March 2015 Surgery Sisters

Just found out today that my surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25th. I was treated for 20 weeks of ACT neoadjuvent chemotherapy for triple negative, grade 3, IIIC breast cancer which ended on February 24. I decided on a BMX with reconstruction expanders at the time of surgery. When surgery and expanders are complete I will begin 5 weeks of radiation. After, the normal waiting period after radiation I will have a DIEP flap.

Thanks for the great suggestion on the anti-nausea drug.

Best of luck to all my March 2015 Sugery Sisters!

Hugs to all

thanks Divecat. I am not looking forward to it but I know it will be over soon too. I'm preparing better than I did for my first surgery. Dulclax, prunes, Netflix. LOL. Does anyone know the best way to sleep after SNB. I'm a side sleeper and SX will be on left side. My boobs still hurt from original biopsies so sleeping hasn't been great to begin with. My surgeon told me to use hot compresses and massage them. It hasn't helped.

Hi Audrey, I too am a side sleeper and the last few months have been torture. I'm finally comfortably on my side again, just in time for more surgery. Ack! I didn't think the SNB had very much impact on the pain but I also had BMX at the same time and everything was very numb. My SNB armpit is STILL numb. Hopefully it won't be too uncomfortable for you.

I had my SNB at time of BNX and they still went through underarm incision! That one hurt more and healed slower than Breast incision! So never kno

Thank you DiveCat and Angemonm41.  Surgery is scheduled for 1pm tomorrow, but I'm waiting for call from the hospital this afternoon to confirm that.

Dive Cat, My surgeon got clean margins from lumpectomy, MRI showed no other tumors in left or right breast, and nodes looked "clean" in MRI.  At the time of my lumpectomy, I was not diagnosed, excisional biopsy turned into lumpectomy on both sides during that procedure.  However, nodes were not taken at that time as there was no cancer diagnosis. Hence, a 2nd surgery for me now.

Surgeon said Sentinal Node Biopsy left side.  I didn't question it.  She will use dye, injected after I am under general anasthesia. I am hoping nodes are as clean as she thinks they are and that I don't need chemo.  I will be starting radiation soon I would guess, and tamofixan or some other meds.  She wants me on it 10 years.

If cancer returns to left breast, I will get a BMX, if it develops in right breast, I might try radiation first, then BMX if it reoccurs in either breast.

I am not sure if I am making the right decision, but my sister had the same cancer 5 years ago, (IDC), did lumpectomy, chemo and radiation.  This year she is a 5 year survivor.  I go to the Survivor Tent with her every year to get her survivor medal at the Susan G. Koman walk at Jones Beach.  We always have a good cry.  This year, I will be getting my own medal.  I can only imagine the tears that will flow.

I was on board for the BMX, even went recliner shopping, until the MRI results came in last week.  I think the surgeon was surprised there were no other tumors present and she told me I could go this route and would most likely have a good outcome. I am praying she is right.

I am also BRCA-

AudreyB, good luck tomorrow!!  Is this an out-patient procedure?  Let us know how you did, when you can.  We'll be thinking about you and praying for clear nodes.

Thanks hummingbird lover. I'm sitting here waiting for the hospital to call with arrival time. I will be outpatient. Same hospital where lumpectomies were performed so I will be well taken care of. Even though outpatient upon arrival I'm given a real hospital room complete with bed and tv. After surgery back to that room to recover and even get fed. Very professional nursing staff. All in all a very comfortable experience considering why I'm there

Welcome Dawnmarie. I'm sure you will find a lot of information on these boards.

I met with my surgical oncologist on Friday and plastic surgeon today. I had great response to chemotherapy and my tumor has shrunk from nearly 4 cm to 8mm.

The docs wanted me to consider lumpectomy but I just couldn't come to peace with anything other than bilateral mastectomy.

I don't have a date yet but at least I think I have a plan! I will have BMX with Lat Flap and tissue expanded. That will be followed by fills. Then radiation. Then six months of waiting before exchange to implants. Long haul...

Jilly, will the hospital have Emend? Thanks for the suggestion. I am also going to ask about a paravertebral block.

i have mixed feelings about my planned surgery this Friday. The surgeon called me today because she had heard I had questions and said if I wanted a bilateral we would have to change the date. So I am going to do the unilateral and try to get the other breast done at another time.

I was all set for a bilateral- that's what I always thought I would do- but am in my 60's now with an autoimmune disorder, sensitivities to meds, and some neuro issues too. When I met with the surgeon the first time, she was clearly nervous about the double procedure and told me it would be extra time under anesthesia and more stressful healing for me physically. She recommended a single mastectomy and deciding later on the other.

However, if I called and said, "Look I want a bilateral no matter what" she would do that.

By asking her questions and deferring to her experience, I am making her responsible for the choice, which means liability if the bilateral goes wrong. On the other hand, I have never had surgery and never experienced a mastectomy and don't know how my body will react, so it would seem reasonable to want a medical opinion. I am not sure how to reconcile our different agendas.

I think my surgeon is pushing unilateral to avoid legal problems from suggesting a bilateral in case of infection etc. Again, if I demanded it, she would not be liable and would have agreed.

I really don't like this situation and feel that I should have been able to have a different discussion.

I guess I would be fine with doing one at a time but my left breast (like my right, where the cancer is) has been painful for about 6 weeks now (well before the lump was found), with nipple sensitivity and burning pain. The mammogram was clear but I don't feel certain at all that it is okay.

This site has been helpful and is appreciated. I am all ready to go regardless. Bought some stuff to make a comfy nest for rest and have rides lined up and laundry is done!

Windyshore...ask your doctor for the Emend prescription. Get it filled and take two hours before surgery with a sip of water but run all this by PS. It's crazy because it's only one pill and my co pay was twenty dollars but it was worth it!

As far as having bilateral versus just one, go with your instincts, and of course the feedback from your physician.

You will do great!

Congratulations!

That's fantastic Audrey!