April & May 2015 Surgery Sisters

SuzyQ42 -- I totally understand how you feel about all the crazy stuff done to our bodies. I never had any surgeries before this--never had stitches, never even had ears pierced, no tattoos, etc. All natural equipment-- no scars, no cuts, no incisions! Now I've got a port in me, like a kind little mechanical implant (feel like a science fiction cyborg!). Have had a LX and SNB... Tattoos for Radiation...

I'm glad to have the choice to do the LX, though. I feel like I have most of myself, with only a couple of little incisions. Chemo has messed up my GI tract and my nails might still fall off and my hair is gone... but hopefully that will fix itself in time. And I'm hoping rads won't be terrible.

I hope you can find a solution that will be best for you! Don't ever feel bad about wanting what you want and not being happy with your options! You are so totally allowed to feel that way and it is all valid!

BTW-- If you can afford it, you might want to see if you can get a non-KP second opinion. I did that with my MO and he gladly changed my treatment to go along with the letter the 2nd Op wrote... Sometimes KP puts a little pressure on their people to follow their own standard of treatment UNLESS the docs can have in hand something that recommends something different (with the letter, I suddenly could get tons more tests, like a bi-lateral Breast MRI! and Bone and Brain scans and a PET--all of which KP wouldn't do without the letter. Nor would they give me Perjeta with TCH until I had the letter). Of course, if your 2nd Op person also says that what you want won't work, then that won't help you... But I'm just saying! (I ended up leaving KP for a PPO during the January Open Enrollment, and I'm much happier, even though the KP folk were all nice and competent... I definitely have a lot more options with my PPO.)

Hi everyone. Just came home from my 3rd fill so 650cc now with a few fills to go. I am happy with the progress so far. This TE journey does get better with fills so just hang in there. Here's a pic which does not even do justice but I wanted to share.

looking good Audrey

wow audrey those are spectacular

mjh1, I was filled 400 at surgery, first fill 100, 2nd 50, 3rd 100.

Audrey

Mdoc524 - it is better to leave the drains as long as needed, dont rush to have them out, mine was 3 weeks and longer would have been better, i filled with fluid [tech term a seroma] and im lucky i didnt need it asperated as that could have introduced an infection. so i wore my compression garment longer too. it is nice to get it out, but not worth a seroma. i hope your surgeon appointment goes well!

9 weeks since surgery - im stilllllll stretching. walking lots , ridem mower so i mow and stretch. feeling ready to look at some foobs or a squisher for the good one, and i found some posts on here for ideas on swimsuit stuffers.

hugs to all !

My exchange surgery is set for August 19. Yay. This is one surgery that I will be standing at the door with my bag on my arm waiting for Rob. LOL. The other surgeries I've left my house with my head down dreading arriving at the hospital. Funny how things change.

lovevt, I'll be at NSLIJGlen Cove Hospital. All of my surgeries have been there and I have nothing but good things to say. For my BMX I stayed for two nights. I had a private room, huge, with a sleeper sofa, flat screen tv. My PS is chief of PS at St. Francis Hospital but I can't go there due to my insurance. My BS has OR time at Glen Cove and for my BMX my PS agreed to the hospital. He used to have OR time there but gave it up years ago . He told me he was very happy with it.

audrey

Oh I am going to  be at NSLIJ Manhasset outpatient.  I just thought it would have been nice to meet someone on this forum...in person.  We would have both had a friend... I had my BMX at St Francis and was very happy there, but your experience sounds great at Glen Cove that's great to hear.  Well we can be chat buddies on this board after our second surgeries...even though they are different we are all in this together. 

lovevt and audrey - what a small world.  I had all my surgeries done at LIJ.  The women's pavillion has added on a new floor.  You felt like you were at the Trump Tower.  The first time I have actually seen a hospital room that has a safe deposit box in the room.  I would highly recommend it.  I'm going to be an August surgery sister too.  I'm having my revision August 31.  Luck to us all!!

audrey - sounds fabulous.  Would say I'll have to check it out but I hope after this revision in never see another OR or hospital room for a long time!!!!  I'm having this revisoin done at NYU, so I'll let you know how the hospital and staff there rates compared to NS-LIJ.

Hi SummerAngel...I had my BMX three days before you and I am still taking the narcotics...I'm trying to taper off but sometimes the pain is just enough to be distracting when I'm trying to work. Not taking any at night as I haven't had problems sleeping for a few days.

Congrats on your path report! --Lorie

hi downdog - thank you .. i do have my full range of motion, the tightness is through my armpit area, it is improving, but i am going with your advice, i will ask for a PT next time i see the MO.

Audrey

My BS is Dr Derisi and PS is Dr Korn. Is Dr Pezzello in same office as Derisi? I think so. I actually was scheduled at Sloan but went for a second opinion to Dr Derisi and he thought Dr Korn might have a different option than what I was doing at Sloan. I am happy with the outcome all around. Being at St Francis instead of in the city was so much better for my husband. And I am very happy with the results of the surgery as well.

lovevt, yes, Dr. Pezzello works with Dr. Derisi. I was referred to their office, was told both of them are excellent, and Dr. Pezzello had the first opening when I called to get an apt re lumpectomies. This was before my cancer DX. My core needle biopsies came back benign but radiologist strongly disagreed. Thank God she was on her game. My PS works withDr. Korn.