2015

    Its so nice hearing more of us come through this amazingly well. We are such strong goddesses. The lack of info is what stalls me. Everyone expects that because I have had the tumour removed that I would know more! I know nothing! Its a little frustrating. I'm doing OK, just tired. I can't wait until I can at least feed the horses. Those that are still working - I bow to you. How are you managing? My love to all you goddesses xxx 

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  • Mary59G
    Mary59G Member Posts: 139
    edited January 2015

    I would like to thank everyone for their updates, although I hate to say mine didn't turn out as well as I wanted.They had to take I think 3 extra nodes and they didn't turnout well. So now I sit and wait for the path report. But through all of this I realize that at least I will get the whole picture and figure out whats next. From what my sons told me as they talked with the doctor is that I will need chemo and radiation. So Now that I am home and can somewhat understand what they were told ( they really don't get it, cause they are so scared). The bits and pieces I have recieved from them was a PET scan coming and others to make the game plan. I am a fighter as long as I know so I am anxious to get the Path rreport and go from there. Just wanted to keep everyone posted. HMMMM last pain pills were at !:30 this morning and I think that should be it. But I will have the drains for a bit as they are really filling up Quickly. The kids have me on their schedule so I am not spending any nights alone, although I think I can release them now that the anestecia is out of me. Not feeling all that bad.


    Ok, enough of me, I am so glad to hear my other sister on here are coming out clean!

    Mary

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited January 2015

    Mary, I am thinking of you and I am sending so much love to you. You are such a strong woman. I hope you have someone to rant to...it is important. I can't believe how quick you have been sent home. I thought my 1 night stay was quick. When will you get your results? Xxx

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  • AnotherLifeExperience
    AnotherLifeExperience Member Posts: 45
    edited January 2015

    Mary I am so sorry to read that your path report didn't come out as good as others. You sound very strong and it sounds like you are taking control of the situation. We are sending you good thoughts.

    I forgot to mention one thing that surprised me yesterday in the hospital. When the nurse went to out the IV in the back of my hand, another nurse quickly stopped her as the IV actually needed to go into the foot. I had never heard of that before. It was no big deal, just a surprise so wanted tomorrow pass this along for those of you getting a BMX

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  • Mary59G
    Mary59G Member Posts: 139
    edited January 2015

    shaz101, Thanks for the kind words, if my sons have it correct, Wednesday not really looking forward to it, but I know I am thanking the Lord every morning I wake up. And actually, I am watching the news and its so depressing that who knows how long you have on this earth. But I sure do have a different outlook now, and I'm thankful everyday.

    Mary

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  • Kittybelle
    Kittybelle Member Posts: 19
    edited January 2015

    Mary,

    i'm so sorry your path report wasn't better. You've been through so much, you really deserved a break. I hope you can put away the worry for a few hours and just enjoy the day (Happy Birthday!!)

    We're all here for you and sending lots of positive thought your way..

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  • MrsTee
    MrsTee Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2015

    Mary59G, so sorry to hear that your path news wasn't great. I'm praying for you! I know what you mean about your perspective being changed...mine surely has since my dx.


    Prayers your way......

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  • Robin73014
    Robin73014 Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2015

    thank you @Lulu22,@CassieCat,,

    @Mary59G- breast cancer is a journey in patience and self realization. Your faith , family , and friends can help and support you BUT your will and courage is what will guide you! This will be your testimony Mary! I will continue to pray for and with you !!

    God Bless you all!


    Robin

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  • trailrose
    trailrose Member Posts: 219
    edited January 2015

    During pre-op found out I will have Sentinel nodes taken from both sides not just the cancer affected side. They said even thought I have no gene mutations I have a variant in the MSH2 gene so they want to be on the safe side. I guess I'll have T-Rex arms for a little while. My goodness how life can change in an instant!

    Elaine-Wow 20 nodes! My sister had 16 nodes removed 11 yrs. ago in which the cancer spread into 6 of them, she too had an aggressive form of IDC but is doing great 11 yrs. later. May that help you in some way.

    MrsTee- Welcome! You will find a lot of comfort and strength from these women!

    fezabel,kittybelle,anotherlife- Good to hear you ladies are in the comforts of your home. Keep on healing!

    Mary59- Sorry for the news. You have a good attitude and LOTS of positive thoughts coming your way.

    Shaz101- Yes! Goddesses is the perfect description for all of us ladies! Keep on resting and hang in there. Horses! Love them and I had one growing up. I have 2 dogs (and a wonderful husband) that I have done so much cuddling with!

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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited January 2015

    Mary, hugs for you. You can do this. I did chemo first, and while it's not easy, it is doable and it works. My chemo board here got me through the tough parts, and celebrated all the good stuff too. You've got this!!!

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited January 2015

    shaz101 -- I can still work because my job is so sedentary and I have set myself small, daily work goals. Today's goal: to write three letters of recommendation for students. Managing horses? That's a bit beyond me right now.

    Mary -- I think of cancer as a process, not as something I will finish soon. My "process" began in June, and I did chemo first and then surgery. And next rads and then hormonal therapy. Your process is following a different pattern -- first surgery, then chemo, rads, whatever. We just have to move from step to step along the process and hope it bears good fruit. Hope you get your plan in place soon so you know where you'll go next. A PET scan makes sense -- it helps determine whether or not your cancer has spread. The recommended diet the day before is ridiculous (heavy on protein). Best wishes!


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  • Loveroflife
    Loveroflife Member Posts: 5,563
    edited January 2015

    Mary--sadden to hear about your path report, but grateful that you are not in too much pain. You are blessed with caring children. Hugs

    image

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited January 2015

    i saw my BS today...not sure I learned much. He pretty much convinced my hubby that I don't need BMX, just UMX...He said I have a 10% chance of getting cancer in my "good" breast if I keep it. I still want BMX but hate that D's doesnt agree now. I see my PS Wed then I'll be scheduled... It will be the end of this month or beginning of next. So no real news today...

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