June 2016 Surgeries!

mom2four I agree with everyone else. I personally would not want to have reconstruction after MX (although MX isn't what I've had), and think it's bad that your surgeon doesn't listen to your view. The website, breastfree is a good place with lots of information and photos. We are all different and need to be allowed to make personal choices and to be involved in vital decisions which affect us primarily.

I am day 7 post surgery now and have barely left the house, except for short walks. I'm not planning any trips for a few weeks either, I felt well for a day or two when I first came home but now it seems to have caught up with me. I am quite anaemic having lost a lot of blood and think it will be a while before I get my full energy back. I wouldn't want to take kids to the lake but would try to get someone else to take them while you rest if you have someone.

Kawa no-one in my care team mentioned sex to me - the closest thing the surgeon talked about was driving: she said as soon as I felt confident that I could make an emergency stop, I could do it. I would think it'd be the same with sex, if you feel up for it, go for it, on the understanding that an emergency stop may be needed!

XX

Favorite post of the day...... "....if you feel up for it, go for it, on the understanding that an emergency stop may be needed" BRILLIANT!

Doesn't matter if it is sex, driving, exercising... GREAT advice (as long as you are not breaking a specific doc restriction of course).

kellychameleon- Thank you! Yes it is difficult going from no medication & only routine dr visits to this! It is surreal, I sometimes sit & wonder if it has really all hit me yet or not. No help from the dr today really...I couldn't see my PS cause he's out of town so I had to see his associate...he doesnt think it's fluid he thinks it's normal swelling & recommended ice packs, wearing the surgical bra, & ibuprofen. Later in the day I saw my BS for follow up & to schedule putting a mediport in & since the mediport outpatient surgery is now set for next Tuesday...no ibuprofen! So I'm back to tylenol which doesn't help at all & trying the bra & ice packs. When will this all be over?! Unfortunately I feel that it will be a long process of issues from here on out...I pray that chemo is nice to me!

Good morning everyone! I'm just stopping by to see how everyone is doing. I want to wish Hanley50 the best of luck today! Praying for a uneventful surgery and speedy recovery!

I've got some reading to catch up on but know you are all in my thoughts and prayers!

(((((All)))))

Hi all, here to join your group. The last surgery gang I was on was July 2012, June 20th is my secondary reconstruction, called a prepectoral reconstruction. Implants coming out pectoral major muscles will be separated from the tissue they've adhered to over the years and reconnected back down to where they came from. New implants will be naturalle tear drops & smaller. ADM will lay under the entire skin flap, implant under that on top of muscles. 2 drains for 2 weeks. Negative pressure wound therapy for 8 days given my high risk for infection: history of bi-lat breast cellulitis last year, lymphedema and 1 nipple loss due to necrosis (more surgery) after original bmx. PS will try to save all my skin. I've had constant tightness, itchy breasts, paeu d'orange that won't go away and ever increasing pain since cellulitis. Even with weekly LE therapy weekly for last 9 months (PS wrote & renewed the script) little relief on chest, right arm much improved. My LE therapist is hopeful this surgery will help reduce inflammation w/ my truncal LE. I'm praying for no surprises during surgery and that I feel better after I've recovered.

ahhhh prepping the house- I've been hard at it for a week now- and I think I'm almost ready.

I can't believe my surgery day is almost here... So many different emotions. I have settled on a friend dropping me and picking me up- but not sitting and waiting for me to come out if the OR. I will have a couple phone numbers on standby to text if I need company, but I really want to do 90% of the intake/post-op process alone.

I am supposed to come home on the 24th if everything goes as planned, and my kids will come home from their dad's the following evening. I will have lots of people checking in on me- but I am looking forward to just sleeping and resting without people around for the most part. I did recovery completely solo with my prior major surgeries so I'm prepared for the pain, the bathroom slow walks & the drains....so hopefully I'm as strong this time. Advantage this time around is my twins are 9 now and a lot more self sufficient and helpful.... Last surgeries being a single mom and recovering was a bit harder.

You both remind me of my DSIL when he'd make the coffee.

Coffee measured and in the basket... check

Coffee maker turned on... Check

Water in pot... Check

Pot under filter basket... Check

Pot full of cold water still sitting under filter basket... Check

Fresh hot coffee... Nope

LOL

Hope, Love The Sign! Just what you need!

Scotbird, great suggestion about the "emergency stops!" And glad that you got out today without one! My BS said I could only drive after my drain came out. So, my DH drove me to my appointment, and I drove home!! It felt so good!

Nicole, as one who chose to "go flat," I have no regrets. And, as everyone else here has said, you make the decision for yourself! Don't be pressured. I chose my route because I hate having surgery, I hate being "laid-up" during recovery, I'm a high school counselor and covet my summers so I refused to spend it recovering. Granted, I'm 55 and have been married for 32 years to a wonderful man who just wants me to be well. I did talk with a PS before making my decision. And I talked with lots of ladies who had had lots of different procedures to hear about their experiences. I'm fortunate in that we have a wonderful boutique here in town that specializes in mx bras and breast forms. The gal who manages it is a dear and I'm looking forward to working with her. She knows and works with all of the BS and PS in town, so she knows what they each require of their patients. As Scotbird said, Breastfree is a good resource. If you look for post-op pictures, be particular about your sources. I found some pretty awful, but atypical, pics out there. My incision looks great (IMHO). But, I now have just one breast and some folks just are not okay with that for themselves. And, you can always go back and have the reconstruction if you change your mind later. Message me if you have any questions. I'm happy to answer them.

I do have one observation, though. I'm reading about those of you with the swelling and/or bleeding yet your docs prescribe ibuprofen. My BS said for me to wait until my drain had been out 2 weeks before taking it due to a risk of bleeding since it can cause bleeding issues. I've also always been told to stop taking NSAIDS for two weeks prior to surgery for the same reason. Apparently there are varying opinions in the medical profession about this. Just something that made me go, "Hmmm."

Hello Opt4life, I was reading your post and wanted to know if your health insurance cover your cancer breast reconstruction after a lumpectomy? I only thought reconstruction was needed for BMX, I may be wrong. It would be great if health Insurance can cover my cancer breast recon and the other breast I need a lift.

I had surgery on June 9, 2016. A simple mastectomy with sentinel lymph node. Yay the cancer diagnosis from the pathology report came back very good. No cancer in the margins and they took three lymph nodes and no cancer.

In the beginning I had no pain coming home with the anesthetic pain ball. I am able to sleep without any pain medication. However during the day the drain site and a tight chest drive me crazy. I took three Norco yesterday during the day and that kept it at bay. When I wake up in the morning I feel OK. What is everyone doing out there to stay comfortable during the day when moving around and sitting?????

Maya15, so glad to hear that you're getting a plan in place for your arm AND that you may get to skip the rads! That's excellent! Prayers that the plan works for your arm.

Houston, WenchLori is right about the insurance coverage. Every doctor I spoke with explained to me that insurance companies must pay for reconstruction surgery, whether for bi or single mx. That includes surgery on the healthy breast to make them symmetrical. They must also pay for it no matter when you choose to have the recon, whether it's immediate or delayed, even if you delay it by choice, not because you need to have other procedures first. Insurance also pays for prosthetics and mastectomy bras should you choose to forgo recon. I'm really fortunate in that my insurance has worked very well with my docs and me. I'm a member of an HMO. They even approved for home health care to come in and help out right after my surgery, although I chose not to continue with them since I have help at home. Be sure to check with your policy and get your medical team on your side. It helps me that my team's insurance liaison is one of my former students. ;-)

Clearly44, so glad you got good path reports! Yay for you! Your diagnosis looks very similar to mine. Did you have/are you planning on recon? I had a simple right side mx. on 6/2. I had already had a lumpectomy with SNB on 1/7. I've had a better time with my mx than the lumpectomy. The SNB area gave me fits. Quite painful. They took out 4 nodes, not many at all compared to other ladies here. The drain with the mx was more uncomfortable across the top of my chest, just under the skin. The side area, at the entry point, was a little sore, but not bad. Just pulled from time to time at the stiches. You may want your BS to check your drain site to make sure it's okay. BTW, was a breeze having it removed when you get to that point. I found that if I sat with my back straight and well-supported and in a position where my right arm wasn't too close to my side, I was more comfortable. I also used my right arm only minimally, enough to keep my shoulder from tightening up, but not enough to produce a lot of fluid. I, too, have felt some tightness in my chest. I can feel the tissues underneath pulling a bit. I try to be careful to stand up straight with my shoulders back and down. I used oxycodone+ acetaminophen for a couple of days after surgery then switched to Tylenol. I have days when I'm more sore than others. But we all do. And, like you, mornings tend to be better. I become more sore and tired as the day progresses. Hope you're feeling better very soon.

Laurie, glad you got that nausea under control. That's the worst kind of sick! And I agree, home is better than the hospital any day! So glad you're lymph node report came back clear! Wow, an hour on the treadmill! You've got way more stamina than I do. Glad you're feeling better today. Take it easy! And let others take care of you.

I got myself a FitBit the other day. Decided to "join the club." If I don't have the incentive to get up and get moving, I'm likely to use my recovery as an excuse to be lazy. My DH says I should use this as an opportunity to really get into shape. Think I'll get him a FitBit, too. A little healthy competition. We're walkers/hikers, so that fits right into our current activities. Gotta work on that caloric-intake thing too!

It's great to hear how well everyone is recovering! I understands there are likely to be some bumps along the way but it certainly helps to know how others have dealt with them. I will be thinking of everyone who have surgeries pending this week. Stay strong!! Know that you have our support and positive thoughts.

Only one question today. How does everyone handle body odor and hygiene until they are cleared to shower? I have been taking several sponge baths during the day but am totaling avoiding my incision and biopsy area. Now I have body odor - its almost medicine or chemical like in the scent. It's mostly on my mastectomy side. Could the odor be from the variety of meds? My chest is still somewhat swollen but I don't believe there is any sign of infection. I thought we might try a Father's Day outing today but don't want to offend anyone with my B.O.

I hope my question doesn't offend anyone since it's somewhat personal. I just don't know what to worry about and what is part of normal healing.

Laurie

Mom2, with my first reconstruction surgery (1985) I was very intimidated by having the pictures done. I had my DH with me and I was more relaxed than I expected to be. My first visit to my PS for BC was a piece of cake for me. If you look at your PS as being a professional doctor and think of how many women they have done procedures on it doesn't seem so personally violating. I actually appreciated my PS taking pictures or I never would have realized how much weight I've gained or how sad my poor droopy boobs have gotten over the years! The worst for my was when we were trying to see how much stretch I have in the breast skin. Once I started participating with him and helping him get measurements and things I was very relaxed. I feel that if I take part in the exams I'm more of a person to the docs instead of just another patient. To put it an easier way, I feel more of a person and not just a piece of meat to be lifted, stretched and measured. I'm not sure if this helps you at all? I'll get copies of the pics that my PS took to add to the medical records I'm putting together. My DH is a chronic documentor, he'll be taking pictures for me all thru this ordeal with BC. I'm also thinking the picture taking is going to be a breeze compared to what's coming up for all of us here!

Mom2 - pictures are taken for insurance purposes too and may be submitted by your PS to insurance if your insurance asks for them. Sorry this news won't make you feel better, maybe worse, but I felt the same thing before my bmx but after bmx and recon my chest never felt like me. I had a new group of photos taken by my PS nurse this last week at pre-op and it didn't bug me at all. Can't wait to get these things out tomorrow and return my pec muscles where they belong.