April & May 2015 Surgery Sisters

Hi all, I posted the following on the lumpectomy board. I didn't want to write it all again, so I  copied and am pasting it here. Actually, I forgot where I originally posted nowI rremember I posted here.

So , I had my lumpectomy on May 29th.  The only thing that surgeon told my mom was that everything went well.  While on the operating table he finally agreed to feel the lump I had in my left armpit.  He said that ultrasound had showed normal appearance so he wasn't concerned before.  So he ordered an ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration of the dominant node in my left axilla. What is the dominant node?  Is that the same thing as sentinel node?  I'm scheduled to have it this coming Tuesday,  the 9th of June. I have been very tired from the lumpectomy. I won't get the pathology results and the biopsy results back until the 23rd of June.  The surgeon said he's going to be taking out one lump with a handful of tissue and send it for testing.  He said there's another lump close to the one he's taking out so he will try to take out the second.  He never told my mom or myself how many lumps he took out.  I took off the bandage from my breast yesterday and left the steristrips on. I noticed he cut four places around the areola. Is that normal for a lumpectomy for just one lump at the 10 o'clock  position? There's  four incisions - one on the left, two  on the top of the aerola and one on the right side.  Is this normal for a lumpectomy?  I thought he would just do one incision. 

I did a core needle biopsy of lump in my left breast.  Results showed a papilloma and surgeon said if the biggest lump is benign the others are also benign  (not sure how true that is). Surgeon and report said lump needed to be excised.  Has there been cases where a biopsy showing benign results come back to be malignant once the lump and surrounding tissue has been excised and sent for testing? 

Thanks for listening. Feedback would be awesome and well appreciated! Hoping for b9 results

Hi Everyone!

It's been a month since my BMX. Thank God my nodes and margins were clean. I am a very lucky girl.

I am hating my tissue expanders. They are so uncomfortable. Every week I scare myself into thinking I'm going to feel the needle when I don't. I put myself thru trauma. Can anyone relate?

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for the warm welcome! I did fine with the surgery on Friday, almost didn't want to leave the hospital! Now I am just anxiously waiting for my pathology report. BS is on vacation this week, but she told me she would call on Tuesday, possibly Wednesday, with the results. Here it is Thursday, no call and I'm trying to not read anything into this!

I have also had itching!! Especially in between the TE's. But my main worry is the swelling! Started with the arms (elbows especially) now it's my waistline that is so puffy! Looks like I don't even HAVE a waist! The nurses at the hospital weren't concerned, and when I saw the PS yesterday, he said I could wear a compression sleeve—which immediately made me worry about lymphedema. But I only have had one sentinel node removed. Have any of you guys had swelling like this after surgery? --Lorie

Thanks Audrey for your reply.  Praying for B9 results too. 

Hello Surgery Sisters!

First thank you daylily15, downdog & mjh1 for your well wishes - my BMX with TE's & left side node dissection on the 28th went well! I would lie if I said the last week was easy but finally managing a little better each day! Breast Surgeon on day of surgery said 1 Sentinel node looked abnormal so she took out additional nodes - no results yet! Pretty anxious!

This site and thread has been amazing and I am in awe of such courageous strong women here! I wish all manageable recoveries both physical and mental!

A few tips to share I have learned... For constipation - take the stool softeners religiously as directed everyday & eat no matter how hard a couple servings of fruit/veggies each day with some high fiber snacks! I ate apple slices, grapes and cantaloupe with Quaker Honey Granola - took 5-6 days & now normal BMs 8 days out! Just sharing what worked.

I was surprised I was allowed to shower 2 days post-op - that shower was very short with husband's help but have a shower drain tip to share in case some have not tried this .. Get Mesh Laundry Bag - cut the corner so there is one larger opening to fit 2 drains and then take extra long shoelace and tie each end to the opposite corners on the mesh bag - makes a simple drain holder for the shower!

Also since it was tough to wash hair I went to local hair dresser 4 days post-op just for wash/conditioner - was uncomfortable but did not take long & did not have them blow dry! By Day 7 Post-op I am able to wash hair strategically with husbands help!

Now for my ?'s to you - what is average time drains are in? I was told around 10 days I am down to about 50-60 cc's draining each day and I am 8 days out! And do you all think I should have pathology back by now? I have 1st post-op appt with PS next Tuesday and then 1st Post-Op appt with BS next Friday - was hoping to not have to wait that long so I will probably call Monday! Is it definite if cancer in that one node then Chemo a must-have? And lastly I have a bruise on my lower abdomen - right-side! My husband thinks it is just fluid from surgery traveling down and pooling! It is not bothersome! Anyone else experience this?

Sorry for all the ?s - I really value your experience & opinions!

Stay strong everyone! #cancersucks #findacure #igotthis

Mary

mdoc524, drains are different for everyone. I had mine out 6 days post op along with my first fill. Some have drains in for 2-3 weeks. I do know that output increases with activity so rest up and don't do too much.

My pathology took 10 days.

I also had a bruise around my midsection, from my side around to my back. Not sure what caused it but it has to be something surgery related, maybe when were moved from gurney to operating table and back??? Maybe clamps? I know during my first postop with PS he and the nurse checked my back and sides so I'm sure bruising is caused by something during surgery.

Regarding chemo, i will leave that answer to someone more knowledgeable. I was lucky in that I did not need chemo or radiation.

Best wishes for your pathology and peaceful healing

Audrey

SummerAngel—thank you so much for letting me know about the swelling! My arms are much better, now it's just my entire stomach area, and feet and ankles that have that puffiness. And yes, I DID weigh myself and freaked out just a little bit! I gained about 15 lbs. (Thought I'd be coming out of surgery weighing LESS not MORE!) LOL How did your first fill go?

MaryAgatha—I will be taking Tamoxifen also…I'll start in July.

Mary—I can't believe you were allowed to shower after only two days!! My PS said no shower until the drains are out. Which hopefully will be next week. The PS said they can be removed when the amount of drainage is 20cc's or less.

About the pathology, had surgery Friday and BS told me she'd have the results Tuesday, possibly Wednesday. (Well, here it is Friday and I haven't heard from her.) She is out of the office this week, but her assistant told me she always calls even when she is on vacation. *sigh*

--Lorie

Thanks all - yea I was surprised I was allowed to shower so soon - my PS advised as long as drains are secure and not hanging it was fine! And I am not blow drying hair - funny I knew there were arm lift restrictions - my PS the day after surgery I could lift arms up briefly like to wash hair but nothing extensively or no lifting anything so was very surprised

Another question - want to shave armpits as it is pretty warm - how soon did anyone here do that? Concerned because skin almost feels numb & don't want to irritate or nick - any tips?? I know it's not a priority but was curious! I can only wear tank tops & bought button shirts to wear over them & most are sleeveless so obviously want to shave if wearing sleeveless...

AudreyB - relieved to hear someone else had abdomen bruising - thanks for sharing

Mary, I got my path report 1 week later. It was bad news for me. They found 5 distinct foci of cancer which none of the previous diagnostic procedures had detected before. Now I need to do tamoxifen for five years. Mjh1, before my BMX I was told that with one little microinvasion and clear nodes, I probably will not need further treatment after the BMX. Their recommendation changed because they found so many more and larger tumors than they expected in my breast tissues. After my initial frustration and anger, I realized I am really lucky to be able to avoid chemo and rad, so I'm feeling more at peace with this and thankful that there's actually something I can do to reduce my chances of recurrence (thanks Audrey for reminding me). Mary, I hope you hear back soon and your path report gives you all clear!!!

About shaving, a friend of mine who had BMX told me it's best to use an electric razor for a while or not shave at all. I think I will go with hairy armpits for a while and avoid sleeveless shirts. No one will know (I plan to have sex in complete darkness for a while until I get over my inhibitions about my new boobs!)

I had some bruising on my stomach too, which I was told were caused by Heprin shots given during surgery for the purpose of preventing blood clots. My bruises are little circles about 1cm in diameter.

I'm hoping my drains will be pulled at my postop appt next Monday, which would make it 13 days after surgery. My BS says she will remove them if the drains are less than 30cc for 2 consecutive days. I know my left drain will definitely be removed because I'm getting less than 10cc already. My right drain is still producing about 50cc/day, so I don't know what's going to happen with that one. I will slow down my activity level for the next couple days and keep my fingers crossed. It's so strange that my two drains are producing such different amount and different-looking fluids (left one is orange/yellow and right one is dark red), but my BS assures me that's normal.

mdoc - you can use an electric razor.  That's what I did probably for six months.  I was just so scared of using a razor and cutting myself and getting an infection.  I'm sure your PS would also appreciate it if you shaved ....lol

maryagatha - the yellow/orange fluid is actually a very good thing.  That brings you one step closer to getting your drains out.  Keep stripping those drains.

Hi everyone, I have been thinking about you all and have read posts during my recovery. This is the second time I am posting since my bmx with te on May 21st.

The first time was because I was having muscle spasms on my right side three days after surgery. A combo of Valium and Demerol took care of that, but I was very uncomfortable until that got figured out.

I am so happy to be 16 days past this surgery. Drains came out on Thursday and that was the best.

I got myself showered today and shaved my legs which felt great. I am heading to my ten year old's play at 11 that I wasn't sure I would feel up to.

I also got my first fill that day since surgery. He put in 150 Ccs on the 21st and then 150 again in Thursday. I was surprised that it didn't hurt. I was a little sore and tight the rest of the day.

My pathology came back with good news. Tumor was 1.4 cm lobular. Sentinel node was clear. My oncotype was 8 so I don't need chemo. I start tamoxifen this week which I am a little nervous about, but overall I am feeling thankful and realizing how lightly I am getting off.

Still feeling sore which I guess is normal considering all that was done. How long does that last?

I am thinking of all of you recovering from your April and May surgeries. Thanks for sharing on this site and I am wishing you all the best as you face more challenges ahead.

Thanks,

Mazy

Summerangel - with lymph nodes being taken out from both sides, be really careful what you lift, push or pull. And, do not let them take your blood pressure on either arm. You can ask for a leg cuff. And, there are small leg cuffs snd larger leg cuffs. I have found that I have to be assertive and say, use a large leg cuff, not because my leg is big, but because it just does better......not as tight, etc. if you do not demand it, they will not do it. I had lymph nodes from one arm, but got a blood clot in the other after my first chemo IV. I will NOT let anything be done on either arm. Sometimes, I just refuse to have blood pressure taken if there is no leg cuff. It is your body and you don not want lymphodema. I also had to fight not to get a pick line put in my arm since I could not have IV's for chemo anymore either. If you need any help, private message me

I am having BMX surgery on June 16th. It has really helped reading through your posts - thank you so much!!! Do any of you ladies have a bra recommendation for after the reconstruction. My insurance will pay for bras that I will be able to purhase at a medical supply store. Do we get to wear regular bras again?

MaryAgatha—Oh yes, I have done my reading about the tamoxifen too! I'm not really "dreading" it yet, probably since I've been focusing on what all to expect with the BMX and TE's. But I agree with you—sure would be nice to have one of our treatments have positive side effects like the ones you mentioned! Don't you wonder if our MO's told us that the tamoxifen would give us a lot of energy if we would be less likely to feel run down? Oh well—too late for that!

Hi Fraulina12 - I am not sure about bra type for when reconstruction is totally done but for immediately following your BMX with reconstruction check with your Dr before purchasing anything! I had my BMX on 5/28 with tissue expanders and my plastic surgeon wants me only in soft cotton tank tops/camisoles for the next several weeks! I got fitted tank tops at Old Navy one size bigger & love them! Your surgeon may want you in something specific while recovering! There is also a helpful thread on this forum Shopping/packing/to-do list for surgery.+ recovery - if you have not seen that yet!

Good luck - I know the waiting time before surgery is hard! Lots of strong women on this site - it is not easy but you will get thru it!

Mary