July 2015 Surgery Sisters

Good luck Artesia928 - Good luck with everything! You will do great! One thing someone gave me in a gift basket was short sleeve button down tops and pajamas. I didn't own any. They were very helpful since pulling things over your head is painful.

A nurse told me in the hospital that everyday I would feel a little bit better and she was right. The first couple days were rough but it gets better and before you know it, it's behind you.

I had my lumpectomy on July 6th. Will be starting radiation treatment in a few weeks.

welcome meezers3 and let us know how you are doing. There is lots of great support on this board.

Molly50, I hope the swelling goes away and yay on getting that drain removed!

I almost feel like myself today....just a little soreness.

Octo.

Thank you loves. Didn't mean to hijack your thread. Best wishes and much love back at you 10 fold!

I'm back to work this Friday, August 7, which will be 4 weeks. I have a long drive, an hour or more each way. Can't take a train or bus. I do have a desk job with a comfortable chair, thank goodness. Anyone have any advice for returning to work? I'm going to wrap the seat belt in a soft thick baby blanket which seems to stay put better than a pillow, try to take it easy the first few days, and hopefully get up at least once an hour to move around.

I haven't reconstructed so I'm flat for now and have some new clothes to disguise it a little. I'm thin enough to get away with it I think. I used to wear a lot of knits. In 4 weeks I'll go shopping for breast forms. I really do love wearing turtlenecks in the winter, so some small forms might be necessary for those. I hope I can find forms and bras that are comfortable enough. But going without a bra this hot, humid summer has been great! I will likely do it again next summer!

I'm still feeling sore as things continue to heal and I'm now doing the post operative exercises. The most difficult one for me is (while lying flat) putting my hands behind my head and bringing my elbows back to touch the floor or mattress. It's still very tight across my right pectoral. Left side is so much better than right! Funny how things heal unevenly. It's still early though and I'm going to keep up the stretching.

Gentle hugs to everyone, especially the ladies who are just recovering from last week. It does get better. And for those with drains in, I hope your recovery moves along and the drains can come out as SOON as possible!

LindyC. . .my PS wanted total daily drain output at 10 ml per drain or less. I started using evernote to track everything and when the stitches pulled loose on one drain on day 9 she had me come in. She took out all 4 because I was down to only 36 ml total on day 8. It varies for each patient. Keeping fingers crossed that you get them out soon.

Button up shirts and Jammie were a must. Easier to find in winter though. I was really ticked that I could not find button up short jammies/tank tops that I liked for summer. Even searched Amazon. I had to wear a man's shirt to hospital to wear home after surgery.

I think I'll design some button up tanks and start selling on line. I just wore my surgical bra around the house for the first week and I have a loose summer sweater on today for my postop. Hopefully by two more weeks when I go back to work, I'll be comfortable in my loose shirts. Since BMx, I cannot stand tight clothes or anything around my neck like a turtleneck.

Mavski, if you are getting around the block at two weeks you are doing great.

Jkbraca. . .best wishes going back to work. I was out 6 weeks for BMx with TEs and was exhausted the first week. Move around a lot and don't lift anything. Even after 8 months before EX, I still had lifting restrictions. I am allowed to start back with 2 lb weights at 6 weeks post EX. I hope to be on a slow treadmill by this weekend at least.

Scottie

Jbraca2. . .I would also recommend part time particularly if it cuts your drive time due to less traffic. We have an express bus, or I would have been out much longer. Also have you asked about PT? Even before EX, I could not get my elbows behind my head flat on the floor. I started doing sit ups using only my stomach muscles and holding my arms straight out. Hard to do but strengthened my abs more.

Scottie

Had follow-up with BS tonight. Everything healing beautifully and he's really happy with results, as am I. Getting port installed on 8/19 and then should be starting chemo around 8/24. Progress is progessing, slowly, but surely. The only thing that's really bothering me now is that I can't shave my left underarm because the tissue collapsed after the lymph nodes were removed. Yech!

Thanks, I still have some pain from a seroma. I overdid it a bit today and have been sore all day. I will check out the summer rads thread. I go for my mapping in the simulator next Tuesday.

Hi Bunnyb,

Thank you for your message and kind thoughts. I have not been on board for awhile, have been having some really hard days. I hope you are feeling good and was happy to hear you are healing nicely.

My drains are out, I would not say I am having severe pain, but do have discomfort most of the time. I meet with radiation oncologist on 8/14 to schedule the start of radiation treatment. My onco score was 11, so I will not need chemo.

I wanted to mention that my sister in law had BC 15 years ago. She had 2cm tumor Stage 2, was treated at MD Anderson in Houston. She had chemo first with no bad side effects, radiation after surgery with no bad side effects, then tamoxifen for 5 years again, with no bad side effects.

So lets hope we experience the same. Send good thoughts to you.

Pat

by the way- I got a mastectomy camisole that was covered by insurance. I highly recommend one! I have been wearing it as my top and it has pockets for my drains.