April & May 2015 Surgery Sisters

how come I can reply to a private message. It's telling me I reached my quota for the day?

Lmonelli- As far as the unable to respond or send more than an allotted amount of messages, is because you are still fairly new to the boards.  They make sure that you are not a spam person or someone trying to gain access to other boards ie. the picture forum.  Once you post more the mods will lift the quantity.  Hope your day gets better.

I understand about the crap day.  I left work before lunch to go to my preop appt, I got to my PS's office at 1230 appt at 100.  Signed my consents paid my portion for the surgeon. Took more pictures, waited for my PS because he specifically wanted to talk to me regarding my insurance. If I go to a sister facility my insurance pays 100% after my 100.00 copay but if I go out of network its 80/20 policy. But if there is an HCA facility within 30 miles my insurance drops to 75/25, which really pissed me off.  So instead of having surgery at his surgical facility which would cost me almost 4500.00 i'm going to my sister facility. Anyways, I didn't leave his office until 330, starving, thirsty and having to pee.  I am however ready for my surgery next Thursday, can't wait to get these implants out and get a new set.  I did ask about drain tubes, he said as always, it's possible but he hopes I won't have to have them.  Asked regarding the incision if it would mess up my nipples and tattoos, he told me he would try not to mess them up but there is always that risk.  Not what I wanted to hear, but I understand.  Sometimes it sucks being so understanding.   Oh another thing that got me upset, I don't have any veins on my right arm. My best veins were on my left (cancer side). I went through 2 nurses, the first one couldn't find anything so she called nurse #2 who searched then scooted back on her rolling chair and looked down at my legs.  She stuck me in my ankle and found nothing there, then looked back at my wrist and stuck me there. Now my wrist is killing me and I want to cut my arm off.  Yes a little dramatic here but it's the truth. 

Christy

mysunshine- good luck tomorrow. I will give you a heads up about the blue dye. I Freaked out when I went to the bathroom the next day and noticed that my urine was BRIGHT green. My nurse laughed at me and said go back to elementary school and remember art. Yellow and blue make green. I told her yes they make green but not bright green. Lol. I wish you the best of luck tomorrow

Sunshine, take a deep breath. Your attitude is the one I share. I believe faith helps me center and keep this in perspective. I will send positive energy your way. Let us know when you've settled in at home in a day or two.

Hello April Surgery Sisters!  I found a few videos on Youtube that showed how to clear the tubes and drains post surgery.  Each one had something a little different to add to the process. 

lmonelli, there is a thread,  "Insomniacs place to talk in the wee hours" under the Relationships, Emotional Crisis, Depression and Anxiety Topic.  I haven't visited it myself but saw the insomniac part and thought of your earlier post.  I think there is a couple other threads that get busy in the late hours.  Awhile ago, I remember seeing one that was active on the One Word Game thread.  Did you find out how long you have to go before the limit of pm's is lifted?

MJS1266, great news on your SNB!  Hope your stomach issue and the aches get better tomorrow. Thanks for letting us know how you did. 

MySunShine48, we will be thinking of you tomorrow.  Your strength gives me hope to be able to do the same. 

my sunshine, good luck tomorrow! You will do great You can do this! Cancer sucks and tomorrow it will be gone! Stay strong!

Sunnidaze,

Know that there are a lot of people out there going through the same thing and that are willing to provide support. When I was first diagnosed, it was shocking too. I decided that the only thing i could do was take one step at a time. I've followed the Drs. guidance and made sure I looked at all the research particularly on this site. I don't regret it. Because i needed genetic testing and had a high grade of tumor, Medical Oncologist recommended chemo first then surgery. The chemo while tough wasn't as bad as I thought and the end result was a pathologically complete response. The genetic testing was negative, so I went with lumpectomy and reconstruction, followed by radiation. I had surgery on Monday and am recovering, off to Plastic Surgeon for first follow-up this afternoon. Do your research and then march down that path with conviction, I don't think you will regret that approach. I would encourage you to consider traditional treatments first. There are lots of options, stage 0 and grade 1 cancer is very treatable. Good Luck, MJ

I did it! BMX with SNB 2 days ago. No reconstruction. I was so worried about PONV...my anesthesiologist was awesome. She decided since my surgery was relatively short (it was about 2 1/2 or 3 hours) not to use gas, instead it was all IV anesthesia.

So no sickness, no pain, great staff all around (Medical University in Charleston SC). I stayed one night and came home yesterday afternoon. I am walking around the house and feeling pretty good. Taking oxycontin with a side of zofran since pain meds make me sick.

So the long and short...YOU CAN DO THIS fellow April Sisters! It was no where near as bad as I thought.

Still don't have the guts to take off the special bra and take a look...maybe tomorrow.

Now the hard part, waiting until next week for pathology results.

Thank you Redoorchlady! It definitely put me at ease when I read your post. My surgery is April 29th

Hello i made it through the surgery. it was not too bad. im still taking "good" pain killers so sleeping lots.

i was given a zantac pill for indigestion/nausea about 2 hours before my surgery. they also gave me a shoulder nerve block [like an epidural but higher] and to be honest i have had no pain, just a few nerve tinges and tingles. im taking my pain pills on time because they also help with swelling reduction.

the hospital was chaotic and not pleasant i was very glad to come home to rest.

lip balm is a must, glad i listened to that advice and took some with me.

wishing the rest of you smooth sailing.

a few things I found super helpful after surgery, ask nurses for cups ice chips - suck on them to cool you down (I felt my throat hurt and was very hot from surgery) - they say take roll life savers or hard candy drops,,, i craved cold cranberry juice (now know it was the Vit C and E in it and maybe the nutrients my body needed - another women who had same surgery said that's odd, i craved sugar free ocean spray cranberry too - i found it healing to drink - as well as diet 7 up - the bubbles help the stomach that the meds and surgery upset...

had a velcrox bra from Pl Surgeon - it was all cotton and adjustable - felt better being tucked in and when took off to change dressing with nurse was when I felt queezy - that circulation i think was being cut off too much after wearing it 10 days! finally i said I need some other bra on,,, less constricting -

order chicken noodle soups after you get out and applce juice and ice and sip on the juice first - wait about hr then sip slowly on broth - to rehydrate body with some salts and fluids - i dont suggest eating a lot first few days,,, my nurse said definately do not eat greasy or spicy foods or heavy fat foods - i made mistake chowing down on a peanut butter sandwich my mom brought me as i was sooooo hungry - she said it it good protein - well no, that lump of peanut butter got stuck in mid section under my MX area - i then wanted fruit salad and this was first night home - 2nd day post surgery - well nothing was moving so at 4am after not being able to get to sleep and had been up since before surgery for 2 days,,, i vomited up that food as the pressure of it - it hurt to throw up - so yes that was WRONG food to eat - i then decided ok try special K cereal next night - light simple fat free foods and lots drinks like lemonade, 7 up, gingerale, cranberry juice, ice water,,, did that few days and did feel better day by day and made bed out on big chair and couch as lying in bed was awful - so i propped everything up and got lots pillows and blankets and that was better then getting in and out of flat bed - it took a good 12-14 days till i felt ok i am OVER the worst now,,,,, it does get better once get drain out,,, and once know no infections,,

if you feel queezy or panicky - sit down on chair or floor and catch your breathe and sip on cold something - hold can or cup or bottle that is cold - it will cool you down holding something cold in hand and up to lips,,, seriously! breathe and pray or chant - everything's going to be ok, i will be fine, all with be fine etc,,, I can do this, it will all work out, The powers above - angels are watching out for me - etc,,, practice talking yourself well,

will be sending healing thoughts to you all who are recovering and about to go in!

My drains are emptied and stripped 3x a day. Every 3rd day we have to change the bio bandage around the tube and reapply the clear bandage. My husband watched them at the hospital and the next time they had him do everything so he knew how it felt. They had him change the dressing on the tube so that he understood where the stitches have to be on the bio patch. At first he was nervous but he said it gets easier. Today he has to change the dressing. They told me to take a shower and let the water run over it so that it comes off easier. My surgeon also said in the shower take the affected side and put your hand behind your head. They recommend no excercises but want you to use that arm for normal activity like reaching in the cupboard for a glass. I am not to do any thing anything repetitive like vacuuming. (Oh darn!)

SoutherMother - I noticed you got TNBC the second time and you are stage 3c. I also did Carbo as my chemo plan to increase my chance of getting a PCR. I hope it does the same for you! Have you noticed any changes? Under my arm was 5.9 cm and I could feel it shrinking after chemo treatments.

I had my first post surgery appointment with PS. He said everything was normal. I was worried and it didn't really feel or look normal to me but then again how would I know. I was very much relieved. He also removed the drains. One drain site closed up pretty well, the other is still draining a bit. There seems to be less swelling today and a bit more comfortable. I am only taking extra strength tylenol as the percocet seemed to be upsetting my stomach. Glad to hear everyone with surgery this week is doing well.