AUGUST 2015 SURGERY SISTERS!!

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  • bjclaywell
    bjclaywell Member Posts: 49
    edited August 2015

    Hi all - can I join? I'm having surgery on 8/20 - lumpectomy, left breast. Been through a lot of preparation for this, as the surgeon was sure I had a gene mutation, but as it turns out, I don't have a known one. Definitely a family history, however. That being said, I couldn't make up my mind on the lumpectomy vs. bilateral, so surgeon said to just go with the lumpectomy for now in order to "move forward" in some way.

    Anyway - I'm a little nervous - not so much of the surgery, but from getting the pathology report back (he said it will take about a week?). I'm nervous about radiation and possible chemo. My mom went through all this 7 years ago, but she handled it like a champ, so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed.

    Anyway - for those with surgery scheduled tomorrow - sending positive vibes out. And lots of healing vibes for those who have recently gone through surgery!

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  • Kimmer33
    Kimmer33 Member Posts: 386
    edited August 2015

    thanks ladies!

    All the best thoughts to those that had surgery this week and for tomorrow!!

    Kim

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  • Summerfun
    Summerfun Member Posts: 7
    edited August 2015

    LX August 19th

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited August 2015

    Well, I got results on the MRI--all clear, other than the one area we already knew about! That was better than expected. I have had some issues with stuff going on in the left breast, although the tests always come back normal. So it's really kind of a relief to get that reassurance. The lumpectomy is on for Aug 20, pending the results of the genetics testing. Hopefully, there will be no surprises between now and then.

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  • quiltlibrarian
    quiltlibrarian Member Posts: 174
    edited August 2015

    Early day for me. Have to be at hospital at 6:30 am, surgery at 8:30. Should take 2 hours. I hope they get the right one lol. I mean the left one. I wonder how they would like that one at the hospital. Hmmm. Getting a bit silly.

    Good luck Nibbler.

    Hugs to all.

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited August 2015

    Surgery # 4 has come and gone. It was not bad at all as they were just taking out one set of implants and putting in a larger set and trimming some skin. The whole thing took about an hour once I was in the OR. I went in at 6:30am and was on my way home at 10:30. The worst part so far is that I have thrown up twice because of the anesthesia. I've never had that problem before. The pain is not bad and I am controlling it with plain Tylenol. I have narcotic pain meds but I hate the loopy feeling so I'm not taking them unless I really need them.

    To those having a mastectomy with the nipple injection and wire thing. I agree with whoever posted that it did not hurt. It was really a nonevent in the whole surgery. I also heard that it was terrible, but for me it really wasn't.

    Prayers going up for all of you with surgeries tomorrow. Hugs Amy

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  • Suzy1067
    Suzy1067 Member Posts: 36
    edited August 2015

    Hi All! I'm on the road to recovery :). I was kept in recovery a little longer to get the pain under control, but, once in my room, I improved by the hour. I went home 24 hours after surgery. My hubby rented a recliner and it's been amazing! The heart shaped underarm pillows are extremely useful. I actually got a shower yesterday and I felt human again...oh, and a shampoo /blowout appt got me ready for the weekend. I'm working hard to rest and give myself time to heal, but, I must say, so far so good! Blessings to you all...and peace to those with approaching surgeries!!

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited August 2015

    im so stinking sick! I woke up today at 4am with 102 fever and throwing up. My surgeon said its probably just the anesthesia doing funky things but I have had I think 7 or 8 lifetime surgeries and have never been like this. I've been sleeping most of today and taking IB and Tylenol to keep my fever down but it's still hovering around 100. I hope I feel better tomorrow. I thought this would be the Easy one, but no such luck :(

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  • 39andhip
    39andhip Member Posts: 164
    edited August 2015

    Hang in there, justamy. So sorry you are sick! Ugh!

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  • georgie61
    georgie61 Member Posts: 95
    edited August 2015

    Suzy - I'm so happy to hear that things are going well. I've got the same thing to look forward to 3 weeks from today - so it is very inspiring! Take Care!!

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  • katcar0001
    katcar0001 Member Posts: 621
    edited August 2015

    My, I forgot to check back here, and this thread has been on a roll. Had my TE put in Monday but was in too much pain so had to stay overnight (unplanned). Have had a terrible time sleeping since surgery due to the drain pain, but I had it out today, and I feel wonderful. I am not feeling the TE uncomfortable at all right now, filled to 140 cc. I hope that means I'll sleep better tonight. BF was impressed at how symmetrical I look now, but both sides will be upsized. Did get some sort of ugly rash on my bum and thighs. Freaks me out a bit, so will keep my eye on it.

    Amy - I am so sorry to hear that are you have a fever and have been throwing up! As if the whole surgery experience is not awful enough. I hope you feel much better soon.

    Audrey - Those nips sound awesome. Thanks for sharing your experience. I really don't have much interest in reconstructing a nipple but the stick-on one might be fun once in a while.

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

    Sorry you're sick, Amy. Glad you are doing well, Suzy. I have my MRI scheduled for Monday. Hopefully the right breast is fine so I don't have to change to bmx. I am nervous about the MRI hurting my left side which had the Lx.

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  • Suzy1067
    Suzy1067 Member Posts: 36
    edited August 2015

    Thank you all for the well wishes...Amy I'm so sorry you're sick! Saying an extra prayer for you to feel bether soon. Also, for you Molly, that your MRI is painless and reveals nothing new!

    Georgie, you'll do great! Blessings to you for the best possible experience! The anticipation was the worst part in my experience so far.

    I'm hoping for the drains to come out on Monday. I'm surprised to be sleeping so well, but, I really attribute it to the pain meds and recliner chair.

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  • quiltlibrarian
    quiltlibrarian Member Posts: 174
    edited August 2015

    Hello Ladies. Long day yesterday hospital at 6:30 am home again at 5:45 pm.

    I have two drains in and good pain control. I have some swelling in the area and in my arm. Which will get checked out this morning. I have to wait until drains are under 20 ml for two days before they will take them out.

    Amy sorry that you are not feeling well. Gentle hugs.

    Suzy amazing what good pain management can do.

    I am glad that surgery is over.

    Hugs to all

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited August 2015

    Thanks for all the well wishes! I'm still so sick. I felt about this bad during chemo... Never felt like this other than that. My doctor basically blew me off w I called early yesterday but I may call aagain. I can't keep anything down including my fever. My chest hurts too...not the girls..like breathing... Uggg.

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  • Kimmer33
    Kimmer33 Member Posts: 386
    edited August 2015

    Hi Ladies!

    Quiltlibrarian, you had a mastectomy and didn't spend a night at the hospital? Interesting, I thought you'd have to spend at least a night over, I know I do.

    Justamy, hang in there, hugs to you!

    Kim


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  • quiltlibrarian
    quiltlibrarian Member Posts: 174
    edited August 2015

    Kim just day for me. I did not have any nodes removed this time. So less surgery done. If I was not good they would have kept me. First one they did keep me in, but I don't get sick after surgery and bs knows I will call if problems.

    Amy do you have home care in your state to ask questions too. We have it here and they have 24 hour nurse available. I hope that you will feel better soon.

    I was checked out by the home care nurse today and she said I am doing well. Keep up with the pain meds. Good to know I have backup. They will also pull the drains when it is time to do it.

    hugs all

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  • magiclight
    magiclight Member Posts: 8,690
    edited August 2015

    Quiltlibrarian: You are the only other woman I know who did not stay overnight after BMX. Like you I was discharged in about 14 hours and because I had some heart rhythm problems was transferred to the ER via ambulance (all of .3 miles). Nothing like being in the ER right from surgery - can we say contamination! Sadly, my family heard and smelled a lot more than I recalled. This was a major hospital in Phoenix with connected out patient surgery, so never expected to have an ER visit same day as surgery. My motto is be prepared for anything!

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  • Kimmer33
    Kimmer33 Member Posts: 386
    edited August 2015

    hi Ladies

    It seems as part of my grieving/acceptance of this disease, i wake up each morning with something new to worry and fret about...

    Today i am fretting about the path report that comes out of my UMX at the end of this month. I feel just as scared to go to this appointment as i did when I went to my original diagnosis appointment. Anyone else just as worried?

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

    kimmer33 I understand your fears. I knew in my gut that I was going to have bad news at my post op appointment for my Lx. That led to me needing umx. However it is still treatable and I don't have an aggressive cancer just widespread in my breast and in two lymph nodes. The truth is in about a year from now I will be just taking hormone suppression therapy and should be done with all other treatment and surgery. You can face it good or bad, especially with the support from others who have been there before you on these pages. Sending you hugs.

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited August 2015

    Sx 8/6 went well. All nodes clear. Discharged Sat afternoon . Bro with me till Tues afternoon. Still have pain, dizziness, have not had bowel movement since Thurs. morning. Otherwise doing okay. Thank you all so much for your support. Love ya!

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  • quiltlibrarian
    quiltlibrarian Member Posts: 174
    edited August 2015

    Hi magic, I almost had to go to ER last night. My drains started sucking air and I could not get them compressed. After talking to heath nurse and 2 emergencies departments. I was ready to go but finally got them to work right. Kind of scary to find out that they would pull them and then maybe replace them. The thought of replacing them was freaking me out.

    Kimmer I understand about getting the path report. Even with what I had done and preventive. I am worried that they will find something.

    Aritsta good to hear that you are doing okay. Keep up with the pain meds. I am still taking my t3 every 4ish hours.

    Hugs all

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited August 2015

    Seems I have leaky drain tubes. Called my bs this am and said hold tight till my appt tomorrow at 9:15 am. Got some staining going on my white compression bra where the tubes come out. So drains are pretty empty for a day now.

    Also while bro is a help, I have been lifting like a glass of water. I was told the weight limit is 3 lbs. I don't know how anyone can completely not lift like a glass of water type weight. I also had to pull and push the window shut. Bro stepped out for 3 hours and so I couldn't wait for some things. I hope I didn't mess up my stitches..:/ Already have drain issues.


    Oh and we thought my tumor was 4 cm. It was 7!

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  • 39andhip
    39andhip Member Posts: 164
    edited August 2015

    Wishing a speedy recovery to all. Arista - try to take it easy... :( And Kim, I'm also very worried about the pathology report post MX, too (among other things). After all this, I REALLY don't want to have to do radiation.

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  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 445
    edited August 2015

    To all the sisters that had surgery last week, I'm glad to hear that all went well and you're slowing getting along.  I hope you will continue to heal well.  Just remember to take it easy. 

    artista -  it may be normal for some fluid to seep out of drain hole for the first few days, but the fact that your drains are empty is problematic.  Glad you're going to doctor tomorrow. 

    justamy - urgh, a fever??  Were you given antibiotics at the hospital at discharge??  If you still have a fever tomorrow, I would definitely call dr again.  Please keep us informed.  Hugs!!

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  • Kimmer33
    Kimmer33 Member Posts: 386
    edited August 2015

    ladies

    As much as this all sucks, comforting to know we arent alone - feels good to know you are all out there and we are thinking of each other! Hugs.

    Kim

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

    Arista, don't be hard on yourself. Hopefully they will be fine. Sending gentle hugs to you. Hugs to all the ladies recovering and best wishes to those having surgery this week.

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  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 377
    edited August 2015

    My exchange is next Wednesday, 8/19 and the anxiety started last night. This ain't my first rodeo, its my 4th breast SX at the same hospital since February. I know the drill like the back of my hand. I could not sleep last night, kept going through all the steps I'll be taking next week at the hospital. The room where my IV will be placed, the bed arriving to take me to the operating room, the holding area, all the fuss of introductions, signing PW, the SX markings by PS. Being wheeled into the operating room, then waking up and looking for a clock to see what time it is. I'm going to get some Xanax on Friday from my PCP when I see her for medical clearance. I didn't expect this anxious feeling. I've been looking forward to my exchange so much.

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  • katcar0001
    katcar0001 Member Posts: 621
    edited August 2015

    Your anticipation of your exchange surgery sounds verbatim like mine for my TE surgery. I think this kind of anxiety is very normal. I think for me a lot of it has to do with not being in control, and I just have to tell myself to trust my doctors. The Xanax will help a lot! But I would not take it the night before your surgery. Hope you get a quiet mind soon!

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  • dimccleland
    dimccleland Member Posts: 59
    edited August 2015

    Hi ladies ... finally, my surgeon got back from holiday and I saw her today ... unilateral mastectomy without reconstruction and a lymph node dissection next Tuesday, the 18th. Still all sinking in but I think I am feeling okay!!

    mjh1, you can move me from the bottom of the list to the middle now 😜

    Now off to see what you have all been up too.

    Take care and stay strong x

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