February 2015 surgery

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  • faithhopecourage
    faithhopecourage Member Posts: 37
    edited February 2015

    Robin so glad you're feeling better!! This whole experience has been a roller coaster of emotions.

    Nurseshark I am also having the nerve block. I have horrible experiences with pain meds. Hoping it will keep me from spending the first night sick to my stomach. Surgery on 2/18.

    All of you wonderful ladies are an inspiration to me. Just reading your experiences and knowing how you've dealt is such a help. Thank you all!!

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited February 2015

    I have a question about the removal of steri-strips (I will post it on January 2015 board too).

    My mastectomy was almost two weeks ago and my PS had instructed me to remove my steri-strips. I have tried for two days now. I soaked them well in the shower, I took Tylenol and even Xanax. I managed to finally remove all of strips on the breast lift side, but only one strip on the mastectomy side. I have one more on the mastectomy side and it seems as if it was attached to my skin with industrial strength glue. I'm squeamish and the mastectomy incision and surrounding area feel very weird to me.

    Do any of you Dear Ladies have any ideas how to easily remove that darn steri-strip?

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  • horsemom
    horsemom Member Posts: 96
    edited February 2015

    Nurseshark

    I can't even imagine tending to a baby at just two days out. Be gentle with yourself, there is a lot of healing needed.

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  • Melanie-C
    Melanie-C Member Posts: 32
    edited February 2015

    Hi JLF. Thank you for the report. It really relieves my anxiety to know that you are doing so well! By this time next week my surgery will be over too and I will be back home and settled in. Thinking about that is keeping me sane!

    Thanks for the tip JustAJennifer. Note to self: No wine until after drains are out! Does that mean I can eventually have wine again? I was thinking that since the cancer was ERPositive I was cut off from wine forever. I like wine

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  • Melanie-C
    Melanie-C Member Posts: 32
    edited February 2015

    Hi JLF. Thank you for the report. It really relieves my anxiety to know that you are doing so well! By this time next week my surgery will be over too and I will be back home and settled in. Thinking about that is keeping me sane!

    Thanks for the tip JustAJennifer. Note to self: No wine until after drains are out! Does that mean I can eventually have wine again? I was thinking that since the cancer was ERPositive I was cut off from wine forever. I like wine

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  • waiting-to-exhale
    waiting-to-exhale Member Posts: 61
    edited February 2015

    ugh, i woke up this morning and my new breast feels rock hard. I am trying not to freak out. I am 12 days out from surgery and thankfully have a follow appt scheduled tomorrow morning. I did straight to implant with alloderm. I hope it isnt serious.

    I havent started breast massage yet. For those of you with implants, when did you start massage? Any issues with breast hardening?

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  • Therockandrollmom
    Therockandrollmom Member Posts: 21
    edited February 2015

    zjrosenthal- I had localization/lumpectomy 2/12 and have follow up appointment 2/23, but have reconstruction 2/20. Actually, I have follow up for bilateral reconstruction also on 2/23. I lucked out as my brother in law who is a pathologist called in a favor and path report should be available tomorrow. Waiting is still hard and the pain sucks. I hope you don't have to wait too long!!

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  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 377
    edited February 2015

    Hello lovely ladies. I took a break from this board for the weekend but just wanted to check in and say hello.

    Nurse shark, continued prayers for your recovery.

    And prayers and best wishes to all!!!!

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  • Therockandrollmom
    Therockandrollmom Member Posts: 21
    edited February 2015

    Melanie- I just read your post about not drinking wine. There is NO WAY I would stop! What?! Cancer and no wine?!?!?!

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  • JustAJennifer
    JustAJennifer Member Posts: 85
    edited February 2015

    I have not read anything about red wine being bad, outside of pre and post op timeframes. A friend of mine with prostate cancer (also a hormonal type) visited an oncologist specializing in nutrition and red wine was on the "allowed" list. Sugar, processed foods, dairy, gluten being the primary offenders for toxins passed through our bodies. That sugar is a tough one on me, I love my chocolate (with my wine)!

    I don't have steristrips this time, but did for my lumpectomies. I had applied antibiotic ointment daily to ease itching and it actually made them fall off.

    I was wondering if we might share our post-op care instructions since it seems to vary among us. Here's some of mine:

    Exercises: 5 times per day, 10 repetitions each, beginning the day after surgery:

    - shoulder rolls, front and back

    - arm circles, front and back

    - hold arm behind lower back 1 minute

    - shoulder "wing" exercise

    - W stretch, squeezing shoulder blades together

    These all really have helped and I notice a difference when I don't do them. If anyone is interested, I can post a link to an MSKCC video (of course defer to your own doc's instructions).

    Meds:

    - Norco for pain, until no longer needed (5 days for me then switched to Tylenol)

    - stool softener, until no longer needed (stopped w/the pain meds and switched to my regular fiber)

    - diclofenac (anti inflammatory) 2 weeks

    - cephalexin (antibiotic) until drains are out

    Plus I've taken a Xanax at night to help me sleep. This is so much medication for me, before this I didn't take anything. No SEs really though, except on the constipation which seems unavoidable w/pain meds.

    I had been doing some ab exercises regularly the month before surgery. I do feel this helped me in being able to get in/out of bed. I didn't do it on purpose but I'm glad I did.

    Love all you ladies, I look forward to checking back whenever I can to see how everyone is progressing by the day. Our ability to heal is amazing!

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015

    I have no post op exercises instructions. Really not many instructions at all. I have antibiotics for as long as I have my drain, percoset until no longer needed ( I ran out after 12 days and wish I had more...still in pain after my most recent surgery 5 days ago). Haven't had constipation. Instructed to keep this bra on till my next appointment. I'm supposed to see my PS tomorrow but we are getting ice and snow in MO right now. We are supposed to get maybe 10 inches and I live an hour from my PS so I will prob not be seeing him for a few days. Pain is a bit better but I not gone by any means. Hope you all are good. Hugs Amy

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  • horsemom
    horsemom Member Posts: 96
    edited February 2015

    I've already had my exchange, but for my BMX I also had very little instructions. No lifting restrictions (he said I would know if it was too much), no exercises, no post-op bra. I took keeflex(antibiotic), norco(pain), and valium(muscle relaxer), as well as stool softener. Stopped everything but Valium at night after a few days.

    But exchange is a whole new ballgame. Bra for 3 weeks, 5 lb weight restriction for 3 wks minimum, prescribed pain meds but haven't used them.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited February 2015

    JustAJennifer, yes, please, a link would be great.

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  • Fourminor
    Fourminor Member Posts: 354
    edited February 2015


    These are the video's that Sloan Kettering gives for post op exercises. First one is for without reconstruction, second is for with reconstruction with tissue expander:

    http://www.mskcc.org/videos/exercises-after-breast...

    http://www.mskcc.org/videos/exercises-after-breast...

    Drains should be stripped twice a day as you want to avoid a clot or clog forming that can break the suction. I could not do it for myself; my husband did it. He put on gloves and used either a baby wipe or two alcohol pads (nurses at Sloane also used a handful of hand sanitizer) to slide down the tube.

    Generally if you have a big bump in output its because you are doing too much. Try to relax and take it easy.



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

    Good morning sister warriors. It was -2 degrees when I woke up. Praying for easy recovery for those who have had surgery and freedom from anxiety for us who are wairing. Love, Jean

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited February 2015

    I can't believe how brave you all have been. 

    NurseShark: This is my first day posting. In OR six hours.  No matter what I can't tolerate narcotics. Have been on valium and motrin only since 18 hours post-op so it took me longer to stabilize pain. Finally today can move around a little better. Up q2h at night.  Good news negative nodes! My D cups are now B cups. That's about all I know at this point. 

    Truly amazed you posted one day post-op and seem to be doing well.  

    It will take me a while to catch up on the posts. 

    Big, soft hugs to my heroes!

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited February 2015

    NurseShark... They didn't let me come home until last night.

    I have intense sternal spasms when drain #2 is stripped. Is that normal?

    Remember everyone,  we WILL get through this.  :)

    So happy to read everyone is doing fairly well! 


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

    Surgery Thursday. Am starting to get anxious. I have been sleeping and napping (avoiding thinking about ir as much as possible). Jilly, glad yours is done. Wishing you God rcovery. Neg. nodes....yeah! Love, Jean

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  • Melanie-C
    Melanie-C Member Posts: 32
    edited February 2015

    When is your surgery scheduled for Jean?

    The waiting seemed like the hardest part for me but now that my surgery date has arrived, I think I could stand to wait a little longer. My DH and I are on our way to Sudbury now. We will stay in a hotel tonight since I have to be at the hospital for 7:15 am. We will have to go out for dinner. What should one eat on the night before surgery? Any suggestions? They only told me not to eat after 12:00.

    Congratulations to those of you who have already jumped over the surgery hurdle! May your recovery be gentil and speedy! Wishing peace, calm and confidence to those of you who are approaching the date.

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  • Melanie-C
    Melanie-C Member Posts: 32
    edited February 2015

    Sorry Jean, I just realized that you said your surgery is Thursday. I'm a little scattered right now! My surgery is tomorrow so I will be two days ahead of you. If I am able, I will post on Wednesday to let you know how it went. This is just another bump in the road of life and we will be over it soon and on the way to recovery! As my mother-in-law used to say, "This too shall pass".

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  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 377
    edited February 2015

    Just got off the phone with my BS. She removed a cancerous tumor, 1cm from left breast, clean margins. Right breast atypical ductal hyperplasia. I have to have an MRI and lymph nodes removed on left side, she said 2 or 3. Based on MRI results she suggested I have to consider bilateral mastectomy and possible reconstruction if I want to go that route.

    I was expecting this. I am somewhat numb at the moment though.

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  • JustAJennifer
    JustAJennifer Member Posts: 85
    edited February 2015

    Fourminor- thanks for posting the links. Those are the exercises I'm doing.

    Melanie C- praying for you tonight and tomorrow. You can do this! Take something to help you sleep. Tomorrow you will go through the motions and you will do fine. The best part is sleeping through the op!

    AudreyB- I can relate, as that is what happened to me too. We try so hard to save our breasts and sometimes we simply cannot. The medicine and treatments, as far as they've come, have not come far enough for us. That's hard to accept still for me, and likely aways will be. By the time you need to make that ultimate decision, you will and are already going through a separation process with your breasts. As wonderful as they are, we begin to associate them with stress, problems, anxiety and an unhealthy future. And so it becomes a little less hard. My tide turned when I began looking at tattoos for mastectomy scars. I plan to turn my battle wounds into something I will love to see in the mirror. I wish you peace of mind as you wrestle with all of your thoughts and decisions.

    Jilly- congrats! Welcome to the other side.

    Jean- keep your feet firmly on the ground in these days leading to surgery. You'll do great!

    I, apparently, have become the poster child for what NOT to do 8-10 days post-op. Heed my warning! Stay on the couch until your drains are out!! I was down to 20 then shot up to over 50 yesterday. Losing hope of getting the drain out tomorrow. Damn Valentines Day and it's lures of wine, chocolate, Chinese takeout and *ahem* a nice night with my DH

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  • JustAJennifer
    JustAJennifer Member Posts: 85
    edited February 2015

    audreyB- have you had an MRI before? If not, use earplugs underneath the large earmuff ones they give you and take a Valium first. That by far was one of my worst experiences before I knew these tips. The next time was a breeze. Because often, the MRI leads to MRI guided biopsies. So I had 2x in the MRI machine.

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited February 2015

    Jean: I am confident you will be just fine! It was just hard for me having bmx with immediate reconstruction.  I had nipple sparing surgery so the way I understand it is they just scoup out breast tissue like a pumpkin. Lol

    Melanie: I will be thinking of you! !!! I would eat something light for dinner. I think it helps with anesthesia and also surgery slows down digestion. It may be days before you pass that meal.


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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited February 2015

    Does anyone know how long we are to wear these compression stockings?

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  • Melanie-C
    Melanie-C Member Posts: 32
    edited February 2015

    AudreyB, I totally understand how you are feeling. I was numb for a week after I got my diagnosis. It does get better though. l am having a double mastectomy tomorrow morning with recon. I'm scared right now, but I look forward to moving forward without the breast cancer spectre that has followed me throughout my adult life.

    As far as MRI is concerned, I had one a few weeks ago and it wasn't so bad. The noise is loud but besides that it's very manageable. They give you noise canceling earmuffs. I liked JustAJennifer's idea of wearing earplugs in addition though. For my breast MRI I was lying face down on a table that reminded me of a chiropractor's table. I couldn't really see anything so as a result it didn't feel like I was in am MRI machine. It was non-invasive and completely painless.

    JustAJennifer, you rock! A "nice night" with your DH 10 days post-op!? You're my hero! Does desire really come back that soon? I would love to know more about that!

    jilly59 thank you for the good wishes and the dinner advice. I ended up having roasted red pepper soup and salad with rotisserie chicken in it. I also ate a few kettle chips so I hope that won't cause issues

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  • Jonijess
    Jonijess Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2015

    Audrey--I was so hoping I would come here to find out that you had received benign results. I am so sorry to hear that isn't the case. I'm sure I would be numb as well, as I imagined many times how I would have felt had I heard that news when I got my phone call. I still might someday, my surgeon was very clear that I am high risk.

    I hope you surround yourself with your support system--both those close to you and those here on this amazing board. And do what you need to do to take care of yourself, whatever it might be. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

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

    Melanie-c you will be fine and by tomorrow at this time you will be done. Praying you have an easy my recovery. Love, Jean

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  • nmh35
    nmh35 Member Posts: 96
    edited February 2015

    Today is my first day home after bilateral mastecomy and DIEP reconstruction on Friday. Glad to be home, but I was definitely more comfortable in the hospital bed. Hope tonight is a good nights sleep.

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  • Melanie-C
    Melanie-C Member Posts: 32
    edited February 2015

    nmh35 wishing you a peaceful and restful night. There's no place like home! You are on the healing side of things now. Be well :)

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