July 2015 Surgery Sisters

mfana,

Another So Cal gal! Yes, BS ordered genetic testing. I should have it back in about 4 weeks. City of Hope is a great facility and I love my BS. I just wish I had thought to ask about further imaging during my appointment. I am not sure why it's not standard for them.

i had to switch to the left side of the bed and its worked much better for me although it still feels weird. It's very hard to not use my right arm....sometimes I think I should just strap it to my side or put it in a sling to remind me!

I found the silky button up pjs great as well as a silky cami top and shorts for when I was too hot for the long sleeves and pants. The cami had spaghetti straps and I could step into it. I bought both at Target. They were polyester but they felt good to wear and did make it easier to slide in and out of bed. I'm a stomach or side sleeper, butbpost surgery I preferred to sleep slightly upright so I was already half way there, but to sit up, I'd bend my knees and dig my heels down to do the rest with my abdominal muscles. Like a sit up, and imagine someone holding your ankles down. Sometimes it was easier to slide to the edge of the bed, put one leg out from under the sheets, plant that foot down on the floor then sit up by pushing that foot down on the floor. You'll figure out how to shimmy yourself out!

I definitely felt worse days 3 and 4 than prior to that. I think the anti nausea I was given wore off before the anesthesia's side effects. And when I stopped wearing the surgical bra, the burning pains along the incisions and a little bruising under one of my arms from where the drain was pulled felt different (worse) than when it had been compressed. I was allowed to take Advil, it would help as did rest, e.g., lying down to rest my sore shoulders. 8 days out BMX no reconstruction I feel pretty good considering I just had major surgery but if I stand or walk around too long - 15 minutes - my arms feel like dead weights and hurt my shoulders and shoulder blades, so I end up crossing them and putting them across my stomach to rest! I love leaning back into soft chairs and do not like hard chairs with hard backs. Be careful sitting in too soft a couch too. It's hard to get up without using arms! You'll need someone to push you from your back or good quadriceps!

Gentle hugs to everyone! Welcome to the new ladies, and prayers for those dealing with new diagnosis or pathology reports.

Caroly62, I also am having trouble with writing relies on my iPad...interface doesn't seem to work well. I have no problem on my MacBook at all....maybe the Mods are listening for future upgrades/changes? All things being equal I'd rather use the IPad just because it is lighter and easier to pick up post surgery....

I am not sure about the whole stress thing but I will say that finding out what makes you happy and doing it always seems like the way to go.

Will be thinking good healing thoughts for all

Hello Ladies,

I was off the boards for several days so have been reading all the posts and getting caught up. Wow! What an amazing strong group of women!!! Hugs (gentle, of course) and prayers to all. 🙏💖🎀💐

Tam-iam: So sorry sweetie to hear about the positive nodes. Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way.

Queenmomcat: Regarding the post op swelling: I found out this week that I was given Decadron in the operating room to help with the pressure/swelling on my brain from the meningioma. That, along with the fluids and general anesthesia, is why I puffed up so much. I'm back to normal, thank goodness, and prepared for my next round which will be given to me at the end of the month when I have stereotactic radiosurgery for the meningioma. Sheesh! What a month.

Bunnybumps: I had my pre-op for the meningioma this week and picked up a brochure on Memingioma Momma! I'll definitely log on and join that group. Thank you so much for the info. You have 6 of them? Oh my!!! I read somewhere that women with ER/PR+ breast cancers also have a higher incidence of meningiomas.

Overall I feel pretty well. My right side is still very swollen, both my BS and PS said it could be swollen up to 3 months. I went for a walk this morning, 2.5 miles, trying to increase the distance a little more each day. I received my final path report from my BS. It confirmed that my nodes were negative and that no residual cancer was found in the tissue removed. Next step, meet with my MO to begin Tamoxifen and Gamma Knife radiosurgery for the meningioma on 7/30.

Prayers and positive thoughts to all those having surgery this week!

Carolyn and all. . .I've been stressed for years with two autistic/ADHD children who have both had multiple surgeries. My mother, a doctor, has Alzheimers, both Dh and I work full time. I have given up trying to figure out why and focus my concern on keeping it from coming back. Cancer sux and for those with added stress my heart goes out to you.

I have spent the last 8 months trying to figure out what I can do better. Already vegetarian for 18 years, trying to limit caffeine (jury's out on that one as it may be good), trying to eat tons of antioxidants etc. Even if it's not helping physically it helps psychologically. I'm pushing myself at the gym and hiking and I'm trying not to cry about the 6 weeks of downtime starting next Monday.

One suggestion, DH bought me a "boyfriend" pillow after BMx only $49. Wraps around your whole body for support. I still sleep with it each night and travel with it despite the stares. It allows me to at least partially sleep on my side. Now to get on amazon and buy some button up camies.

Hugs to all.

Scottie

Bunnybumps, Greendolphin and Mavski80 prayers and hugs for tomorrow.

Scottie

You sound a lot like me! I was also doubting whether I should post here. I just had a lumpectomy with lymph node removal on Friday, the 17th. I don't have all of the details like others here. I was told we will know all of that after the pathology report from surgery.

I had a routine mammogram mid June, was called back for follow up tests, referred to a surgeon, and had biopsies on two lumps in the right breast. I was diagnosed on July 9. The pathology report said one lump was normal and one was ductal carcinoma. The surgeon has a good rep and I trusted his guidance when he said he believed it was contained and we should go ahead with surgery. I chose lumpectomy. He expects to follow up with radiation unless the pathology report has surprises for us.

It was out patient surgery and it's has not been difficult. The day after surgery I slept most of the day. Yesterday I was out of the anesthesia fog and was more active. This morning I feel normal. The incisions have not been painful. The lymph node incision under my arm is the most sore. It only bothers me when I raise my arm but it's not terrible. I do have a lovely divot on the top surface of my breast where they removed the tissue. Guess it's my souvenir!

This is my second fight with cancer. I had an unusual type of thyroid cancer exactly 20 years ago. I plan to win this go around too. Now I just need the patience to wait for the pathology report to come back.

For those ladies who have already had surgery this month, specifically a BMX or UMX. How long did you need to be in button up shirts? I am having my surgery out of town and will be there for two weeks. I am trying to pack before we fly there.

Scottiemom1 my amazon search was a bust too. I found one button up camisole on there but that's it. I have a few zip up shirts and one button up. I feel like they need something underneath but I can't find anything that I like. If I was home I wouldn't care but I don't want to be stuck in the motel room and it is hot and humid outside.

I wasn't told about stopping herbal teas. Did they say why? I am using some right now to dry up my milk supply.