SEPTEMBER 2015 Surgery Sisters

hi everyone, I had to have my right expander removed due to infection. The infection is now all cleared and I'm scheduled to have a new expander replaced on January 21st. Two months after they removed it. It's been a bit of asset back but I'm dealing.

Glad to see people checking in!

Hi all!

Nice to check in with you! Yesterday was the one year anniversary of dx.

I'm doing pretty well, although I have no feeling at all in the lumpy scar or the ALND scar, which seems like no big deal at this point. I start boosts today - eight total and then I'm done. I start Tamox after that, along with effexor to replace zoloft, which I've taken for several years, and which I credit for getting me through the last year.

I did find out that the margin on the posterior side of the tumor is not 2mm, but 1mm, hence eight boosts. I was a bit surprised, but RO assured me this is fine.

Gardnergirls, thinking good thoughts for your upcoming surgery.

Wishing all who celebrate a Merry Christmas, and ALL of us a happy, healthy New Year!

Merry Christmas to you all! Gardnergirls, so sorry about the TE infection!

hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas!!!

I'm feeling pretty good... The TE expanding process is over and I'm scheduled for my swap out surgery on jan 4. New year, new boobs! At least it's one step closer to the end....

Hope everyone is feeling good!!!

Gardnergirl- so sorry about that infection. I have had some  setbacks due to infection so I know how you feel! So far this TE is taking. I get last fill tomorrow! Then wait 3 months. It's so annoying. When I Lay down it goes under my armpit. Lol. 

NYNJ- your almost done!! So happy for you! 

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!!

PMR53

Checking in here (for those who don’t hang out in Crazy Town or Lumpectomy Lounge).

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

SNLB seroma has shrunk to the size of a green table grape, and no longer gets irritated by bras or armhole seams. Breast seroma is still huge, but I think it may be shrinking a bit. (Cleavage still skews to the left, but I can swear it’s getting a little straighter, especially once I’ve had my bra or cami on for awhile. Back from my Mediterranean cruise--seems like it was over in an instant! It was only a week, preceded by a couple of whirlwind days on our own in Rome (we’re going back this July for three days, along with three days in a villa resort near Pisa and finishing up with two days in Florence). For pix, check out Crazy Town. Posting city by city--tonight will be Cagliari, Sardinia. Gained a couple of pounds (with all that wonderful pizza, pasta, paella and “pane,” not surprising). Back on mostly "dead animals & leaves" until New Year’s Eve and again thereafter, to minimize the inevitable AI weight gain.

Right now I am fighting off the dregs of a chest cold (started in my throat, a couple of days after returning to Chicago), which I caught from DH. Ran a low-grade fever for a little while Sunday, when I slept past my Tylenol wearing off, but okay now. Still some crud rattling around in my lungs--tough to cough up despite Mucinex and chicken broth, but at least what I’m bringing up still definitely looks viral rather than bacterial. No antibiotics. Managing it right now by snorting saline and sucking Duo-Neb out of my portable handheld nebulizer. (Bought for int’l travel to save on E.R. fees, but have needed it only at home).

Have an appointment a week from today with the top LE specialist in Chicago. Had been developing soreness and hardening on the inner surface of my R forearm when extending it and rotating it clockwise, though couldn’t see any ropes or cords forming (of course, fat would hide that). Naturally, now that I made that appointment, it’s eased considerably. But still going for the consult just to make sure--and to get a second opinion whether my breast seroma is actually the beginning of truncal LE. Surgeon’s nurse, PCP, and RO all say no, it’s just exacerbation of the seroma by radiation. Also have been confirmed to be osteopenic--since I will be starting Femara the end of this week (assuming it arrives from Canada, may have to begin with the generic), I have to decide what to do about it. PCP says just supplements & weightbearing exercise, MO says “let’s discuss bisphosphonates.” Dr. Favus, the “bone whisperer” at U of C. to whom I was referred by my shrink, says “doing nothing is not an option.” Haven’t made my appt. with him yet.

Kiks1, I wasn't clear if you're being treated at MSK or just downloaded the exercises off the website. In any case, I did develop mild lymphedema in the process of neoadjuvant chemo. I consulted with a physical therapist with LE expertise before surgery. After surgery, the LE wasn't worse, but it wasn't better, and I started a course of treatment with the therapist, wrapping and getting fitted for a sleeve and glove. This is at MSK; if you're being treated there, PM me for specifics about the LE therapists at the breast center.

Like you, I had BMX with no recon (I was advised to save recon for after rads were done and healed). You're describing a reaction that sounds to me like a typical response to the surgery rather than something specific to lymphedema. My armpits are still mostly numb three months post surgery. I did the exercises and they seemed to help quite a bit. I will say that my surgeon was quite convinced that the LE would disappear on its own, which did not happen. The MO and the RO, on the other hand, told me to go ahead with the LE treatment. But it's still early days; I was told 3-4 weeks was typical for healing from this surgery, so you might want to give it a bit more time and see how things settle down. Even so, you're completely justified in wanting a LE consult, and if one doc won't give you a referral, keep knocking on the doors of others until you get it.

Good luck and I hope your recovery goes smoothly.

Happy New Year to all September surgery sisters!

hello everyone!

Had my swap out surgery yesterday and am happy to report that it's definitely not as bad as the mastectomy. I did notice some rippling on both sides which I'm not overly happy about but I guess since I'm tiny at the top and the skin is thinner, there was a chance it could happen. Hopefully my ps can fix it!

One step closer though... Hope everyone is doing well!!

I finally have my surgery scheduled on January 21st to replace the expander the PS had to remove due to the infection in November. I'm so excited to get things going in the right direction again!

I hope everyone has had a happy new year and I'm looking forward to better things this year. I hope everyone is healing great that have had other treatments!!

So looking forward to my exchange surgery sometime late spring. How long has everyone had to wait until the final exchange?

Debbie

so happy for you NYNJGirl3 - Give it time....they will definitely change from right after exchange. My exchange was October 6 and just now seeing results of what they will be like, much happier than right after surgery....come Spring you will be looking good!!

Gardner- Vanco is a strong antibiotic. It is really effective against Staph infections. It helps to stop or prevent infections. I had a nasty infection after my sentinel node biopsy. My MX was delayed. So when I finally did get it I asked for that. 

Patty

Hi Kiks 1,

Have you had your surgeon check out the golf ball feeling? Sounds like you nay have developed a seroma and need to have it drained. Not uncommon. I intended to have reconstruction in Sept at the same time as my BMX but there were complications on the right so that side has gone without reconstruction since then. I can assure you that although the sensations are a bit different than they were before, everything has settled down into its new normal. It took much longer to get my full ROM back on that side than it did the reconstructed side, that's for sure!

Happy to report that I go in Jan 13 to finally get the tissue expander in. It's been a long haul!

Kelly

NYNJgirl unfortunately I encountered an infecting with my expander in October and had to have my expander removed in November. I wish I was having my exchange now instead of having my expander replaced on January 21st. I'm very anxious to get things going forward again. I wish you the best of luck!! Check and make sure it's not hot to the touch and do you have a fever?

NYNJGirl3, you can take Tylenol till the cows come home with no effect on swelling, just pain. Swelling is caused by inflammation, but Tylenol is a pain reliever, not an anti-inflammatory. If you can take NSAIDs or aspirin at this point after surgery (ask your ps), that will help with swelling. In the meantime, ice will help.

let us know how it goes nynjgirl. Best of wishes!