March 2015 Surgery Sisters

FE princess-

My first fill 2 weeks after my b/l mastectomy was 50 cc and didn't bother me at all. The 2nd fill was 100cc and I was really uncomfortable for a few days. Some say that fills get easier after awhile but for me they got more difficult. They didn't hurt during the fills it was afterwards my back muscles would get really tight and my pectoral muscles would spasm with any movement. But after a couple of days it would always get better. Good luck on your first fill!

Jenna, so sorry about your food poisoning! That is the worst!! Hope you can get some relief and fluids down soon.

Hi ERNurse. I'm glad things are going well for you. You're one week behind me on surgery, but ahead on treatment plan. I had the exact same sunburn/sandpaper sensation on the back of my arm. It was worst at about 2 to 2-1/2 weeks after surgery. No matter what I wore or did, it felt like I had rubbed the area raw with sandpaper by the late afternoon/evening. I'll be 4 weeks out on Monday the 20th and that sensation has been totally gone for almost a week. I still get occasional nerve/muscle zaps but they are not too bothersome. I have also had quite a bit of itching as well.

It's good to see someone else who returned to work soon after surgery. I think you beat me by about a week! I do housecleaning part time and returned to work 3 weeks after surgery. The physical part of my recovery has gone about as well as I had hoped it would.

I still don't have my pathology report and it will be at least another week (probably more) until I can even meet with and talk with an oncologist. For me, the waiting has been the hardest lately. I got a tiny bit of info back from pathology that 6 out of 12 of my axillary (I think) nodes were involved. No further details, so I don't know what's next, but I expect chemo and radiation and then hormonal therapy.

I'm getting quite concerned about the financial strain the added treatments will cause. For radiation, I will have to travel about 4 hours from home and stay at a cancer lodge M-F. Obviously, that means I won't be able to work. Since I'm self employed, no work means no pay. I hope I'll be able to work through most of my chemo. My clients are all great and have been very supportive. I find that working really helps me to stay positive and keep active.

I will probably be seeing you on one of the spring chemo threads as we move into the next phase of treatment.

Kornelia

Valentine, so sorry to hear of your infection! I'm wishing you a speedier recovery.

I got my copy of the pathogoy report and it looks like my BS on tested one node with the SNB and not several. It states that one node gave a strong signal which showed no cancer but they did not get any other signals therefore no other nodes were biopsied. When I met him this past week he told me he would see me in a year and there was no need to follow up with the oncologist because all the breast tissue was removed.

I admit that I do not feel as confident about my SNB with only one node being tested. Has anyone only ever had one node tested?

Update: (maybe the one node is ok.. I'll call my BS tomorrow and f/up with my oncologist)

Found this on this site:

"In sentinel node dissection, the surgeon looks for the sentinel node or nodes, which is the first lymph node or first few nodes that filter fluid draining away from the breast. If cancer cells are traveling in the lymph system, the sentinel node is more likely than the others to contain them. So, rather than remove 10 or more nodes, surgeons remove only the one node, or a cluster of two or three, which is most likely to have cancer. If the sentinel node is clean, chances are the other nodes are clean, too."

Thank you, AudreyB for the reply. I appreciate it.

I also had 2 nodes removed, both clear. However, my Oncotype score came back in the moderate risk category and the MO recommends chemo.

May I ask you how the cleavage differs in the gummy bear anatomicals? I just had a BMX 1.5 weeks ago and this is so new to me? I have natrelle tissue expanders in right now in X full profile that can be filled up to 500cc and PS wants to go toward the antamical teardrop but I am concerned of no upper pole fullness. I also don't want to go to big as I wore 32 B bra before - c at largest. I just want perkier if possible post mastectomy . I still have drains in me right now and its poking through my armpit as I have very thin tissue. Not sure how to work this thread as I am brand new. Haven't had first fill yet either welcome to any tips.

I had my EX 7 weeks ago with Allergan 410 gummies with 475cc. I have upper pole and cleavage, which I never had before. I am very happy so far.

CatsRus - I'm so glad to hear that you are getting all the treatments you needed to get through this. It is an ordeal that has long lasting impacts. I also took drugs for anxiety for the first time and it definitely helped. The hardest part is realizing that help is needed and asking for it. So glad for you that you took that step.

Valentine, I'm so sorry about your infection. I hope they were able to take care of it and you are feeling better now.

Thanks for the update, CatsRus. I think that recognizing when you need help and asking for it is a sign of strength, not weakness. I'm glad you got the help you needed and are feeling in a better place emotionally now. Our bodies can't heal physically if we're not getting the rest we need and we're too stressed emotionally. Congratulations on clear nodes! I had a total of 12 nodes removed but from the same incision as my MX. I had the most discomfort in the axillary area. I think having a key area of the lymph system dissected is pretty hard on our bodies and it takes some time to adjust. I still have some tightness in my underarm (cording) and a little cording in my abdomen as well. I've been doing gentle stretches and it's improving gradually. I hope you have a good meeting with your MO and get a plan in place for further treatments. Are the cats in your avatar yours? They remind me of our two orange brothers and their torbie (tortoiseshell tabbie) mom.

Jenga, I'm so sorry about your nodes. It looks like your final diagnosis is pretty similar to mine. I don't have mine officially diagnosed yet, but it looks like stage IIIa as well with 7 nodes out of 12. Mine came as a bit of a shock and I'm still getting my head wrapped around the whole new game of extra treatments. I expect we will both have pretty aggressive treatment plans. My MO consultation will be May 6th. I expect we'll both be starting chemo in May. If you haven't done so yet, you will probably want to post on the May chemo thread. There's one other stage 3 sister there in addition to me, so you'll be in good company. All 3 of us are from Canada as well. I got my hair cut on Saturday (donated over 12 inches to make wigs for kids with cancer) and went shopping for some hats and scarves from the thrift store. I also found some pocketed tank tops in the sportswear section, so those will work well when I choose to wear my homemade microbead or cheap department store foobs. I hope your MO meeting goes well on Thursday

Thanks all. I hope sharing will encourage anyone else who is struggling emotionally to talk to their doctors. Not sure what the next step will be for me but I've looked at wigs ('though haven't tried any on yet) so I am preparing myself. I have also signed up for a 'Look Good Feel Better' workshop next week.

When I was asked about breast cancer in the family, I realized I didn't know what my maternal grandmother died of in her '70s (I was quite young) and also a maternal aunt who died aged 43 before I was born. I sent for their death certificates and they arrived yesterday - neither had cancer so definitely no family history. (My mum died in January aged 94, she had 4 sisters).

Eaglemom - yes the cats are mine . They are orange tabby females! I also have two very large brown/white tabby males. All are rescues. The males were both adopted as adults, the 'girls' came from a kitten rescue group and were less than 2 lbs when we brought them home. They walked all over the 'boys' from day one and still do! They make me smile everyday!!! I hope the cording you are experiencing resolves itself soon and your MO meeting goes well.

Good luck to all as we move through this journey... take care all.

Hi all. Just checking in, I am now on the May chemo sisters thread, chemo starts May 14.

Best wishes to all....to those doing well a keep it up and I hope it continues, to those having difficulties, I hope things improve until we are all doing fine.

Add me. I had a unilateral mastecomy of my right breast on 03/02.

Welcome CreoleGirl!

Thanks CatsRus. I'm glad the LGFB workshop was fun. I may get a chance to go to one of them when I go down to stay in Victoria for rads in a few months. I don't think they typically have them near where I live. I will have been bald for a while by then so maybe it will be good timing to make me feel better.