March 2015 Surgery Sisters

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  • gypsyjo
    gypsyjo Member Posts: 304
    edited March 2015

    Great news DiveCat! Glad you were able to make your experience a little better by forewarning them. Even better that you have reached another milestone in your journey and are pleased with the results so far!

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  • horsemom
    horsemom Member Posts: 96
    edited March 2015

    divecat

    I'm popping in from the October and February threads... So glad you're doing well and managed to elude the post-op-pukes. I'm enjoying my 410s. I think my muscles need to relax a bit more but all in all not bad. It was hard for me to not lift...I felt so good.

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  • ladyduffer
    ladyduffer Member Posts: 40
    edited March 2015

    Glad to hear that your surgery went well Divecat.  Hope you continue to do well and get some good R&R.

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  • CatsRus
    CatsRus Member Posts: 310
    edited March 2015

    Hi all. I got home from the hospital at about 4 pm. I felt remarkably good, just tired. I've slept for a while after making several phone calls and am still feeling good. I do have some good drugs and am making use of them! The whole experience was much better than expected and found I was calm all day. The drain is the most annoying thing but the zip up tops with the inside pocket for the drainage bottle is definitely working well.... Great tip. I have an appointment to see the surgeon for a follow up on Monday but I guess I won't get results for a while. I don't quite understands the procedure with then lymph nodes (I had SNB) but I'll ask more questions, and likely better questions than previously, on Monday. I know I have a ways to go yet on this roller coaster but for now I am so relieved 'it' is out!

    Glad to hear things went well for you too DiveCat. No nausea for me either but I shook like you too.

    Hope this makes some sense....I'm definitely groggy.

    Thanks all for your support.

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  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
    edited March 2015

    Happy for you this part is over. I am scheduling next week for a BMX and am really scared. This is dragging out so long.

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  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 968
    edited March 2015

    Drains are a necessary evil...hang in there! I did not end up with drains this time...though I only really "realized" it on way home, "something is different, right, no drains!". I had brought my marsupial pouch in case though :).

    I don't remember the shakes last time, but as weird and uncomfortable as it was I"ll take over the nausea.

    A smooth recovery to you, Cats

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  • hummingbirdlover
    hummingbirdlover Member Posts: 421
    edited March 2015

    Divecat, you get to have your tea! Awesome that you don't have the drains this time. I hope you like your new ones.

    Catsrus, sounds like you are doing great! And it was outpatient? I'll bet you'll feel better at home and yes, those zip up fleeces rock and are so comfy.

    Mysunshine, what day is your surgery next week? The waiting is the hardest part.

    Take care everyone!

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited March 2015

    I believe they removed 10 to 15 nodes but what exactly that's called I'm not sure. My biopsy of a node was inconclusive so the surgeon said he would treat it as if cancerous. They also took oUT both the infected left and the healthy right. I chose to have no reconstruction. I'm very anxious to heal up and begin chemo and I didn't want to wait thru an extended reconstruction time. That said, when I saw the incisions for the first time today I almost fainted. I am not a dramatic person but now I feel extremely depressed and scared. It's been a rough day.

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  • CatsRus
    CatsRus Member Posts: 310
    edited March 2015

    Yes Hummingbird, it was an outpatient procedure. I was glad to get home and to have a good cup of tea, or two or three :-) DH had made some awesome soup, so I had a big bowl of that. So far so good. I was surprised I was calm today after having panic attacks yesterday but everyone I encountered today was so nice. The nurse, as she wheeled me into the OR, hugged me and said 'don't worry, you have an awesome surgeon and you'll be fine, I had the same procedure last year'. Awwww.


    • One hurdle down... Goodnight all.
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  • eaglemom
    eaglemom Member Posts: 76
    edited March 2015

    Congrats on successful surgeries DiveCat and CatsRus.

    Thanks for the tip on genetic testing DiveCat. My GP has been great and did mention that genetic counselors were the usual path. She was trying to short circuit things so I might get the testing back before my surgery but was unsuccessful. I will hopefully get the testing after and then be able to be proactive about the ovaries & tubes if I test positive. It will be good info for my daughter to know one way or the other as well.

    I had my CT scan today; strange sensations with the dye. I started getting a headache while I was drinking the fluid and wondered if it was the fluid. I asked the nurse (who it turns out is my BS's wife) and she said she hadn't heard of headaches being a side effect. Then I thought it might be caffeine withdrawal. Headache got worse so I think it might be one of my peri-menopausal headaches. I guess it could also have been dehydration (hard to believe since I drank over 3 liters today) since I was a bit constipated as well. Headache is mostly better now.

    I have not yet met any Oncologist either. I expect it will happen after surgery. I'm not going for reconstruction, so probably no PS. My BS said "that's probably what I would do" when I mentioned I was 100% sure I didn't want reconstruction. Yay! I hope that means he will not leave any extra skin and make the scars look as good as possible. He did a good job with the scar (small and as hidden as possible) with my biopsy.

    Wow CatsRus; they sent you home the same day of your surgery. My BS said I'd be in hospital 2 to 3 days. I was initially surprised, thnking it would be just overnight. I guess I'll see. I hope they have WiFi at the hospital.

    I wish you all speedy, pain-free recoveries and good upcoming surgeries without too much anxiety during the wait.

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  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 968
    edited March 2015

    CatsRus - I told my husband as we left that my nurses, do so and porters were awesome today; he asked if there was something wrong with them last time but that was not it, they were fine last time, but today they just all seemed really keen to be there and interactive and just....awesome.

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  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 578
    edited March 2015

    Hey Jilly, I was on HRT 14 years at DX and 60. I think it had something to do with my cancer. Do you feel that way?

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited March 2015

    Hi RobinBlessed... The way I understand it is the mutation/cancer is there... From that point it can hang-out and lie dormant and never rear it's ugly head or something activates it and hrt just happens to be a yummy food source. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. 

    This site says your risk of BC is increased up to 75% on hrt. Had I known that I would have certainly weaned off hrt much, much sooner. You have the whole risk/benefit thing going on, and for me it wouldn't have been worth the risk. 

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  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 578
    edited March 2015

    Oh I would have gotten off them too!! It is too bad how the gyn dr lets you stay on something that might change your life forever! ILC hides and I was just fortunate to have found it myself. BS said it had been there a long time hiding from mommos. How are your implants feeling? Got mine unwrapped yesterday and they are a bit tender today. Got Allergan 410 FF 475 fill.

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  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 377
    edited March 2015


    You ladies are absolutely awesome!!!!

    Congratulations on all the successful surgeries and continued wishes for smooth recoveries. 

    I am seeing my BS at 1:00pm today to go over everything.  My SNB pathology came back yesterday - clear nodes!!!!!  So relieved.  I do have some pain and swelling under my arm from SNB, so the BS will look at that too. 

    Other than that, I'm waiting for my next step, radiation. 

    God Bless everyone and have a great weekend!

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  • hummingbirdlover
    hummingbirdlover Member Posts: 421
    edited March 2015

    Audrey, that is awesome news, SO happy for you!!

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited March 2015

    RobinBlessed - I just wished the gyn would have counseled me based on the most recent data. I have since learned that Hrt can cause or exacerbate dense beasts, making mammography not so reliable. I didn't even know I had dense breasts until I pulled my mammography report. I had a clean mammo the year before diagnosis. 

    I had reconstruction with direct implants at the time of my bmx. My breasts were D cups and I wanted smaller - so I was a good candidate. I hate the way they feel when I move a certain way. The tightness is easing albeit slowly. I had nipple-sparing as my lesion was at six o'clock, right in the crease.

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited March 2015

    Yay Audrey! Great news! 

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  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 377
    edited March 2015

    Just got back from my BS apt.  I am healing nicely from the SNB.  The pain I am feeling was blamed on me wearing the wrong type of bra.  The surgical scheduler told me to get a genie bra, which I did.  So now I have to find something tighter to wear to put more pressure on the sx site, which I should have no problem doing.  I was convinced I was going to have fluid aspirated, so glad I didn't have to go through that.  I have been poked, prodded, squished, cut and stitched enough.

    I now also have a Nurse Navigator.  I have to make an apt with an oncologist, and once my oncotype report is in I will find out whether or not I need chemo.  I am praying for a low oncotype number and no chemo.  After that, I can start my radiation, so looking at radiation starting early April for 6 weeks.  Oh the joy!!!!  I love how cancer has totally F*cked up the last two months of my life and its the gift that keeps on giving right through early spring WinkingWinkingWinking

    Wishing all a very happy weekend.

    Love, Audrey

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited March 2015

    Funny, Audrey!

    Glad it went well! 

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  • hummingbirdlover
    hummingbirdlover Member Posts: 421
    edited March 2015

    Audrey, I hope your oncotype is low and I totally commiserate with you. Counting from dx to BMX to reconstruction, assuming no issues, I told my husband last night that it will be A YEAR of my life! A long year but I will gladly sacrifice one for many happy more.

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  • angmom41
    angmom41 Member Posts: 27
    edited March 2015

    So far so good....until last night. Day 5 has been my worst. My drain sites on the left started to leak outside of the drain tube and saturated the discs around the sites. Called the PS and they told me to remove the dressing and cover with sterile gauze and tape. So hubby did this, it took him about 30 minutes he was so careful. Now the right side has started leaking....ugh. And the right side really hurts. I don't see the PS until Wednesday. The drain output had slowed and started to clear, but now it's red again on the side that hurts.

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited March 2015

    Angmom...a phone call is in order. They need to see you Monday, not Wednesday. If in doubt, I would not hesitate to make a trip to someplace like Patient First tomorrow. I had an issue with mine and PS saw me the same day and removed the drain. Boy, did I feel better. 

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  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 968
    edited March 2015

    angmom,

    A few days after my first surgery, my left drain site leaked and soaked my dressings, bra, and PJs. I called my PS office and they were not too worried initially, but then it kept leaking. I ended up going to the ER as my PS is a couple hours away, where they removed a clot that was surrounding the tube and keeping the incision open. So I wonder if something similar is happening to you....if you are having lots of leaking and any other concerning signs you need to see PS before Wednesday; does your PS have an after hours number you can call? Better safe than sorry!

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  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 968
    edited March 2015

    2 days out and I am doing well; last night/early this morning I felt kind of crappy, exhausted and sore, but now am feeling just fine.

    I quit my Percocets cold turkey early this morning and switched to OTC painkillers. The Percocets just make me feel too foggy and drowsy and out of sorts. Plus I don't seem to get as much relief from them as I expect I should get! Last time I found more relief from OTC muscle relaxants than the narcotics, too, and stopped the Percocets at Day 3. I will have lots of leftovers again.

    I have been trying to get some regular - albeit slow - walks in since yesterday, about 1-3 miles at a time. I am cleared to walk, slowly, as much as I like as long as I feel good. I feel a bit better when I can move and it seems to help a lot. Last time I went back to walking 4-6 miles a day by Day 3, this time I am trying to break them up a bit more though over the day.

    Overall, aside from lack of drains, this recovery is already quite different than my BMX/immediate recon surgery - I don't have the T-Rex arms for one (though I am stillcareful with movements!). I definitely expect to be able to go back to work next week as well given how I feel at this point.

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  • CatsRus
    CatsRus Member Posts: 310
    edited March 2015

    glad you are feeling well DiveCat. I am impressed with the walking...don't think I would be up to that even before this nightmare started....I'm old and decrepid...hahaha.... Exercise definitely in the plan for my new future! I took the percocets last night, they seem to help me sleep but during the day I've only take. OTC's once. Cannot wait for the drain to come out, it's my major irritant!! Getting the dressings on the drai changed tomorrow, should be interesting. Then I have a follow up with my surgeon Monday morning.

    I wish you well for Monday DawnMarie.

    Found the zip tops with inside pouches great. Also the tip on using lotion on hands when milking the drain. Oh and taking a small pillow to put under the seatbelt for the ride home.

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited March 2015

    So I call my doctor Thursday because my left foob is swollen to about three times the size of my right. I only have TEs in with only 50 in each because the PS decided I didn't need to stretch the skin to get my exchange. Now my right one looks like a zip lock half full of water but my right is wayyyy too big to put in my bra and feels like it's going to bust. Anyway, my PS office said it was probably a seroma and that they could take care of it during my exchange on the 26th. The problem is that it keeps growing and is so uncomfortable. I also have had a fever for a week. I had some virus but they said if I get a fever to call so I have to just use my discretion. I just hope it all goes well and is over on the 26th! Hugs to all of you. amy

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  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 968
    edited March 2015

    justamy,

    I would not be happy with being told it is "probably" a seroma without seeing it, and then waiting until the 26th! Especially not with a fever....that combined with the swelling is concern for aninfection. Any sudden changes, such as a sudden increase in swelling, size of one side over another, fever, redness, etc. warrant a call and a visit, IMO.

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  • angmom41
    angmom41 Member Posts: 27
    edited March 2015

    Thanks for the tips. It's so hard to tell what is normal and not not normal with this process! Feeling better today. I think I over did it yesterday. The drains are not leaking anymore so that is a relief! All are below 5cc output every 8 hours.

    My first shower was emotional seeing my scars and oddly shaped mounds. But honestly they look pretty good for week 1

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  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 968
    edited March 2015

    angmom,

    Yes, some people do notice increased output with more activity; though I did not so I sometimes was worried my drains were broken...as you said, it is hard to know what to expect and what is normal. Apparently many things can be normal! I am glad things seem to be better...if your output stays that low you should have those babies out by Wednesday! Mine came out after 1 week and they had been below 15-20cc for three or four days by then

    Hugs to you, it can certainly be an adjustment but it sounds like they look a lot better than mine did first time around! My scars did not bother me (in IMF) and I had my nipples but I was horribly black and blue! Minimal bruising this time around though so things already look much better at 3 days than they did at 1 month last time.

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