July 2015 Surgery Sisters

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  • IndyGal35
    IndyGal35 Member Posts: 340
    edited July 2015

    YES!!! Paddymom, that's the best news that you could ask for!!! It makes the months of chemo feel sooo worth it.

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  • Carolyn62
    Carolyn62 Member Posts: 84
    edited July 2015
    Thanks, Scottiemom! My BS has said from the start that she's not as sure as the rest of the team that I'll need chemo. I hope that's the case. I sure wish Florida had legalized MMJ last year. I have Valium, too, and I've been taking it about twice a day.
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  • CAMommy
    CAMommy Member Posts: 437
    edited July 2015

    I am home. My surgery was 1 1/2 hours Kate and took an hour longer than he said. All the nurses said he's a meticulous dr and tends to run late like that.


    I hate hate hate coming out of anesthesia. Ugh. Worst part of this whole thing. My breast hardly hurts. I have a headache though. And a sore throat from the mask. That's what they called it. Overall very happy to be home. Path results late Friday. I am praying for negative margins as I don't want to go under again


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

    CAMommy I'm with you, I hate coming out of anesthesia. I was blessed yesterday. Much better experience. No memory at all until I woke up and they did a great job of keeping my pain and nausea under control.

    Take is really easy tonight and for the next several days. Prayers for clear margins.

    Scottie

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  • Suzanne50
    Suzanne50 Member Posts: 280
    edited July 2015

    Hi @Free123 - my oncologist is concerned with the other breast since my right breast was filled with DCIS cells. So he took my case to a conference and presented it to a group of doctors. They all agreed that I should have another mastectomy - between all the DCIS cells that didn't show up on a MRI and a mutant gene that showed up on my blood screen (not BRACA) - they feel it is in my best interest. My surgeon still stands by his 13% chance of reoccurring in other breast. So really not sure what I should do. It seems safer to have another mastectomy. Just wondering if anyone else had a similar situation.

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  • Bunnybumps
    Bunnybumps Member Posts: 75
    edited July 2015
    So I'm home instead of in rehab -- huzzah! I worked really hard over the weekend and when the PT re-evaluated me she said I was fit enough to go home. She ordered visiting nurse service and home PT. The pain is still pretty intense and I can only make it to the bathroom without help at this stage, but I'm so happy to be home!!

    Haven't reviewed the Path Report with the BS, but Staging is IIa and they found cancer in 2/19 nodes, on the left.

    Carolyn62: "surly," Is one of my favorite words!

    Leslie13: I have Fibromyalgia and Peripheral Neuropathy, so I think I can relate. I chose to have all the surgery done at once, a BMX with DIEP Flap (left) and Free TRAM (right). The surgery did cause a big flare-up and I have nerve pain not directly caused by the procedures. I increased my Gabapentin in order to help with that. I was in the hospital for a week because I was unable to walk more than 5-10 feet unassisted. But, as I wrote above, I kept practicing and I'm home now. You may want to find out if your insurance will cover some Home Health Aides and maybe a hospital bed rental. I know you don't want to ask too much of friends, but many people truly want to help. And perhaps you can ask around about support programs through local universities or churches. I wish you the very best of luck!
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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited July 2015

    Get some good rest CAmommy. Glad you made it home Bunny bumps. I guess I am the only one tomorrow so far on this thread.

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

    Molly50, best wishes and good luck tomorrow! You will be in my thoughts!

    Octogirl

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  • Bunnybumps
    Bunnybumps Member Posts: 75
    edited July 2015
    Thinking about you today, Molly50!
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  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,298
    edited July 2015

    Bunnybumps. . .so glad you are home now. Hopefully with the care they are providing you will recover more quickly. Sending you a pm about Gabapentin.

    Molly hugs today. CAmommy hoping all went well yesterday and you are taking things very slowly.

    My pain level is at least under control with the combo cocktail I'm on. Just have to throw my impatience out the window and give my body time to recover.

    Scottie

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  • Carolyn62
    Carolyn62 Member Posts: 84
    edited July 2015

    Ehhh. I spent the morning making calls to be sure that my short term disability and FMLA were all in place. Then I worked on making sure that the Oncotype is ordered. I tried contacting my nurse navigator with no luck. I had a different nurse assigned to me the first week of diagnostics because the one for my area was on vacation. The substitute was a gem. This one only answers questions when asked, and even then is not super helpful. I haven't heard from her since I was in the hospital last week.

    I also spent time sadly contemplating reoccurrence and early demise. I'm beyond surly today. Guess this is just one of those not so great days on this new ride.

    Molly, I hope you're doing well and that your son has plenty of care. Mine is awaiting approval for more nursing hours (he's 16 with cerebral palsy), but my daughter, his father, my current husband and Dan's caregiver are all coming to the plate.

    Here's to good rest and healing for all!
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  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,298
    edited July 2015

    Carolyn it's very hard to be upbeat under the circumstances. My tablet and the boards on this site are what got me through BMx. I also have moments when I worry about recurrence. My exercising between BMx and now has helped that as well as my supplements. When I'm cleared this time, I plan to find a yoga class.

    Hugs to you. . .I'm for some online retail therapy.

    Scottie

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

    Susanne50. . .it's a tough choice. I chose BMx from the beginning even though I had only one known ILC on the right side. A biopsy on the left also showed one small LCIS as well. BS wanted to do two more biopsies to see if I was a candidate for just an LX on the right but I was adamant about BMx.

    Final path from both breasts showed LCIS in all 4 quadrants on both sides which did not show up on my two MRIs. In the end my BS agreed that I made the right decision.

    Hugs to you.

    Scottie

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  • Suzanne50
    Suzanne50 Member Posts: 280
    edited July 2015

    Thank you @scottie for sharing your story. Those DCIS cells are scary since they really don't show up on any screening. I am leaning towards having the second one done. I just don't want the fear of always looking over my shoulder. Perhaps I rushed too quickly into the single but it seemed overwhelming at the time and wasn't even thinking both. Plus my BS didn't see the need.

    In the end it is my decision but I hate to look back and say I wish I had down the road. Rather avoid any possible chance of going through this again.

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  • dismay15
    dismay15 Member Posts: 343
    edited July 2015

    dismay15 BMX July 31

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  • 1SweetPea
    1SweetPea Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2015
    Hi Plumster1,

    I've been thinking about you!!! Any news on final path? How are you feeling? Tomorrow I'll be 3 weeks post-op, it's hard to believe. The lumpectomy/IORT area feels like a rock but I was told that's normal. I'll be able to start massaging the area to break up the fibrous tissue so it will soften up a bit. I'm curious as to your thoughts on IORT. Hope you're feeling better and getting stronger each day. Sending positive thoughts and prayers for a clean path report. ❌⭕️❌⭕️
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  • plumster1
    plumster1 Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2015
    Hi sweet pea, no news on path report. I'm starting to think I won't hear til my MO apt Monday. Tomorrow I'll be 1 week post op. not any pain per se. But my arm, shoulder still is kind of achy. Both the tumor and lymph node incision just kind of feel weird too. I like keeping a pillow in between. At 3 weeks how is your discomfort? The tumor removal area feels swollen but not hard. Did that come later? Lmk how you are doing..glad you checked in :)
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  • plumster1
    plumster1 Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2015
    Sweetpea, also my BS said my radiation went well. But, later I thought what does that really mean. Do think you'be had extra fatigue from IORT? Just thoughts :)
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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited July 2015

    I survived with only vomiting once! Anesthesiologist gave both the patch and a cocktail in my IV. My snb came back positive for one node so I had alnd done. I have one drain which should be removed Tuesday when I see the BS. I had to repeat all of my mammogram today because the other location didn't send enough pictures. The wire locators (I had 3) were not horrible at all. Lidocaine injection hurt a bit and the isotope injection hurt a bit. My family is taking great care of me. I am taking Percocet and using ice packs and sleeping in my recliner tonight. I appreciate all the well wishes from all of you. Best wishes to those going in tomorrow.
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  • TFoxy20
    TFoxy20 Member Posts: 59
    edited July 2015

    My final path came back yesterday with clear margins and nodes were negative. Also since one drain has been so low I was able to get it pulled out. I can't wait for the other one to go.


    Did anybody else have Exparel injected after surgery and before you woke up? They told me it would work for a few days. I had my surgery on Friday(24th) and feel better than I expected. The sterile hypoallergenic patch that is over my drain is my biggest complaint. Between that and the post op bra/binder I am itching like crazy. For some reason my chest area is apparently sensitive to adhesives.

    It is so interesting to me how different everybody's experiences are on here. I have a patch over my drains and was told I could shower daily. Is anybody using any special soap on their incisions?

    I am so thankful for this page/post. Hearing everybody's stories made me feel less alone. It helped me ask better questions while preparing for surgery. I am so thankful.

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

    Molly50 glad your surgery went well, sorry about the one node but wait until your paths come back in and you meet with MO. Hugs and take things really easy.

    TFoxy I'm alleric to Tegaderm (what they use to attach IVs). So mine have to come off immediately after they are done. Can you ask your PS if they need to stay on. My drains were secured with just stitches and I was allowed to shower after 2 days anyway. Keep resting, I know I'm already overdoing things.

    Scottie

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

    glad you are resting and yay for family taking care of you Molly50!...sorry about the node and will keep fingers crossed that that the rest of the path report is good news. Hugs.

    Hugs also to plumster1, I know what you are going through. I've decided that I probably won't get more information until I see onco (also Monday) so I am trying to be ok with that and making my list of questions for him then. I've told hubby that if I don't have a good vibe, and that if my questions aren't taken seriously, to expect me to start looking immediately for a second opinion and possibly new MO. Hubby's job is to help me keep calm and focused, and he is good at that. Will definitely be thinking about you Monday!

    Hugs also to TFoxy1, and yay for the clear path report!

    Scottiemom...if you know you are overdoing it.....slow down!

    Octogirl.

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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited July 2015

    congratulations Tfoxy on a good path report. Octogirl is this your first visit to the MO? I hope you like him.

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

    Molly50, thanks and yes, first visit and so far, as I reported on the LX Lounge thread, I don't have a good feeling (poor communication with his office staff). Going to try and put aside my concerns until we meet and concentrate on asking the right questions and listening before passing judgement.

    My bs and her staff have been so wonderful in every way that the bar may have been set higher than is truly realistic, especially in my area of the world (rural, medically underserved). I keep reminding myself that it was bs that recommended this particular MO so I am hopeful that once I meet him all will go well. That said, these are our lives and bodies we are talking about, so yeah, we should expect the bar to be set high, right?

    Hope all have a good day today.

    Octogirl.

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  • Carolyn62
    Carolyn62 Member Posts: 84
    edited July 2015

    Hi Molly! Sorry to hear about the node,must happy things are going so well overall. I had the patch and the cocktail, too, but I'm just a wimp when it comes to nausea. Glad your family is taking good care of you. I was told I could shower, and I have twice since surgery. My husband shaves my legs and washes my hair. It makes me feel so much better.

    I spent yesterday thinking about the possibility of chemo (won't know for sure until the oncotype is done). I live in Florida and it's possible to get a card for MMJ for cancer treatment. Of course it's all out of pocket and I'm the breadwinner, so I don't know if I can afford it. I did make a call to set up an appointment and learn more. I was familiar with this option because my son has seizures and it's possible to get the oil for that as well.mhis are controlled right now, so I never fully researched the cost and all. We'll see.

    Octogirl, good luck with the MO. I hope they turn out better than their phone personas indicate. 😉

    Much love to all on their journey. Onward and upward.


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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited July 2015

    Octogirl, I didn't connect well with my MO but will give him another chance since my sister and husband probably overwhelmed him. I love my BS though.

    Carolyn62, I am glad your husband is helping. Hopefully you got extra help for your son. I'm allowed to shower after 2 days. My older kids are helping when the nurses leave.

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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited July 2015

    I have a question. I have one drain in the axillary area. I can't comfortably put a bra on. Should I try anyway?

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  • plumster1
    plumster1 Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2015
    Tfoxy- congratulations, great news! Molly50, so sorry about the node and alnd but it sounds like you are recovering well and have lots of love from family! Octogirl, I guess Monday will come soon enough. I hate the waiting but am starting to formulate some of my questions as well. Continued healing for everyone! Good luck and good thoughts to these last home stretch surgeries in July.
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  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,298
    edited July 2015

    Octogirl. . .I hear you loud and clear. I have to make myself stay in bed today. I have my tablet (12 inch Samsung) in my lap and drinks and a few snacks on the bed to get me through for several hours. I did sleep most of yesterday but was up and about too much when I was awake. "Bad Scottie." This is definitely a lesson in patience.

    Definitely get a second opinion if you have any reservations about what MO tells you. I have been very blessed. The first MO I was referred to, I only saw once before BMx. A few days before my post surgery appt. the office called and said she was out for several weeks unexpectedly and told me I would see a nurse practitioner who would go over my Oncotype and path results with me. I said there was no way I was having that discussion with a nurse. They called me back the next day and told me they had scheduled my appt. with another MO. I ended up loving her. She answers all of my questions, looks stuff up for me and is very open to alternatives that work. She's also adamant about treatments that I definitely need but explains exactly why.

    Molly50, Carolyn and all: Your MO is likely to be your most important doctor for years so if you have the option please don't hesitate to ask around even in the same group. I flat out insisted on changing. The admin. people tried to talk me out of it but I insisted. I'm even dealing with ridiculous bill issues from their business office, but I love MO so I'm keeping her.

    Desiree thinking about and praying for you today.

    Scottie

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

    'A lesson in patience'... Ain't it the truth? And of course, I've never been a patient person to begin with, and under these circumstances....

    I have promised myself that I am going to start yoga soon, to see if that helps with my own patience issues. Very soon.

    Have a lovely time with tablet and snacks, etc, and lounging in bed today ScottieMom!

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