December 2015 Surgeries

MrsGreenJeans I'm happy to hear you are home now and beginning recovery. I will have my mother here with me in my home after my hospital stay. She actually went through the same procedure as myself (she was one of the first women to ever have an attached tram flap by the doctor who invented the procedure) though her surgery was over 33 years ago so things have changed and she doesn't quite remember all the little things. Wishing you all the best.

I found this, which basic means really big or really soft...

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics/723358

Thanks for that link NJ-Jen! Let me know if you've figured out any of the other questions I presented too. Are you getting silky pajamas? Haven't a horrible time finding any pants that don't have elastic waist that I can leave undone... Sending good vibes your way!!!

Surgery went well on Monday. I'm sorry it took my a bit to get online... I had Facebook while in hospital and was able to post to a couple of you, but couldn't get to the BSO site on my phone. I was trying my best to follow doctors orders and rest (hard for me!) while in hospital. I was up and walking around Monday night after surgery, and I took the meds they gave me in hospital as they made me do it... However, it was fine and it counteracted and got ahead of any pain twinges that may have wanted to start.

NJ-Jen - don't sweat the satin pj's as I've looked everywhere under the sun and then some and haven't found any luck finding any that weren't elastic waistband so I don't have them either. Might grab myself a knee length satin button up pajama shirt instead and forget the pants all together! Met with some gals today and they sold me not to worry about the undies as I'b be wearing some mesh things that the hospital would give me for the first few weeks. Wasn't happy when they told me about the compression pants from my calves to just below my breast. Apparently they think I'll be wearing that for 10-12 days (it does have a little cut out to go to the bathroom). Sounds horribly uncomfortable and I suppose my mother's going to be seeing more of my bits and pieces than I'd planned on- as I certainly don't think I"ll be able to pull that up with the bilateral and lymph node.... fun! I'm really horrible at these posts- but everyone on here reading this is in my thoughts and sending good vibes to you all. xo

NJ-Jen, I hated those blow up booties, too! They were such a pain! As soon as they told me to get up and sit in the chair or walk around, I was doing it...

Is the left one, how many days do they normally keep you in the hospital? I live in Spain and here they tend to keep you longer in the hospital, like a week for a c section instead of the 2 days I stayedwhen I had my kids in the states.

Konakona, I had bilateral mastectomy on a Wednesday and went home the next day, only one night in the hospital. The best thing about going home so soon was not being woken every 2 hours for my stats to be checked.

Lol, I loved the pressure boots, it felt soothing to me!!

I am being kept in 3-5 days but I may be longer mostly due to my other health conditions.

Ok so I am more of a lurker as found the site later in my treatment so mainly been reading. I am have a mastectomy (left) on 12/29/15. Way to ring in the new year. Started with a lumpectomy in July but since no clean margins they recommend the mastectomy. I am currently not doing reconstruction so how long can I expect for recovery. How long before they want you to lift your arm above your head? They are also doing a ALND of the lymph nodes since the 2 removed in July were positive. I am hoping the chemo took care of anything left. Everyone has been so strong and such an inspiration. For those recovering good luck and for those with upcoming surgery I with think positive thoughts on each day.

BethL - Thank you for the welcome and the information. I agree what a better way to look at it as leaving this behind and starting 2016 with a fresh start. I will still have radiation after surgery but I understand that is not as bad as the chemo treatment. Best of luck on getting your remaining drains out and healing well.

Duzy, welcome, and best wishes to you. I am in Michigan as well! I will add you to the upcoming surgery list in the other December thread.

I had BMX with tissue expanders on 12/2. Went home the next day. It is my understanding that recovery is quicker when there is no reconstruction involved, so hopefully your recovery will not be too long.

I don't do well with anesthesia, so it was 9 days before the effects wore off enough to begin feeling like myself. With reconstruction you are under anesthesia much longer, about 6 hours for me. Each day (after the first few) I was able to move my arms a bit more. Last night was the first time that I took a shower without my husband's help, I could finally reach the top of my head to shampoo my hair!! (well, with one arm, anyway). I still can't reach things that are high up in my cupboard, but I have been able to lift things that I probably shouldn't have.

I still wear out easily, and haven't left the house except to go to the surgeon's office. But I do have problems with lightheadedness that not everyone gets.

As others have stated, recovery is different for everyone.

MrsGreenJeans - Thank you for the information. I think I will have a little bit easier time since I am only doing the left side with no reconstruction. Unfortunately my left is my dominant hand so that will be a little harder. I did just realize there were two December threads so I will be sure to follow everyone on there. Everyone provides such positive input. What part of Michigan are you from?

Jerseygirl2 - I believe the surgeon said she will use glue also so I will remember that. Do they give you the exercises to do when you check out from the hospital? How far out are you from Chemo. I had a different regimen but I am 4 weeks this week and can just start to see some dark shadows and a little bit of fuss in the back.

I hope you both take it easy and continue to get stronger each day.

My arm doesn't go to sleep, but the under side from my arm pit half way down to my elbow is very numb. I had a sentinel node biopsy 10 years ago and had the same thing happen. Most of the sensation came back, but not all. I would mention this to your doctor, but assume it's probably under the normal umbrella. Make sure you're getting good blood supply. When you press on your nail beds, do they refill immediately? Check next time your arm falls asleep. May need to elevate your arm on pillows, especially when yours sleeping. I have found that under my arms gets swollen over night, feels weird-like huge balls of cotton under them.

Duzy, I had chemo first, as my tumor was 7cm, so they did that to shrink it. My last chemo was Nov. 10th and I have a lot of fuzz on my head right now, and it seems to be coming in fast, however, I start Herceptin only on the 21st, we'll see it it slows growth or not. The exercises they gave me were when I got my drains out. Until I went in for drain removal, they didn't want me to raise my arms higher that straight out to the sides, and nowhere above my head. With the exercises, they want me to progress slowly so that I won't impede progress, but gain strength and range of motion. I have rads next and need to be able to raise my arm over my head without a problem...