November 2015 Surgeries Thread?

Options
1356717

Comments

  • zzlady
    zzlady Member Posts: 19
    edited November 2015

    hello ladies,

    I'm scheduled for BMX with expanders on November 4th.

  • Jinx27
    Jinx27 Member Posts: 238
    edited November 2015

    UPDATE! Surgery is Nov 17th. Sentinel Node Biopsy was done last Friday and 13 nodes were removed: 10 negative , three positive :( Axillary dissection will be done during surgery.

  • MissBee123
    MissBee123 Member Posts: 186
    edited November 2015

    Tomorrow is the big day! All marked up and ready to go. My butt has some nice sharpie lines, too, but I don't think any of you want to see that.

    Winking

    Final outcome is axillary lymph node dissection, double mastectomy (nipple sparing) with DIEP and thigh flap reconstruction. Wish me luck and I'll see you on the other side!

    image

  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited February 2019

    New boobs and a tummy tuck! What more could a girl want? I'm sure you'll be fine, come back soon

  • Frill
    Frill Member Posts: 311
    edited November 2015

    MissBee You are a rock star!!!!!! I'll be sending you tons of positive healing, energy all tomorrow. I'm trying to get into that attitude of "new boobs and a tummy tuck" - even though I still have no clue what will be happening. Scout it out and report back for us, we're all waiting to hear that it's a cake walk and not to worry about it! ;)

    Much, much love, girlie!!!!!!!!!!! HUGE HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I'm guessing zzlady is up next? I'll be curious about expanders, Lucy Lawless mentioned them, depending on w/e route I end up going. Hugs to you, too.

  • Thundergal
    Thundergal Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2015
    MissBee, I've been reading your posts and you've been such an inspiration! My surgery isn't until November 25, but reading your posts has given me a preview. I'm sending nothing but poZZZZZZitive thoughts your way today and I know you'll do great!
  • Natejordlee
    Natejordlee Member Posts: 61
    edited November 2015

    Good Luck Miss Bee !! I too have been enjoying your posts !! I an 48 hours out and for some unknown reason have become super emotional over it.. I will chalk it up to anxiety and grab back my positive attitude ! Sendiig positive thoughts to you today !


  • Catfurr
    Catfurr Member Posts: 69
    edited November 2015

    MissBee--sending you tons of good healing prayers and know this big family of sisters are with you today!

  • Free123
    Free123 Member Posts: 84
    edited November 2015

    MissBee! Sending a prayer and a hug to you this morning!!

  • Gabby56b
    Gabby56b Member Posts: 82
    edited November 2015

    Good luck to all the November ladies. I am one of the October ones. I know everyone is very anxious, but we are all kicking this as only we can....

  • Citrinetiff
    Citrinetiff Member Posts: 88
    edited November 2015

    Miss Bee, good luck! I am also wishing lots of luck and positive vibes to all of you undergoing surgery this week!

  • IrishEyes39
    IrishEyes39 Member Posts: 47
    edited November 2015

    My date is tomorrow, 11/3, and I'm becoming incredibly anxiously. Bilateral mastectomy with SNB and TE placement.

  • new__me
    new__me Member Posts: 128
    edited November 2015

    Irish i am having the exact surgery on 11/20 and am already getting nervous . I will keep you in my thoughts. I am sure all will be fine. I will watch for you to post when you are on the recovering side. Take care and heal.

    Diane

  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited November 2015

    Miss Bee, wishing you all the best as you recover from your surgery. You are a super duper rock star and I hope your recovery is smooth sailing. Heart

    IrishEyes, sending you calm vibes for a restful night tonight and a smooth surgery tomorrow. Medicating

    Looking forward to seeing both of you on the recovery side.Hug

    Love,

    Mominator

  • cjafarm
    cjafarm Member Posts: 44
    edited November 2015

    Ladies, Don't be afraid to ask for something to help take the edge off during these times of waiting. My doctor called me today to see how I was doing and asked if I still had Xanax on hand (see prescribed it to me when my dad had cancer). I said yes that I had been taking it lately. Her advice was to take it twice a day instead of just once, when I felt I needed it.

    It was nice to know that it is available to me.

  • Natejordlee
    Natejordlee Member Posts: 61
    edited November 2015

    cjafarm _ that came at the right time. I have not cried since the day I was diagnosed back in May and for some reason today every time I got to talk about my surgery Wednesday I cry. I think its anxiety and debated taking the Lorazepam from when i was diagnosed, you convinced me !

    Best of luck to the ladies from today and tomorrow !!

  • Jinx27
    Jinx27 Member Posts: 238
    edited November 2015

    @Missbee123 I wish you the best surgery recovery :)

    Best wishes to all of you ladies!!

    As for crying, I have been anxious about surgery too. Seeing a counselor has helped me. I just want it to be over. I'm very nervous about managing pain and how my new boobs will look.



  • Frill
    Frill Member Posts: 311
    edited November 2015

    IrishEyes, MissBee, I hope y'all are doing well. We're thinking about you. ZZ I know you're tomorrow, I'm thinking about you, too.

  • Frill
    Frill Member Posts: 311
    edited November 2015

    As for me, I just suck. I suck it in so no one sees me cry. I sob when I'm driving - not too smart. When my mom passed away I would melt down in the shower, but I can't even do that.

    I'm already on Xanax and Klonopin because I'm high strung - lol, that's what my mom always said. I don't usually take it, have tons of it stored up because I can't write and think and analyze if I'm on that stuff all the time. But lately, I can't do that if I'm a total nut job either.

    I just told my shrink yesterday that I cannot sleep. I don't know why I can't get something for that. It's 11pm and I'll be up before 5am and at work by 6. Instead he gave me Cymbalta which I'm sure is going to have some side effect that will make me toss it out the window.

    I'm sorry for the ramblies, I got thrown off pace by a new round of surprise tests tomorrow. Instead of driving 4 hours after a plastic surgeon visit, I'll be driving home 4 hours after MRI needle biopsies at 4pm. God, just let me get through tomorrow. I could probably start by trying to close my eyes.

  • new__me
    new__me Member Posts: 128
    edited November 2015

    Frill i am so sorry for what you are going through!

  • Free123
    Free123 Member Posts: 84
    edited November 2015

    Frill, sending hugs, prayers and good thoughts your way, especially this afternoon. I'm so sorry you are in the middle of all this. Please keep us posted!!

    Much love, Freeland

  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 730
    edited November 2015

    Big hugs to you Frill. You do not suck. This is a terrible time and your fears, thoughts and emotions are all "normal". It is easier to cope with day to day things if you can manage a few hours of good, solid sleep.

    My Dr did prescribe something but I have been reluctant to take it as when I got the script filled the chemist gave me a long "lecture" about how addictive it is, and that I shouldn't be relying on it etc. She made me feel like a "junkie" really.

    She suggested camomile tea and lavender oil. Both of which I had tried.

    Never feel you have to apologise for venting here. If we can't do it here; where can we do it.

    I'm heading out to do my volunteering soon but will check on you later. Going lop-sided as I can't be bothered fiddling with my soft form. Needs a bit of stuffing taken out. LOL. It's a bit fuller than my own breast. I still have some swelling too so don't want to be uncomfortable in a bra.

    Hope everything went as smoothly as possible.

    Sending love and light. Donna.


  • MissBee123
    MissBee123 Member Posts: 186
    edited November 2015

    hi ladies! Typing on my phone with the use of one hand so pardon any errors. Surgery was 12.5 hours on Monday and went great! Tuesday was a pretty rough day, no lies, but today has beegreat. I've been up and walking, using the bathroom, and managing pain very well with meds. My advice so far is you might be very nauseous when you first awake die to the anesthesia so don't be afraid to take meds for it. Day 1 was the worst for getting up but I honestly think it was worth it since today was so much better. I'm also trying to stay ahead of the pain with meds and it really has helped.


    Hard to write and check in here but I have 3 more days in the hospital so I'll be sure to check in again. Best of luck to you all! BTW, My boobs look GREAT!!!

  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited February 2019

    Hi MissBee, great to hear that you're ok! BTW I was a little sarcastic about the tummy tuck and new boobs - I hope you picked up on that...

    Heart

  • MissBee123
    MissBee123 Member Posts: 186
    edited November 2015

    Marijen of course! We all have to find the fun and humor where we can. My plastic surgeon called it the "Mommy makeover"!

  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited February 2019

    Thanks! The trouble is you don't need a makeover!

  • Live4them
    Live4them Member Posts: 65
    edited November 2015

    oh my goodness !! Thank goodness I logged in and read all these post . I was diagnosed in September and cried those first two days .. I've been holding in all my fears and trying to keep it together but oh boy . This morning the avalanche of tears and nauseated stomach has appeared .. I can't stop crying and surgery isn't until Monday 😁 .. This should be an interesting weekend !!! I was prescribed Xanax by my Gyn back in Septemeber and I thought she was being a little weird .. Bless her heart she knew Imwould need it . Call me a junkie But I can't stay this hysterical till Monday . Good luck to everyone this week you're all in my thoughts and Missbee , enjoy your boobies and tummy !!!

  • TallnTerrific
    TallnTerrific Member Posts: 114
    edited November 2015
    Well I am also a November BMX with TEs on the 10th. I thought I was prepared and have learned so much about the things to have during and after the surgery. It is so difficult. I agree that you go back and forth between feeling strong and crying about all of it. Losing both breasts that have been with me for over 50 years, nursed my children, and served as a pillow for my grandchildren (and my husband) is very difficult. I am tired of people telling me I am strong and will be fine, or that medicine has advanced so much that it is no big deal. Right now with only 6 days to go I feel it is a very big deal and I don't feel that strong.

    Miss Bee, I also have a massive family history of breast, thyroid, colon, leukemia, lymphoma, and many other forms of cancer. The PTEN gene is one that seems to produce cancer including breast and thyroid. I was negative for all 19 known genes.

    Have others in this group had to wait two months for surgery? I had to have so many tests and then two abdominal biopsies because the PET scan identified a very reactive enlarged lymph node but it was a false positive, thank God.

    So after spending the month of September with all of this it took six weeks to arrange surgery. It was fortuitous that there was a gap because for some reason my retina decided to tear mid-October requiring laser surgery two weeks ago. I know what you all mean about being exhausted. I am ready to get on with it, most of the time, and scared to death the rest.

  • new__me
    new__me Member Posts: 128
    edited November 2015

    Tallnterrific, i understand the emotions you are experiencing about losing your breasts. I am having a BMX on Nov 20. It was a very difficult decision to make. My breasts fed my babies until they were two. Breastfeeding was a very important part of my life and i was a LaLeche League member. My daughter is pregnant with my first grandchild due in a few months and she is preparing to breastfeed. It is so bittersweet. I know i will really miss my original breasts when i see her nurse the baby and i will be left with fake breasts that have no feeling and are hard (at least until after my exchange surgery in Spring) . In Sept i also underwent a total hysterectomy , ovaries, tubes, uterus, cervix. I am losing all my female parts and it is very sad. But the tradeoff is LIFE!


  • Live4them
    Live4them Member Posts: 65
    edited November 2015

    TallnTerrific , I to had to wait almost two months .. My husband had a huge overseas Trip planned and I felt the extra time for me to plan things would help . Now I was I hadn't sited so long as . I know how you feel about everyone telling you you're gonna be fine and medical advances and blah blah blah .. It still stinks and i can't stop crying . Alone of course because I don't want to stress out my family . But being strong is exhausting . I know someone was having surgery today 11/4 hope your doing well!!!

Categories