April & May 2015 Surgery Sisters

sounds like you are doing great, outdoors woman!

I am four days out from surgery and doing better each day. Still managing pain with Percocet though. I just got the call from my surgeons nurse with the pathology reports. I did not get the complete pathologic response I prayed for. The mass they removed was 1.9 cm and tested positive for invasive ductal. That is quite a bit larger than thelast MRI showed six weeks ago. I am not sure what to think . Despite all the reassurances, I believe I was right to be concerned about the eight week delay between chemo ending and surgery. I have a follow up with the surgeon on Tuesday. I'll be able to ask questions then. All margins were clear and the lymph node confirmed negative. All clear in my left breast. Feeling a bit down

Diagnosed 4/16/15

Surgery scheduled 4/30/15

Left mastectomy / lymph nodes with delayed reconstruction

Currently have DVT, so Lovenox shots replace Xeralto for 1-2 weeks.

I went to Iraq and back, I can do this.

51 yo Soldier,

Going to make a couple of things over the weekend to help with the first couple of days after surgery so I won't have to cook unless I feel up to it.

Jean, I do not mean to scare you. I had a BMX with TE and two lymph nodes removed. I was able to rub a wash cloth on my face on about day 3, with my left arm - slowly, but not with my arm that had the nodes removed. Today is one week, and I probably could raise my arm on that side to wash my face, but I have read so much about lymphadema and I DO NOT want that. Once you get it, you have it forever. Read some forums on here about using arms after surgery. I have been walking around the house more today as my back hurts when I sit in my recliner too long. However, a week makes a huge difference. I can now sit down on the toilet, but not get up. Same with the chair. A higher chair works best, and I have a bar stool by the bathroom sink. Today, I put toothpaste on my toothbrush and brushed my teeth with my left hand. Maybe you will do better, but I was lifting 40 lb. weights and working out right up to surgery. My sister is not a nurse either. I have walked a a little more each day. I just do not want to overdue it. You can do this

Hi Jackie, nice to see you on April Sister's month. I am 66, but am recovering slowly from surgery - today is day 8 post surgery. I am sleeping in my recliner, and find early morning the most painful - where lymph nodes were removed. But, after an hour, I am OK. Off all pain meds. I guess, chemo is coming. But, I see all you brave women getting through it, and I will too. Bless you. Have a SE and pain free day.

Lynn

Evelynsfirst- it doesn't matter if you use your arms or not. I have been struggling with Lymphedema for almost 3 years. I wear a compression sleeve 7 days a week. Since surgery on Thursday I haven't taken mine off. There isn't anything you can do to prevent LE. I never thought I would get it especially having only one lympnode removed. I've hward of women having 20 removed and not having any issues. It all depends on your lymph system. I would kill to have 100% use of both arms.

My sunshine & hockeygoddess, that's fantastic news! And dtorrent I was so happy to see your post and know you got through the worst on just a week. I was healthy and 42 and technically breezed through chemo health wise, although it was hellish. It's just hard to go from healthy and athletic to bam, cancer patient. But as we all have learned, people get through it. Women are tough cookies.

My BMX was yesterday, and I'm home from the hospital, albeit sore and tired, today. Good news is that they took seven nodes out, and all were cancer-free! (No axillary dissection for me, even though I was node positive before chemo, so I will drop out of the trial.) I must say the SNB injection was more painful than I expected. The techs said I did great and thanked me for not hitting them, as the older ladies have done. Ha! I cried during the quiet times yesterday, but I tried to be brave. I walked into the OR, and just when I started to get nervous, the anesthesia kicked in.

I'm glad it's over with, and my husband was there all day and was kind and loving. Ihave this to share: get someone to help you with wound care. You have to change the gauze and put on bacitracin. Eek, I'm not sure I can do it myself. The drains are gross and bulky, so someone should help you at first because your arms are weak. But you can go to the bathroom, you can wipe yourself, don't worry.

For nerves I highly recommend buying a guided mediation called "Meditations to Promote Successful surgery" by Belleruth Napersak (iTunes sells it). It helped me so much ... She says to picture the OR filled with "a magical band of allies, guardian angels, from your past and present," a cheering squad. It was just what I needed.

Thank you for all your well wishes, guys. Don't know what I'd do without you.

Hello my lovelies. Wishing all peace in recovery and peace in anticipation.

I have a question regarding recliners. Is it feasible to reach for the switch on the side of power recliners? I have room for a reclining love seat but they all have the power switch just on the side. I will have BMX and SNB on right side too. That's the side I would be sitting on. I don't like the chair recliners with remote as most of them are also lift chairs and thank God I'm not in need of that, yet.

Just throwing my two cents in on the subject of Lymphedema.  I had a mild case of it when I had my first SNB in 2008.  It isn't just the straining of the arm or the weight that can get the swelling started.  It can be from repetitive motion with the arm.  Repetitive motion like sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, painting a room, and swinging your arms while going on a brisk walk, caused swelling when I neglected to do it in short intervals.  At about 10-15 minutes is when I would start to see and feel the swelling. I know this is the Surgery Sisters thread so I won't go into any more detail.

patty101014 - Sorry about not getting a PCR but at least the lymph node confirmed negative! Will you be meeting with your ONC again or radiation ONC to discuss next steps?

Lynn - you are so right that Men could NEVER do this! LOL Although my husband has been wonderful this last 6 1/2 months and done all the shopping, cleaning and cooking he said he could not have handled the chemo and surgery like I did. Gotta love them!

BassFishinGal - you an do this and thanks for serving for our country!

evelynsfirstborn - I took a walk outside 3 days after surgery outside but just did not swing my arms. It felt so good. Remember about giving your self permission that your health is #1 right now. I am going into work for a few hours tomorrow even though I have the drain in but I think I will be getting it out soon because the output has reached their guideline so I may be making a trip to the cancer center. I was told by my surgeon with the ALND that I have a 50% chance of lymphadema and if I don't have to have radiation to that site it drops to 20%. Since I got a PCR I will not have to have radiation. He also said that I have good odds because I am not overweight but did say that there are no guarantees of not getting it. I am glad my cancer center has a separate department dedicated to this so I will learn about prevention and detection.

mysunshine48 & Jean - I had a complete ALND under my left arm and I agree I could wash my face right away and my surgeon said it was ok to raise my arm to reach for a cup or wash my bald head..lol (which doesn't take much) Just nothing repetitive. However I called and said it hurt and did not want to push it because of lymphadema. She asked what my drain output was doing and then they had me backoff for this weekend and just relax. My drain output now has dropped and once the drain is removed I can start the excercises. Plus for precaution I already have an appointment with the lymphadema clinic on April 29th.

Jackibirdie - Sorry about being so far away from family and friends. I thought it was strange that when I was diagnosed back in September that I was asked a lot about family and friends, my support network. I now realize how important that is to your overall being. I had a wonderful support system and has helped me I think to recover from everything and keep moving to the next step. I know there are also organizations out there for help for those who are like you in a new place. They will come and clean your house for free, etc. Maybe there is something in your area.

Metta - Yeah on the nodes being cancer free!!!

Everyone has done so great! Stay strong and prayers and hugs to all.

Roxanne

Hope it's a good day for all my friends,

You ladies have become a lifeline for me. Can't ever express my gratitude enough!

Metta, my dear, thank you for letting us know that your surgery is behind you & that all 7 nodes came back clear (hoorah!!!). I almost cried when I read your reassurance that we can make it to the bathroom alone & wipe without problem. Sounds dumb but that has been a huge source of stress for me. I totally agree with you that it's a shock to be healthy & athletic then bam, cancer patient. Hugs & prayers for your speedy recovery!

Lynn, you are angel to share all your knowledge about lymphodema. I took your advice & did a little reading. I will have to change my purse shoulder from right to left & wear compression sleeve when I fly to Ohio this summer for my best friend's daughter's wedding (I'm being told I MUST wear a pink dress -- ha ha). Where do you get compression sleeve? Does doctor need to write prescription? I doubt insurance will pay for it. Sorry that you overdid it yesterday but so happy to know that you're feeling stronger. Girl at work has ramp I can use for my 30 pound terrier to get on the bed without my help so cross that problem off the list.

SoutherMother, thanks for thoughtful info about lymphodema. I'll try to avoid repetitive motion while I'm healing. I guess that means writing notes is out, right? Maybe keyboard with my left hand. Is all this caution forever? Or just after surgery?

Dear sunnidaze, my prayers for your calm & peace before your surgery on Thurs. I'm right behind you, sister! Please know we're right here for you. Let us know how you are, OK?

Sweet Redporchlady (Roxanne), your walk outside 3 days after surgery gives me so much hope! I'll remember not to swing my arms. Question though, what is ALND? Forgive my ignorance, I'm definitely a newbie. But learning fast, with a little help from my friends.

As Garrison Keillor says, Take care, be well & keep in touch,

Jean

Audrey, Since I was not, still cannot sleep in the bed (once into position on several pillows - cannot use chest muscles to be able to move), my sister went on a recliner hunt. She found a really nice, leather Lazy Boy recliner that was on the floor....not making this model anymore, and she told them she was looking for something for her sister (me) who had a BMX and needed a recliner to be able to sleep in . This one is very nice - and it has a control on a cord, so I can use it easily with either hand. And, I can move just the leg lift or the back separately - or both together. Very adjustable, which I find helpful to be able to change position. Otherwise, I have found that if I cannot move, it really gets uncomfortable and my back hurts. They sold it to her for R half price - $45.000, AND delivered it within the hour to my house. Worth EVERY penny.

Lynn

thanks so much to my April half-sisters. You've all cheered me up and I'm so proud how you are getting along and positive.

MySunshine- bravo on the perfect recliner. Hope this makes things just that much easier!

I love the way you are all supporting each other. Makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Hugs

Katy

Oh, Sunnidaze, Google Breast Cancer Suppot Groups (put your city) or call American Cancer a Society