October 2016 Surgeries

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  • joyandpiece
    joyandpiece Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2016

    MaryG that's today! Good luck.

    Yogadedra - almost there! Take time for you today and I hope a good nights' sleep is ahead

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  • yogadedra
    yogadedra Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2016

    Good Luck Mary G!

    Joyandpiece.....Thanks! I am sure I will not get much sleep.....I will more then make it up while in surgery! :-)

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  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited October 2016

    I'm a little late, but I hope all is going well MaryG!!

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  • javamama
    javamama Member Posts: 119
    edited October 2016

    Alrighty ladies, I am out of surgery. They tell me all went well. At least two of my sentinel nodes were positive so they harvested the rest to see what they look like. On the positive side, I am recovering quite quickly. And the pain from the flap is pretty manageable. But the nurse on call tells me I am an unusual case.

    I hope everyone's surgery went well also. And sorry I couldn't pop in to send out good vibes in writing. Know that they were being sent anyway. I traveled to NOLA to get my procedure so part of the incommunicado was because of traveling and then pre-op stuff and then the surgery and now I'm post- op. With small bursts of energy. Not too much, but enough to check in here.

    Sending out good vibes for all the peeps who have their surgeries to come!!!!

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  • yogadedra
    yogadedra Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2016

    WOW Javamama!! GO you! I hope I have half your energy after my DBL MX tomorrow... Me and my twin INDYMOM are off to surgery in the AM...

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  • Reneepod
    Reneepod Member Posts: 6
    edited October 2016

    I hope your surgery goes well.

    For those who had bmx with direct implant, or even without, do you feel like there is a vice or tightness around your chest? That is what is so uncomfortable to me! Well that and trying to sleep.

    I'm just going with the motto at this point that it's day by day. I still do not know my course of treatment went to the oncologist yesterday (9 days post op) and pathology was not back! So I wait... Has anyone started there next steps in their journey

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  • joyandpiece
    joyandpiece Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2016

    Day by day, Reneepod, me too. I am two weeks, 2 days from lumpectomy and SNB. The rest of the plan is falling into place. I saw the MO two days ago. Rads and Tamoxifen to start soon. I've opted out of chemo and Herceptin. My tumor is small and the benefits do not outweigh the risks I believe. (MO agrees).I will always worry about recurrence, but am confident with my choice.

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  • Nanpop
    Nanpop Member Posts: 75
    edited October 2016

    Yes, mine are like a pressure around the chest area. Do you have drains in? I had my surgery October 4th. I finally realized it most likely are the drains. I started with 5 and am down to two. It gets less each day. Hopefully the rest will come out tomorrow.

    I do not know my course of treatment yet.

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  • Jcolby
    Jcolby Member Posts: 23
    edited October 2016

    I had my lumpectomy and SNB two days ago. They had a difficult time putting in the locator wire because the tumor was so deep against the chest wall. But since I was already numbed up, the five injections of dye didn't hurt a bit. Surgery was over 3 hrs long, and they removed tissue equivalent to two golf balls in size. SNB was clear!! I'm recovering nicely. I see the oncologist next week, and unless the biopsy of the margins would reveal something, I believe I will only have radiation and meds.

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  • yogadedra
    yogadedra Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2016

    I had my bmx yesterday with TE placement and am doing great.   My recliner is my best friend and so are pain meds!  What I notice the most is the burning at incision et pec muscle pain.  Very tolerable though.  I have two drains et my incision is the anchor one.  I am impressed at how well my Ps did!   

    Not hungry so sipping on broth and listening to my body.  Nauseous so taking zofran ATC to help c that.   So thankful for this group!

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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited October 2016
    It's good to hear that everything is going well for the Oct. surgery group! I am coming up on my 1year anniversary of the mammogram that started me down this road so I have been a little reflective lately. One thing that I wanted to share with all of you is that surgery no longer scares me. I had 2 separate mastectomies - one in January and the second one in May - and found that they were a whole lot easier to get through than I anticipated! I wrote about my experience in the "No pain, no nausea" thread if anyone is interested. I hope that you all have a similar experience :)

    I will be having my exchange surgery next Wed. and looking forward to getting my new boobs. The TEs never really bothered me but they are lopsided, so I'm just hoping for better symmetry, lol !

    I don't see a list of the surgery dates at the top, but sending healing thoughts to those who have had their surgery and to those going in today. Happy Friday to the rest, and hoping you all have a great weekend!
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  • salve777
    salve777 Member Posts: 27
    edited October 2016

    JeanQ and JoyandPeace: Thank you for the welcome. I had my surgery yesterday and went home today. I feel great. Thanks to nerve blockers. Pain level is at a 3. Two lymph nodes were taken out and initial report indicated they're negative. I will receive the pathology report in a week. I am so glad this phase is over.

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  • Reneepod
    Reneepod Member Posts: 6
    edited October 2016

    Nanpop drains are out since Monday. I still have the tightness/pressure.

    Yogadedra - the recliner is still my best friend most nights I end up in it! I was also very Naucious at first. I ate very bland the first few days until my appetite came back and now I am fine with everything.

    What are everyone's restrictions in terms of movement and weight. I just got a prescription for OT and PT but am having a bit of a problem getting in soon to be evaluated. I have those apts the end of the first week of November. The oncologist did tell me I need to wear a sleeve when I travel and I am restricted to 5 lbs first four weeks and 10 pounds second four weeks of lifting, pulling, pushing. I am also restricted to drive now (first two weeks). Anyone else

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  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited October 2016

    Glad everything went ok Salve! Initial negative is promising!!

    Reneepod I was told not to lift anything heavy, but wasn't given actual numbers. I also wasn't told I couldn't drive. I drove as little as possible (back and forth to work only, if I could) for the first week, but wasn't told not to drive at all.

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  • LJ2016
    LJ2016 Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2016

    Hello, I just had BMX with left side ALND on Oct 20th, no reconstruction. I'm having a lot of swelling under my left armpit. I also have two walnut sized lumps on either side of my sternum. I called the surgeon and she said it was because she leaves extra skin in case I do reconstruction at some point after radiation. Anyone else have lumps by your sternum?

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  • joyandpiece
    joyandpiece Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2016

    LJ2016, I hope you are comfortable while you are recovering.

    I hope everyone else is doing well, too. If you are having a struggle today, I would do a song and dance to distract you from your troubles if I were with you :) OK, maybe not the best idea (on multiple levels), but the sentiment is still there!

    I am having a few issues from new redness and swelling, so I'm going back to the surgeon tomorrow to be on the safe side. Tuesday will be 3 weeks since Lx and SNB. I didn't have driving restrictions as long as I was off of narcotics and could turn the wheel. I've taken it easy on the lifting and would have to look back at paperwork to see what the actual restriction for weight was.

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  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited October 2016

    Hope all is good joyandpiece when you see the doctor tomorrow. I see mine on Tuesday for my follow up, about 2 1/2 weeks from surgery. Looking forward to finding out what is what, stop the wondering and plan what is next.

    I'm feeling ok...a little pain here and there, nothing major, arm is still novacain feeling, but not as bad.

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  • MaryG59
    MaryG59 Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2016

    Thank you Leslie! My surgery on Oct 19 for BMX went well. Waiting for final pathology report. Taking recovery one day at a time!

    Hope and pray all surgeries are going well

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  • lpgrms
    lpgrms Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2016

    I will have a left Mastectomy and SNB on the 27th of October. I was 8 years cancer-free. I will have reconstruction hopefully in 6 months, followed by a breast reduction on the right after reconstruction heals.

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  • yogadedra
    yogadedra Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2016

    I am alive and recovering from Oct 20th surgery..... Man oh man the burning sensation at the incisions is wicked evil! I think all women going through this should have daily massage therapy to relieve the tension in neck and shoulders... I get so tense.....thank goodness my hubby is doing but seriously massage therapy after post op SHOULD be in the treatment plan...

    I alternate between my recliner and my bed with wedge I fashioned in it and that works nicely.....


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  • MaryG59
    MaryG59 Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2016

    Hi Ipgrms!

    Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for your surgery tomorrow! You will do fine!

    Hi yogadedra!

    Glad to hear you are doing well from you OCT 20th surgery! My surgery for BMX was the 19th which was moved from the 20th. Glad to report, we both are doing well....one day at a time! Also, I TOTALLY agree with you about the burning sensations and required daily massage therapy!

    I tested positive for the BRCA2 genetic mutation! Not surprised as it confirmed my family cancer history. There are 9 different types of cancers in my immediate family.

    Have a good day everyone! Make it count!


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  • yogadedra
    yogadedra Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2016

    Pathology final report is in! No node involvement in left breast just as preliminary report showed! Right breast they were surprised to find abnormal tissue. Haha not me my gut instincts told me. There were clear borders that were removed outside the abnormal growth so I am in the clear!!

    I am so glad I listened to my gut et did the double mastectomy because there was the beginnings of cancer that they didn't see on mammograms et MRIs in the unaffected breast or so they thought! !

    Thanks for all the prayers et support! I am healing nicely! 💋

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  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited October 2016

    Wow! Good for you yogadedra! Amazing what our bodies tell us. I'm glad you made the right decision and are on the mend.

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  • lgreene33
    lgreene33 Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2016


    Just diagnosed and think still in shock. IDC/3 small DCIS 1.6 cm Left Breast. ER+/PR+. HER2 negative. Stage 1 at this point. Grade 3.

    Treating with MD Anderson which is helping calm my nerves. Segmental mastectomy/reconstruction 11/16/16. So far scans are all negative for nodes but know true definitive answer will be post op. Praying hard they stay clear. Praying hard for low oncotype score so do not want Chemo. Radiation will follow 5 days per week for 5 weeks. Feeling scared and blessed 3 D Mammogram caught it.

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  • joyandpiece
    joyandpiece Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2016

    yogadedra - ditto what leslie2016 wrote. I am glad you trusted your gut instinct!

    Lgreene33 - so glad you have found this supportive, informative community here. There are many topics and threads you might find useful including those that are radiation specific and specific to your type of BC. I've found different topics helpful at different points along the way. Hugs to you <<U>>.

    I am also an advocate for 3D mammograms. My microcalcifications were found on the first day my local hospital was using the new 3D machine. My DCIS/IDCwas found very early and I attribute it to the 3D. Praying that yours is early enough to avoid chemo too.

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  • joyandpiece
    joyandpiece Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2016

    lgreene33, you might be especially interested in the November 2016 surgeries threadfor those having surgery in November.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics...


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  • javamama
    javamama Member Posts: 119
    edited October 2016

    Alright ladies. Just got back from NOLA. UMX and DIEP went great. In fact, I feel great. 11 days post-op and I have very few limitations other than what my docs tell me I can't do. lol I still have two drains in, but I think one will be ready to be out by tomorrow or Monday at the latest. The other is still giving me good output so, that will come out later.

    Now for the bad news. All my diagnostic tests showed a smallish tumor with no node involvement. Well, my final pathology came back earlier this week and it is no bueno. Still treatable and curable, but I will now need chemo and radiation and hormone therapy. Before they cut on me, I was only slated with possible radiation and hormone therapy. They took a LOT of axillary nodes while I was under and I am grateful they did.

    I'm glad I did immediate reconstruction anyway. I've seen the pictures of women with nothing and with TEs in after they get radiated and I think a little extra tissue is very helpful to mitigate the damage to the skin and tissue. My fabulous PS gave me a huge boob so if there is necrosis or skin tightening due to radiation, I have enough to cut some damaged fat out and still match my right boob. He even gave me a little side boob to insulate as well. I wanted nipple sparing, but the BS said they couldn't let me keep my nipple AND have clear margins. So off with her head. Besides, my boob tried to kill me. I'm glad I killed it first.

    My PS said chemo won't hurt the foob, but radiation can. And with the auxiliary dissection, lymphedema is on the table. But so far, my left arm is rocking this as well.

    I see my MO this coming Wednesday and will have a better idea of what my cancer killing protocol will be. But I know that the end will involve me going back to NOLA and getting my foob finished and any there revisions I need done... done. Yay for some finality. Well, other than the decade or so of hormone suppression therapy. Ha!

    I am so glad everyone's surgery went well.


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  • Gabby56b
    Gabby56b Member Posts: 82
    edited October 2016

    It's been awhile since I have been online. I had a lat back flap surgery on Oct 3. Had 2 drains right after surgery, they took out one a week later. I still have the one 4 weeks out and still having about 100 cc a day output. Dr said I will probably get doxycycline next week if there is no change. This should stop the drainage. Has anyone had this done ? I also fill up almost every night while I am sleeping where the back flap is, and wake up to.lots of pain.

    just needed to post this to get it off my chest...


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  • yogadedra
    yogadedra Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2016

    Javamama: sorry to hear about Chemo but you got this! My plastic surgeon did an amazing job on me! I ended up with anchor incision due to my very large breast size but I had lots of tissue he used for the pocket so no alloderm in me! I too have side boob that is going to look so good as we expand me....now that the swelling has gone down I look like I got boobies already!.....These drains are annoying tho! I get them out monday thank GOD.....


    Gabby ugh so sorry about the drain I know how annoying they are! I am able to wear a stretch tank top now and I fashioned out of string spenders over the tank straps to hold my drain bags :-)

    Incision burning is getting much better thank GOD....Nothing Tylenol can't remedy!

    image


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  • Dfwlady
    Dfwlady Member Posts: 7
    edited November 2016

    I hope everyone is recovering okay from their surgeries okay..I just found this group today

    I had DCIS with 3 foci of micro invasion throughout a lump that was removed a couple months ago. Due to me being 39 and my mom also having breast cancer at 44 (over 20 yrs survivor..yay!!!), I decided to do a nipple sparing bilateral mastectomy on Oct 21, 2016 (last Friday) at UTSW in Dallas. I also had a SNB and my nodes tested negative for cancer. Got good news from pathology report yesterday. There was not any more invasive cancer found, only additional clusters of DCIS found, nothing abnormal found in other breast

    I ended up staying in hospital for 2 nights, mainly because I was fighting naseau. Finally got under control, so was able to leave. Was doing okay a couple days at home, then all of a sudden nausea hit again. They just switched me from norco to tramodol today, so hoping that helps. Has anyone else experienced nausea this far away from surgery. Also, I was expecting a steady rise in how I feel each day, but it seems up and down. Is anyone else experiencing this?

    Thank you!


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