Surgery tomorrow

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Simple13
Simple13 Member Posts: 45
edited April 2016 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Having my surgery tomorrow. Trying hard to keep from having a meltdown and an elephant is sitting on me. Any words of wisdom for before, during and after?

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited March 2016

    Simple, I am thinking so many things...I want to encourage you that it will be ok. Everything is different after surgery, and yet...everything still is the same. You are still you. Your body is different, but you are still you. You are making a dramatic change to your body to save your life...it is worth it. You can do this. You are strong. Please know you will be sore for several days. Just opening the refrigerator door was hard work. Sitting in a recliner may be more comfortable than being in bed for a few days.; Drains are a nuisance but it is brief. Pillows Pillows Pillows!. Drink lots of water. Please check in soon so we can know how you are. Hugs to you.

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  • Jacklin
    Jacklin Member Posts: 162
    edited March 2016

    I echo what Meadow wrote, but also stay on top of the pain and don't be afraid to use the pain medication. Just keep in mind that many of the pain meds will also affect your digestive system, so you'll need to make sure you drink enough water and keep the fibre high. Breathe and take things one moment at a time. I'll be praying for your surgery tomorrow. Much strength and when you feel up to it, please let us know how you're doing. Gentle hugs for you,

    Jacklin

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  • knittingPT
    knittingPT Member Posts: 156
    edited March 2016

    I agree to stay ahead of the pain! And know that the anesthesia and pain meds cause constipation so make sure you take care of that. You will do great and every day you will feel a little bit better

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  • Simple13
    Simple13 Member Posts: 45
    edited April 2016

    Well, I got discharged this afternoon. There is a jackhammer going off in my chest but I am keeping it at bay. The drain is a pain. Got the path results back and one of the three nodes came back positive. Not a great run of luck lately.

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  • Jacklin
    Jacklin Member Posts: 162
    edited April 2016

    Hi Simple13, glad you are home and staying ahead of the pain. Drink lots of water too. I am sorry to hear that one of the three nodes was positive, but keep your head up, you can do this. We're here to support you and stand by your side as much as possible. Take care and thanks for letting us know you're home. Know that I'm thinking of you. Speedy healing

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  • Simple13
    Simple13 Member Posts: 45
    edited April 2016

    Well, slowly getting back on my feet. My sleep/wake cycle is out of whack because of the meds and just being all around tired. Getting some feeling back in the surgery side. Mostly tingling but that probably means that the healing is going well (I hope). See the PS on Wednesday so hopefully good news from him.

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  • LRGO2016
    LRGO2016 Member Posts: 242
    edited April 2016

    Thinking of you Simple13 - hoping your visit to the PS went well! Keep us posted...

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited April 2016

    Simple, my internet was down, sorry I have not checked in, hoping you are resting comfortably.

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  • Simple13
    Simple13 Member Posts: 45
    edited April 2016

    Yes, doing well, thank you. Still a little sore. Mostly when I wake up. Don't need much pain medication (yay). Still very tired and having to nap during the day but that's okay. See the PS today to see how well things are healing. Take care.


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  • Simple13
    Simple13 Member Posts: 45
    edited April 2016

    PS says that I am healing very well. Haven't been able to get the drain out yet but hopefully soon. LRGO2016 thinking of you. How are you ding?

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  • brandford37
    brandford37 Member Posts: 71
    edited April 2016

    Hey Simple13 I'm so happy you're healing very well, hopefully I will be saying that next week this time I'm having my Lumpectomy surgery next Tuesday April 12 can't wait to get over it

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  • Simple13
    Simple13 Member Posts: 45
    edited April 2016

    Good luck. I think the waiting is the hardest part. Waiting on the final pathology report on my lymph nodes. You will do fine. Just don't worry too much.


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  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
    edited April 2016

    Hi,

    Just took a quick look at active topics and saw your posts. I have been reflecting on the past year as Sunday, April 10, it will be one year since my BMX with expander placements. Yep, drains were a pain. A month later I started chemo and had reconstruction at the end of September. What a year, but it does go by even though at times it seems like forever. I am doing really good now. Just had my hair colored yesterday as it is about 2 inches long now. Still short for me....but I am so happy to have hair! I feel really good and am back to my old self. They say it takes about a year, but I started walking as soon as I could and was up to 4 mlles by November. I am 67. Keep going ladies. There is life after BC and I sure appreciate every single day a whole lot more than I ever did!

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  • Simple13
    Simple13 Member Posts: 45
    edited April 2016

    Thank you for the words of encouragement. I have the motivation to get going and be ready to go by October. Hopefully the treatment(s) will allow for that. You sound great .I am very optimistic for the future and know that the diagnosis is no longer a death sentence. No history of BC in my family so I am kind of just the luck of the draw so I think this is a good thing. Take care of yourself, and thanks again for the encouragement.

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  • Lind_z
    Lind_z Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2016

    Hi guys I have a question. Has anyone experienced any extreme swelling in the area where their lymph nodes were taken out? I had a sentinel node biopsy and lumpectomy March 31. The doctor said the swelling will go down on its own but it will take several weeks. I asked what I could do to reduce the swelling and discomfort and he said that he could drain the fluid but it's only gonna come back. Other than that there was nothing else I could do. So you mean to tell me I have to walk around with this big fluid filled knot under my arm for the next couple of weeks and I can't do anything to decrease the swelling? I can barely put my arm down. Can anyone help me? Please? I'm going to get the fluid taken out Monday. This is torture

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  • Simple13
    Simple13 Member Posts: 45
    edited April 2016

    I'm no expert (and still kind of a newbie) but maybe massaging the area? May help with drainage. Let me know if it works. Hopefully you will get an answer from someone more knowledgeable.

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited April 2016

    lind z, you have lymph edema in that area, and it can become chronic. There is a forum here on BCO with some VERY knowledgeable ladies who can help. PLEASE go there and let them give you some help. There are massage techniques to help the fluid flow out of that area.

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  • Simple13
    Simple13 Member Posts: 45
    edited April 2016

    Thanks for the reply Meadow. If that happens to me, I will know where to go.

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  • Lind_z
    Lind_z Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2016

    Hi simple 13,

    Please do your research. Hopefully there's something you can do to prevent this. I wish you the best of luck

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  • Lind_z
    Lind_z Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2016

    thank you Meadow,

    I've been researching and you're right it is a form of lymph edema. I found the discussion board about it and I'm getting some good information tips that I hope will work. I'll post some questions there. Thank you again and I wish you well

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