SEPTEMBER 2015 Surgery Sisters

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  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 452
    edited October 2015

    Gardenergirl- yes watch those borders and check your temp. My temp and pulse sored. Good luck. I hope your oral antibiotics kick in and start to work !! Let us know. Yes call immediately!!

    Patty

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  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 452
    edited October 2015

    Molly- my SNB problem was last May. I was just telling Gardnergirl about it as she is having similar problems!! It turned into cellulitis. That's why I had to put my MX off 4 months. 

    Patty

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  • NYNJGirl3
    NYNJGirl3 Member Posts: 30
    edited October 2015

    anyone here having issues with hypersensitivity of skin post surgery? Mine feels raw and sunburnt and I'm 4 weeks post surgery... I know it's temporary but how much longer do you think this should last?

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

    NYNJgirl, yes. I'm 4 1 /2 weeks out, and it's mostly gone, but it still comes back, i.e. last night there was one area that felt stretched and sunburned. Feels okay this morning. But the whole area still feels a good long way from normal; I have no idea how long that will take. I'd say that the worst of it has gradually disappeared over the last week.

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  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 452
    edited October 2015

    I am going to get my last drain out! So you know how happy that makes me!!

    It's going to be a good day!

    Love you all!

    Patty

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  • Lharry
    Lharry Member Posts: 86
    edited October 2015

    Yay Patty! You will feel so liberated!

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

    Patty, I know what a freeing feeling being drain free is!!

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  • abc_123
    abc_123 Member Posts: 12
    edited October 2015

    NYNJgirl, I am 5-1/2 weeks post op and still feel so sunburned. It's not as bad as it once was. The chest wall burning is mostly gone. I now feel it under my TE and one spot under my right arm toward my back. If I move a certain way, it is crippling. Physical therapy is helping. My PS told me that once it goes away from one place, the nerves are telling it to move to another so he is not surprised. Nobody could have prepared me for this recovery. I was told I'd be out 6-8 weeks but I never really processed what that would look and feel like. I'm still having some emotional piece to figure out. No regrets, since I too did this prophylactically, but I went in so strong both physically and mentally and feel like I was taken down a lot harder than I had imagined. I keep reminding myself this is a blip in time, but while I'm in the middle of it, if feels forever. I almost think the expansion process is more difficult than the actual surgery. This is coming from someone who appreciates very much having done this on my own terms, without a diagnosis. This forum has been such an inspiration for me. But in the meantime, I definitely have some blues going on. Thanks for listening!

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  • Lharry
    Lharry Member Posts: 86
    edited October 2015

    What do you think?

    My Oncologist office just left me a recorded message that I have an appointment with them on Tuesday afternoon. I did not schedule this appointment. The only thing left for me to do, is to get the BRCA test results.

    Now I'm worried the test is positive since they automatically made the appointment. Otherwise, wouldn't they just tell me the results came back negative? I mean, there would be no reason to go in if it is negative, right?

    Dang! I have until Tuesday now to worry! Ugh!

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  • NYNJGirl3
    NYNJGirl3 Member Posts: 30
    edited October 2015

    abc - I feel the exact same way. I knew going in it wasn't going to be easy, but too feel knocked down. Didn't expect it to be so hard. I'm uncomfortable all the time bec of the hypersensitivity and I think my hair is falling out because of the anathesia. The expansion is definitely worse than the surgery. I have my swap out date so just trying to get through till then. I hear and feel exactly what you're saying.

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  • abc_123
    abc_123 Member Posts: 12
    edited October 2015

    Lharry - are you talking about worrying about the BRCA results? With my experience, an appointment was needed to go over all the results. It wasn't as simple as positive or negative. I was negative for both BRCA 1 & 2 however, there was some anomaly in one of the genes that could be read either way but does not mean I'm positive for the gene. If it's the genetic testing results you are stressing about, if it were me, I wouldn't read too much into it because it took quite a bit of explanation. I also had to meet with with an actual genetic counselor.

    NYNJGirl - thanks for your quick response. Sounds like we are having very similar experiences. You are so brave to go back to work. I'm impressed! I actually started talking to a therapist to help me through because I've also been so weepy and not sure why. I do think after the exchange and the nerve pain going away, I will be a different person. That is scheduled for 12/29. I have probably 2 more fills left. The day after the fill seems to be really hard as well. Keep me posted on how you progress.

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  • Lharry
    Lharry Member Posts: 86
    edited October 2015

    abc123, thank you! Yes, it is the genetic results. I did not realize there could be more to explain in a negative result. I already had my genetic counseling, so I'm now just hoping and praying for the results to come back negative.

    It is weird that they scheduled an appointment without consulting me first, to make sure I'm available then. It still has me concerned but I will try not to worry

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  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 452
    edited October 2015

    LHarry-

    I am sure this will be a hard time waiting, I had that test too. They scheduled me to talk about the results and they were negative !! Please try and not let it ruin your weekend. 

    Thank Lharry I do feel so much better getting that GD drain out. It was really starting to hurt and be very sore at the insertion site. I have my heating pad on it and the PS said no baths for 2 more weeks. I love taking a bath with Epsom salts. 

    I start fills next Thursday. Ugg I hope it's not too bad. My pathology came back no invasive cancer. Chemo got it. Small area of DCIS by the nipple. Glad I didn't do Nipple sparing. 

    NYNC- I am sorry you think your hair is falling out from anesthesia. Mine just grew back so I hope I don't have that too! When is your exchange date?

    Have a good Saturday All!

    CBWitt- how are you ?

    Patty

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

    LHarry, our cancer center always schedules appointments without checking with me first. If it's inconvenient, I call them and reschedule. In the early days I put my foot down and told them when I could NEVER do it, and the doctors/chemo schedulers have been great with that. But with scans and things that come from different offices, we go through this all the time. Hope your genetic consult goes well.

    Patty, congrats on clean path report!!!

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  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 452
    edited October 2015

    Morning,

    I have a question for everyone that had drains. I got the last one out Thursday. Did it itch, ache and was generally very sore at the site? The incision across the breast is mostly numb and doesn't hurt. The drain site is not red or swollen but it is sure sore. Thanks Ladies!

    Patty

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  • KellyAnne13
    KellyAnne13 Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2015

    Hi Patty,

    Yes I did find the drain sites to hurt for quite a while. I am a month out and just now able to lay on my sides. Gently. They still hurt, but not as much

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

    Hi Patty--

    Yes, it did feel uncomfortable for a while on one side (I had drains on both). Even now, 4 1/2 weeks out, it aches on that side when I wake up if I sleep on it. I have found the drain areas much more problematic than the incisions; maybe they're closer to muscles I use all the time?

    Anyway, the aching does seem to recede over time, very gradually. Glad you're drain-free!

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  • Tina1969
    Tina1969 Member Posts: 44
    edited October 2015

    LHarry when i got my genetic test results they would not give them to me over the phone and mine were negative. Try not to worry. Keep positive thoughts.

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  • Lharry
    Lharry Member Posts: 86
    edited October 2015

    Whew! Okay, thanks. I feel better knowing that even a negative result requires an appointment

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  • Tina1969
    Tina1969 Member Posts: 44
    edited October 2015

    You are very welcome. Prayers and positive thoughts for negative results. Keep us posted. :)

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  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 452
    edited October 2015

    Thank you Kelly Ann and Rainy-

    It sounds like drain sites are just painful for everyone. I just got the last one out so it may be a few more weeks. First fill on Thursday. 

    Lharry- positive thoughts and let us know how every thing goes!!

    Patty

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  • ang76
    ang76 Member Posts: 6
    edited October 2015

    Good day all, this is my first time posting on here. I had an bilateral mastecomy on Sept. 16th. I am doing fairly well, got drains out at 3 weeks went back to work at 4 weeks. I have the lovely TE's in and have had 2 fills so far. I am ready for those to be taken out, lol, aren't we all! I am still sleeping in my recliner, and longing for being able to sleep on my side. Most days I feel pretty good, biggest problem is my emotional state, I don't like to cry but find it comes more often than not these days.

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  • abc_123
    abc_123 Member Posts: 12
    edited October 2015

    Hi Ang76, welcome and I'm sorry to hear about your emotional state. Not that misery loves company because I wouldn't wish it on anyone but I have also been extremely emotional. I would say that it is interfering with my recovery as well as my day-to-day. You and I had surgery on the same day. I had drains out at 10 days and have been dealing w/some pretty severe nerve pain, but it's my emotions that have been the most difficult. I have started to talk to a therapist which is helping, but I have decided to go on some medication to get me through this difficult time. It's not forever, and I think it will help. I want to be present with my family and I know it won't be forever. Don't be afraid to get some help. 6 weeks is a long time to feel like this, especially when you don't know when it's going to end but I it will get better.

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

    Welcome ang76. Sorry you are having a rough time emotionally. I had my mx on 9/4 and I have found that just recently I am quite emotional but that may be a side effect to the anastrozole I am taking. Who knows, I just know it is not fun.

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  • KellyAnne13
    KellyAnne13 Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2015

    Hi Ang76,

    I can relate to the crying as well. I think we just need to accept it and let it happen when it does. We can't expect to go through something like this and not be affected. I had my BMX on Sept 21 and had my drains out about 2 weeks after. I never slept in a recliner but I did surround myself with pillows! I have just been able to sleep on my side the last 2 nights but I do still put a pillow in front of me so I don't fall forward too far. It isn't painless, and takes a little manipulation to get the position right, but once I'm there it's OK for a while. I can't imaging that you are getting a sound sleep in a recliner!

    Kelly

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  • Lharry
    Lharry Member Posts: 86
    edited October 2015

    The emotional side of all of this can seem overwhelming and never ending at times! We have been on a roller coaster that seems to go on forever!

    Someone told me to do this, and it does help.......

    Close your eyes, take long, deep breaths, and when you breath in, say to yourself "breath in healing" or "breath in happiness" or something similar. And when you breath out, say to yourself "let go of the pain" or "release the negative thoughts" or "breath out the pain".

    You will find your mind wandering away from this, but just bring yourself back to it. It will help!

    Sorry you are feeling so emotional. It is hard, but so completely understandable

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  • ang76
    ang76 Member Posts: 6
    edited October 2015

    Thank you all for the support. I am taking this one day at a time and have talked to several friends who have been in our shoes already, they reassure me that it does get better and we will "get back to normal". I have started journaling my days, when I started getting more and more emotional I felt like I wasn't improving so I started writing down each day what was going on and how I was feeling. I now can look back and see that things are getting better and I can just see my progress.

    abc 123 - I too have the nerve pain, the last week it has started getting a little better though. Hope yours is too!

    KellyAnne - you are right I don't get good sleep in the recliner, I have tried the bed a few times and the TE's just hurt too much when I try to lay down, I tried propping up with pillows and found that I kept sliding down or turning on my side into the normal positions I would sleep prior to my surgery. I would wake in so much pain and then have difficulty getting myself out of the position I was in. Hopefully after the TE's are taken out I will be feeling much better.

    Lharry - thank you for the suggestions! I will certainly be trying this ;)

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited October 2015

    So far, so good with the SNB incision sutures. Much smaller seroma. Had my pre-rads CT last Wed., and the RO says since I’m getting APBI over just the tumor cavity, the SNB incision is outside the radiation field and will not be affected. So it’s a go for sim this Thursday and rads starting next Mon., for 3 wks + 1 day (16 sessions). Surgeon saw me last Thurs. and says the sutures can come out this Fri. And I am back in my underwire bras (surgeon says ok), which are actually more comfy for me because I don’t jiggle--it’s the motion that makes my breast so sensitive. They don’t make Coobie bras in anywhere nearly large enough for my cup size.

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  • NYNJGirl3
    NYNJGirl3 Member Posts: 30
    edited October 2015

    chisandy- I ordered a few coobie bras and they aren't overly comfortable. It might be bec the TE isn't fitting in their well or because my skin is still hypersensitive. Currently, not wearing anything at all!

    Week 5 post surgery and I'm heading back to work. I'm nervous but it'll feel goood to feel like I have a purpose. Scandal is great, but I can't keep binge watching!

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

    If I didn't have a umx I would be skipping the bra altogether. My right side is so low compared to my TE that I have to wear a bra to look normal. My skin is so sensitive and I am wearing a loose cotton bra.

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