SEPTEMBER 2015 Surgery Sisters

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  • cbwitt1970
    cbwitt1970 Member Posts: 65
    edited October 2015

    BMX & TE's. Yes. I also had the sentinel lymph node biopsy.They have me on a pain pump & are alternating with oral pain meds. I am only supposed to use pump for breakthrough pain. I've been up walking to try to stretch it out. It does feel so tight!;;; I feel so weak & helpless. I have been wearing my poor husband out! He's ready to kill me. I get kinda mean as a patient & he bears the brunt of it.

    I am hoping tomorrow isn't quite as painful. HUGS to everyone suffering. I feel your pain I really do

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  • KellyAnne13
    KellyAnne13 Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2015

    cbwitt

    I was amazed at how quickly the pain subsided. By the second day I switched from Percocet to Extra Strength Tylenol. I do take them exactly every 4 hours though. You will progress quickly too, but don't overdo it!

    Kelly

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  • Stephmoen
    Stephmoen Member Posts: 563
    edited October 2015

    uhhhhhhm I wonder if it's bad when your draining tube falls out on its own because mine did this morning...yikes

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  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 452
    edited October 2015

    Catherine, I understand about your husband for sure. Mine gets nervous in hospitals and sometimes it's just easier to send him to work. Hopefully you will have a more comfortable day. Be careful not to get constipated with all the meds, I had pain pump with oral pain meds and some trouble last time. I am going to make sure it's not a problem this surgery. 

    StephMoen, did your drain get pulled when you were sleeping? Depending on drainage amt <30 cc a day. I don't know if it can be put back? 

    Have a good day All!

    Patty

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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited October 2015

    Steph - OH NO - I have no idea what that means?

    When they pull the drain out how do they close the hole? I can't imagine we can just leave it like that? I just have one - but today, the guaze pad around the drain area was soaked also? Is that bad? I had lumpectomy and SNB Monday?

    Thanks Ladies - just found this group!!

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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited October 2015

    How long do we have to sleep all propped up? Can I sleep on my other side if still propped?

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

    The Princess, I found I could sleep on my sx side after my drain was removed. Catherine, I found the TE was tightness and muscle spasms and the snb site caused some pain initially. I was fortunate with my umx that I had a pain port while in patient which really cut down on my discomfort.

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  • Gardnergirls
    Gardnergirls Member Posts: 89
    edited October 2015

    My breast surgeon told me that if the drain falls out to call the office the next business day. I got the impression that if they had still been draining more than the 30 cc in 24 hrs that it would go back in? When I had my two drains removed after my first week the other drains took up the slack and drained more. I have never had any fluid drain out around the tubes though. They just covered the hole up with gauze and tape and told me to change it daily. My drains have slowed after I was scolded by the plastic surgeon and was told to sit and heal if I want them out. One did drop to 30cc so I'm going to call today. Wish me luck

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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited October 2015

    So - leaking around the drain site? Is this ok? How much is Ok vs. Not ok?

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  • KellyAnne13
    KellyAnne13 Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2015

    ThePrincess,

    I think leaking around your drainsite is pretty normal. When you are changing the dressing just be sure not to touch the area at all. I would worry if you're soaking the dressings or they need to be changed more than once a day. Yes, when they pull the drains out they just leave the hole. It heals. They will cover it with a bandage again though. I had mine out today and it was pretty easy.

    Kelly

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  • rainnyc
    rainnyc Member Posts: 1,289
    edited October 2015

    Good to hear, KellyAnne! Keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow.

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

    @ThePrincess - I was told that if I was leaking a lot around the drain site that I should strip the drains and be sure they weren't clogged. And yes, the hole that is left after the drains are removed is small. It closes up in a few days.

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  • rainnyc
    rainnyc Member Posts: 1,289
    edited October 2015

    Patty, thanks for the recommendation of All the Light We Cannot See. It's one I've picked up several times in the library; maybe I'll give it a try. I've fallen down the magazine rabbit hole as a friend left me a stack of Vanity Fair/Real Simple/New York and other reading candy. Hoping to return to Kate Atkinson soon.

    Now I have a weird question. I'm on the east coast, and the weather is heating up in what may or may not be a hurricane. I can totally feel it in my drains, especially the one on the right side. Is this crazy? I remember many years ago being 9 months pregnant during hurricane season in September. The OB's office said there were always more premature births during extreme storms, something about tidal pulls. Any ideas? And my drainage is back up on one side in a way that definitely correlates with the rain, which has been stopping and starting for days.

    Hmmmm. Hoping everyone is pain free and recovering nicely!

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  • Gardnergirls
    Gardnergirls Member Posts: 89
    edited October 2015

    Hi rainnyc, I'm in Maryland and my drains have been about the same with the rain and hurricane coming this way so I'm not sure if it has anything to do with it or not. Just found out I get my third drain out tomorrow and if everything goes well my last will come out on Tuesday. I'm looking so very forward to having NO drains!!

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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited October 2015

    Thank you ladies for the info!!!!!!

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  • rainnyc
    rainnyc Member Posts: 1,289
    edited October 2015

    Got two pieces of good news. More significant: the path report was negative all around: no evidence of disease, clean nodes on both sides, clean margins.

    Less significant but I'll take it: the drains are gone! BS said he thought the storm we're having on the east coast definitely was influencing drainage. What a difference! So I'm very sore and tired, but enormously relieved.

    Hope all is well with all of you!

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

    @rainnyc - Congrats on getting the drains out. I felt 100x better after I got mine out! And awesome news re. the pathology!

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  • Stephmoen
    Stephmoen Member Posts: 563
    edited October 2015

    rainyc that's awesome news! I'm still waiting to hear mine! Apparently they couldn't find anything so they sent it out again?? Did they find any dead cells on your tumor? I'm not sure why I am not getting any final reports

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  • rainnyc
    rainnyc Member Posts: 1,289
    edited October 2015

    Steph, I was told 7-10 days for the path report so was surprised it came in today as early as today. No dead cells; the report says "no residual carcinoma."

    I hope you get your report soon!

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited October 2015

    Lovey222 hi there. Just read your post. I live about 5 minutes from Overlook Hospital in New Providence! How did your surgery go?

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  • Stephmoen
    Stephmoen Member Posts: 563
    edited October 2015

    that's awesome seems perjeta is doing its Job! I'm guessing mine will be negative too since they keep searching for something I just want to hear those 3 words pathological complete response!!!

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

    rainnyc, great news on the path report and hooray for no drains!

    Steph, I am hoping you will have a clean report too!

    How are the rest of our surgery sisters doing?

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  • cbwitt1970
    cbwitt1970 Member Posts: 65
    edited October 2015

    Ugh. I'm still having quite a bit of pain I'm sorry to say. I hope it eases off soon😓

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  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 452
    edited October 2015

    Yea Rainny! Clean path and no drains ! That is good news. The book we spoke about gets really good and then hard to put down. 

    CBwitt are you home? I sure hope you start having an easier time. :( 

    I am going to get busy grocery shopping and getting ready for my surgery Wednesday. Not relishing pain, drains and an implant but want to get this behind me before holidays. 

    Good night All!

    Patty

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  • cbwitt1970
    cbwitt1970 Member Posts: 65
    edited October 2015

    PMR53 I am home. I slept in the bed for the first time last night. Propped up several pillows behind me & under both arms. It was very painful getting comfortable but once I did I was able to sleep for several hours which was much needed. My heart goes out to those who are having surgery this week. It's not been easy but this too shall pass.

    Thank you ladies for checking in & inspiring me to move forward. Much love Catherin

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  • pennsygal
    pennsygal Member Posts: 346
    edited October 2015

    Rainny - congrats on the path report! That is wonderful news - as well as drains out.

    Catherine - ugh, I'm so sorry to hear about the continuing pain. Glad you were able to sleep in bed.

    I had my Lx on Wednesday. The surgery was at 7:30 am and didn't leave the hospital til 4:30 - very long day. I did end up with ALND - that was always on the table but had hoped to avoid it. Now just waiting for pathology. I have one drain, not awful, but I am very squeamish and haven't really looked at the incisions, etc. The pain has not been too bad - just a lot of swelling and stiffness.

    Very glad to be done with surgery.

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  • cchix49
    cchix49 Member Posts: 43
    edited October 2015

    @rainnyc. YAY. Good news! Glad those disgusting drains are gone too. I am still sore and getting impatient for it to STOP! But we will hang in there. God Bless

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  • cbwitt1970
    cbwitt1970 Member Posts: 65
    edited October 2015

    Starting to feel somewhat human this evening. Pain has backed off some. Thank God! I agree that the drains are the hardest part. It's so hard to keep the tubing from catching on everything and the drain holes seem to be where most of the pain comes from.

    My husband has not left my side & has put up with all of my whining & crying. Hugs & prayers to all of my September surgery sisters. We will get through this

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  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 452
    edited October 2015

    Pennsygal- Glad you are done with surgery!! Prayers for healing and recovery. I found my sentinal node biopsy site to be more annoying than the lumpectomy or drain site. 

    Catherine- your husband sounds like a saint!! Good for him. In sickness and health ! Glad you are feeling better. 

    Patty

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

    Catherine, I'm glad to hear your are beginning to feel better. It's great your DH is so supportive. Is he helping you strip the drains?

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