January 2016 Surgeries

**************************WELCOME & UPCOMING SURGERIES ***************************

Welcome to Melgirl, virginia123, chambo and mmshea! Date list is updated. Please don't be shy about posting.

Logang, hope you're feeling ready for Monday. We have your back!

mmshea (if interested) & CoolgrammieNC - The direct link to that February surgery topic is: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics/840481?page=1#idx_4. If that link doesn't work, just click the blue SEARCH button at top of this page, and type "february surgeries 2016" and it should be one of the first results.

**************************************************************************************************

You are all very sweet re: my previous post. Please don't be fooled - my brain is just as overwhelmed by info. overload! Exacerbated by the fact that I'm finding myself too busy or sleepy to stay in lock-step with our posts here. However, I love how active our communication is. So when I find a quiet time where I'm feeling good like today, I play catch-up and take notes as I go before I post. I'm so thankful to grandma3X and others for being such regular responders!

I also know what it's like when first posting to a discussion board like this. For many of us, we're private people and the thought of typing publicly about our nipple color or stool regularity is preposterous. I also imagine many folks are new to discussion boards in general. There's nothing worse than finally getting the courage to post, just to hear crickets. It can make you feel less supported than if you never posted at all. Long story short, I enjoy all of your posts!

**************************************PERSONAL PINGS***************************************

edwsmom - what radical surgery plan changes you've endured. The positive spin is that you can now rest assured that you're undergoing the right procedure for YOU.

Kessa619 - sorry to hear that your movement is so restrictive, but that must mean you'll be that much farther ahead when done! Hope your sleep has improved. Leaving the "New Age" music channel on the TV or listening to a guided imagery podcast specifically made for sleep works like a charm for me. I'm sorry you have a TC regimen coming up. My advice w/ that cocktail is to keep your body moving in whatever capacity to minimize joint/muscle issues.

grandma3X - stay strong and amazing and treadmilling. Interesting info. on SNB false negatives. They only took out 1 node for me as well (clumped next to another, so 2 max) and while I'm thrilled, I actually distrust such good news lately. That's probably unhealthy, eh?

stellamaris - we had you down for 1/26 for your MX, but your signature line says 2/10. Did it move or am I mistaken? Is everything ok?

Mominator - was the exchange your last surgery or do you have more to come? Kudos on long walks w/ your dog! I have two adorable and spazzy black labs that thankfully are getting their energy out via my sister & not me. Thank you & grandma3X for the nipple color replies. They're very dark, portions black - and I know black skin = dead skin so I'm mentally preparing for debridement and potential loss.

Gardnergirls - welcome to the other side of surgery!

JulieAggie03 & BlueHeron - drain removal high five! So glad it's made such a difference for you and others. For me it simply removed the need to drain/milk/track it. Most importantly, it means progress.

Bjsmiller - yay for a date! Did you determine when you'll stop working leading up to it?

chambo - lol, we are all Noobies in the Boobie Club. Just wanted to say I'm sure your port seems super strange and invasive and unnatural, but it was the most positive part of chemo for me. I would recommend it to everyone.

**************************************TIPS & INFO***************************************

Although endless hours were spent reading about surgery prep for my BMX/TE, here are some things I learned from actual experience in case it helps anyone, or stirs them to ask their med team questions.

• Prep Stress: it's not worth too much anxiety to try to have every last thing prepared. The most important thing is to have a loved one at the ready to compensate for what you forgot or didn't know about. That, and Amazon Prime - my savior for quick turnaround on items.
• Packing: consider packing for more than the # of night(s) anticipated in the hospital.
• Ativan: unlike others, I wasn't allowed to take it or any other anti-anxiety med the morning of surgery. I found that odd until I learned that they intended to offer a short-lasting equivalent in the hours leading to surgery called Versed. I took it - it made me sleepy. Future offers I declined because I wanted to be "alert & pure" rolling into the OR.
• Alloderm: I kept hearing about how this is used for recon (TEs at least), and I couldn't get a straight answer if that would apply to me. At last my PS told me that he decides during the operation if it's needed for extra support (based on size of TE vs. size of pectoral muscle & other reasons).
• Post-Op Bra: Kaiser provided my compression bra, which is to be worn 24/7 for 3 weeks. However, at some point that needs to be cleaned & so buying a back-up one is wise. Don't be surprised if you get fitted for it pre-surgery, and then the first few days post-surgery it won't fit. Swelling was to blame.
• Hospital Records: the nurses did a poor job of tracking my drain amounts while I was there & my PSNP said that's typical. It's probably not critical those first 2-3 days though, because you're not a candidate for having a drain removed until you're emptying a certain, low amount of milliliters (ml) / cubic centimeters (cc) for 1-2 days anyway. Reaching that threshold in those first days is pretty unlikely.
• Mouthwash: they say keep your mouth clean with mouthwash, but I find the typical over the counter ones too strong. Biotene is a mouthwash suggested during chemo and it works great for post-surgery too. Any decent pharmacy should have it in the toothpaste aisle in the "dry mouth" section.
• Photos: an ironic note that I'm taking them daily to track progress, just to find on my iPhone that Facebook has a newer feature that collects your latest pictures taken & offers to post them to your Wall. HELLO! I'm very careful not to click the button that accepts that offer....
• Nausea: I was super nauseous post-op from the anesthesia. I then realized the anesthesia doctor making the rounds while we all waited in the pre-op room asked everyone but me if I tend to be sea sick or car sick. As such, I didn't get any anti-nausea patch. Boo.
• Ice Packs: I'm pretty aghast at how much I've read on the internet that folks use ice to help lessen the pain, now that I've learned how important circulation is post-op. Circulation thrives on warmth, and vessels constrict in cold.
• Daily Meds: despite going over my daily meds/vitamins with multiple folks before surgery, once I was at the hospital not all of them were ready. Example, my daily Dulera inhaler wasn't available nor ordered until I asked about it while in my post-op, narcotic-induced haze. Lame.
• Small Pillows: do not underestimate how useful small & oddly shaped pillows will be as I did - particularly the small heart-shaped ones that go under your arms, or a neck pillow while in bed.
• Pain Med Schedule: I've seen lots of great ideas about staying on schedule for pain meds once you're home. Sadly, none worked for me. So on my phone I set multiple alarms that would go off to remind me. Example, say it's almost noon and I need a med every 4 hours. In advance I set up alarms for 12pm, 4pm, 8pm, 12am, 4am, and 8am. Once the 12pm alarm goes off, I turn it off & turn it back on a minute later so it's ready to go off the next time. Moral of the story: we may forget to take them and our caretakers may too, but phones don't!
• Comfort Item: It's ok to feel 7 again and bring something with you to the hospital that makes you feel safe and happy. I brought a comfort item with me and they actually let me take it all the way into the OR (it was a stuffed figure). Every tiny bit of comfort counts.

Time for a meal & a stroll now - happy Saturday to all.