June 2016 Surgeries!

Maya15, that's the same explanation I got from my rad Doctor, and I have been researching about TN; unfortunately, the triple negative cancer is agressive by its nature and treated differently for several reasons. Chemo is the only way to fight back, and radiation is recommended. My doctor gave me 10%increase of survival. At first I thought it wasn't worth the trouble, but reading more about the TN and learning that it has higher chances to come back on the first 5 years, I have reconsidered my position and I am going to do everything by the book. That will put me into 2018 for reconstruction , I guess... So be it

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and experiences about radiation

Love and prayers to all🙏💪💕

Scotbird, I was just diagnosed and only have had one consult so far, who recommended 2 lumpectomies (in one surgery;the tumors are too far apart to do in 'one scoop') and radiation. However, I am worried I will always fear the cancer is in there - so seriously considering double mas (I don't know all the fancy abbreviations yet). How did they determine to do the lift? With my saggy boobs (49) I wondered if the 2 lumpectomies would make it more disfigured.

Lollipop, so sorry to hear that you are so uncomfortable. I had my surgery 5 &1/2 weeks ago too. I had BMX w/ TEs.i only started to feel better a few days ago. My doctor recommended anti inflammatory meds such as Tylenol to help with the inflammation. I think I am adjusting to the TEs. They're still uncomfortable, but I can tolerate them better. The TEs are the main source of my discomfort so I take an Alleve daily for pain control. Everyone heals at their own pace. Check back in with your surgeon to make sure you don't have a seroma or an infection. I would think that without reconstruction, you would be up an about and healed by now. If you had radiation, that may slow healing. Listen to your body and rest. Sending you healing wishes

hey all... 4 weeks out since my BMX with immediate 650cc implants and I'm in more pain now than I was the first week or two. Now that nerve endings are starting to re-energize, and my back is so knotted from not being able to sleep comfortably and bad posture from the pain of a stretched and stitched pectoral muscle....I am SO sore! Still rock hard across the chest, so muscles obviously haven't relaxed over the implants, and my sternum is constantly burning. My incisions thankfully are closed and healing nicely.... I'm still using paper tape now that steri-strips have peeled off, and will start using silicone in another 2-3 weeks, but thankfully so far the scars look thin and flat. Hoping that continues.

I just wish I could get some relief from the tightness/chest pain! I go Wednesday to get my blood work and to find out my start date/regime for chemo and expect that will commence in next 2 weeks- and it would be really nice to be feeling a bit better before that starts.

specter55, well I wasn't a big fan of using TE's as I really just wanted to get back to feeling like myself as quickly as possible. My PS said that he would make a game time decision on whether he would have to use TE's, dependent on how my skin looked, the condition of my muscle etc.... I was so thankful that I woke up from BMX and was told he was able to go direct to implant, but wow- wasn't prepared for the tightness! There is alloderm making a hammock over the bottom 3rd of the implant that is sewn to both the bottom edge of my pec muscle and my chest wall, which is contributing to the tightness too (this is to create a nice stable pocket for the implant. I tossed my wedge 2 nights ago in exchange for a body pillow and its allowing me to sleep at a slight angle and off my back which is like heaven! Voltarin is helping some, as is robax at night... But I may ask for something stronger if it doesn't ease up this week! I think this is payback for feeling soooo good straight out of recovery those first weeks!

I wanted to use kelo-cote on my scars. Nurse said no, it doesn't make sense using it now as PS will cut me again during the exchange surgery. Any suggestion if i should use it anyway? DO you guys think it will help to make scars less visible?

I thought I'd pop on with a question for my June ladies tonight- is anyone getting any side sleep with TEs?? I have found that now that I'm out of the recliner and into a bed, I'm rolling over onto my side and I'm horrified I might "mess things up in there"?!? Any thoughts on this- my PS seemed unsure about what to say when I asked her. I am just not a back sleeper and my body is rebelling!

Hope- I am still in a lot of pain too, similar timeline- I actually felt like I was getting better and now feel like I've taken a detour. Hugs to you, I hope healing is right around the corner for you :

What to do to make scars heal quickly and well? My PS said to massage all along the scars up to 5 times a day with oil or unscented moisturiser. The idea is to encourage blood flow to the area to speed up healing. I went very lightly at first but gradually increased the pressure, and my scars have healed really well. I had LX with a reduction and lift on both sides but I think it would work for any surgery. I'm six weeks out today and am not in any pain, feel completely fine have been exercising: weights, swimming, yoga, Pilates, I feel I have my life back to normal at last after nearly 7 months of feeling rubbish. Only temporary though as I'm starting a month of rads on Tues so am expecting it to get worse again before it gets better. XX

FUBC, I have read that tamoxifen is sometimes easier on women... But still can cause joint pain. Exercise us definitely supposed to help,... I too will be doing hormone therapy for 5-10 years.... Definitely not looking forward to that. Hang in there and definitely talk to your oncologist about switching if the Arimidex is unbearable! Did they say why they chose it instead of tamoxifen?

Scotbird,Unfortunately I have had a lot of surgeries in my day.... So have had lots of practice in dealing with scars. I have found paper taping as well as silicone strips have been most successful in the past. I gave formed keloid scars in the past, but when using this technique, the result was flat and almost invisible scars after a year (yes... It does take time). For me; the creams and massages didn't work as well- but every body is different.

FUBC, I too had massive fibroids, so much so that I was forced to have a hysterectomy at 39... So uterine cancer isn't sadly a risk for me when deciding on hormone therapy, but will have to do some research when that time comes... So frustrating that what's supposed to help us makes us more sick. *hugs*

As for scars, I'm using paper tape for 6-8 weeks and will then use silicone after that. In the past, I tried to keep them on 24/7... And to not allow sunlight on it when possible (which won't be an issue this time around since these babies won't be out in public for a while!!!) as for waiting for second surgery.... It is very rare for a surgeon to use the same incision line for another surgery, since blood vessels are compromised! The incisions made for exchange surgery are not across the breast like in your BMX (from what I've read)... So her theory doesn't make sense to me. I don't think there is any harm in starting to care for your current scars, but maybe ask your PS at your next fill?

FBUC,

I had a hysterectomy in 2008 because of a large (cantaloupe sized) uterine fibroid. My doctor was concerned that it was too big to remove without damaging other internal organs. He put me on Lupron to shrink the tumor. It was horrible. The Lupron threw me into a raging menopause with the worst hot flashes ever. I was absolutely miserable. I would wake up drenched in sweat. It was so bad I had to sleep on a beach towel. My doctor gave me low dose estrogen to ease the symptoms but it was still pretty bad. I've been on HRT since. I've tried a couple of times to wean off of HRT but the symptoms are just as aggressive as they were then. I know the HRT could have played a part in my precancerous tumor , but I couldn't tolerate the symptoms. Now that I have had a MX, I guess there is no need to stop it now.

Lupron is very strong. Will your doctor provide you with something to relieve the side effects? This is not an easy decision to make. Arm yourself with information. We're here to support you, whatever you decide. Gentle hugs

Scotbird- I forgot to add this in my last post- has your PS offered you any "BioCorneum"? I used the silicone strips after my first biopsy because the scar was really raised and painful. It's a silicone gel that has the same molecular structure silicone but in this sort of creamy gel that is really easy to apply. It has SPF30 but I don't see these scars seeing the sun anytime soon

I find it a lot easier to deal with than the strips- so I wanted to mention it. It wasn't horribly expensive and I'm happy with it so far

Good luck to you!

I have never taken unisom... Does it just knock you out to sleep, or does it also reduce pain? I'm so sensitive to pain meds that even taking 2 Advil makes me groggy but then I wake because my back is so sore and my muscles are in spasms... It's why I am now trying robax with ibuprofen but I'd be game to try something else if recomended!

lol yes, I know ibuprofen and Advil are the same... Sorry for my poorly written post! I meant to say that at night, robax with ibuprofen has been my go-to since it knocks me out and helps (a bit) with the muscle soreness.... When I was taking daily pain meds, I was taking strictly Advil (ibuprofen) but I was always tired from it all day.... Now I don't take anything during the day and just the robax at night (it's a combo pill that contains both.

I was hoping there was some better cure out there but wishful thinking! Ha.... I do have to say that stretching now that my incisions are all well healed has helped A LOT! Even in the last 24 hours I feel an improvement... Hopefully this isn't just a temporary blip of relief, and I'm actually starting to see the light in this chapter.

Thanks for the info 4BoysMama. I've not been offered Biocorneum and haven't had any silicon or paper strips either. My scars are doing OK so I'll prob just keep going with the massage and moisturiser but will ask about these other things when I see the PS again. Hope everyone's starting to feel much better and able to get some rest. x