December 2015 Surgeries

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  • songbird72
    songbird72 Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2015

    The long weekend has given me some time to think on some things. My surgeon has not ordered pre-op tests---no bloodwork, ECG, etc. I'm 42 but find this a little surprising. Although I've had other outpatient surgeries where they haven't done this either. Anyone else have this experience?

  • QueenElizabethTheFaux
    QueenElizabethTheFaux Member Posts: 41
    edited November 2015

    Sorry I haven't been on here. I hope everything is going as well as possible for all of the members of our December Surgery group.

    Something's changed for me (not surgery-wise but lymph node-wise.)

    It's spread to the lymph nodes in my jaw, neck & cheek. (That'll be confirmed next week w/more tests. Luckily surgery isn't until December 11th, so there's time for more tests.)

    This will put me at Stage 3c. (I actually suspect it's Stage 4, tho...based on recent calcium level blood tests, Brestcancer blood testing & several physical issues.)

    For your own peace of mind, please keep in mind that my breast cancer has gone undiagnosed & untreated for several years. My situation isn't going to apply to you who had their yearly mammograms &/or caught it much, much earlier.

    Xoxoxo

    QueenElizabethTheFaux

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2015

    Hi all! Just stopping by to share some good information for you and future posters to help prepare for your surgeries:

    Check out some good info from the main Breastcancer.org site on Surgery, including:

    Also, the Treatment Side Effects section is a great resource for tips to help manage any side effects you may experience.

    Lots of practical advice here on helping to prepare for surgery:Shopping/packing/to-do list for surgery + recovery....

    Also, you may find it helpful to chat with ladies from past months' surgery threads to get first-hand stories of their experience; see the November 2015 Surgery Sisters thread.

    Hope this helps and good luck with all of your surgeries!

    --Your Mods

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2015

    Queen -- we're sorry to hear of your update. Please keep us posted on what you find out -- we'll be thinking of you!!

    --The Mods

  • rovnic13
    rovnic13 Member Posts: 26
    edited November 2015

    Hi Songbird72,

    Yes this has happened to me with my double mastectomy and now with my tissue expander exchange surgery scheduled for Dec. 10th.

    I was extremely worried about this too. I am 49 years old and had no prior medical condition, not on any medications. They say I am young and healthy.

    I informed everyone on surgery day that I had nothing but a pregnancy test done. They said this is the norm now on young single people.

    I'm still nervous for my upcoming surgery.

    Good Luck to you!

  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 730
    edited November 2015

    So sorry to hear your news Queen. Hugs

  • rovnic13
    rovnic13 Member Posts: 26
    edited November 2015

    Young health people I meant, not young single. I'm a mother of 3. damn keyboard


  • BethL
    BethL Member Posts: 286
    edited November 2015

    queen, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. This beast doesn't care for anyone. Stinks. Hopefully they will catch it and blast it before it goes elsewhere. Try and not to stress about your tests. Ive done that. My calcium was elevated a few months ago, yet my bone scan negative. Haven't had a repeat done. Keep us posted. Hugs.

  • gaspasser
    gaspasser Member Posts: 34
    edited November 2015

    Queen I am so sorry that you are now going through this as well. Much love and hugs to you. I will be thinking of you.


    Sara

  • gaspasser
    gaspasser Member Posts: 34
    edited November 2015

    Hi everyone again..I hope your thanksgivings were all restful or good depending on if you celebrate thanksgiving! I'm not sure how to do this, but can we make a post with people's screen name and surgery date so we can show all the support we can? Thanks! I'll add mine. Someone who is more talented than I help me keep this going so people can add theirs. Thanks everyone!


    Gaspasser - BMX Dec 8

  • songbird72
    songbird72 Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2015

    Sorry to hear this Queen. Prayers and best wishes to you.

  • MrsGreenJeans
    MrsGreenJeans Member Posts: 95
    edited November 2015

    Queen, so sorry to hear of your situation. I will keep you in my prayers.

    songbird, I'm 52 and having no special testing done prior to my PBMX, other than blood typing. I've never had any testing before any surgeries so this is normal for me. My mother had multiple tests prior to her knee replacement surgery, but she was in her 70s and has some other health issues.

    gaspasser, traditionally the creator of the thread starts a list of the upcoming surgeries so that it is always at the top of the page. I don't think the original poster has returned to this thread since her initial post. Someone would have to PM her and ask her to add the list, or we could start a December thread part 2 with a list in the first post.

    Thoughts on a new thread with a list of surgery dates, everyone?

  • LoveMyVizsla
    LoveMyVizsla Member Posts: 813
    edited November 2015

    start a new thread.


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

    Songbird, I had to have bloodwork, nasal MRSA swabs and EKGs before each of my 3 most recent surgeries: knee replacements 2012 & 2013, and my lumpectomy this past Sept. But those were at 61, 62 & 64. If you’re younger, maybe all they want is the MRSA swab and blood type/cross-match (and that can be done the day of surgery).

  • QueenElizabethTheFaux
    QueenElizabethTheFaux Member Posts: 41
    edited November 2015

    Thank you Moderators, Smurfette26, BethL, MrsGreenJeans, songbird72 and gaspasser for your hugs and good wishes & thoughts. Sending the same to all of you, too : )

  • JerseyGirl22
    JerseyGirl22 Member Posts: 342
    edited November 2015

    Queen, I'm so sorry you have to go through all of this, and then some! I'm praying for you!!!

    My surgery is tomorrow 11/30 (originally 12/7) BMX no recon.... a little anxious, but feeling good... BMX, no recon... I'll be back on the boards as soon as I'm able.

    If someone can gather all of the names and surgery dates on this board and message me, I can start the new topic with the names and dates in the topic box post. If I get it today or tonight... If not, someone else may have to get to that, as I'll be in hospital until Wednesday... the info needed is your member name, surgery date, type of surgery

  • BethL
    BethL Member Posts: 286
    edited November 2015

    Jerseygirl, you will be in my thoughts tomorrow. Prayers for a quick recovery.


  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 730
    edited November 2015

    Hope your surgery goes smoothly JerseyGirl22. Hugs.

  • ramprat
    ramprat Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2015

    Queen - sorry to hear about you. Please be brave. Hopefully it will not spread any further. Hugs to you.

    Jerseygirl- I wish surgery goes fine.., take care


    ramprat - BMX - Dec 10th

  • MrsGreenJeans
    MrsGreenJeans Member Posts: 95
    edited November 2015

    JerseyGirl,

    It's late, so I will go ahead and gather the info needed for a new thread. My surgery isn't until Wednesday, so I have the time.

    You just take it easy tonight, and best of luck tomorrow. Hugs

    Hug

  • MrsGreenJeans
    MrsGreenJeans Member Posts: 95
    edited November 2015

    Jean, I have added your mother to the list in the other December Surgery thread, so everyone will be able to keep track.

    Best of luck to her.


  • Susan4414
    Susan4414 Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2015

    I have been scheduled for lumpectomy surgery December 8th. Turned here for help and advice with an overwhelming sense of dread that has ambushed me today. My head says all will be well, while my nervous system has me sleepless, running to the bathroom, and crying at odd times.

    Thanks for all the info here...anyone else freaking out??

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2015

    Dear Susan, welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're so sorry for the circumstances that bring you here, but we're very glad you've found and joined our community, where you'll find lots of stories of women in your situation that will help you through it all.

    Besides this, there are other topics you may want to read/join, like Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

    Let us know hoe it goes with surgery and everything, we're thinking of you!

    Best wishes,

    The Mods



  • MrsGreenJeans
    MrsGreenJeans Member Posts: 95
    edited December 2015

    Susan4414, I'm so sorry you are struggling today. I wish I had some wise words to help you, but I can offer prayers and support. I'm sure others on here have had similar days and will come along with encouraging thoughts.

    I will add you to the December Surgeries list thread so that others can keep aware of your surgery date.

    Best of luck, and sending wishes for good results.

  • KateB79
    KateB79 Member Posts: 747
    edited December 2015

    Susan, everything you're feeling is absolutely normal. I promise that it will get easier. I was diagnosed in early July (had my first surgery four days after DX), and everything was in upheaval for at least two months. But then, and it was almost as if it happened overnight, I found some calm. That may or may not help, but please know that what you're feeling is absolutely human. Sending love and light to you.

    MrsGreenJeans, I'm scheduled for a contralateral prophylactic MX with revision to the original MX scar on 12/30. Will you add me to the list?

  • J3nny4
    J3nny4 Member Posts: 15
    edited December 2015

    Hello! I would like to jump in and join you guys as i've been scheduled for my surgery for December 21st. I finished chemo on November 11th, so my next step is bilateral mastectomy (BMX?) I will not be having immediate reconstruction as we are not sure if i will need radiation or not. Have to wait for the pathology report from the surgery.

    I am not good with the abbreviations yet, i'm sorry!

    I'm hoping to learn from you all by checking in with the board and connecting with those of you who are having similar surgery.

    Thanks!

  • MrsGreenJeans
    MrsGreenJeans Member Posts: 95
    edited December 2015

    Kate, already had ya! Updated with the contralateral part though...

    Smile

  • MrsGreenJeans
    MrsGreenJeans Member Posts: 95
    edited December 2015

    J3nny4, you got it right, BMX!! I will add you to the list. Wishing you well.

  • sbeddows123
    sbeddows123 Member Posts: 15
    edited December 2015

    Sorry all!! I just logged back on today after some time and saw the comments about a list of surgeries and users I should have created?!....Just had my last chemo so have been a bit preoccupied :) My surgery date also got brought forward to Dec 14th and it now includes expanders (bmx with expanders)....Let me know if I am supposed to be doing anything listwise and I will get onto it :)


  • Tasal
    Tasal Member Posts: 35
    edited December 2015

    Hi All. Sorry to be part of this board but happy not to be alone. I'm new here too. Still trying to figure things out. Having bilateral mast with free flap recon on Dec 30th (Happy New Year in the Hospital for me this year!). I'm trying to get all my shopping and supplies done now to avoid Christmas chaos (too late?!, wishful thinking?!). I've noticed everyone mentions the silky pajama bottoms for getting in and out of bed- but wondering if that is still a suggestion if I am doing a free flap since I'll have that hip to hip abdominal cut. While I'm at it- can someone talk underwear with me?! I'm thinking mostly commando but what do I wear if I need to wear something. I'm thinking very low (below surgical line possible? But my mother thinks oversized granny panties (above surgical line?) Would also love input on wedges for the bed if anyone has any recommendations (back is obvious- under knees too with the surgery I'm having?) I've seen the other posts for the check list and I'm making my way through that but doesn't seem to address these particular concerns. I'm assuming because I'm doing the free flap it's a bit different. Wishing everyone the very best right now. Luckily I'm feeling pretty good but I'm sure with each day more and more anxiety is going to set it. Doesn't help to live alone and be single at this time. :/

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