AUGUST 2015 SURGERY SISTERS!!

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

    Great advice Arista. I had 9 axillary nodes, 2 were positive. That's a pretty high percentage.

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

    I knew lymphedema was a risk if your sentinel nodes are removed, but no one ever told me ways to try to prevent it. >:( Sometimes I wonder what people would do without the information on this board!!

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  • aviva5675
    aviva5675 Member Posts: 1,353
    edited August 2015

    Yeah, you want to do what you can to avoid lymphedema. One reason for elevating your arms while reclined. I used lots of different pillows, no recliner or wedge. A life saver. You can have them under your arms, behind your back to sleep a bit elevated, under your legs like at hospital...really makes a difference. After a few weeks I wanted to try to move to side a little, and they helped behind back, and then one little one for between my te- when I was towards my side the 'top' one slid towards the 'bottom' one and the little pillow in between helped make that more comfortable.

    I didnt have many nodes taken but did my pt with a lymphedema specialist and that was interesting. She felt comfortable with how I was doing but did recommend getting sleeves if I flew anywhere even a year later.


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  • quiltlibrarian
    quiltlibrarian Member Posts: 174
    edited August 2015

    Good luck to Ringelle and quiltowl5. Wishing you the best.

    Do you know where to get the bracelets for no bp and blood draws. This is something I would like to get.

    I did have blood pressure cuff on the leg before and after surgery. During surgery on the arm. Almost had IV in my foot for the surgery. That would have been interesting. No nodes where taken out this time.

    bye all

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

    I would think some breast cancer sites would have a shop that offer it pre-made. I wanted mine not to look "medically" so I didn't get the traditional ones, pink or not. I ordered from here and told them what to engrave:

    https://www.hopepaige.com/products#/?departments=women

    Since I have no swelling on my right arm, I've put it back on my right arm. The arm not to touch is left arm which not only includes the following but also you're not supposed to wear tight jewelry or heavy, tight fitting sleeves (except for the arm sleeve if you need it), be careful not to burn affected arm, etc... I'm just playing it all safe and nothing goes on my left arm/wrist and I'm wearing loose clothing from now on.

    Mine states:

    • CANCER
    • NO BLOOD DRAW / BP /
    • IV LEFT ARM
    • ORGAN DONOR



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  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 445
    edited August 2015

    They have a bunch of them on Ebay ranging from stainless steel to silcone rubber.  Just search for no bp.  I bought this one for my mom.

    image

    image

     

     

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  • Summerfun
    Summerfun Member Posts: 7
    edited August 2015

    Mollly50
    Going next Wednesday for a lumpectomy with a reduction and lift on both sides. We don't have a recliner but could rent one. The rentals look so uncomfortable! Should I try to buy a really cheap one or borrow. My dh said he would sleep in another room but I think I'd rather have him with me. Not t sure if I will have drains. Trying to prepare as best as I can as I am sending my daughter off for her freshman year and she's a little fragile right now. Anything else I can do? I want to set myself up for success so I can help her succeed.
    Thx !

    Also wanted to add I have learned so much in the past few weeks reading all your tips and trials. I wish everyone nothing but the best! Thanks!


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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited August 2015

    If you can afford it, I would buy a cheaper one. I only spent $199 on my off brand one and I am still sleeping in it after my recent surgery and use it as my primary chair. It's comfy and has held up well since February.

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited August 2015

    Ok ladies I feel compelled to share this in case it happens to any of you. You all know I have been ill since my surgery. I went to see my PS yesterday and he didn't care. He just said it was obviously nothing he did (jerk). I do not have Sweets Syndrome right now as I thought. I ended up in the ER at 6:30 last night with 104 fever. They xrayed me up one side and down the other. They checked my urine. Then they asked for the dreaded stool sample. I have diaherria so it was easier than usual. Anyway they found blood and nasty stuff in there. In the end it was found to be all caused from an evil kind of diaherria (c diff) that was a reaction to the antibiotic from my plastic surgery. The antibiotic was keflex but it can be any antibiotic. So if you get unexplained diaherria w cramping and fever, nausea, and general malaise, you might ask your doc to run the test. It would have saved me a week of misery. Oh they treat it with another antibiotic... Lol. Anyway, I'm going to get my meds today and they gave me a dose in hospital. Just thought I'd share. Sorry if TMI.

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  • Dobbin
    Dobbin Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2015

    28/8-dobbin mx

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

    Dang, sorry to hear justamy. Hopefully it's all under control now. What a shit that guy is. Praying things start to look up for you and you are done with problems! <3

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  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 445
    edited August 2015

    justamy - wow, didn't know if you're allergic to an antibiotic it produces fever.  Thanks for sharing.  Hope you'll turn the corner soon.

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  • Suzy1067
    Suzy1067 Member Posts: 36
    edited August 2015


    Hi all!

    I'm very excited to tell you all, I'm getting my drains removed today - the levels have been way lower than 25ml for more than 2 days!  I purchased the gentle touch cami (velcro front and pockets for drainage bulbs).  I have lived in it...washing it often!  My family has lovingly called it my "bulletproof vest".  Anyway, it was a bit expensive ($60 from Amazon).  I'd like to offer it to anyone in need.  I'll gladly mail it to you (cleaned of course :)).  Please let me know if you're interested.  It's a black one, size Medium.

    I will report back after the tube removal - I am hoping to sleep in my own bed now after a week in the recliner!!

    Blessings!!

    Suzy

     

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  • Kimmer33
    Kimmer33 Member Posts: 386
    edited August 2015

    justamy hang in there!

    Summerfun, i purchased a recliner from craigslist in my local area for $100 last night, after realizing that i too am a side sleeper and am afraid if in bed i would roll over. I will put the recliner in our bedroom the first few nights to be close to my husband. I also am sending my youngest to university the weekend before my surgery so trying to do as much for me before that, so i can focus on her.

    Kim

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  • mkinoly
    mkinoly Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2015

    Suzy, that's so sweet of you to offer to pass on your cami! Good to hear things have gone well and drains are outta here.

    So I'm a little worried and kinda angry. My surgery is this coming Monday the 17th. We all know it's a big deal to prep mentally, physically, get things in order, arranging pet care, people taking the day off work to be there, etc etc. Not to mention already waiting for what seems like an eternity for the day to arrive. Yesterday I thought it'd be a good idea to call my breast surgeon's scheduler to make sure all of my insurance paperwork came through and everything was good to go. There had been some concern about it potentially being slow going and maybe hitting a glitch since I have state Medicaid. Turns out that no, haven't heard from insurance yet! It's been 5 weeks! Here's the kicker... the scheduler/insurance person was not aware that everything was not in order. On Wednesday. Three business days before my surgery she had not followed up or made sure things were good to go. That blows my mind! Who works like that?! Anyway, she called the insurance and they said they lost a bunch of stuff when the flooding was happening in Florida so they missed my paperwork. She re-faxed the paperwork yesterday. Yesterday!

    It's already been kind of a rough week, just focusing a lot on the impact of everything. Now potentially my surgery won't be happening Monday. I need to get this thing out of me. I've lost so much faith in my BS's practice over this lack of professionalism.

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

    Justamy, take some good probiotics as well. C-diff can happen with just about any antibiotic or from overuse of antibiotics. I am sorry you suffered for so long before they found it and that your PS is being a jerk. mkinoly, so sorry about the paperwork snafu. Suzy1067, hurray for getting your drains out! Summerfun, my recliner is one we already had. I would not spend too much on it but with drains and being a side sleeper I found it much easier to manage than my bed.

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited August 2015

    Thats a good idea Suzy. I have a white Cami that I will give to anyone who needs one. Velco pockets etc. I just got it cause I thought I'd need it and only wore it home from the hospital. It's been hanging in my closet ever since. It's a size XL. Pm me if you want it.

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  • georgie61
    georgie61 Member Posts: 95
    edited August 2015

    Suzy, I've been trying to prepare for my BMX on 8/28 and I wear a size medium if nobody else needs your "bulletproof vest".

    I can send you my shipping address, but honestly I can afford to buy one so if someone who is in a tight spot financially now has a need for it that is fine. Let me know . I could still go on amazon and order one - I've got time either way. That's very nice of you. Glad you are recovering well!

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited August 2015

    kim I feel so sorry for you. Why? Because you're sending your baby to college! I sent mine 5 weeks ago to the work program before the semester starts and honestly I miss her so much that I can't even explain. I'm so glad she gets to follow her dreams but I'm selfish and want her here. Sadly, she feels the same so I have to be strong. Enjoy the time you have with her! And congratulations and good luck! Oh and you got this surgery thing. If you can send your daughter to college that's cake! Hugs

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  • Kimmer33
    Kimmer33 Member Posts: 386
    edited August 2015

    thanks amy, it is going to be a super weird fall not having her here and with chemo on the horizon even moreso. Yikes! So hard being a mommmmmmmmmm

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  • MizMimi
    MizMimi Member Posts: 98
    edited August 2015

    I'm scheduled for August 14. Lumpectomy.

    Been gone because I'm just super stressed!

    Will update later. :)

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  • Scotland219312
    Scotland219312 Member Posts: 237
    edited August 2015

    Success! 48 hours ago, I was having surgery (left mastectomy w/o reconstruction and ALND). The only problem I've had was nausea from the anesthesia. That cleared up yesterday afternoon, and I got to come home. One of the doctors gave me one of those anti-nausea patches that you stick behind your ear, which seemed to do the trick. The anesthesia-induced narcolepsy also seems done. Very little pain, no pain meds. No swelling yet. I feel much better than I expected to at this point.

    I get to shower today! Which means that I'm removing the dressing and seeing the incision for the first time. Not looking forward to that. So far, the emotional part of this has been harder than the physical. The one huge positive in this is that, in theory, the cancer is now gone. Chemo and radiation will get any stray cancer cells.

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  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 377
    edited August 2015

    Had my medical clearance apt this morning. Passed with flying colors. Now the countdown begins to Wednesday. I have successfully lost 20 lbs since the morning of May 6, the date of my BMX. I follow Weight Watchers and I have to say it works for me. I will continue until I hit my goal. I want to give my new foobs the best chance of looking good.

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

    One thing I think is weird is I feel more tired and could sleep more than I did before. I sit up and walk to the kitchen/bathroom in this small place but since my couch is set up comfy, I lie down and have 0 problem falling asleep. More problem getting up when I awaken. Any idea why it would be more so now than when more fresh out of sx? Sx was 8/6.

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  • Kimmer33
    Kimmer33 Member Posts: 386
    edited August 2015

    Scotland, yay! I can't wait to be in your shoes, except for the nausea of course... take care of yourself! Also, as you had ALND, how does that feel? I am having that as well, and am curious how you feel with that.

    Kim

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  • Scotland219312
    Scotland219312 Member Posts: 237
    edited August 2015

    Kimmer33, the ALND feels OK. Just an occasional twinge or acheiness. I have a bit of numbness on the back of that arm and in the armpit. That's it, though. There's plenty of time for complications to develop, but so far, so good. I hope you have an easy time of it!

    I feel so much better mentally than I did before surgery. I think that single smartest thing I did was ask for an Ativan to take the night before surgery. I was becoming a bit of a basket case, and I'd never had anxiety issues before my diagnosis last month. Yesterday, we found out that my BRCA was negative. What a relief, not just for me, but for my daughters.

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  • Suzy1067
    Suzy1067 Member Posts: 36
    edited August 2015

    Hey Georgie!  I'd be thrilled to send it to you.  I attempted to send you a private message, but, being fairly new to the site, I'm not sure if it went through.  Please PM me you address and I'll get it mailed out to you!

    Blessings to all and so happy for each and every postive step you all are taking...every little feeling of positivity is a blessing.  It seems the anticipation was worse than actually going through it.  Praise God.

    Suzy

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2015

    Hi all! Jumping in a little late in the month, but wanted to share some good information for you and future posters to help prepare for your surgeries:

    Check out some good info from the main Breastcancer.org site on Surgery, including:

    Also, the Treatment Side Effects section is a great resource for tips to help manage any side effects you may experience.

    Lots of practical advice here on helping to prepare for surgery:Shopping/packing/to-do list for surgery + recovery....

    Also, you may find it helpful to chat with ladies from past months' surgery threads to get first-hand stories of their experience; see the July 2015 Surgery Sisters thread.

    Hope this helps and good luck with all of your surgeries!

    --Your Mods

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  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 445
    edited August 2015

    Scotland - glad all went well and your recovery is going smoothly.

    artista - anesthisia could stay in your system for up to a month so it's not unusual for you to feel tired more some days and not others.  you may also be better able to sleep now because you don't have as much stress and anxiety as presurgery.  You went through a major surgery and your body just needs to time to adjust.

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  • Kimmer33
    Kimmer33 Member Posts: 386
    edited August 2015

    thanks Scotland, good to hear all is well so far with ALND!

    I also hope to have the BRCA test, as I also have 3 daughters.

    Kim

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