April & May 2015 Surgery Sisters

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  • SummerSun
    SummerSun Member Posts: 91
    edited March 2015

    Hello to all my April surgery sisters! I will be having my exchange surgery on April 20th. I had my last fill on March5th and will be getting Mentor rounds - 700cc's.

    I am sorry we are all here, but, we will get through this together. Warm hugs to all!!

    Downdog - Thank you so much for starting us off!

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  • patty101014
    patty101014 Member Posts: 53
    edited March 2015

    hi all. I am scheduled for BMX with tissue expander placement in both on April 6th. Because I'll need radiation, I'll also be having lat flap to support the implanton my right side (cancer side) that day.

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  • downdog
    downdog Member Posts: 1,432
    edited March 2015

    Good morning to our new members bbbbun, SummerSun and patty101014!

    bbbbun, join us here too...you can never have too much support. Hoping that the third time's a charm and you get an April date after having had two postponements. I'm sure you are more than ready to get rid of those TEs, as no doubt SummerSun is as well. SummerSun, did your PS overfill your TEs to prepare for exchange, or just fill to capacity?

    patty101014, you might want to practice stretching your lat muscles (both sides are good for balance) to prepare your right side for surgery. You will have a faster recovery if they are not tight. If you want me to describe some stretching you can do at home, let me know. You can also have a PT lengthen them for you.

    As a fitness fanatic, I encourage all my April sisters to get in the best shape as you are able to pre-surgery, in order to optimize the quickest healing and recovery for each of you.

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  • patty101014
    patty101014 Member Posts: 53
    edited March 2015

    Downdog, thank you! I have been doing yoga DVDs from Travis Eliot, Bryan Kest, and Eoin Finn but honestly didn't know if I should be strengthening or stretching my lats and chest. I appreciate any info you have about particulate stretches

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  • bbbbun
    bbbbun Member Posts: 59
    edited March 2015

    Hi friends! Just heard from PS...changed my Exchange to 4/1....preop at 3pm today!! Yikes!!!!

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  • MarieJune
    MarieJune Member Posts: 128
    edited March 2015

    Hi ladies. :)

    I'm back again- on a new board this time. Having a Revision (new implants placed) of Breast Reconstruction on 4/13/15 Quick write up of my journey is:

    •9/23 BMX w/ TE placement (TE's filled to 60cc's)

    •10/19 5th drain placed (faulty drain wasn't draining) ended up in hospital for 7 days w/ Cellulitis (IV vancomycin)

    •12/5 first fill w/ 50cc's (total of 110cc's)

    •1/12 second fill w/ 50cc's (total of 160cc's)

    •1/18 awoke on daughter's 12th birthday to FLAT left side- TE deflated/ruptured

    •1/22 Emergency surgery (direct to implants) Sientra Smooth Round moderate profile (despite my request for high profile & at least 400cc's) PS put in only 320cc's.

    •1/30 noticed implants flatten out, drop, pain & indentations...asked PS for revision/back to TE's- big fat NO! Not for a year.....yikes!

    February: visited a NEW PS- love him! :) Going through insurance to "attempt" to get them to pay.

    FINALLY after 3 1/2 weeks- got APPROVED!! :) Going to get Sientra or Mentor textured silicone-gel Round high profile implants w/ 545-595cc's (will finally have the va-va-voom appearance scheduled for 4/13 @ 6:00am

    That's my timeline. If anyone has any questions at all, or would like pics of my process, feel free to not hesitate to message me. I've been documenting this journey. Smiled even through the hard times and knew this journey wouldn't be a journey w/out bumps in the road. I wouldn't change a SINGLE THING (yes, there were some days that were a little rough, but laughter, being positive, and helping others got me through.

    I wish you all the very best of luck. Can't wait to hear updates once the surgeries start. I'll answer any and all questions along with pics if you need help/guidance.

    Lots of love to all & positive wishes.


    Marie J Mello

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  • MJS1266
    MJS1266 Member Posts: 222
    edited March 2015

    Hi Ladies,

    My surgery is scheduled for April 6th, LX (right) with SND, oncoplasty, reduction, and lift. As I had Chemo first, it seems a little surreal to be finally heading to surgery. I can't wait until it is done. I will still have Rads left but that will hopefully be easy compared to everything else. Good Luck everyone!

    All the best, MJ


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  • downdog
    downdog Member Posts: 1,432
    edited March 2015

    Woohoo, bbbbun, bit of a shocker, but it will be over before you know it, so that's great. MarieJune, what an ordeal you've been through...I'm happy to hear that you'll get the appearance outcome you desire. MJS1266, welcome.


    patty101014, I don't know how fit you are, so we'll start out with some basic passive stretches and then move to some active release ones later in the week. Even thought these are basic, they are still good stretches and most people should be able to do them.

    Listen to your body and don't do anything that doesn't feel right. You don't want to injure yourself.

    Easy lat stretch 1: side bends. Stand up straight, with arms overhead, hands or thumbs locked and bend to the right and hold. Move back to center and bend to left and hold. Do 5.

    Lat stretch 2: Child's pose (yoga pose - Google if you don't know what it is) with arms stretched out straight in front. Try and have your bum on your heels, forehead on the floor. Reach for the wall in front of you. Hold. Breathe in and when you exhale do a micro stretch in front. Do 5 times. Move your arms to the left or right and repeat. Move arms to the opposite side and repeat.

    Most people have poor posture as they get older and if you do a lot of computer work, this will exacerbate it and you will have tight pecs. If you look at a side view of yourself in the mirror in your underwear or naked, you will see if your shoulders curve forward a bit (this doesn't mean you are hunched over). Pec release 1: Lie on a foam roller (6" diameter x 36"). Your bum and head will be on the roller, so it is running along your spine. Spread your arms out at 90. If it's uncomfortable, let your hands rest on objects a couple of inches high. If you don't have a foam roller, which is firm, you could roll a yoga mat or even a beach towel. If it squishes down too far, you won't get the same stretch. You can intensify this stretch on a bench (at a gym) and drop your arms down further and even add in low weight dumbbells. Pec stretch 2 is the doorframe stretch. Place your arms on either side of a doorframe and step forward with one foot. You can do U shape (90 degrees) and Y shape variations. Hold.

    Shoulder release. You want to minimize or eliminate any impingements or existing issues pre-surgery, to have the quickest and most complete recovery. These are some yoga poses that are good shoulder stretches, so google to see what they look like, if you aren't familiar with them. 1. Stand and clasp hands behind your back. Take a deep breath and forward fold with a slight bend in knees. Your arms will be straight and pointed toward the ceiling or more toward the wall in front of your head, depending on your flexibility. Hold for a few breathes and do 3x.

    2. Do the arms of eagle pose. You can add the legs if you wish. Lift upward to intensify the shoulder stretch.

    3. Cow pose. Again you can just focus on the arm portion of this pose. If you can't touch fingers behind your back, this is still good to do with a strap and pull on either end. Even if your hands are a foot or more apart you can work on bringing them closer with micro-movements. Inhale to lengthen, exhale to stretch.

    I do think it's a good idea to strengthen your chest. You can do this with pushups, variations of plank, dolphin plank (knees down if you need to), bench press, fly press and dumbbell chest exercises. I am strengthening my pecs to give my PS more to work with.

    Hope this helps.




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  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Member Posts: 1,032
    edited March 2015

    I wanted to give some advice for you ladies who will be going through the mastectomy. I've been there almost 3 years ago, and wish I had had some advice given to me.  Take it for what it's worth. 

    1. what you think you need for the overnight hospital stay, leave it at home. Seriously, the only things you will need are an oversized button down shirt. You won't want to lift your arms after surgery. 

    2. Ribbon.  Yes, ribbon to hold up your drain tubes during your shower.  I used ribbon to attach the drain tubes to it and had it draped around my neck, otherwise someone will have to take a shower with you to hold them up. 

    3. Shower caddy/ kitchen caddy.  Put your remote control/books/ chapstick and medication in it that way it's at arms reach. 

    4. Pillows. Make a pillow nest when you are in bed to keep you propped up.

    5. Stool softeners.  It's the one thing no one wants to talk about, you will get constipated from all the pain meds.

    6. When taking your pain meds, stay ahead of your pain.  Your pain meds are generally to be taken 4-6 hours, try taking your meds about 1 hour prior to the next dose. 

    7. See if your BS will give you your pain med prescription before your surgery, so you can have it for the car ride home.

    8. Pillow for ride home.  To put under the seat belt so it doesn't hit your drains or your surgical incisions.

    Again, take it for what it's worth but it could help.  I packed for my BMX with all the wrong things.  I thought I would be able to wear a t-shirt home the next day, luckily my husband had another button down shirt for me to wear home. I wish you all the best!

    christy

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  • Donna-Dew
    Donna-Dew Member Posts: 264
    edited March 2015

    Christy, you and I are on the same wavelength, making a packing list and trying to remember from my last mastectomy experience, what worked and what didn't. Thanks for the list! Here are some things that I added to mine...

    1) Lip Balm - I was constantly applying. So dry in the hospital.

    2) Throat Lozenges - Definitely. The tube that is put in your throat during surgery tends to leave a slightly irritated effect or sore throat. Combine that with the dry air in the hospital, I had to get my hubby to pick up an extra package.

    3) Extra safety pins - Just in case you need, attaching drains to clothes etc.

    Donna

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  • patty101014
    patty101014 Member Posts: 53
    edited March 2015

    downdog, tha k you for taking the time to post all of that. I do many of those while doing yoga but Ihavent tried the foam roller and my shoulders are always pretty restricted. I'll keep working on it :).

    My chiro had me do the door frame stretches in the past. I should have thought of those :)


    Again, thank you

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  • MarieJune
    MarieJune Member Posts: 128
    edited March 2015

    My favorite Mastectomy things:

    Burt's bees (lip balm in round metal container) was PERFECT for my 9 hour mastectomy. :)

    Baby Safety pins were amazing at sticking them through the plastic tab on the drains & pinning them to my shirts w/out fail of them opening. ;)

    I got as many pillows together (about 9) and placed them into a box-like shape and with the middle open & one more for my back, with a heavy blanket tucking them in snug so they wouldn't move, then being able to have the coziness nights of my bilateral mastectomy.

    Always had snacks, drinks (only use tiny cups w/ straws- you won't be able to hold it long, and too much liquid can cause nausea....drink enough at a time and refill each hour). Apple juice was my savior. Always put everything you need (remote, headphones, iPad/tablet, phone, brush, lip balm, baby wipes for quick cleansing of your body, electric toothbrush, etc near you in an easy-to-get-to box or bin along with repackaged snacks that you'll need)

    Don't overdue it.......rest. Rest...rest!! I overdid it the first week, ended up w/ a 5th drain placed for 45 days along with a 7 day hospital stay for cellulitis & lymphedema on IV vancomycin. Wished I had listened to my drs telling me to relax and not focus on getting up or out! Most valuable info: your immunity is wayyyyy down, therefore, REST & try to get catered to, it's YOUR turn to be pampered, and trust me, people in your network truly want to help. :)

    Hope these helped. :)


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

    Wow, thanks for all the tips. How quickly do you get range of motion back enough to wash and blow dry your hair? At a month are you pretty much able to do things? I know no lifting, or doing heavy work, but things like laundry, easy tasks?

    My sister will be with me so I am going to let her be my nurse. I just do not sit still very well.....guess I will have to. This is all so new. I will be on here often to share recovery stories.

    Happy Friday to everyone!



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  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Member Posts: 1,032
    edited March 2015

    it took me about 2 weeks to fully take care of myself, wash/dry my hair bathe myself. I was so glad I was able to do those things because at week 3 I was back at work.

    Before I left the hospital the physical therapist came in and showed me several stretches I had to do 5-6 times a day. Not going to lie, they hurt like hell. But they more you do them, the better and quicker you will get range of motion back. Just keep in mind you won't have full range of motion back in a week. It took me about 4 months to get mine back.

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  • SummerSun
    SummerSun Member Posts: 91
    edited March 2015


    Hi Mysunshine4. What I have learned through this process that all of us are different. My recovery from my BMX was easier than I expected. I took it easy as instructed the first week and was able to wash my own hair by week 2. With that in mind, one thing you may want to add to your shopping list is dry shampoo for that first week.

    I did pop a stitch repositioning my self in the recliner at about week 3 and that was very painful. It did cause my left TE to be rather 'wonky' during the expansion process (under arm boob), so be careful with putting weight on your arms for a while. Fortunately, my PS said he could tighten that back up during the exchange.

    I am sure your sister will take good care of you. For me, waiting for the procedure was the worst part and fortunately it was much better than I imagined.

    I hope everyone's surgery goes smoothly with a speedy recovery.

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  • Fran2014
    Fran2014 Member Posts: 140
    edited March 2015

    Hi All,

    I'm new to the group but wanted to let those of you who are scheduled for surgery in April that I agree with the comments "the waiting is the worst part". I'm 17 days out from my BMX and getting along better than expected. I'm not saying it isn't a bit tough but definitely not as bad as I had expected. I had 4 drains put in and 2 have come out. For some reason, I am draining more in the last few days (did that happen to anyone else??). I'm hoping the other 2 drains will be removed this coming week. The one bit of advice I would give you is to truly listen to your doctors when they say "rest"! Your body will need to rejuvenate. I'm not the type of person who sits around much but for the last two weeks, I've tried not to push myself at all. When I'm tired (usually around 3 or 4 pm)-I go right to the recliner and rest. I seem to have the most energy in the mornings. I start chemo again (I had received 3 months of treatment pre-surgery) which I'm definitely not looking forward to but I just keep trying to focus on some of the fun things that I have planned for the summer. Wishing everyone a successful surgery and recovery!!
    For those of you that had reconstruction-is there anything I should be aware of regarding the expanders? How long does the whole experience usually take?

     

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  • ComposMentis
    ComposMentis Member Posts: 12
    edited March 2015

    Hello--I have just joined this site. My diagnosis was in March 2015. I am having a modified radical mastectomy on my right breast on April 9th, and I also understand there will be lymph node removal. I was hoping that I could join the April Sisters group, if not too late. Thank you.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2015

    Welcome to the BCO Community CamposMentis! We are so glad that you reached out to connect with others through out discussion boards. We hope that you will find support and information along your journey. Best wishes to you as you get ready for your surgery.

    The Mods

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  • Redporchlady
    Redporchlady Member Posts: 113
    edited March 2015

    Lots of good advice and one thing I don't have to worry about is washing my hair since I am still bald from 5 months of chemo!  I go April1st to have an Electrocardiogram, blood tests, breast MRI and axillary ultrasound.  Hoping that my white blood count is back up and that my MRI and ultrasounds show that my chemo worked.  I then go back next Monday for mammograms, imaging and wire placement for my surgery on the 7th.  It seems like such a long road since I started all this and I am actually anxious to get this part of the journey over so that I can move on to radiation.  It was a long winter and spring is making me anxious to get out!  Good luck to everyone as we start this next part of our cancer treatments. 

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  • downdog
    downdog Member Posts: 1,432
    edited March 2015

    Welcome to the April group, ComposMentis. Let us know how your experience goes and come here for support whenever you need it.

    Redporchlady, best of luck on your upcoming tests and I hope you have had a full pathological response to your chemo and kicked all signs of cancer to the curb. Hopefully, you have some nice spring weather where you live and can go for walks to enjoy it.

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  • justmaximom15
    justmaximom15 Member Posts: 264
    edited March 2015

    I finally have a surgery date which is quite calming to me. On Friday, April 24th - the day I turn 47 yrs old I will also undergo a lumpectomy w/ SNB and oncoplastic reduction.

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  • Lovegolf
    Lovegolf Member Posts: 513
    edited March 2015

    Hi ladies


    I have not been on board for awhile. I had lumpectomy 4/09 and BMX 5/1/09.

    Only advise I would add..make an appointment to go to a salon and get your hair washed few days after MX.

    You can get your body clean, but funky hair is the worst.

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  • Metta
    Metta Member Posts: 84
    edited March 2015

    No need for hair washing for me, either, Redporchlady, I'm just as bald as you are after AC+T. I saw a doctor today and asked her about recovery time. She said I'd be up and around the day after a bilateral mastectomy. I keep thinking I'll be an invalid, stuck in bed for weeks. Despite her reassurance, I still don't know who is going to help take care of my kids (and all the other kids in the neighborhood who convene in our house). It sounds like my main problem will be fatigue, which I'm pretty familiar with after five months of chemo.

    Downdog, thank you so much for being here for us and giving us support. Thanks to the people who have been through it already, too. Please keep us posted! I am really nervous and scared, so I'm trying to set aside time every day to relax. Does anyone have any favorite go-to guided meditations?

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  • SoutherMother
    SoutherMother Member Posts: 111
    edited March 2015

    bbbbun, it looks like your surgery date is day after tomorrow.  We will be thinking of you on April 1st and hoping all goes smoothly.   Please let us know how you are doing once you feel up to it. 

    Does anyone know what is the average length for a hospital stay when having a bi-lateral mastectomy?  I can't remember what the breast surgeon told me.  I have chemo brain.  I have seen a few posts saying it is an overnight stay but am not sure if that was for a bi-lateral mastectomy.

    RedPorchLady and Metta, I just finished two regimens of chemo and am bald as well.  I don't go in for the surgery until the end of April.  My luck, my hair follicles will start to grow and itch at about the time I can't raise my arms over my head.  LOL.  I think I'll add a back scratcher to my shopping list.

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

    I am having a BMX on April 10 and I was told I will be in the hospital overnight. I can't imagine coming home the next day, but I guess that is what happens.

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  • KJSUN
    KJSUN Member Posts: 44
    edited March 2015

    I met with a member of the anesthesia team today and I will be in the hospital two nights. I do have a few other health conditions, so that may be why it is two nights and not one. Don't worry about your scalp itching when your hair is growing in, mine didn't at all, but then my husband constantly was petting my hair because it was soft as a baby's, he was so funny! I hope when I do chemo after my surgery that I don't lose my hair again, I am just starting to be able to style it!

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  • DayLily15
    DayLily15 Member Posts: 144
    edited March 2015

    Hello Ladies

    So glad to have you all in my time frame, thank you for the tips. it really helps me to read the things you have to tell me. it brings my stress level way down.

    my little tip is this [maybe some else also thought of it ] a kids bed size or sofa sized fleece blanket is perfect to cut [no need to sew because it does not unravel much] half way up length wise into a shawl / cape. it is cozy and covering with out the arm hole.

    Hugs to All

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  • Jstme
    Jstme Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2015

    Hello, I am new here. I am gearing up for my surgery on April 13th. I hope to help support all of you during our recovery over the next few monthS.

    A little about my journey thus far. I was diagnosed in September of 2014 at age 39 with triple negative Breast cancer. I found one lump, and they found a second lump as well as node involvement. I've just completed my 5 months of chemo, and am scheduled for a double mastectomy with expander placement as well as a total hysterectomy on the 13th. I am getting more and more anxious as the date nears. I would love any advice if anyone has any to offer. I would also like to say good luck to all of you, and again I look forward to all the support this board has to offer.

    Thanks for having me.

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  • downdog
    downdog Member Posts: 1,432
    edited March 2015

    justmaximom15 and Jstme, welcome to the April surgery sisters group. Jstme, that takes coordination to schedule 3 surgeons together. How many hours is your total procedure? My surgery is almost a month away...so far I am not anxious, but that will likely change as it approaches. Do activities to distract yourself, especially if you find them calming. I'm sure others can provide some tips that have worked for them.

    Fran2104, you should check out the TE threads under Reconstruction for experiences there. Many of us in the April group haven't had MX/BMXs yet, but we do have a couple who have gone through the expander process. The typical length of time until your exchange surgery is 6 months: 3 month for fills followed by 3 months for settling. This varies by PS. Frequency of fills, average volume of fills, final capacity of the expander and whether or not the PS fills to capacity or beyond. Since you are ahead of many in our group, any feedback you can provide to us would be appreciated.

    SoutherMother, typically one night, but I believe some hospitals do UMX as a day procedure. Perforator flap reconstruction usually gets 2-3+ nights, as they are concerned about the viability of the flap and it is a more extensive surgery from which to recover and can be 10-13 hours under anaesthesia.

    Everyone, keep your tips coming.

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  • lovelivelaugh78
    lovelivelaugh78 Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2015

    Hi all,

    Fairly new here and nervous about my Skin/Nipple sparing BMX with immediate implant reconstruction on April 20th. Still struggling to decide which type of implants to go with. But, it sure is nice to hear all of the tips from people who have been here before! Thanks!

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