June 2016 Surgeries!

Hello everyone, I just started Taxol last Thursday so it won't be surgery for another 11 weeks. But now I'm starting to get confused about my treatment options, either because my OC just laid it on me to begin with. OC told me the recipe is chemo, then lumpectomy and radiation. She said studies shown lumpectomy and radiation have better outcome then MX. Now I read these posts and almost everyone here opt to have MX or BMX. So I feel left out as if my options were not clearly explained to me. My question is am I one of the few who received neo-adjuvant chemo? I know its everyone personal choices and decisions but I would like to know what lead you ladies to decide on BMX rather than single MX or lumpectomy? Thanks all for your inputs.

Houston2016, my doctors recommended doing a BMX for several reasons - the size of my tumor, the fact that there was a secondary spot within the breast, and because I'm triple negative (higher reoccurrence rate). My surgeon told me that if she were in my place, she would choose the same. My MO and second opinion surgeon agreed. Have you met with both the oncologist and breast surgeon, and do they both agree with the plan that's set out? If so, then I think it's wise to trust your doctors' plan but just make sure that they address your concerns and answer all of the questions that you have.

Maya, ugh, thanks for the warning. So gross!

Well... I had my first panic attack Friday night. Thank God it was late and I was at home. It was scary and took most of Saturday to get back to me. BMX in 10 days... I just need to get past the surgery so I can get back to whatever normal is.

I've been so focused on surgery and once I had my surgery plan in place I freaked out about cancer.

Uggghhhhhh!!

How do you all manage "those moments"?

tsoebbin I was absolutely terrified about the very thought of surgery. I had never had surgery, anesthesia or IV's before. I read everything possible and asked so many questions. Not sure I ever quite got over the anxiety but eventually the waiting came to an end. I think it was helpful that I was well informed. (I was at least reassured that I knew what my med team was doing). I made lists of what to take to hospital, what to ask doctors and nurses and small tasks for my family to handle. There was a certain amount of comfort on having some things under control. I will be thinking of you during this waiting period.

I too am a very private person so the photos were difficult. I did not have issue with the photos my BS took. She is a woman about my age and the tumor had definitely caused changes in the affected breast so it made sense to document changes during my neoadjuvant treatment. The PS has a photo studio in his office. These were much more difficult, fortunately only a female technician was present but it was still difficult. I only wore paper underwear. (which were NOT sized for a very small person) I was totally embarrassed despite her kindness and professionalism. I remember crying on my way home from the visit to the PS and not even being able to tell my DH what had caused my anxiety. I don't think he would understand the new levels of humiliation and invasion of privacy I felt with the photo session. On a rational level I understood the necessity for reconstruction but on an emotional level it was just was more proof of the havoc cancer was wreaking in my life. This is the first time I have ever put my thoughts and feeling in words - it's good to know I am not alone in these feelings. In perspective I realize this was just one more fear that I needed to conquer to get through the surgery reconstruction process.

Kellychameleon - I am using a running belt as well to hold my drain. I am fortunate to only have one drain so I am using a belt I won ages ago that holds race bibs. It has two little clips in the front. It works perfectly and fits under my clothes very well. I love how innovative everyone is on how to handle the drains.

How quickly did everyone start arm exercises after surgery. My BS gave me a booklet from the American Cancer Society which starts at day 3 post surgery but it seems to contradict some of the instructions my PS gave regarding activities. I am pleased I have fairly good range of motion on the surgery side already but am afraid of harming or delaying recovery if I push too quickly. What did everyone else do week 1 post surgery?

Hugs to all!!!

Laurie

I had my surgery on the 17th. Bilateral Mastectomy with lymph node dissection on left side. No reconstruction. Overall, I've doing good. My RN in the recovery room said I was one of the easiest patients she's ever had.

Not too much pain. I am taking about 1/2 the amount of pain meds recommended, Tylenol with Codeine, once every 8 eight hours. I took a shower in the hospital the day after surgery and another shower today. My arms work well; my range of motion is nearly the same as before (It pulls on my left side when my lymph nodes were removed, so my range of motion is a little restricted there). Wasn't sure what exercises to do, so I've been doing the finger walk up the wall.

My surgeon told me I can do "what I feel like doing." I am mostly reading, sleeping, watching TV, and visiting with friends. My appetite is good, and friends have brought by many delicious frozen meals for later.

I live alone with my dogs and cats. My sister in law spent the night the past two nights and I've been grateful for her presence. I found I didn't really need her help, but her presence was comforting. Tonight, I am on my own.

I don't like the drains. I was afraid my dogs would zero in on the drains and mess with them, but they have left them completely alone. I am emptying about 50 to 100 a day now (3 days post surgery). I see the doctor on Thursday and hope I can get them out then.

Overall, I'm good. This has not been as bad as I thought it would be. I hope the rest of recovery is this smooth. I'll get my pathology report on Thursday when I see the BS. I hope it is a good report.

Hi Maya15,

Can you add me to the June surgery board plz? I have left total mastectomy with lymph node dissection and sentinel node biopsy on 6/21. No immediate Reconstruction as I don't know yet if I'll have to have radiation. Thank you!

groucho - I hope my recovery is like yours. Thanks for the great encouragement!

Lauri - One day at at time. I guess it is normal to be anxious... but it is sooooooo "not me"! Hope we find a new us that we like as well!!

Maya - thanks for the exercises Congrats on the no rads!

YODEZ - I will be thinking of you tomorrow! .

Thanks to you all for being here!

Still hanging in here with the drains! I had hoped to get them out yesterday, but that morning had way more output, so we rescheduled for today. She thinks my problem is that I raise my arms up while I'm sleeping, and they want me to keep my arms down. I slept in the recliner in the living room tonight to keep myself in position, and that seemed to help - this morning I had a lot less that drained. But still not low enough to have them removed. I have another appointment set for Thursday. I'm trying not to get too frustrating and depressed, but it's hard. I just need to make myself slow down and not overdo it, which is hard with 2 little kids.

Houston2016, either order of treatments is fine, and either particular order of treatments is believed advantageous for particular cases. You have more time to consider your options as to extent of surgery. Have your Surgeon review with you all of your surgery options, and decide for yourself which would be best for you.

sentinel node mapping today, and then surgery tomorrow. There is a part of me that wants to run and hide, and another that just wants to get this over with. The anxiety of it looming is nauseating.

Decided I wanted a friend to drop me off at the hospital doors and not wait through surgery. When I wake I will text a few important people. I will also leave my mom's number with a nurse in case of emergency.

I just feel like I need time to process this step alone, as well as whatever limited news we learn regarding the PS success in doing immediate implant reconstruction and lymph node pathology....its something I don't want a crowd for when learning. One of the few things I can control in this process is how/who I surround myself with... So I need to give myself that power.

good luck hope floats. I'm sure it will go well. I totally understand how you feel right now. My emotions are all over the board. It's ridiculous. I'm not an emotional person so this is not something I know how to cope with very well. I hope your recovery is smooth. I will be thinking of you.

I had a bone scan yesterday. The ct scan didn't make me nervous afterwards but I'm worried about the bone scan. I have no real reason. Although I have 2 tumors and one is IDC and the other is ILC they are small. And my lymph nodes seem ok. So I should not be worried. My neck has been a recent issue for me and they took an extra image of just it. So that made me nervous. I know it's irrational but I can't shake the feeling. My surgery is next week and I'm finally becoming comfortable with the thought of reconstruction. I've been going back and forth. Today I'm ok with it. Who knows what tomorrow brings. But that is true in so many ways. Who knows what tomorrow really brings.

Hi all it's been 13 days since my surgery. I had a meeting with BS on Monday, the wound dressings were all removed the results look good, just a bit of bruising, and I also received news that the pathology report showed PCR and no scarring in the sentinel node which she said indicated that the cancer had probably never reached the node. Really pleased with this news. I have been a bit tired but getting a little better each day so went to work today which was probably a bit too early. There was some problem on the train which was really crammed full of people and I had to stand for nearly an hour. I was so tired, and then was really grumpy with my family when I got home. I'm going to take another week to rest before I try to go to work again! I have planning meeting for Rads tomorrow.

Hope everyone else is doing OK. Lots of love XX

Scotsbird, congrats on the great news!!!

Hopefloats, I hope that everything is going smoothly for you and that you have an easy recovery. I can understand not wanting someone there waiting - it can just add extra pressure that you don't need.

I GOT MY DRAINS OUT TODAY!!!!!!!! Finally! I feel like a new woman.

I saw my BS today and everything looks great. They pulled the left drain, but I still have the right drain. Apparently, I was not striping it correctly and it was plugged. Once they cleared it, a lot of fluid drained. So I am stuck with it for another week.

The good news is my pathology report was all good. The surgeon does not think I will have to have chemo, but said it is up to my oncologist to decide. I'm still waiting for an appointment with the oncologist. It would be great if I just do hormonal therapy and not chemo.

I am feeling kinda stir crazy staying at the house all of the time. I plan to run some errands and get some good carry out food tomorrow. One drain shouldn't be too hard to hide.....

well, surgery went well. I was first in the OR which was great, and in recovery by 12:15. I opted at the last minute to not do nipple sparing.... But PS was able to place the implants and forgo tissue expanders! YAY

Didn't take any pain meds post-op until 5 hours later when I finally took 1 T3.... I truly didn't feel any pain earlier so didn't- and now I'm so sore!!!! Tightness across centre chest is so bad! So far I don't know number of nodes removed but I have full range of (Allowed levels) of motion so far!

Been up walking, havent eaten though. The couple sips of soup came back up earlier! Gonna try to sleep now. Sounds like I will be discharged in the am. 3 drains currently but one will be pulled before coming home (node drain)