March 2014 Surgery

SpecialK · October 2014

I hope I didn't sound whiny - it is just that this has been a crazy ride for sure! I long ago adopted the "it is what it is" philosophy, so if I am having a moment I try to remember that, lol!

linda505 · October 2014

Hey Julie - I have the same - a slight dent above my leftie and a little rippling when I bend over on the leftie but it is also fine standing or sitting. The tumor on my leftie was very high and that is where the little dent is. I see my PS on the 30th for him to give me options but I don't think I will do anything about it as it really doesn't bother me and I know that every procedure has its potential dangers. Overall I am very pleased with my results. We have the same style implants but mine are 500 cc.

SpecialK - you didn't sound like you were complaining - just updating -but you do have a right to whine now and then and especially here where we get it. I just wish that things make a great turn for you - you deserve it!

Oh upsidedown frostecat? I hope not - can I ask what they were looking at?

Thanks for all the well wishes - just waiting on a schedule for the MRI which I should get today - of course the insurance company had to review the request a few times before approving it. But they did approve it.

Frostecat · October 2014

Linda - let me clarify - I meant on my stomach, not on my back! Yes, upside down would be something else haha. I did not do well with the MRI lying on my stomach. I've had them when on my back before and they didn't bother me.

SpecialK - didn't think you were whining at all!

linda505 · October 2014

Oh thanks frostecat LOL -I had a visual of you hanging upside down LOL - I have my schedule now for the MRI - Oct 31st

linda505 · November 2014

Just a little update -had my MRI to see why my liver enzymes are still out of whack - nothing in the MRI to explain it - which is good news and bad news - good news is no mets!! Bad news - rising enyzmes still a mystery - but I will take it in general as good new. Hope all are doing good.

sandra4611 · November 2014

Well, what the heck is happening? You must be so worried. Are the doctors going to do anything else to figure it out? Weird things happen, I know. My last surgery got cancelled an hour before because the anesthesiologist saw an out of whack lab report. My thyroid numbers had suddenly jumped into the stratosphere. The test was repeated and got the same high number. I saw an endocrinologist two days later and he said it would take 6-8 weeks to get the numbers down. He sent me for a re-test to see if my numbers were continuing to rise and called me the next morning to say they were completely normal. He said that was impossible. Well, long story short, they found I had an antibody to a sheep protein that is used in that particular test. Still no idea where I got it and no idea why it comes and goes. I'm supposed to call him day or night if anything weird happens in the future. He's going to write it up in a journal. Maybe your situation is something odd like that.

linda505 · November 2014

I don't know what is next - will see my GI doc in a couple weeks and see. My liver enzymes were fine prior to chemo - had three tests in the few months before chemo and all were normal. 3 weeks after my first chemo they started rising and continue to do so even though it has been 4 months since my last chemo. It is a mystery that is for sure - I think it is related to the herceptin or the preservative used in it. But in order to test that theory I would have to stop my treatment... we shall see

FrannyM424 · November 2014

Hi Friends! Just checking in. Had my exchange surgery Oct 29 & was told 50/50 chance I'd wake up with a drain this time. Well I did and here I sit POD #20 still with a drain. Had one 18 days after mastectomy. Guess I'm going for a new personal record. Have appt Friday POD #23 for removal. Then have to wait another 48 hrs before showering. So that means a total of 25 days without showering. Trying to be patient & keep reminding myself the end of this year long BC journey is near, but it's hard. Anyone else had a drain this long after exchange surgery??? XO Fran

Frostecat · November 2014

Gosh no - on my exchange surgery I only had a drain for a few days, nothing like when having MX. I think you hold the record for the longest amount of time with drains post exchange! My PS always let me shower anyways - I can not imagine going that long without!

Juliecc · November 2014

Wow franny! T^{hat must be tough. I had no drains with exchange and could shower 2 days later. But I got rounds, not anatomicals. My PS said I had a 50/50 chance of drains with rounds and she always uses drains for anatomicals.}

sandra4611 · November 2014

Franny, your PS is probably a very nice person, but he/she should try to go 23 days without a shower sometime and see how much fun it is! This isn't the first time I've heard of no showers with drains, but it usually doesn't last this long. Most PS want all the drains out no later than 3 weeks because the rate of infection jumps so high the longer they are in. The kind of implants you have play no part in how long or short of a time you have drains. I had them for 5 weeks BUT the original ones were replaced with new ones after a second surgery at 14 days and I kept those 3 weeks. I was allowed to shower with drains.

FrannyM424 · February 2015

Hi March Sisters! Not sure how many of us are still on here. Hope everyone is doing well, out there enjoying life! I posted this today under the breast reconstruction forum but thought some of you may have some advice too??? XO Fran

Hi Ladies. Could really use some advice here. Just had an appt with my PS 3 months after my exchange surgery. I had a textured, silicone implant placed on Oct 29th. My breast is hard and tight, riding high, has not dropped and become anything close to soft and supple like I expected. Actually feels like a baseball was inserted in my chest. I have also began to have sharp, burning pain along the lateral side of my breast. My PS thinks that I most likely have a capsular contraction and wants to do a complete capsulectomy to remove the scar tissue capsule and implant and replace with a new implant. I am beyond frustrated and can not even fathom undergoing a 5th surgery right now. I had to take 14 weeks off from work last year, just returned from medical leave Dec 3rd and can't be off for 5 more weeks right now. We have decided to give it 3 months and reassess early May. In the meantime she wants me to start on Vitamin E 400mg 3x/day to help possibly break up the internal scar tissue. Can anyone else please share their experience with a capsular contracture? Anyone else used Vit E? What about other medications such as Accolate or Singulair? Thanks! Fran

SpecialK · February 2015

Franny - Sorry you are having issues - I def know how hard it is to submit to more surgery. I do know someone who took Singulair for CC prevention, after she had it the first go 'round - not sure how much good it will do if the CC is already there. Also, my experience with revision and/or correction surgeries has been that the recovery is not as long - but, that is just my personal experience - may not be true for everyone.

stfne · February 2015

Hi Fran, sorry to hear that you may need more Surgery. I just had my 4th. I haven't had CC but did have a high and tight implant with armpit pain and arm numbness. Before having a revision I went for physical therapy with a lympheedema specialists. She wasn't able to completely fix the problems but she did do some massage that seemed to release the muscle a bit. My insurance paid for it and it felt wonderful. Maybe you could try that since you are waiting a bit anyway. Good luck with everything

FrannyM424 · February 2015

Thanks so much SpecialK and Stfne for your replies. I think I'm going to try the Vit E for awhile and also look into the Singulair or the Accolate. I'm prob just postponing the inevitable but at least I'm buying myself some more time to be back at work for awhile. Of course the deciding factor would be if/when it becomes so uncomfortable that I'm taking pain med all the time and/or sick of living with the discomfort. From the research I've done online, massage, ultrasound,etc... has not been shown to be effective at helping to break up the thick scar tissue capsule that forms around the implant with a CC. Even the meds have not been proven to be effective. The only effective treatment seems to be surgery to replace the implant. And PS said there was a 25-50% chance it would happen again with the new implant unless she tries something different this time such as wrapping the implant in cadaver skin. Sound appealing huh?

Juliecc · February 2015

Franny, I'm sorry about your CC issues and I hope your PS can fix you up!

I can't believe it's been almost a year since our March 2014 surgeries. It went so fast and so slow at the same time. I had my 3rd surgery last month for some fat grafting and I've been lucky that I have had few issues. I still didn't imagine I'd be having surgery 10 months later. I hope you all are doing well.

enlm20Erica · February 2015

Hi Sandra! Eventho it's not a breast surgery but because I tested brca2 positive, on March 3rd I will be having an oompherectomy and complete hysterectomy to have ovaries and other lady parts removed...would to be added to the list!

SpecialK · February 2015

enlm - you probably want the March 2015 thread - this is from last year. Linked below is the current one:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topic/828211?page=1#post_4307558

Frostecat · February 2015

Just wanted to pop in to say hi to the March Ladies. It's been awhile since I've posted, I needed a break from breast cancer. I agree, I can't believe it has been a year since our lives have turned upside down! But we are here - and that is the important thing! I just got back from a much needed wonderful vacation in the Virgin Islands with my hubby. It was nice to be able to put a swimsuit on and go boating and snorkeling. I do still watch out when bending over though, since I'm a uni, when I bend over they are not even, so it was a bit awkward climbing in and out of the boat. Hope you all are doing well - it's good to know some of you are still checking in.

Juliecc · February 2015

Hi Frostecat! I'm happy you are doing well and you had a nice vacation! Reconstructed boobs are definetly different and awkward, aren't they?

Frostecat · February 2015

Yes Julie, they are! Since I'm a right handed right uni, there are some things I have a little difficulty with and remind me of it daily. Like opening jars, opening wine bottles :-), and running the sweeper - yowza, that bothers me. But on the bright side, my hubby has a new household chore!

Juliecc · February 2015

Yeah I still make my kids take out the trash and carry things that are heavy. i think we have a lifetime pass on certain chores

Coblndie · February 2015

I'm doing direct to implant double mastectomy on March 4th. Nervous as hell!!

SpecialK · February 2015

coblndie - this is the March 2014 thread so these ladies had surgery a year ago, you probably want this one:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topic/828211?page=1#post_4307558

FrannyM424 · February 2015

Evening of Feb 15, noticed a dime sized red, raised area on R breast that hadn't been there in the morning. Went to PS the next morning and she said it looked like a boil. She opened it up and drained off tons of fluid. Cultures sent. Scheduled me for surgery which I had Feb 19th. I&D of large R breast seroma. Opened me up, cleaned me out (including removal of scar tissue around implant) and placed a drain. Agreed to try and save the implant since all cultures have been (-) and my WBC count is normal as well. If she had removed the implant, I'd be looking at 2 more surgeries this year for tissue expander again and then exchange surgery for implant. Can't even believe that I'm sitting here off work again with a drain. Trying to be patient and optimistic but feel like enough already after 15 months and 5 surgeries.

Juliecc · February 2015

Oh my, Franny. I'm so sorry! It's weird how infections sometimes pop up for no reason months after surgery. Not fair.

SpecialK · February 2015

franny - sorry to hear this! I can def sympathize regarding the surgeries - I know it feels like a step backward. Hang in there.

anotherNYCGirl · February 2015

Franny, - so sorry that you had this happen, but sounds like you caught it in time to save the implant. Wishing you a speedy recovery!!

March 2014 Surgery

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