October 2015 Surgeries

This is my favorite quote of the day...I will be using it before they operate on me today!

"Remember it's all about knocking those buggers to the curb that could have gone rogue".

Funny that's the one my DCIS is in too!

I had a BMX on October 8th (didn't join the site in time get on the October surgery list above). For those of you who have had your drains removed, how are your drain sites feeling? My drains were removed on October 13th, two and a half weeks ago now, and I still have soreness at the little incisions where the drain tubes came out of my sides. When I do my stretching exercises, I feel like I have more pulling and tightness in those spots than at my actual incisions or underarms. I can't lay on my side at all because of the soreness, which makes sleeping a real challenge. Is anyone else experiencing this? It's one thing I didn't see anyone mention anywhere before I had my surgery.

Farewell - I just had my BMX a week ago, and I've been itchy too! They told me this was common. It was worse right after, slowly getting better... Feels mostly just like dry skin now...

Cubbie - sorry about your drain tube pains! I just got mine out yesterday, and was told I could try sleeping on my side now. Wasn't able to yet, but was hoping it would happen soon.

Gabby56b, Yes, I've been very itchy as well...no rash but itchy on entire upper body. I had neoadjuvant chemo/targeted meds prior to surgery and my skin is itchy, burned and peeling on hands, arm and feet anyway. Hoping it all goes away soon for all of us!

So, saw surgeon for LX follow-up today. Because I had IDC initially that was destroyed by the chemo/targeted therapy prior to the surgery and also, had DCIS which was removed during the surgery...she said that means technically, I have had 2 different surgeries in same breast. and that has always meant MX. She also said that due to these new targeted drugs- there isn't long-term research to know whether or not we still have to do MX. She said there isn't a "right" answer but I am now trying to figure out what to do. Also, at 56...thinking that if I do more surgery...would go ahead and do BMX as recurrences happen at a higher rate during first 2 years and I've already had 2 cancers in one breast. Any of you have anything similar to this decision? I am HER2pos so that is reason for neoadjuvant treatment

Well, actually, Marijean, because the Perjeta did it's job there was no cancer found on the IDC "mass". The DCIS was in another area and was removed during lumpectomy as was the area that WAS a mass in May. SN was clear. The oncologist said that the radiation would take care of the DCIS. The tricky part is that even though the IDC was gone at time of LX because of the neoadjuvant meds...it WAS there prior and now with the DCIS, MX is what they have always done if there are 2 cancers in same breast over time. We are going to the rad onc in 2 weeks and will see what he says. Yes, a 2nd opinion is a good idea....thanks for suggesting! I'm just not thinking straight at this point. I always knew I might have to do MX- if I had a recurrence. Just wasn't thinking we might be talking about it 10 days after LX.

It's two days from surgery and I have itching all over. Got some benedryl caps and have taken two today. Six is the max for 24 hours. It seems to work but wears off quickly. I'm pretty sure the itching is due to the painkiller.

hi marijen - I made it. must be the last of the October Surgeries club.

typing with one hand so bear with me. should I keep icing constantly? doc said as much I could stand and keep bra on for 24 hrs for a week.

not itching yet still doped up pretty good.

lump was pretty big, on the upper inner quadrant so looked deflated.

no bandages at all..weird glue on the lump site, stiches for sent LNs

Marijen...maybe I didn't explain it well....my surgeon was saying that she doesn't have a xdefinite answer for "where do we go from here"...she was saying that training says do a MX but that is old and prior to the new targeted therapies like what I had....and, that we are dealing with "technicalities" because my IDC was gone when she did the lumpectomy and there was no evidence of cancer in the SN. The issue is that I did have that DCIS which she removed but that "technically" I had 2 cancers in same breast and old school would MX that. There just isn't long term evidence after targeted therapies like Perjeta and Herceptin to indicate whether to do MX or leave it....she isn't recommending MX and she isn't "Not" recommending it. No definitive answer. My BIL is a gen surgeon and deals with this all of the time so he's going to look at new path report and see what he thinks. Then will talk with rad onc and prob get another opinion as well before moving forward with rads that is scheduled to start end of month. Again, thank you for reading my posts and giving your opinions and questions! Very helpful!

BTW Marijean. thanks for mentioning Benedryl...I've been itching like crazy and took a benedryl a little while ago...relief! Yay! AND, you are right...grade 3 is nothing to fool around with and the HER2 adds another scary dimension... just want to get all of the info I can and make the best decision possible. I am 56- just do not know what I would do if I really decided to do a BMX as far as reconstruction etc....and, my husband is just wonderful... and, while it's my decision for sure- it effects him as well on so many levels...ugh....too late to keep thinking about all of this tonight....1/2 Ativan may be in my future if the Benedryl doesn't help my brain be quiet. Do you have times when the old brain just keeps it all going...especially in the dark of the night?

Hi ladies, I had my surgery Thursday the 29th. Took about 4.5 hours. Haven't seen my surgeon but he talked to my family and said all went well with no surprises. What ever that means. I saw many of his associates in the hospital. I got home last night. I think I'm doing OK but then I get so sad and depressed when I look at the site. I'm also happy looking at it knowing it gone if that makes any sense. Your are all so brave and my inspiration.

Lemint, Dizzpark is right...YOU are a brave woman and have started your war on the cancer and you are winning! Mixed feelings are so normal...so much to think about. Please try to rest and take care of you! Can't believe you can make coherent sentences 2 days out much less type them! Hugs to you!

Lemint, that is perfectly normal. I've been up, down, and sideways, particularly right after the surgery. I spent most of a week after the surgery just dealing with my feelings about the situation. I imagine I will continue to feel that way off and on as my treatment continues. Somebody said it is a roller coaster, and they were right.

Gabby, I am probably not the right person to answer that question, because I don't particularly like the term survivor. I prefer to think of myself as a warrior (sounds so much more active!), which I can be right now and always. Survivor sounds so more like something that happened to me, and not so much something I did. But that's my personal hangup.

mvs, I had similar sounding gunk in my abdominal drain post diep. The NP said they see it sometimes and it isn't anything to worry about. She said it could be any number of things (fat, connective tissue, etc). She tried to massage some of it out (when I was there to get the upper drains removed), but it was stubborn. In the end, she used some saline and an empty syringe to such it free from the drain. If it seems to be slowing your drainage, it might be worth calling the office. If you are still draining okay, then I wouldn't worry about it.

Gabby, I think that any of us who manage to get out of bed after our bc dx are survivors. We survive the fear of the unknown after our biopsies. Once we get that dx and continue on moving forward, we are survivors of the 1st battle and become (like cubbies said) warriors in this battle. If you were to ask your oncology team, they would probably have many different answers for you. I have heard that many women ask their doctors "when" will they be cancer free...It haven't done that yet, but lately I have just been feeling it. So, maybe you are a survivor when you feel it.

Thanks Dizzparkmom, Happyhammer, Cubbie2015 snd Msv, I felt ok this morning, showered, straighted up then bam terrible nausea. Just called doctor to call in some anti-nausea medication. I hope it helps. Yeah the drains dont help.