SEPTEMBER 2015 Surgery Sisters

Yes yes yes abc_123. It is OK, you can't expect to got through this without emotion. It is a LOT. I too was certain with my decision for a BMX and thought I was prepared well. NOT! It just takes its toll. I think you need to give yourself permission to cry or scream or do anything you want right now. It will pass. With time everything gets easier.

abc 123 I had BMX 1 week ago. My rt side was prophylactic. I too have cried everyday. Sometimes all out sobbing. I think for me it's a mixture of pain (because let's face it, it friggin hurts like hell!!!), raw emotion ( having your breasts removed), hormones, stress, and partly relief that it's behind you.

I'm going to talk to the dr when I go back about either some anxiety med or an antidepressant to get me thru this painful time. I had thought I could push thru it but I am a wreck.

This forum has been a huge support system for me. Even though I have a very supportive family & friends, they just cant fully understand what I'm going thru. Hang in there. We will be strong for each other!

Catherine

Yes, Rainnyc, I saw the surgeon yesterday. After discussions with my oncologist and radiation oncologist i have decided that the most important thing for me right now is to proceed with radiation. I am scheduled to start at the end of Oct. That doesn't give me enough time to reconstruct the failed right side and heal before starting. My plastic surgeon's plan is to cut out the tissue that is completely dead in the next week or so and then do nothing further until I finish radiation and then heal from it. I will see him 3 months after radiation for him to assess things but probably won't do surgery until 6 months after. So. OMG, it will be next June before I have a right breast. In the meantime the left is partially inflated but we are going to leave it as is until the right can catch up. After many tears over the weekend I think I'm OK now. Living is much more important than a breast

@Lharry

I got a camisole with soft inserts that medicare paid. I was allowed one camisole to wear until I am fitted for my booby bra. I am allowed 6 bras a year and silicone inserts every 2 years. I was pleasantly surprised.

Cchix49, that's fabulous news, especially the bone scan. But also, glad your heart is pumping away properly! I personally feel that it would be crazy not to be sad and irritable at some point during this process. Because it is hard. Very hard.

KellyAnne, we can be the founding members of the Waiting For Recon club if you like. I have ahead of me, to my knowledge, four rounds of AC, rads, and then after rads the BS says he'll hook me up with a PS, though I know that healing will have to happen before any recon. He wanted me to wait for rads before the consultation, though. So....

Speaking of BS, I paid a special visit to his office today and am now the proud possessor of a weeklong dose of antibiotics. He and his nurse took a look at my oozy place and said it was perfectly normal. Reassuring, but maybe someone could have mentioned this might be a possibility?

Signing off with warm fuzzy hopeful feelings that we're all on a path to recovery....

Catherine, 15 days post op and sore, but not as sore as at 8 days. It's hard to see improvement day to day, but if I think back to three days ago, I can see the improvement. Got rid of the drains at 10, though my feeling is he should have kept the one in a little longer. I don't think it was ready. Hooray for clear sentinel node! And good luck with the MO.

Thanks, Catherine (cbwitt1970) - I think you're right, it's ALL that and probably more. I am now going to physical therapy. The first thing I thought of was, "more appointments!" But she is a PT specializing in breast health/reconstruction and that has been helpful. Just to hear somewhat of a time frame "6-8 weeks" when it comes to pain/mobilty is helfpul, though I know everyone is different.

I am grateful for this forum as it is so difficult to talk about it with anyone else. I find myself almost in hiding so that I don't sob in front of them. Tomorrow is a new day!

Hi ladies!

Today, 4 weeks and one day since my BMX, I FINALLY had my last two drains removed! WHOO HOO! It feels somewhat liberating! I was so sick of strapping that dang sack around my waste to hold them.

Anyway, my PS filled me an additional 50cc's again. So far I've got 300cc's in the left TE and 250cc's in the right.

I still find myself very hesitant to lift very much, as I can really feel it in my chest if I do. My range of motion is better too, but still not where it was. I use a small step stool to get ice out of the freezer (ice dispenser is broken), and as long as I use the stool, I'm fine. I don't think I would be able to reach the ice otherwise.

I also think my pain is now tolerable. Typically the day after a fill, I will take a pain pill or 3 through out the day, just to ease off any discomfort, but other than that, I am doing well. Ready for the process to be complete, but doing well.

Linda

ok thank you I just get nervous my drs all don't want me doing radiation say nothing showed I had lymphs involved although they didn't do SNB pre chemo which still bothers me..I just want to do all I can to keep this from coming back! F*#ck cancer!

Ohhhhh Rainyc I feel for you if you're heading into 4 rounds of AC chemo! I started with a lumpectomy immediately after diagnosis and then went straight into what was supposed to be 4 rounds of AC and then 4 rounds of Paclitaxel. I could not do the 4th AC, I just couldn't. That was even after lowering the dose of the 2nd and 3rd rounds to 80%. Then instead of 4 dose dense rounds of Paclitaxel I did 12 weekly doses. It was much better. I'm not trying to scare you, and in fact I've heard of many people who have made it through just fine, I'm just trying to prepare you. It wasn't a physical thing, I wasn't sick, it was mental. I was really unable to function. Please get on this board during your treatment if you're finding it rough. I WILL help you through it.

Hi All. My Right side MX with TE is in my  rear view mirror !! 730 am surgery. Recovery room by 1100 am.  I had somekind of a block put in by anesthesiology, PCA pain pump and they started me on oral percoset. Seriously minimal pain for now. I have 2 drains. My IV site hurts worse. Plastic surgeon put in 300 cc in OR so I am more than 1/2 done with fills.  This has been a blessed day and glad it is over. My best girl friend is also CNA and she is with me and spent night in room. Lots of laughs and wonderful assistance.  DH home with daughter.

Patty

Good luck Catherine! PMR53, aren't the pain blocks amazing? My umx hurt less than my Lx because of the pain blocker port.

Rainny- I am home now and I am doing fine. My BFF and DH made dinner. Taking a pain med q 4 hours. I think the block has worn off but not sure. Not having that much pain yet? 

CBWitt.- so glad you will get drains out and no chemo!!!!

Molly- when did your pain block wear off? I think it must work really good. 

Patty

Yes!!! No chemo or radiation. Best news ever!!!

And all drains are out!! Thank you Jesus!!!

But ladies...I am having a problem. And I need some help & input. When I saw PS on Monday & he removed 2 of the 4 drains, I experienced the most excruciating pain I have ever felt in my life when the drain on the right was removed(non cancer side). I assumed it would subside. It only got worse. I patiently waited until today to get the remaining drain out on that side. It wasn't too bad being removed today. But the pain is no better. The best way I can describe it is a burning, throbbing pain. I can't even stand for clothing to touch it. It has literally brought me to tears this week. Hurts more than the 1st few days after surgery and is getting increasingly worse. I was telling my mom about it & she said it sounded like nerve pain. What do you guys think? I am praying that it calms down & I can just move forward & proceed with my tissue expansion. My 1st tissue expansion is scheduled for Monday. But I can't even imagine getting that done if this pain remains...

HELP!!! What should I do😢 I am in terrible pain

Gardnergirls, thank you for your response! I'm so sorry you still have a drain. Gosh I really hated them! I never had that much output. The most I had at one time was 25ml. Even though it really sucks to have them, you want it there until your output slows down. You don't want to develop a seroma😞

I'm so glad to hear about your expansion. I have been so worried that it would be painful! I didn't realize I was such a wussy! I always thought I was tough. But I guess I'm not😳 And I cry at the drop of a hat. Which is a new development. Guess my hormones are a little wacky. And my emotions are all over the place!

Good luck with your treatment. You will do great!