February 2015 surgery

I will concur about staying ahead of the pain meds. Don't be afraid to take them! I thought I felt pretty good last week, overdid it a bit, and now am taking it much easier and trying to keep up with at least ibuprofen regularly (and something stronger in the evening when I'm done driving for the day).

Hi everyone im new to this forum and found the site when looking up some information and havefound it very useful!

Im a carrier of the BRCA 1 gene and Ive chosen to have risk reducing surgery.

i undergo prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction on the 24th of Feb and since being given a date im feeling very upset and anxious about it all (although reading all the positive stories does help!) Since I found out I was a BRCA 1 carrier I knew immediately that I wanted mastectomy as having the increased risk would have been too much of a worry for me.

Im having both mastectomy and reconstruction done at the same time using expander implants, my PS said doing the surgery using my stomach or back muscles would not have been suitable for me (I'm a radiographer and I need to be able to have full use of my arms to be able to do my job which wasnt a guarantee with using lat dorsi muscle).

feeling a bit nervous about it all and how I will feel after it! but know im doing it for the right reasons

hi nurse shark,

My family doesnt have a strong history of breast cancer, my gran has hsd both breast and ovsrian cancer. I live in scotland and they are trying to introduce genetic screening for the brca 1 and brca 2 genes for women and men who meet certain criteria. As my gran had both breast and ovarian. Cancer she was offered the genetic test and found she was a carrier of thr faulty gene. Since then everyone who has been tested is a carrier of this fault. We have been very lucky to find out about it as my gran is the only person to have develpoed breast cancer and im undergoing the surgery to try amd prevent breast cancer, i know it doesnt eliminate my risk but it does substantially reduce it.

Despite knowing all the positives about the surgery its definitely the hardest decision ive ever had to make

My surgery was yesterday on the 20th of January. I had a mastectomy and sentinel lymph node dissection. It went extremely well and my BS said my lymph nodes appeared clear, but the final decision will be after the pathology (although I believe it's only about a 5% chance the pathology will refute the surgeons call.

I was a zombie at the hospital after the surgery because I was given dilaudid and don't remember my visitors or conversations. During the night I only called for pain medication twice and only took half the dose which did the trick. I found the worst thing was having to pee and having to call the nurses because of all the tubes I was hooked up to.

I was released today (day after surgery) and I feel awesome. I've only had a 1/2 of the pain pill so I'm awake, but pain free. I was helped with a shower before I left the hospital which felt awesome and my surgery scar (no reconstruction) looks really good.

All-in-all, I think, except for the medication the oncologist medical doctor prescribes for my next 10 years, I'm ready to call myself done.

I can't believe there is only one more week until February and this February 2015 group will me the current surgery group! It's starting to hit me how close its getting, but at the same time I'm ready to get this over with because the wait has been long.

My surgery for BMX was scheduled for tomorrow in NYC but because of the damn blizzard the hospital canceled all surgeries tomorrow and I am now scheduled for Feb 3rd. So, I'm now joining you on the February surgery group. To be this close to having the surgery over with and then finding out at 11:30 today that it's canceled is so hard - I just want it done! At least I'll get to spend tomorrow curled up with my kids watching movies since school has already been canceled. the worst part is that my dad is scheduled to come on Friday with his 40 year old girlfriend (he's 72 and I'm 45) because he was going to help with the kids. He's still coming Friday and I'll now be expected to entertain them all weekend - just what I didn't want to do! Deep breaths...... and maybe some valium

NurseShark - that's so annoying that you now have a cold from your FIL!! By the way, your baby is beautiful! I'm so sorry you have cancer at this stage of motherhood but soon enough you will be healthy and cancer free.

Yes, the anticipation was the worst and having to wait another week is going to drive me crazy. I'm having TE's put in during the surgery, then implants. When my dad comes I was going to use the excuse that I didn't feel well so I wouldn't have to interact much, but now he's talking about going out to dinner Friday and Saturday night, etc. He will at least be useful picking my kids up from school next Tuesday when I have finally have surgery (hopefully, if there's no more snow!) Otherwise, it's just more stress added on top of everything else!

Hi all, and thanks for sharing on the February 2015 thread!

Here's some good information for you and future posters to help prepare for your surgeries:

Check out some good info from the main Breastcancer.org site on Surgery, including:

• What to Expect with Any Surgery
• Lumpectomy: what to expect, side effects, and questions to ask
• Mastectomy: what to expect, side effects, and questions to ask
• Lymph Node Removal: what to expect, side effects, and questions to ask
• Reconstruction: all types of reconstruction, what to expect, side effects, and questions to ask

Also, the Treatment Side Effects section is a great resource for tips to help manage any side effects you may experience.

Lots of practical advice here on helping to prepare for surgery:Shopping/packing/to-do list for surgery + recovery....

Hope this helps and good luck with all of your surgeries!

--Your Mods

Hi,

I'm in. February 6, TE exchange/reconstruction

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Being a planner I am trying to gear up physically, emotionally and spiritually for my ALND surgery on February 12. I am making mental lists for what to pack for my stay with my sister/nurse after surgery. Any suggestions would be helpful. I won't be having breast surgery as I had a lumpectomy last August with clear margins. Thanks, Love, Jean

i need a packing list too. I just went out and bought some jersey button up pj's and loose button up tops. My worry has been about not being able to wear deodarant while healing. I just found some deodorant at a health food store that supposedly last 72hrs. Im trying it out now, Lavilin Bio Balance 72hr. I am skeptical.

I would love to hear how others are prepping.

Bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction 2/13.

Hi everyone, I see I am in good company this month. I am having surgery to exchange my tissue expanders for implants on 2/19. I will be at a small local hospital where I had my bmx in October. They all know my name after numerous surgeries for breast issues over the years. I actually know what days certain soups are offered at the hospital. I am so hoping that this is my last surgery for a while. Fingers crossed.

Waiting to exhale- Hugs to you. I was so glad to have the stuff growing inside of me gone! It was a good feeling to know when I woke up that whatever was growing is me was now in some lab.

I just read a whole bunch of great tips and suggestions on this board under the surgery thread. Great info on the drains on that board. For me the drains were a real PIA. I couldn't trust my hubby to exercise good handwashing so I bought him a box of gloves in case I needed him. A notebook or pad is important to record the fluid in your drains too.

For me, I have to keep my surgeries a secret from my employer. I took off 6 days for my BMX and will take off 2 for this exchange.

I am wishing us all a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. Blessings to you all.