December 2016 Surgeries

I am scheduled for surgery in December, also if nothing changes, however in my case things change all so not sure when it will happen..Have not yet discussed the operation with my doctor but if my tumor does not shrink (in neoadjuvant treatment) it will be a mastectomy in any case. If it grows during treatment I will have my operation earlier which would make sense. I am worried.

As you I just do not know so much right now. It will all depend on what happens the next few months. I still have 9 weeks to go with chemo and antibodies. I am triple positive. If I will have a choice on removing some or all my breast I have no clue yet. Not sure if it would be better to remove both ( I have large breasts) I think I would feel strange having only one huge boob, but have no experience and do not know. The doctors have not yet discussed this with me.

Hi Doglover, Kattis and Myjourneys,

I'm doing neoadjuvant chemo now and will most likely have a lumpectomy and lift on my left side in early December. I met with the plastic surgeon last week and his clear recommendation was to do a lift at the time of the lumpectomy, so he could move things around and fill in the dent. Then six months after radiation finishes lift the right side to match. Lollipop incisions.

I would not have chosen to do a lift if it were not for the lumpectomy. I really don't like the idea of having slightly reduced areolas plus vertical incisions from areola to crease...but sometimes i think maybe in five years i'll be happy i did it.

PS says i'll likely lose a cup size. It would be nice if it is not more than that. Currently 32F. Radiation shrinkage being unpredictable, we won't know until we know.

My priority of course is seeing the cancer go away. I'm awaiting genetic test results and hope i don't have to alter the current plans. It is maybe silly, but i want to be as unaltered as possible when this hell is over.

Breast MRI next week, hoping for tumour shrinkage. Final chemo infusion this Thursday, and i really really hope i don't have to do more chemo after surgery. My BC surgeon told me after the first two infusions my tumour did not seem to have shown any response to treatment.

Fear is the worst side-effect of this whole thing. Most of the time i'm peaceful and happy, but sometimes i'm not. Helps seeing i'm not alone.

Melodie

Kattis, you are fortunate to be getting Perjeta. I wish i could. I suspect you will have enough reduction in tumour size to have the option of a lumpectomy. Best of luck with your remaining chemo

Melodie (tunegrrl), It seems treatment varies a lot between certainly different type of cancers, cases, ages etc but also different clinics and countries. I am getting treated in Stockholm, Sweden and the standard treatment for triple positive patiens (as I see you are that too) is in my signature. My tumor was much larger than yours when it was found but here it seems FEC is the type of chemo that is given first followed by rounds of taxol, perjeta and herceptin before operation. It is a long run before surgery for me, months. I am more worried about the tumor not shrinking at this point than what my breasts will look like after surgery, I just have not had the time in my mind to even start thinking about the surgery. It is maybe the least of my worries being more concerned about spreading and just letting the fact that I will live with this for a very long time even after surgery slowly sink in. This is not going away any time soon and I certainly hope I am one of the lucky ones that are in it for the long haul. That being said, of course I would like my breasts to somewhat look ok but think the plastic surgeons nowadays can do miracles for us too.

MyJourneys, I'm going to lobby for the hospital to let my husband stay with me over night

i found out that the surgery center has tours on Wednesday evenings. I think I'll feel better once I see the place. Does your hospital have such a thing

I am 62 and having left side mx, not going to be doing recon as like a few others never been in hospital except for my kids. I dont get sick but I get cancer. No clue what happens after mx hoping the nodes are clear, will be on hormone therapy, hoping for no chemo but I have no choice. I have grandkids I need to see grow up.

Myjourneys,

I copied this from the June2016 surgery page. I found it very helpful in preparing for my surgery.

HELPFUL LINKS...

• Important Links for Newbies About Surgery
• Shopping/Packing/To Do List for surgery & recovery
• Preparing For Surgery
• Mastectomy Pre/Post Op Tips
• Lymphedema Forum
• Skin / Scar Remedies
• Wound / Incisional Care
• Dana-Farber / Brigham and Women's Cancer Center: Breast Surgery Guide PDF

I am scheduled for a BMX on December 14. They have me coming in on the 13th for my sentinel node mapping, then check in on the 14th, and check out on the 15th. I have my mother coming in, my son coming, my boyfriend and a myriad of friends - all thank goodness. I am having no reconstruction. Today was my pre-op appointment, and I am now on call if there is a cancellation between now and my set date. In the mean time, I am starting my probiotics, my arnica, keeping up with my veggie smoothies, continuing my yoga, and trying to hit the gym. I am going to try to get a few more hikes in if I can. Its going to get cold here in Michigan real soon. I am rearranging the house for all my helpers coming to stay, cooking a lot of food - both my freezers are now full! I am thankful that I am able to spend my first thanksgiving with my boyfriends family this year, and uninterrupted by drains and what not. Christmas won't be so lucky but that is okay. I think I should be mobile by then and I will be working to have my drains out by then hopefully!

How are you all prepping for this endeavor? Nice to meet you all!

Hi, all! I'm glad that I stumbled upon this group. I plan to have a mastectomy on my left side w/TE placed Dec. 6th. I haven't met w/my MO yet, that is scheduled for Tues. I don't know if there's any testing she could possibly conduct that would change the date of my surgery or that would change my desire for a single vs. double MX. Not that my right is a major candidate, but I AM looking forward to the lift "she'll" get once the left reconstruction is complete. :-) Sometimes you just got to focus on what makes you thankful, lol!

Thank you, Traci! Dec. 6th will be a date that together we'll remember forever. Just started researching what kind of wardrobe I'll need afterwards and realized I own practically no button up tops whatsoever. I think I need to start doing a little shopping! Have you purchased anything special, like the belt for drains or shirts w/inside pockets for drains? I feel like I'm a little behind. Hugs back atcha ~ Kim

How great that you live in a city w/access to some much needed essentials. I'll need to order any and everything online, so I need to get started. As for sleeping, my husband started looking at recliners for me, but then sprung and bought a hospital bed! I'm SO thankful! He planned on renting one from a local medical supply company, but then looked on Craigslist and found a near new fully motorized bed w/new in-the-box mattress for less that $250. Total it sells for $1,000 new. The guy even brought it and set it up for us in our bedroom! But friends I know who've gone through this before all had a recliner and it worked well. Happy we're in touch.