January 2015 Surgery Sisters

Glad the surgery is behind you Amy. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I had my BMX on 1/16 and the one thing I wasn't prepared for was the pain/discomfort when I sneezed! My first sneeze after surgery I felt like my chest was going to open up. I found keeping a small pillow near me and pressing it to my chest when I felt a sneeze coming, made it much more bearable. After about a week or so, sneezes were painless without the pillow.

yay Amy! Maybe you're even home by now. So glad to hear from you. Keep up with the pain meds.

Good morning ladies! I haven't posted in a while because I've seem to have been the one wit the terrible time! I went in for my BMX on the 28th that night I was okay then the 29th I was so nauseous and started vomiting at round on the 30th they realized that it wasn't the meds it I ha fluid building up on my right side and decided I need to go right into surgery (eek my hubby not mom were there yet! By 7:30 I was in the operating room they said they found the bleeder and about 100cc of blood. Thinking this were better (more pain but feeling better) started to move around and tr some walking (had guys beatng me around the nursing stations - threatened to trip the lol! Was about to go home Saturday - think the docs wanted me to staybut. Liked that I was up and drinking..eating was a whole bother store but eating a half of a sandwich made them happy got home Saturdayfelt tired but ok Sunday had a great dinner and was the last meal I've eatten. Back to ER for pain and once again nausea which they attribute to not enough meds so they increased pain meds by double. Had an appt with my PS yesterday and en was not happy made more changed way less narcartics. Esp since I havent had a BM. In 8 days. He's giving me 36 hrs or I may be visiting him again and not in a good way ugh! Tried about everything from naturals sources to even the Marilax they gave me...nothing! Don't even wants to eat a anymore*sigh - miserible - sorry for typo.....drugs lo

MrsTee, what an ordeal. I hope things start moving soon. Just dealing with constipation can be so painful.

Hello all! I just found this community and am looking forward to participating in the conversations. I had my BMX on January 28. The surgery went very well but I spiked a fever in recovery and ended up having to stay for five days in the hospital while they tried to figure out what was wrong. They never did, but the fevers stopped and I got to go home on Monday. Everything else is good - my skin is doing great according to my PS, I got my drains out on Tuesday, I'm not having much pain, and my energy is coming back. The hardest part is not being able to pick up my 9-month-old son, but he seems to understand - and my husband is doing a great job taking care of us. Now I'm just looking forward to getting out of this hideous mastectomy bra!

Hi all. I am at home now sitting in my recliner. I discovered something really strange though. My tissue expanders seem to be mostly in my armpit. So I'm flat chested in the front. And have it boond in my armpit so I look like my boobs have just moved over. I was wondering if any of you ever experienced anything like that. Also good news ..I don't have any staples. I see My surgeon Monday and my PS on Wednesday so maybe they will be able to shed some light on the subject. Thank you all are your prayers and well wishes

hugs

Amy

Trailrose, Thank you for the welcome! I recommend that you take Motrin or a pain pill before you go for the injection. It does not hurt,you just feel pressure. You will be sore later in the day so take it easy. Good luck!!!

Hi,

I had my BMX with TEs on 1/21. I feel pretty good, but I still have my JP drains. I see the PS on Tuesday and should have them removed then. 5 more days!

I got my pathology report this week and I achieved pCR from my chemo treatment. I am thrilled that the chemo treatments were so effective. Next steps include radiation in March, Herceptin until the end of August, exchange surgery sometime..

Like many, I am struggling with how to move past the cancer fight, how to live with fear of recurrence, how to be, or who to be..? Many days I find myself overwhelmed by confusion and fear. The last thing I want is to allow cancer to throw me into a state of depression and anxiety after the treatments are over. Cancer has negatively impacted my life enough already. I started seeing a counselor through my cancer center about 3/4 through chemo treatment. It is helping. I am signed up for a weekly mindful meditation class beginning in March, and I found a monthly "Life After Cancer" support group. I'll attend my first meeting at the end of this month. I know I don't have the answers, and I can't do this without help. I will continue to recover from cancer by healing my emotional wounds with just as much care and determination. But I'll add a ton of love, patience, and self-acceptance.

I look forward to my physical and emotional rebirth in the coming months. I will welcome and celebrate spring -- nature's rebirth -- in a way I never have before. What an opportunity!

I have been a daily reader on this and many BC.org threads. I have benefited from your practical tips, gone into procedures prepared about what to expect, and even felt connected to you by our shared experiences. It is comforting to know that I am not on this journey alone.

Love and strength to you beautiful, strong, resilient women!

justamy,

Oh my gosh. That sounds so painful! One corner of my right TE pokes into my right armpit a tiny bit. The surgical bra just makes it more uncomfortable. I can't imagine how you must be feeling.. Any idea how long you have to wait? Hoping for a really quick turn around for you!

Yeah I'm in a lot of pain. Mainly because the PS told me to put a bra on until he can fix it.Big mistake.I wore the bra for 30 minutes and now I hurt so bad I feel like I'm going to throw up. Fortunately, the plastic surgeon said we will fix it Monday or Tuesday. That seems like a long way away. My percocet is just not doing the job. Hugs amy

ljamia66- Thank you for sharing your experience. I was contemplating on taking something before my fill just in case there was some discomfort!

DaisyQ- Welcome to you! So happy to hear your chemo treatments were effective! Your words are so beautiful and inspiring and yes these women have helped me tremendously, they have given me courage and strength too!

JustAmy- I'm so sorry you have to go through this! Goodness! But I'm relieved that you called your PS. Maybe you should call him back and explain that your bra caused pain that made you nauseous and maybe they can prescribe something else for pain. You shouldn't have to stay in such pain through the weekend!

I called my BS and he said to take 2 oxy to get the pain under control and that I can take ibuprofen in between the doses. That should help.

Mrs. Tee -- Hope you find a solution to the constipation; I found that my Percocet gave me constipation so I stopped using it and just switched to OTC painkillers.

JustAmy -- Best of luck with your TEs, and I hope you find some way of addressing the pain.....

Jmo06 -- Hope everything is OK with your Mom.....

CassieCat -- Yes, I have to start doing my stretches or I'll never be ready for rads..... Ugh.

okay it has been a week since my BMX. I too have not had a BM and have tried a variety of foods and meds. Went to the PS yesterday she would not fill my tissue expanders because my tissue might not handle the trauma. I thought that if my nipples lasted a few days all would be well. This is not the case😔 she warned me that the area might turn black and I would loose more skin. I'm trying to stay positive but my heart is breaking. What if I made the wrong decision to keep my nipples??