February 2015 surgery

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  • JustAJennifer
    JustAJennifer Member Posts: 85
    edited February 2015

    jean- good luck, if you are on the 19th floor for recovery, it's amazing! Just redone, stunning. Of course I didn't notice most of it until the ride out.

    Waiting-to-exhale- DCIS should be noted on your pathology report. While not seen on imaging, they can detect it from the tissue directly. If you had a mastectomy, chances are quite good you're in the clear.

    Fourminor: good points, those. I will start tamoxifen in a couple weeks. Watching those boards too about SEs.

    My deleted post earlier was just a consolidation of two posts I made, I was trying to save real estate on the page. Didn't work out that way ;)

    Is anyone else thinking ahead to survivor type events like Race for the Cure, Relay for Life, Avon 39?


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  • NurseShark
    NurseShark Member Posts: 176
    edited February 2015

    justajennifer: I was thinking of doing Avon 39 in Boston especially since it benefits a lot of the facilities where I receive treatment

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  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 377
    edited February 2015

    Hi everyone!!!!  Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and comments.  I read each and every post here, but since I have not really started the journey, I don't have much to add. 

    All I know about so far is core needle biopsy, surgical excisional biopsy and getting the call from the Dr. that I have breast cancer.  Other than that, I'm a newbie.  (Yes, I have a great sense of humor, I'm here all week).

    Anyway, I wanted you all to know I can only access this site on my iphone at night, PITA to type on.  But, I'm at work now and thought I would take a moment to check in.

    I have my MRI scheduled for tomorrow at 7:15am, then a consultation with the BS will follow once results are in.  I did get my MRI RX faxed over from the BS office, though.  It says:

    Left Breast - Cancer

    Right Breast - ADH, LCIS, LDH and something else that I cannot read.

    My surgeon is telling me that double mastectomy with reconstruction would be my best option (initial phone call prior to MRI and tumor stage being known).  I'm assuming other options would not be good, i.e. lumpectomy, etc.  My daughter is very upset about the double, and is very curious why that's the best option.  It is so hard to explain to her that I am OK with it.  Not everyone can get a lumpectomy.  My sis did and her friend did.  So far, dealing with family has been harder than dealing with the diagnosis.  I am also opting for no reconstruction.I just want one and done.  BS said I cannot get immediate recon, that I will need radiation.  She also said she does not think I will need chemo.

    My honey just said "you know I'm not a breast man"  I love him to death.

    I send many prayers, well wishes for recovery, courage for future surgery and above all peace of mind to all of you glorious, wonderful warriors.  I don't know what I would have done if I had not found this site.  From the day I went for my mamo on 1/15 to today, you have all been so kind and I have learned so much from all of you.  God bless you all.

    Audrey

     

    .

     

     


     

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

    hello beautiful strong women. I am back home today. I had my double mastectomy with tissue expander's yesterday. Everything went well. The doctors and nurses were lovely.

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  • dancingdiva
    dancingdiva Member Posts: 475
    edited February 2015

    today they took the drains out and they literally ripped them out.....pulled them out of me very quickly. it hurt much more than i thought. i felt like they were pulling tentacles or a foreign body out of me. How does this go for everyone else? were they pulled out slowly, one at a time.???

    i was put on antibiotics again because i have a red patch on my breast and he wants to be sure i don't have an infection

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  • horsemom
    horsemom Member Posts: 96
    edited February 2015

    Dancingdiva

    My drains were pulled quickly and took my breath away with the pain. It stung but didn't last very long. They did not open the bulb (undo the suction) so maybe that's why

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

    having the drains removed burns like crazy but it doesn't last long and it's worth the pain to get rid of them

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

    Just a jennifer I am having my surgery outpatient and will go to my sisters afterwards. She is a nurse and lives much closer to the hospital than we do. I will go home as soon as I feel strong wnough. Love, Jean

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  • LisaZak
    LisaZak Member Posts: 25
    edited February 2015

    My surgery went well. I am home and relaxing now. Nodes looked clean, I will know more on Friday. I am feeling a little more pain than I did the first time around, have had to stay on the Norco, but other than that all is good! Hoping for clean margins so I can move on to the next step. Husband has been so awesome through this whole thing. This has been a life altering two months, but the future is positive! Best wishes to all who are recovering and to all who are preparing. <<hugs>>

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  • NurseShark
    NurseShark Member Posts: 176
    edited February 2015

    just got home from Dr appt. 2 drains out !!!! They pulled quickly I found it stung for a few seconds then feltbetter

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited February 2015

    Audrey...we will always be here for you. Do not fret about the bmx. I had mine Friday with immediate recon and have no regrets. They say outcomes can be the same...lump vs bmx, but I wanted one and done. I think when you're older it's not as important, at least not for me. Multiple surgeries do not appeal to me.

    Hang tough and welcome to the hero club. :)

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited February 2015

    Nurseshark...what????? Congrats to you! We had surgery same day and my four are steady draining. I go Friday so maybe they'll pull some? When do you go back?

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  • JustAJennifer
    JustAJennifer Member Posts: 85
    edited February 2015

    It's so great to hear from everyone coming out of surgery. Good luck to those up tomorrow. I bet jabec is having a drink in Mexico tonight for all of us!

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  • dancingdiva
    dancingdiva Member Posts: 475
    edited February 2015

    wish I was in Mexico!!!

    Ok, so I guess pulling them out quickly is the norm. It burns stings , feels downright wierd . Took me about 5-10 minutes to stop shaking.

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015

    You ladies have about convinced me to keep my drains....lol...actually I'm thinking Klonopin and a pain pill before I go. I'm still putting out 100 per drain per day but my PS wants them out Friday or Monday BC of risk of infection. I hope they are to 40 each by Mon or I'll have to give him a call...ready to pull them out myself...

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited February 2015

    Wow, Melanie-c that is great!

    LisaZak, glad you are out also! rest and take it easy.

    All this talk about drains is preparing me!

    I am all cleared for surgery!

    Tomorrow I get my injection for the sentinel node dissection.

    I have used more of my Xanax than usual this month.

    I was so sad today because tomorrow is my daughter's big day! I always thought I would be there for that!

     I sent my children a group text telling them how much I love them and they have made want to be the best person I could possibly be...

    Then I told them, now I fight for me!  

    I said "You will get to see me kick cancer's a**!"

    I don't want them worried about me!

    I love them so!

    God bless you ladies!

    Your February Surgery Sister,

    Robin

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  • NurseShark
    NurseShark Member Posts: 176
    edited February 2015

    jilly last 2 drains coming out Monday.... the ones they took today have had 20 cc/24h for days. The 2 left avg 40cc/24 h .....I feel like that's little but it was similar to my alnd....I just don't drain a lot I guess.. definitely not clogged my husband does a great job stripping them

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015

    Robin, so sad you have to miss dd wedding. But you are fighting and kicking cancer's butt so that you can be there for so much more. Think of the grandbabies.that will be so exciting. As for the xanex, if you can't use it now, when can you use it? We are so close to crossing over to to the healing side. Be gentle with yourself. Hugs Amy

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited February 2015

    Thank you Amy, You are right!

    I pray to be here for the grandbabies! I am being kind and gentle to me!

    Hugs Amy Smile

    Robin

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  • roadrash
    roadrash Member Posts: 145
    edited February 2015

    Jean- wishing us love and peace to us tomorrow. We are going to do great! :D I'm looking forward to your checking in with us. I have had so much surgery the last 3 months, I didn't even need a preop this time.

    Thank you for your support ladies. My ps did prescribe me ativan and I took one earlier. This is the first time in close to 4 months, I felt more normal. We discussed maybe taking something different for the ongoing. we will discuss hat before surgery tomorrow.

    Drains- I had 6 and they all burned. I had no idea they were in so deep. Breathe. My ps told me to breathe out when he and his nurse pulled them out. JustAmy-make friends with your drains and take a pain pill 30 min before your appt to get them out, it helps.

    Nurseshark-looking forward to hearing about squishing your baby with lots of hugs

    I hope everyone continues to make improvements everyday. Thinking of you Robin, Aubrey and everyone.

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

    Jean, popping in to wish you good luck tomorrow.

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  • faithhopecourage
    faithhopecourage Member Posts: 37
    edited February 2015
    • Good morning ladies!! I am a little less than 24 hours post op. Doing very well. I had a nerve block for pain and I highly recommend it. The anesthesia haze was short and I didn't have that loopy feeling. When I woke up, I was well bound. I had a foley catheter and my urine was a lovely shade of green due to the SNB. My surgery was right around six hours. I am thrilled to report my nodes were clear!!! I have the inflatable cuffs around my legs which inflate every 45 seconds non stop since post op. This is to prevent blood clots. I'm on iv saline and I am getting antibiotics. The experience so far is a lot better than I imagined. My chest muscles are sore and it is extremely difficult to reach for anything. I was able to eat on my own, but have not left the bed as of yet. I am expected to go home today.
    • My advice to anyone who gets very ill from anesthesia and pain meds is to speak up!!!!! There is great anti nausea meds out there now that can really make a difference in your recovery.
    • God speed to all who will be having surgery.
    • To those who are recovering, may you have as little discomfort as possible
    God bless you all and may we all be successful in kicking cancer's butt!!!!!!!
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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited February 2015

    JUST AMY...I am definitely doing the same thing when I go Friday. Something for pain and a valium. When do you go?

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited February 2015

    NurseShark...24 hr averages are #1 45cc, #2 20cc, #3 40cc, #4 10cc. What do you think? I go tomorrow.

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

    Good to hear from everyone. Best of luck with upcoming surgeries, and wishing speedy recoveries to all.

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  • dmarie71
    dmarie71 Member Posts: 81
    edited February 2015

    For those of you who still have the drain removal...I honestly did not find it the least bit uncomfortable. My nurse had me take 3 deep breaths and on the last breath in she had me hold it for a few seconds and then blow out as hard and long as I could. As I was exhaling, she gently and quickly pulled it out. I could feel it leaving my body but I felt no burning or pain sensations. So hold onto hope that your experience will be as good as mine. And look at it this way...if there is some discomfort...it will be so worth it for the few seconds it takes to be FREE of those darned things! I had mine 13 days and hated every second of them!!!! Hugs!

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015

    Jilly: I go Monday I think. I have to be producing less than 40 per drain but he wants them out Monday at the latest.

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  • nmh35
    nmh35 Member Posts: 96
    edited February 2015

    jilly59-

    I had my surgery the same day as you and I had 2 drains pulled today. I'm thinking you will probably have the 2 that are under 40 pulled tomorrow! Then hopefully the next ones next week. I go again Monday to hopefully be done.

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  • Fourminor
    Fourminor Member Posts: 354
    edited February 2015

    Not everyone has pain fro drain removal. I was terrified the first time but when she pulled it, I didn't feel ANYTHING. I didn't even realize she had already done it. This time i could feel it (I think it depends on where your nerves are cut and you are numb) but still I just felt it sliding out, not pain at all, which was weird, but it was over in a couple of seconds.

    Its worth it to be rid of them!

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  • Kimb87
    Kimb87 Member Posts: 4
    edited February 2015

    iv not been on in a while but thinking of everyone for their surgeries. I too am dreading the chest drains but they are a necessary evil! Speedy recoveries to all my surgery sisters, il be joining you soon enough!

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