October 2015 Surgeries

I keep waiting for the pain to subside some but it hasn't happened yet. I really don't like being on pain pills so I wish I could cut back.

My PBMX surgery was 2 weeks ago today and since the surgery my right nipple has been black, both BN and surgeon weren't worried at all, can't say I shared their confidence. Well, I liked to share that a large scab fell off this morning in the shower and everything is pretty and pink underneath. Yay!

Husband is away looking after his Mother during her final days so felt I had to share here on these boards. Who else am I gonna tell who will understand?

Lemint- not sure when your surgery was. It is helpful for replies  if you fill out the surgical date under profile. I had Uni MX Oct 7. I had 1 drain in for 1 week and the other 2 weeks. My PS said I could shower right away. I tied the drains up with a shoelace around my neck. My first drain came out when it got below 30cc of drainage in a 24 hour period. The insertion site for the second drain became very sore by the end of the 2nd week. It was a relieve to get it out. It does not hurt at all. If it comes out too soon fluid accumulates around the TE and the body has to absorb it. I had a small amount accumulate. I stood under warm shower and massage helped with uncomfortable TE. My first fill was 5O cc which was too much. It became uncomfortable esp under the arm. I am only getting 25 cc next fill. I had 300 cc during surgery so I don't have too far to go. I wear a Cooby bra and it is supportive yet comfortable and everything looks even. I hope I answered questions for everyone. 

PMR53

Lemint- it sounds like you are having nausea. Did they give you anything? Could be pain Meds. They have a Scopalamine patch you put behind your ear that works well for 72 hours. Also if you are taking pain Meds on empty stomach. Let me know if you have any questions.  You can PM me. You can call your doctors office too. Hope you start feeling better. 

Patty

Lemint I feel the same way. I washed my hair in the sink last night and covered my torso with a towel and washed the rest of me. I also had to change my binder because I spilled coffee down it and on the gauze filling. By the time I was done with all that I was in tears and exhausted. As an added aggravation I started my period the day I came home from hospital. I haven't had one for over 5 years due to taking continuous birth control,pills. So needless to say this was a bad one. Wouldn't be surprised if I wasn't slightly anemic with how much I have bled. Probably adding to my lack of energy. Can't wait to go this Friday to get these drains out is it painful to have them removed

yes, I have a strong support system. I just have to get better at letting people help me. I'm sure some of you have problems with that too. I guess there are just going to be bad days and good days. :

mvs- can't believe your period started like that! When it rains, it pours sometimes! Ugh! So sorry you're dealing with that too! Glad you have good support and should get those drains out soon!

Lemint - my drains came out last Thursday, and oh what a relief! So much more comfortable. Meds making me feel ill too... I have zofran, so trying to stay on top of that. But the nausea still hits here and there.

I'm about 11 days out from surgery today. Feeling better and better all the time. Still not doing very much though. I have a good support system, and have been realizing I just have to let them help me while I stay in the recliner. It's hard though. I usually am very active and just do what needs to be done! Not at the moment though!

Tissue expanders feeling funny but ok. I've had a couple of somewhat numb areas in diff spots, my doc didn't seem too worried. They think I'm healing well. I have multiple appts this week yet. So far, I haven't had the best news with chemo and surgery. I'm trying to stay positive though. Thankful for all you ladies here. Always encouraging

That is so true, needing time away from thinking about breast cancer. Hard to do during breast cancer awareness month. You're thinking about everything you have to do all day, then you can't even watch TV without constantly hearing about it. I know it sounds cynical, but if I never see another pink freaking ribbon... haha

Got my Oncotype score today: a respectfully low 13! Tomorrow I see the MO to find out if there is any reason she still thinks I need chemo, but it's looking pretty darned good that I won't. I never expected this outcome given the size and probable length of time the tumor went undiscovered. My original surgeon even recommended neoadjuvent chemo, she was so sure I was going to need it (good thing I question everything!). Just goes to show, it is impossible to predict how this roller coaster ride is going to turn out.

Did anyone else with a low score have a weird time adjusting to the idea of not having chemo? I never wanted chemo so I was always hopeful, but I do have some nagging doubt that this is too good to be true and skipping chemo might lead to my downfall.

Now to decide between Tamoxifen and ovarian suppression+AI since I'm on the cusp of menopause.

That's a good one PMR53. Must have left her speechless. I'll have to remember that one for sometime around the end of next October.

Solfeo, how long does it take to get the test results? Is it a blood draw. Does anyone know how long it takes for the drain to stop? I'm on day 7, still at 100cc a day plus.

I am not going to have chemo but I still think it would help my sanity to know my recurrence score. Also for follow-up tests. I read that now they are doing the Onco Dx for radiation as well. So I going to present a case on behalf of myself. I'm also thinking of changing MO's. My IDC was originally sized at 1.8 cm, before surgery they resized with an ultrasound and said it was 4mm. The difference being on which "plane" it was measured. My surgeon said the only true accuracy is with surgery. Did you IDC size change. Thanks for your drain experience. I'm just worried about infection and blood poisoning. My drain runs faster after a shower, I think it warms things up to flow.

My tumor size was all over the place. 2.8 cm in the original ultrasound. 4.5 cm measured externally by the original breast surgeon. 1.6 cm in the CT scan. 2.4 cm in a second ultrasound that was supposed to clear up the discrepancy. Then finally 3.2 cm at time of surgery. I had no idea what to expect. The grade also changed from grade 2 at biopsy to grade 1 in the end.

OH that's funny! Lil Nutmeg, thanks for the laugh!

Sorry you had such a rough trot LiLNutmeg but I did LOL.

So glad you are feeling stronger each day.

Wonderful that you have such a great support network.

Hugs Donna.