January 2015 Surgery Sisters

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  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 968
    edited February 2015

    MsMath, hang in there! Did your PS actually tell you the tissue was necrotic?

    I kept my nipples, and one of them turned a little black and scabby looking for a while, but I knew from reading many NS stories - and talking to my own PS - it's not uncommon for them to look a bit scary for a while. I just did my best to keep the area moist and protected with antibiotic ointment and gauze (moist versus dry healing - changed dressings 2x a day), watched for signs of necrosis or infection, and after 2 weeks or so it looked healthy and very alive. All that happened was a little of the surface skin died off due to trauma/lack of blood supply, so it looked like a bit of a different colour for a while due to the fresh new tissue replaced it, but it was not long before you couldn't even tell (I have pretty pale nipples to start with though). Both my nipples survived and I am very happy I was able to keep them. I know my experience is not unusual, yes, there is a small risk of necrosis but it seems much more common that they put their owners though a lot of stress and worry only to turn out perfectly fine.

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  • dmarie71
    dmarie71 Member Posts: 81
    edited February 2015

    I kept my nipples as well. They blistered after a few days and oozed and bled. I was told to apply antibiotic ointment twice a day and keep them covered. I was told the first 2 weeks are crucial. I'm at day 16 and they look perfect.

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  • Msmath
    Msmath Member Posts: 77
    edited February 2015

    DiveCat and dmarie71 thanks for the positive info. I applied more ointment today and changed the dressing. Wasn't planning on doing it twice a day but I think it will make me feel better if I do. When you said about 2 weeks was that 2 weeks using the ointment after the first PS appointment. I want to be sure I purchases enough supplies

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  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 968
    edited February 2015

    MsMath,

    It was about 2 weeks after starting to use the ointment and gauze; I had started doing it about one week post-op. I did go through quite a bit of ointment and gauze, but that was also as I needed to use it in another area where the steri-strips had peeled some skin off. I kept having to go back to the store as I thought I bought more than enough gauze, and would still manage to run out, ha ha.

    I changed twice a day at the recommendation of my PS - it also let me ensure the area was kept moist (often if went like longer than 12 hours the area had dried out) and to check on how things were looking.

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  • trailrose
    trailrose Member Posts: 219
    edited February 2015

    I had my first fill of 60cc's today at the PS office. No pain just a feeling of fullness. Decided to take 400mg of Ibuprofen prior to the appointment just in case! Also, saw my BS today found out my DCIS is gone with clear lymph nodes! The BMX was my treatment. I am so lucky. I want to spread my luck to all of you!

    My BS did say he wanted to still see me yearly for an exam since there is a very rare chance of getting breast cancer again since they can't remove 100% of the breast tissue. He is treating 1 woman in his practice in this situation but he says she's doing great. She started out with DCIS in 1 breast had a lumpectomy then she got DCIS in the other breast had a BMX,TE and implants then got breast cancer on her remaining skin above the implant (just a tiny lump) Yikes!

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  • SoccerMom20
    SoccerMom20 Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2015


    So, I went back to the doctor for post-op and to review my pathology results.  More cancer was found, although microscopic, I will now need a mastectomy.  I was hoping to save the breast but no luck.

    The doctor advised multiple nodes were positive. (He never tends to tell me exactly what my pathology reports say).

    The doctor then tells me, this is much worse than I thought.  Does anyone else get these reactions?

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  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 968
    edited February 2015

    You have a right to copies of your reports. Ask for them. And ask your doctor to explain exactly what things mean, or seek a second opinion if they won't. It's not cool of your doctor to throw out opinion statements like that...and not without explanation!

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

    SoccerMom, DiveCat is right. You should get copies of all your reports. Also, your doctor needs to be more precise with you. "Multiple nodes"? Did he say how many?

    Yes, sometimes things turn out worse than they initially appeared. My lump was sized smaller when measured on an ultrasound than when measured on an MRI. But, that's not unusual.

    Good luck -- hope you find the treatment that is right for you.


    trailrose, congrats! and sounds like your fill went well.

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  • trailrose
    trailrose Member Posts: 219
    edited February 2015

    SoccerMom20- You have every right to know the details! This is YOUR life, your health that is being dealt with. My Doctor has given me copies of everything without me asking.

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  • BooInLosAngeles
    BooInLosAngeles Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2015

    SoccerMom, the exact same thing happened to me, needing a second surgery. I had a lumpectomy on the 9th, and the pathology came back saying they didn't get good margins. I was given the option of attempting one or more lumpectomies, or getting a mastectomy & getting it all. I went with the UMx, which was done on the 21st. It's a little bit of bad luck for us but not super uncommon. They make the best determination they can with the various (continuously improving) imaging & biopsy tools, but sometimes the lab analysis shows that the extent of the cancer is a little more than they could see.

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

    Hi Ladies, I have been MIA secondary to issues unrelated to surgery. We each have our burdens to carry. Anyway...

    ljamia66- sorry you have to deal with the drains for more than 3 weeks. Hope they will come out next Tuesday. You will feel so much better.

    Mrs Tee- oh my what a rough ride you started with. Praying you will get better soon. Narcotics are one of the worst culprits for causing constipation. Sometimes we have no choice but to take it to help manage the pain. I am fortunate I didn't have to take more than 2 days of Norco with this surgery( TE placement) and only 1 or 2 tablets of Norco when I had UMX in September. I wonder if not having TE placement with MX spared me from the severe pain that most people have with immediate reconstruction. I did get constipation with this surgery but it stopped as soon as I discontinued the pain med and switched over to Motrin. You may want to ask for lidocaine patch for pain so that you can lower your narcotic intake.

    JustAmy- I can't imagine the pain of TEs in the armpits...you poor thing. On my second week post-op, the bottom corner of the TE was poking my rib! It was so uncomfortable and a bit painful. Thank God it let up the next day. I wonder if your TEs are pressing against the nerves. I'm praying that they miraculously migrate away from your armpits toward the center.

    Trailrose- glad you are doing well. Congrats on your first fill. I had my second fill of 40mls this past Thursday. Just have some tightness, burning sensation right below the collar bone on and off, and tension in neck and shoulder blade. I find that massaging really helps relieve the spasm. My PS does not believe that muscle relaxant helps so he wants me to take motrin or Tylenol :( In a way, I'm glad he didn't give it to me. Otherwise I would not have known that massage and icing( not on mastectomy area) work for me.

    CassieCat- you are dealing with your recovery so gracefully.

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015

    Ladies I feel so sick. It has something to do with these dumb TE's. I am wearing A bra to help keep them in place and whenever I move my tissue expander, it makes me feel sick. It also more or less numb in different areas depending where it is. I am sorry to complain so much about this but it is really messing with me and I have to wait till Tues to get it fixed...just frustrated and wanting to feel better. Thanks for listening. Hugs Amy

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited February 2015

    Hi Amy,

    I'm sorry you are subjected to so much suffering. Tuesday can't come quickly enough for you.

    I'm not in a great place either and I don't have half the discomfort you do. Does your doctor know how terrible it is for you? Didn't he offer any solutions other than just wait till Tuesday? Do you think you'd want to call his answering service today (if his office is closed) and tell them how sick it makes you feel? Squeaky wheel often gets the attention.

    Lots of hugs,

    BB

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited February 2015

    Amy, I was thinking the same thing. You might want to call you surgeon. Love, Jean

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  • trailrose
    trailrose Member Posts: 219
    edited February 2015

    Loveroflife- I agree massage helps. My DH uses a foam roller on my back and it helps tremendously. I started feeling that spasm feeling last night when I went to lay down. It hurt. I ended up taking a muscle relaxer which helped me.

    JustAmy- I feel so bad that you are in such pain! Call the answering service so they can help you in feeling at least semi-comfortable through the weekend. No reason to suffer when you don't have to!

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

    I feel like I've been gone for days - I've been fighting a cold since last weekend and seemed to have gotten the flu or something on top of it. DH and DD had food poisoning Wednesday night/Thursday day, but I missed that. I'm feeling better today, thankfully. Seems weird to have a cold and a fever and have it be "OK", after going months through chemo and being so careful to avoid all germs and illnesses.

    Msmath, I don't have any experience with nipple sparing surgery, but I'll be hoping for the best for you. It was never an option for me, so I never learned anything about what it entails.

    trailrose, so glad to hear about your clear nodes! That is such good news, and I'm very happy for you.

    Soccermom, I'm sorry you didn't get better news. Do ask for a copy of your pathology reports. I originally felt one lump, but I actually had two plus one lymph node involved. I was too scared to read my path reports at first. But now I'm as clear of cancer as they can declare me.

    Loveroflife, I hope things are OK for you, cancer and otherwise. Life does go on, doesn't it, both the good and the bad.

    Amy, I wish this was easier for you, I truly do. Just doesn't seem fair or right. BB had some good advice. Maybe an after hours call makes sense?

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

    Amy, I agree with the ladies about calling the answering service. It doesn't sound right to have pain to the point of nausea. You may want to ask for lidocaine patch which is not a narcotic. You can cut the patch and apply to the area that is causing you grief. It will help numb the pain and hopefully you can reduce the narcotics to help prevent the dreaded post-op constipation. Also, what bra are you using? I wonder if a different bra would help. Hugs to you

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  • DaisyQ
    DaisyQ Member Posts: 123
    edited February 2015

    Amy-Do call your surgeon! You need relief from the pain and nausea.. I am in MO too--St. Louis. All my docs are at Siteman. You?

    I am so exhausted today. 6 weeks PFC and 16 days post BMX w/ TEs. I had daily appts this week and went out for dinner with hubby last night. The fatigue is frustrating, but considering what my body (and mind) has been through I should probably be more patient. I had my 2nd round of Herceptin only treatment on Tuesday. I wonder if you HER2 ladies have increased fatigue, muscle weakness, and slight nausea with Herceptin? It's a bummer, but I will carry on!

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015

    so I called the plastic surgeon on call and he really didn't offer any new advice. Basically he told me to wear a bra and take ibuprofen every 4 hours in addition to my percocet. I've tried all of that and I am still miserable. I guess I'll just have to tough it out until Tuesday. I'm really irritated with my plastic surgeon right now. Hugs to all of you hoping you're having a great Saturday love amy

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

    Ugh, Amy! I'm sorry. I wish I had some advice for you, but I don't. My worst problem right now is this numb patch in my armpit. I know it's because the surgeon cut across nerve tissue when he took out my lymph nodes. I feel like my arm has been stitched on like Raggedy Ann. But, numbness is better than pain, so I really can't complain.

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  • SoccerMom20
    SoccerMom20 Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2015

    ElaineTherese, I'm having the same issue in my armpit.  I'm numb on the inside of my arm and the outside hurts to even touch it. We will get through it!!

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015

    Me too on the numbness. Both armpits, both underarms and periodically my back near the shoulder blade. I read that it's very common and can be temporary or permanent. I'm hoping for temporary!

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

    I've had that same numbnes but it's starting to go away now, after four weeks. Hopefully it all goes away for all of us!

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  • Jmo06
    Jmo06 Member Posts: 159
    edited February 2015

    hope u feel better soon justamy

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  • M0mmyof3
    M0mmyof3 Member Posts: 9,696
    edited February 2015

    I had TE placement surgery at the end of January.

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited February 2015

    Amy, call again and be a nuisance till you get some relief. If it were me I would be in the emergency room demanding care. Love, Jean

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015

    i have a enough pain meds for today and will be OK as long as I can get more tomorrow. Around here, they are very careful about giving pain meds and act like you're a drug addict if you ask for them.Hopefully it will not be like that tomorrow. The PS is waiting to fix my TE because he wants to see the path report first. If I need radiation, he is going to remove them altogether until after. My path report will be in tomorrow for sure. With that said, I do feel neglected. I have to call tomorrow because I got no instructions on what to do before my surgery where to be when excetera. All I know is that I have surgery on Tuesday at 11. I can't wait to get this fixed.

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

    Mommyof3, how did it go? If I do recon, it will be well down the road, after radiation and a chance to heal. It will be only on my left side, as I only had MX.

    Amy, I sincerely hope they refill your pain meds without a peep! That's what they're for, and you're not even a week out from surgery. I wish this was easier on you. {{hugs}}

    Jean, how are you feeling, with the shingles?

    I've had a cold all week and some kind of flu or something on top of it, but today I feel better than I have in days. I only have any real noticeable pain around my incision sites when I stretch in just the right way, but I'm trying to do that so that my range of motion is as full and complete as possible. I'm 4 weeks out from my MX + 2 lymph nodes.

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited February 2015

    Shingles is not bad at all as far as symptoms go. So far just some annoying mild itching and occasional shooting pains that last only a few seconds. The hard part is waiting to see how it may affect my coming surgery and herceptin / perjeta schedule. . Love, Jean

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  • M0mmyof3
    M0mmyof3 Member Posts: 9,696
    edited February 2015

    So far so good. Haven't had any real need for pain meds since Saturday night. Waiting for the drains to come out.

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