July 2015 Surgery Sisters

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  • EmmyJ
    EmmyJ Member Posts: 16
    edited July 2015

    Thank you all so much for your prayers and well wishes. It truly means more to me than I could ever put into words. You ladies are amazing <3 I have to be at the hospital at 8, and surgery is at 10. I am as ready as I will ever be....just breathing deeply lol. I will keep you guys posted on how everything is going! Again, thank you so so much for all of your kind words

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  • I_Spy
    I_Spy Member Posts: 507
    edited July 2015

    Go EmmyJ!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

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  • _proudauntie
    _proudauntie Member Posts: 38
    edited July 2015

    prayers and positive thoughts for Emmy and JodiB

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  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,804
    edited July 2015

    many of you seem so much more prepared and better at planning than I am! I still have told almost no one other than hubby and one good friend...and still penciled in for surgery on July 16th...but haven't done much of anything other than work and play!! There are various reasons why I am not telling folks or planning, but mostly I am waiting till after my apt with bs on July 2 because I feel there is so much I don't know. Maybe I will always feel that way?

    I did have a MRI today, they have promised bs results for our apt on the second. Much louder than expected, and tedious but as I lay there I kept thinking...'cheer up, the worst is yet to come!' LOL.

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  • plumster1
    plumster1 Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2015
    Octogirl, there is no right or wrong time to share your "news". It is nice to have all your facts when sharing. I do feel sometimes I'm having to update people constantly as tests results come in or not in as in the case of my genetic test results. ;)
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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited July 2015

    Jodi and Emmy, Thinking of you both today.

    Octo, share your info with whoever you want to. It's your diagnosis and treatment. Some people share everything, with everyone. Others chose to tell a few close family and friends. And still others tell almost no one. You need to do what is best for you!

    Just a thought to all who are on this topic. It can be quite helpful to make your diagnosis and treatment info "public" on the forum. It makes it a lot easier for those on the board to address your particular situation, answer questions, and offer support.

    BTW, the best question you can ask your doctors when you see them is: who should I call when I have more questions? Keep these numbers handy.

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  • Mavski80
    Mavski80 Member Posts: 13
    edited July 2015

    Mavski80 UMX July 20

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  • Nagoskwe
    Nagoskwe Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2015

    will be having a PBMX july 8th will deal with reconstruction after chemo. Best wishes to all of my sisters this month! will be thinking of you all!

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  • I_Spy
    I_Spy Member Posts: 507
    edited July 2015

    Ok Nagoskwe and Mavski80 I added you!

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  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,298
    edited July 2015

    octogirl

    I told almost no one the specifics before my surgery.Most at work did not even know I had cancer until I returned from my leave. Some still probably don't. I did ask for prayers from friends without specifics and we have a great small group that I shared more with. I did not have most of the answers until after surgery anyway and that was with multiple tests/scans before hand. I had 2 MRIs (one with biopsy). . .hate them but BS gave me valium to take for the second one. Huge difference.

    I am trying very hard to prepare better for my exchange this month, but like you it's mostly work and play in the evenings and weekends since I'll be out of pocket again for awhile. Hang in there.

    Scottie

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  • mira845
    mira845 Member Posts: 68
    edited July 2015

    i only told 3 people at work, my boss, my bosses boss and the HR director why I'm having surgery. My workplace is so bad with gossip. It spreads like wild fire! I told my subordinates that I'd be out for surgery for 3-4 weeks and the questions started flying. I just told them don't worry, I'll be fine and left it at that.

    I go for pre-testing tomorrow at the BS office and will meet the anesthesiologist and I think have more tests there. It's going to be a long day. Not looking forward to it....but maybe I can find some yummy restaurant in the city...enjoy food while I can....

    I don't know my treatment plan yet, def rads and hormone therapy.... I'm telling myself I'm prepared for the worst... But I'm not. I'm kind of freaking out. All you ladies seem to have it all together. You don't come across the web as freaked out as I feel.

    I have 3 teenagers in the house and you'd think I told them I have a hangnail instead of a cancer diagnosis. They are agravating the crap out of me!

    Good luck to all surgeries coming up. I hope all goes well with everyone!!

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  • I_Spy
    I_Spy Member Posts: 507
    edited July 2015

    Mira it's all a facade -- I don't think any of us feel like we have anything together. I had my pre-op appointment yesterday and had to go straight to Macy's where I overspent. I'm just putting one foot in front of the other. I'm a planner, so I have been on this site a lot looking and reading and writing lists of things to do. I accomplish the thing and then I come up with more. I live alone, so I am trying to plan meals ahead: I have 8 sweet potatoes I need to bake, blend in the blender, and freeze. I keep going to the grocery store and then realize I need something else and have to go back. Just one foot in front of the other (and I love New York so eat at a fun place and tell us about it!)

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  • I_Spy
    I_Spy Member Posts: 507
    edited July 2015

    girls I thought of something else -- I learned this from prior surgeries with overnight stays and it is so helpful: bring a small clutch or small purse that you can clip somehow to the rail of the hospital bed. In this you keep your phone, your Blistex Daily Conditioning Treatment (or chapstick), your earphones, earplugs, and eye mask, and lozenges or candies if you want. You clip it right by your hand or shoulder so that it is right there. I created something when I stayed overnight before, but this time I got a Kipling small crossbody bag that has a long string and clasp for keys inside of it; well I'm going to wrap the string around the railing and loop it back and attach it to the purse. Plus it has a tiny pink gorilla hanging from the side of it, so I had to get it. :)

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited July 2015

    Mira, I have 3 boys who were 16, 15, 11 yrs old when I had my surgery. Teens in particular are very self absorbed. My boys are good boys and we are a close family. I thought sons would be more helpful and sympathetic than they were. Now, a year later, there is a lot I could say about the kids and how it effected them. I tried to keep their lives as normal as possible. I always told them the truth about my diagnosis and treatment. I told them I would talk about whatever they wanted to. I kept in mind that they were scared and might be angry about my having cancer. I didn't want to ask too much of them; it's hard enough for adults to deal with helping a loved one who has cancer.

    If I can help you in any way, let me know.

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  • jkbrca2
    jkbrca2 Member Posts: 67
    edited July 2015

    mira, hang in there! I definitely don't have it completely together. Up now at 130 a.m. with chocolate cake and boards for support and info.

    9 days to go. Only 4 more days to get things as ready at work as i can. I met with a breast specialist nurse from the breast care center in the hospital this afternoon (last medical appointment before the big day) and practiced drain cleaning on a real drain. Got a very nice bag of "necessities" from local nonprofit with little arm pillows, oversized tanks, and overnight toiletries! So grateful. But it is so real now. I'm kind of getting mantras going... "I can do this" "I'm not my breasts". ...I just hope I don't accidentally say one out loud at work or somewhere in public the next week!! Chocolate cake helps too.

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  • EmmyJ
    EmmyJ Member Posts: 16
    edited July 2015

    Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Surgery went well, but I hadno dressings on when I woke up, so that was a huge shock. I am trying not to dwell on what it looks like right now, or look at it anymore. I have been up at walking around ,but I am still a little groggy/dizzy so that has made things interesting lol. Well, I am off to sleep for a bit. Thank you all again!

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited July 2015

    Emmy, You sound great! It will take a while for all the anesthesia to be removed from your body. Fantastic that you are walking around. That will help with your recovery. I'd be surprised by no dressings, too! The appearance of your surgery site will improve, but I'm sure it is difficult. Thank you so much for checking in and giving us an update! Gentle hugs!

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  • I_Spy
    I_Spy Member Posts: 507
    edited July 2015

    yay Emmy! Our first July surgery girl!

    Jkbrca2 what toiletries did they suggest you bring to the hospital

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  • Nagoskwe
    Nagoskwe Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2015

    WTg Emmy! I am so happy for you

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  • jkbrca2
    jkbrca2 Member Posts: 67
    edited July 2015

    thank you Emmy for the update! Take good care!


    Ispy,Chapstick, wipes, tissues, a small Emory board.

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  • Free123
    Free123 Member Posts: 84
    edited July 2015

    Emmy, rest well and take care of yourself!! So thankful that part is over for you!!!

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  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,298
    edited July 2015

    Emmy, so glad to hear that the surgery went well. I vaguely remember someone telling me you need a week's recovery for every hour in surgery. Take it easy and get lots of sleep.

    All, I had many sleepless night before my surgery, and didn't even admit half of my fears to DH until after. I just know that when I was the lowest, I saw and heard signs that let me know it would be okay. If you have someone to stay at the hospital with you, I highly recommend it. Let them be your gopher especially for the nurse. If you are alone at night, put the evening staff on notice that you will expect them on the hour every hour as needed.

    I had a fantastic surgical and recovery staff. After that, we'll let's just say that my exchange will be at a different hospital, the one where my son was born and in the NICU. It's farther away but the have an awesome BC center.

    Scottie

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  • IndyGal35
    IndyGal35 Member Posts: 340
    edited July 2015

    Hi there.

    My sixth round of TCHP was canceled on Tuesday due to fears of ototoxicity and neuropathy. As a result, my surgery date got moved to July 7. Talk about a surprise! I'm thrilled to get this thing out of my body, but I now have under a week to prepare instead of a whole month.

    I'm having a double mastectomy as well as a SLNB (with reflex to a full axillary dissection if needed) on the right. They're using the blue dye during surgery, and they're injecting the radioactive dye an hour before surgery. My PS said that there's a 70% success rate for implants after radiation, which I know I'm having due to size and grade, so I'm trying them first.

    Would you please add me to the list? I'm apprehensive, but I'm hanging in there. Everyone is so different. I wish I knew what to expect with regard to pain and recovery time.

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  • _proudauntie
    _proudauntie Member Posts: 38
    edited July 2015

    Scottiemom - what a great idea to have someone stay with you overnight! Wonder who I can get to volunteer for that :)

    Jkbrca2 - did you have to ask for someone to train you on the drain in advance or is that just something your hospital does? That is one of my biggest concerns. Will I even be able to do it myself? How often will it need to be done? etc. etc etc.

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  • I_Spy
    I_Spy Member Posts: 507
    edited July 2015

    IndyGal you and I have the same surgery date! I added you to the list. :)

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  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
    edited July 2015

    Hi

    Hi all, I just found that there is. July surgery board now. I was on the April board that went into May and June surgeries too. So many of us! You will find a lot of information if you Ho back and read the posts there. My BMX was April 10. I have been having chemo since mid May......one more to go, then recover and get ready for exchange surgery this fall. Anyway, when I started all this, I did not know a lot about what to expect. I want you each to know that I will be happy to try to answer any questions. Oh, and I was scheduled to go to the hospital and stay one night. Three days before surgery, I got a phone call about pre op......only the call was from the out-patient center at the Cancer center.....not the hospital. I was in shock! I was told my surgeon and PS used the out-patient center frequently. I was not happy, and really scared, but, what I want you to know is that I did it......5 and a half surgery and went home that afternoon. I am 66. YOU can do this! You are stronger than you can imagine

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  • plumster1
    plumster1 Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2015
    Super excited, my Brca testing came back negative. Sense of relief to know my plan stays in place and goes forward as planned :)
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  • I_Spy
    I_Spy Member Posts: 507
    edited July 2015

    Hi mysunshine4, thanks and we appreciate any advice you can give! But you didn't stay overnight in the hospital? What the....? My ps said I'll be staying 2-3 nights!

    Good news plumster! oh and ps, if you set your "diagnosis and treatment" to public, then we can refresh our memories when you say things like your plan is staying in place. ;) Otherwise we have to go back in the thread to try to find it..... ;)

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  • plumster1
    plumster1 Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2015
    Thank you Ipsy! I had no idea it wasn't public so went back and made my change to share with all ;)
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  • I_Spy
    I_Spy Member Posts: 507
    edited July 2015

    ahhhh yes plumster I remember now and yes, all your plans can stay the same! I did the lumpectomy and of all my surgeries, it was honestly the best recovery. Take your pain Meds even when you don't have pain for the first few days and you'll be fine. It keeps you on top of the pain rather than trying to chase pain with Meds which is impossible. Rest and don't do too much and you'll be fine. :)

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