July 2015 Surgery Sisters

I'd like to join too if it's not too late. PBMX scheduled for July 10. I don't have a cancer diagnosis but have had a couple close calls and I'm sick of the anxiety with past 4 years' surveillance testing because I'm brca2 positive. I'm ready to get this over with. Lots of mixed emotions.

plumste, I get nauseated from anesthesia too. The last time i had a surgery I got a Rx for the patch that ispy mentioned the patch from the surgeon before the surgery date. I was instructed to put it on behind my ear a couple hours before i checked in to the hospital for surgery. I also left it on for 24 hrs after the surgery while the anesthesia was still in my system. It worked so well. I'm definitely going to ask for that again. Drink lots of water after too to get it out of your system.

plumster1, if you get bad post-op nausea, consider requesting zofran. Do you get motion sickness? The most reliable predictors are a history of post-op nausea and/or motion sickness, followed by younger age and duration of surgery and use of volatile anaesthetics. You are unlikely to receive volatile anaesthetics for your surgery. A lx with IORT would usually not be a long enough surgery. IORT takes about 35 minutes. I get bad motion sickness in certain situations.

My surgical history is 4 lxs, 1 laparoscopic gyno and a BMX. I've tried the patch. It didn't work for me. I had bad post-op nausea and had to take Gravol in order to even think about getting out of the bed from day surgery. Not a nice way to wake up. Zofran does the trick. If you have to go for a pre-op assessment, just tell them you get PONV (post operative nausea and vomiting) and you want zofran (if you are someone who had bad nausea before or get motion sickness). The anaesthesiologist will read your file. Remind him/her too just before your sx.

May I join? I'm scheduled for ex change surgery on 7/27.

Scottie

plumster1, considering your surgery is 3 hrs, you will receive volatile gases for anaesthesia, so that increases your risk of PONV. They have always been more than willing to accommodate me when I've requested Zofran. Volatile gases were only used for my BMX and I needed Zofran for all my surgeries.

Well, I guess you can add me too! Ugh. Surgery tentatively set for July 7. Like the rest of you, I never imagined I'd be here today.

About 2 wks before my daughter's June 6 wedding I found a lump and was diagnosed last Monday June15th (IDC in right breast, ER+, HER?? but Dr thinks it will be negative for some reason unclear to me). It has been challenging putting on a happy face through all that but somehow I did it. My parents have been out of town since the day after the wedding so, God bless them, they know nothing yet. I have told my 3 children (18-23 yrs) and a couple of friends an edited, very positive version of what's happening. My sweet husband has been to every appointment so he know everything but I suspect he has absorbed only about 35% of the info- even though he is super intelligent, masters in math etc, it's just so off his radar as a cotton farmer LOL.

I am choosing to do a BMX with TE and silicone implants (chemo is pending the results of the HER test and/or surgery results- I think! This info is all a little overwhelming!) Mainly bc I DO NOT want to be doing this again in 3 years or 11 years or whatever. I used to like my breasts- I was a AAA (yes, there is such a thing!) and had saline implants in '99 up to a small B cup. But I'm small overall so I've liked them. But now I just want them off! I feel like I have twinges of pain everywhere around them and they are making me nervous!!! I have an MRI on Tuesday and I feel they may find cancer everywhere. Is it normal to feel that way?? I feel I have probably always had such "twinges" in my body but only now I'm taking note of them!! I don't know!

Like many of you I swing wildly between being "okay" and totally losing it. I had to host an engagement party last night and it seemed so odd to be discussing shoes and recipes and the weather, when I wanted to scream- BUT I HAVE CANCER!! But then I have to flip that around and tell myself not to be overly judgmental when people don't say/do what I think they should, bc you really never know what someone is going through!!! The same consideration I want from others I guess I better extend to them! Very hard at times!!!

Since I haven't (and don't relish) telling many people, this website has been so helpful!! Thank you sweet ladies- May God bless and keep you all!

Hi Everyone,

I am having a bilateral mastectomy on July 15, 2015. No reconstruction. I look forward to getting support and knowledge from all of you going through this process.

Hello ladies,

I was previously in the June group - but surgery has now moved to July so I just scanned through the posts here. I am scheduled for July 14 UMX with TEs on the right and a reduction the left (non-cancer) breast. Dx is multi-focal IDC, have a grade 1 and a grade 2 - both ER and PR+ and HER2-.

Mizmimi - my surgery date changed because I changed surgeons after getting a second opinion. The second surgeon didn't really have a different medical opinion - but did have a VERY different personality than the first. The first spend so much time talking about the horror stories of potential risks of having a BMX - which is what I decided I wanted after much thought, due diligence and soul searching. So I encourage you to follow your gut and do what is best for you.

Both the original and the current BS both feel that, for me, having a BMX in the same surgery is not advisable. They don't want the potential complications of surgery on a non-cancer breast to potentially prevent any cancer treatment that might be advised once the full pathology is received post surgery and SNB. The BS I am moving forward with though, has at least offered the option of a reduction on the other breast so the asymmetry won't be as significant. As a bonus - they will do pathology on that breast too. I will still have the option of having that one removed if I choose to at a later date, so for now I will see how it goes.

I wish all of you the best and am thankful for this type of forum. While I wish there wasn't a need for it (for anyone) its good to be among others that understand...

Thanks ispy!

The surgeons have said that based on the size of my breasts (anywhere from an F, FF or G depending on brand) the amount of time on the table and the potential for complications interfering with cancer treatment, should the pathology or nodes come back indicating its needed, are not worth taking in one surgery. I am treated for high blood pressure, and am overweight which I am sure also factor in to their decision. As you noted though - I am much more comfortable now with the approach. I could have moved forward with the original surgeon and had surgery next week, she just left such a bad taste in my mouth that I won't allow her to do surgery on me.

I wasn't sure where belonged - whether I should stay in June or move here, so I took a bit to decide

FYI - I have found some comfy front button pajamas at Sears - some of which were on clearance - I think the same makers also supply K-Mart although I didn't look there. But the material is very comfortable!