April & May 2015 Surgery Sisters

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  • DayLily15
    DayLily15 Member Posts: 144
    edited April 2015

    metta - hugs, im not sure what to say, my family have been great.

    middleagedmamma - welcome to the april sisters :) - some of our ladies have had surgery before and they are helping us newbies nicely. -

    i went for a pre surgery orientation and weights and measures etc. they kept asking me if i was healthy ????? i felt weird saying yesno i have cancer .


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

    Welcome middleagedmama. You aren't alone in chosing a BMX to get off of the emotional roller coaster. That's good news that you are a candidate for NSBMX.

    DayLily15, just tell them that you're healthy as a horse. They have your chart. If you had other pre-existing medical conditions, it would be recorded on your file. The nurse can size up the patient visually for healthiness and only if someone has recently developed some new medical/health concern would it need to be raised. It seems like such a dumb question. It's not like you haven't seen a Dr in ages. What are you supposed to say? Um, well I have this wee matter of cancer, which of course you should know since my file shows this pre-op is for a BMX. My pre-op hasn't been scheduled yet, but I am going to say I'm the healthiest person my age that I know and not even mention cancer.

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  • MJS1266
    MJS1266 Member Posts: 222
    edited April 2015

    Metta, Hope your husband was kidding with you. The hospital won't release you without a responsible adult, in fact I think they require one to be in the hospital during the procedure. Anyway, my surgery, LX & SNB, is on Monday the 6th at INOVA Fairfax. It's hard to believe that these are outpatient surgeries. I should be off pain meds and driving by the 17th. The Drs. universally tell me, I'll recover quickly. I'm trying to believe them. I would be glad to help and take you to the hospital on your surgery day.

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

    metta- I'm so sorry your husband is inconsiderate. My hubby stayed at the hospital with me overnight. On the day of my BMX I had a huge crowd in the waiting room. My granny is a 47 year survivor of BC. She took it the hardest thinking she is the one who passed it down to me. But according to my Oncotype and genetic testing it was just a fluke that I was diagnosed with it 35 years later.

    A little about me: I went in for my first ever mammo on my 35th birthday. I underwent testing tuesday & Wednesday and was diagnosed that Friday with IDC and DCIS. A week later I was undergoing a BMX with delayed reconstruction. Pathology stated that my tumor was 100% ER/PR and her2 negative. My Oncotype score showed that it would not need chemo or rads. In a week and a half I will be undergoing my fifth surgery in almost 3 years. I'm excited and nervous at the same time.

    Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!

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  • DayLily15
    DayLily15 Member Posts: 144
    edited April 2015

    MJS1266 - thank you, for offering to help metta, that is truly wonderful.

    Chrisrenee7 - 5 surgeries in 3 years, thats a lot of experience. glad you are here to point the way ty :)

    downdog - lol healthy as a horse. that's my goal

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

    daylily- I was excited last May when I went for may areola tattoos.  I was done finally.  Then in July, I found a lump in my breast (even though I had a BMX) I was told you can still have a recurrence in the breast.  It started me on another panic and downward spiral of dr appointments.  I called my MO and she was out of the country for a week, so I called my GYN who got me in 5 mins after I called her.  Luckily, I work at a hospital and her office in the medical building beside me.  She felt the lump and then immediately ordered a breast MRI, once I was done with that my PS said he wanted to see me.  He did his own exam and looked at the MRI films which showed my implant had rotated, which brings us to my revision surgery, surgery #5.  After all my dr's looked and saw me, my MO ordered a breast sono, which resulted in the Breast radiologist saying it was scar tissue. So while I'm having my revision surgery my PS is going to remove scar tissue from both breast and send off for pathology to make sure everything is ok.  It was funny when I saw my PS in July I was excited because it would be the first time he saw my tattoos and I was so disappointed that he didn't mention how good they look.  I was so heartbroken when my husband and I left his office I told him they must not look as good as I thought they did.  When I saw him in January that was the first thing he mentioned was how good they looked, then we made the decision to go with UHP implants.  I'm not going to lie, this whole BC mess is a long hard journey, I'm glad that my family and I have made it through it without us killing each other.  LOL. 

    I hope our upcoming surgery ladies have a fast and speedy recovery.  I will be thinking of you all.

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  • KJSUN
    KJSUN Member Posts: 44
    edited April 2015

    metta, I'm so sorry you don't have a better support system. I hope something changes. We are always here for you.

    MJS1266, bless you for your big heart. I wish more families would show the compassion and caring that you have.

    My surgery is scheduled for Monday so this may be my last post before that. One and 1/2 days left with the girls! Hard to think about. :-(

    I hope all goes smoothly for you, MJS1266, and I will be sending prayers your way!

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  • RoosterGirl
    RoosterGirl Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2015

    April 30, right side MX with SNB and TE reconstruction with implants to follow

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  • shelly4321
    shelly4321 Member Posts: 16
    edited April 2015

    I went to the gym the other day and I was able to bench press 115lbs I can even do 135 easily... And that was the point that made me truly pissed off: I did all this work to be able to lift that much! Now I won't even be able to lift a can of soup! That is such a stupid thing to be angry about! I'm not mad about losing my boobs or hair. I'm mad cause I will be one of those pansy chicks who can't do anything on their own. I love being physically strong. I'm scheduled for BMX with immediate TE on the 14th of April. That is exactly 9 days before my 30th birthday. I am determined to be me again. I know I am not the least hit prepared, but no one ever is. One day at a time! Atleast I won't have to wear a bra anymore.

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

    Shelly- I can completely understand. I'm not going to say I was physically fit before my dx but I did have great upper body strength and great leg strength. Now that I have Lymphedema I can lift anything over 10-15 pounds or it makes my arm swell up. Since I've been on the Femara (my AI to stave off estrogen production) I can barely walk without being in pain. I've asked about going off but I was told if I do, I increase my risk of my BC coming back. Please check with your doctor about any lifting before you do

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  • Metta
    Metta Member Posts: 84
    edited April 2015

    You all are wonderful. Thanks, MJS, for your kindness. My husband apologized. It will be okay.

    KJSun, I wish you the best. You sound strong. It's surreal to have just a few more days or weeks with boobs. Please tell us how it goes. Shelly, I know how you feel. I can't believe we will be so weak. Sounds like it will be for at least two weeks, so the worst part is temporary, if that helps. But I read today that lifting a gallon of milk or a suitcase can trigger lymphedema, as chrisrenee says. I wish we didn't have to have surgery at all, but we are lucky to have operable cancer.

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

    Metta, glad to hear he apologized. I hope he will step up and provide the support you need through your recovery.

    shelly4321, you will likely regain much of your strength. It will be frustrating that it takes time, but it is probably doable. All breast surgery poses a small risk of developing lymphedema and the risk increases with the number of nodes that are removed. I had a 1 hour consultation with a PT whose practice focuses on cancer rehab and lymphedema. I've scheduled post-surgical appointments with her to optimize my recovery and regain full range of motion and strength as soon as practically possible. She believes that I will be able to work back to close to where I am now, even with pec dissection. Will I be able to crank off 1 arm pushups? Maybe not. Pushups and pullups? Absolutely. My PS even said she will learn from me what is ultimately possible. I know that I will be impatient, but I want the best recovery possible, so I will not do anything stupid to jeopardize my recovery. My PT has a MSc in cancer research and a Masters in PT. She has seen women with 1 lymph node removed get lymphedema and some with 30 nodes removed who don't get it. A large number of her patients see her once they already have developed lymphedema, versus preventative therapy. While genetics contribute to whether someone will develop it, you can take actions to try and prevent it. I am at low risk for lymphedema, so haven't read much on the threads here. This may be redundant and contained in those threads, but in case it isn't, I asked my PT about preventative actions for my April sisters undergoing ALND. Her recommendation is to wear a compression sleeve and do lymphatic drainage massage to establish the new drainage channels. There were four types: one was types of neck massage, another massage techniques down to the groin, one that came over the shoulder and I believe the fourth was supraclavicular techniques. I can ask for more details at my next appointment (mid-May), if anyone is interested.

    My thoughts will be with you tomorrow, KJSUN and MJS1266. Sending healing wishes your way!

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  • SummerSun
    SummerSun Member Posts: 91
    edited April 2015

    KJS and MJS, I hope all goes well for you tomorrow. Sending gentle hugs!

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  • Outdoorswoman
    Outdoorswoman Member Posts: 28
    edited April 2015

    KJSUN and MJS1266 wishing well tomorrow.

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  • lovelivelaugh78
    lovelivelaugh78 Member Posts: 10
    edited April 2015

    Thanks downdog for the info about lymphedema, especially the prevention. I am a very active mom of 2 and I was probably in the best shape I'd been since before my kids were born at the time of my BC diagnosis.  So I want to do everything possible to prevent future problems if at all possible, so I can return to my prior level of functioning asap after surgery.

    Good luck ladies who are having surgeries this week, you've got this!



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  • shelly4321
    shelly4321 Member Posts: 16
    edited April 2015

    thank you everyone got your comments.

    Downdog. Any information is helpful.

    Good luck and fast recovery to you all

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  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 377
    edited April 2015


    Good luck today KJSUN and MJS1266

    Good luck tomorrow Redporchlady and DayLily15.

    Wishing all a peaceful recovery. 

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

    Good morning, ladies. The attached link has a video of my PT demonstrating lymphatic massage of the neck. She doesn't have videos showing limb and other drainage massage to re-route fluid to new channels thereby bypassing removed nodes or radiated areas, but I will ask about techniques for these and post info in May. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and video is embedded there. Neck massage helps stimulate the whole lymphatic system.

    http://torontophysiotherapy.ca/services/lymphedema...

    Redporchlady and DayLily15, sending good wishes for your surgeries and a smooth recovery. Redporchlady, I'm crossing my fingers that you have a full pathological response. AudreyB, let us know when you get your date scheduled.

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  • jojo2373
    jojo2373 Member Posts: 662
    edited April 2015

    Hi ladies, what a great support to each other you are! If you haven't visited curediva.com featured on the bco front page I encourage you. Lots of stories, products, and guardians to help as well. Best wishes to all!

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  • Redporchlady
    Redporchlady Member Posts: 113
    edited April 2015

    Thanks for all the information on Lymphedema everyone!  It has been very helpful.  I met with my surgeon today and I have my radiation seed implanted for surgery tomorrow.  They had to place the seed from old mammograms/ultrasounds because the 5 months of chemo totally wiped out the cancer in my right breast!  It shrunk the tumors in my axilla from 5.9 cm to 1.4 cm and totally destroyed the others that were there back in September.  I do have one question though - I did not realize that I would have a drain for 4 weeks!  They already have my appointments set up for April 29th for a followup with the surgeon, my ONC, consultation with the radiation ONC, lymphedema clinic and survivor appointment.  Good luck everyone with surgeries and treatments. 

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  • SoutherMother
    SoutherMother Member Posts: 111
    edited April 2015

    I am thinking good healing thoughts for KJSun and MJS1266.  Also hoping bbbbun will let us know how she is doing.

    Metta, Glad to hear your husband apologized.  It has taken twenty years to get mine to be sensitive or nurturing when I am sick or vulnerable.  He is not a bad guy, just acted more like that TV show character, Sheldon from The Big Band Theory. 

    RedPorchLady, on another thread, you mentioned you had low WBC from your chemotherapy treatments.  Did the doctors give you a WBC number that they were shooting for in order to be able to do surgery?  Mine has been low and requiring Neupogen shots.  Hope your lumpectomy and node probe goes well tomorrow.

    I'll be thinking of you tomorrow DayLily15.

     

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  • Lmonelli
    Lmonelli Member Posts: 95
    edited April 2015

    I am scheduled for bilateral mastectomy April 29th.

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

    Sorry I have alot of catching up to do! Hope everyone here is doing ok?

    Welcome Lmonelli, and RoosterGirl! RoosterGirl, like you I am having an MX and SNB, please do not be shy to let us know how you are doing :)

    Sending healing vibes to bbbbun, and thinking of you today KJSUN and MJS1266... you can do this!!

    Redporchlady and DayLily15, finally the waiting is almost over. Will be thinking of you ladies tomorrow. I know it's not easy, I'm two days away and the waiting is definitely the worst now. I have to keep telling myself, breathe, be in the moment, and over and over I keep saying...I can do this!

    Redporchlady that's fantastic news about how the chemo wiped out the cancer in your right breast and reduced the tumors in your axilla! You asked about having drains, after my last mastectomy in 2012, I had drains in for about 3 weeks. At that time the BS told me that I had to keep them in until the daily output had lowered to a certain level, and I cannot remember what that amount was. I just remember it took me a little longer than most. This time my nurse navigator told me that I would only have drains in for 10 days - that's the new standard. She said they are finding that sometimes having the drains in longer is counterproductive, that it can actually stimulate more drainage. I have to say I am a little concerned about developing a seroma. That was the concern of my BS back in 2012 when I was anxiously wanting the drains out but my output was too high. Guess we will have to see. I am trying hard not to think too far into the coming month but it is difficult, I am definitely a planner :)

    Anyone else want to share what is helping them to cope while waiting?

    Donna

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  • ComposMentis
    ComposMentis Member Posts: 12
    edited April 2015

    Stopping by to wish my fellow April 2015 Surgery Sisters good care, minor pain, excellent results, and lots of pampering in the aftermath. I am scheduled for my right breast mastectomy on Thursday. I looked down at my poor right boob this morning in the shower and said (am I insane? probably?), "Only two more showers left for you." I also need to the full axillary node dissection, as one of my underarm lymph nodes already came out positive for malignancy in the biopsy. This is scary stuff...my mind and emotions are all over the place.

    Wishing the best for each of you--for all of us.

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  • DayLily15
    DayLily15 Member Posts: 144
    edited April 2015

    big thank you to all for the encouragement. it means a lot to me.

    Holding hands with redporchlady :)

    hoping bbun is ok and that kjsun and mj1266 are safely in recovery.

    Best Wishes for you all :)

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  • Redporchlady
    Redporchlady Member Posts: 113
    edited April 2015

    Southermother - my WBC came back up for surgery so I am not sure.  I just know I had to delay chemo when it got down to 1.  Sorry I can't help there but maybe someone else will have an answer.  I hope your Nupogen shots bring you back up! 

    DayLily15- Holding hands with you too!  Be strong, it is a little scary now that it is so close.  I have had surgeries before but none that my life depended on good outcomes.  :-)

    Donna-Dew - thanks for the information.  They told me they would give me what the minimum output has to be after surgery.  My mentor told me that they do irritate the skin a little so hopefully it is more like 3 weeks! 

    ComposMentis- It is scary having your lymph nodes removed.  I have been really upbeat but as surgery gets closer I get nervous.  Good luck with your axilla dissection. 

    Downdog - Thanks for all the information on this thread!

    Prayers and Hugs to everyone!


     

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  • SoutherMother
    SoutherMother Member Posts: 111
    edited April 2015

    Thanks DownDog for the massage info.  I will be researching that shortly.  I am so thankful you are on the boards and willing to answer our questions. 


     

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  • Lmonelli
    Lmonelli Member Posts: 95
    edited April 2015

    I just posted in another forum but was wondering if maybe you guys since your having surgery like me this month that you guys here could offer some encouragement. I was a weepy mess yesterday and last night I spent half the night reading up on TEs and reconstruction. There is a thread that kind of scared me. Are there bad side effects and is it painful to have this surgery? I know any surgery is painful but I was reading that sometimes the pain lasts a very long time. I am just a newbie and very very scared. I made my decision about this and now I'm questioning my decision.

    Thanks so much ladies.

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  • hummingbirdlover
    hummingbirdlover Member Posts: 421
    edited April 2015

    LMonelli, I am lurking from the March surgery sisters board. I don't know if you've had surgery yet or not but I had BMX in October and just started my reconstruction process. I had TEs placed on March 19. I woke up in more pain this time but that was because the TE port was sitting on a nerve. I recovered much more quickly and had my first fill yesterday. I'm doing great and haven't had any issues as of yet. I steered clear off the TE trouble thread, didn't want to know what could go wrong, and so far I'm doing great! Good luck and well wishes to you. Feel free to PM me

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  • MJS1266
    MJS1266 Member Posts: 222
    edited April 2015

    Ladies,

    Thanks for all the well-wishes, thoughts and prayers. They worked and am in good spirits, home recuperating with friends and family taking good care of me.

    Yesterday was a long day but I am glad it is done. Everyone at the hospital was great and very supportive.

    My hospital had a pre-op area where relatives could stay with you while all the staff came through to get you ready for surgery. I arrived at hospital at 5:45 and went in at 6:30. At 8 am, I had wire localization with mammogram which I was nervous about but went well, only discomfort was first shot of lidocane after that everything was numb. Went into surgery around 10 am, pre-anestegia was so effective I don't remember going to the OR. Woke up around 2:45 in the Post Op area. Got loaded up on pain meds then had to have anti-nausea meds. Had some orange sherbert, water and ginger ale. I think I was almost the last one to leave post op around 5:30, still groggy, nauseous, and in pain. Quickly improved once I got home. I had chicken noodle soup for dinner without a problem. Sleep was off and on but got up rested. I was able to shower with some help. I went out with a friend for a short walk this morning and using some ice to reduce swelling.

    Surgery reportedly went well. SNB was negative for cancer, neoadjuvant chemo was successful, so i didn't have ALND. I am hoping for a complete pathological response after the full pathology report comes in. My new perkier boobs look pretty good despite swelling and bruising. I can even wear button down shirts without pulling. Bottom line is I am very relieved to have surgery over with.

    Sending well Wishes, thoughts and prayers to DayLily15 today, Donna-Dew and dtorrent tomorrow, and Composmentis and mysunshine48 Thursday and Friday.

    MJ

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