May 2016 Surgeries

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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited November 2016

    raven how goes it? glad for you grandma to have it moved up. How did they find it? Was it during a procedure?

  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited November 2016
    Val, I found it myself, about 4 days after having my exchange surgery. It feels like it's just under the skin - a sharp edge that may be a surgical clip (they were able to see this on the US) and a small BB sized lump next to it. The mass seen by US has a triangular shape, and there is some hypervascularity, which is probably why they are calling it Bi-rads 4.
  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited November 2016

    Grandma, I'm so glad they were able to move things up for you. As we all know, the waiting is the worse part. Gentle hugs and great good wishes to you for a good outcome. I'll be thinking of you on Monday for sure.

    This effing drain. There was no real relevant drainage all day yesterday and then, all of a sudden last night around 2:00 a.m., it stopped holding any pressure at all. I can't tell where the air is escaping from or I'd try to tape it up. So, as of right now, it's not doing me a damn bit of good AND it's like having a hand grenade stuck under my shirt. If we didn't have anything to do this week-end I wouldn't care, but we're going to an escape room this afternoon to celebrate my youngest DS's 14th birthday and so I need to figure out how to "hide" the damn thing. In the meantime I'll keep trying to find the leak.

    BC and its aftermath.....the shit gift that keeps on giving.

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited November 2016

    raven - I have actually used a drain as a prosthetic previously, but it needed to be depressed enough to give it that kidney bean shape. This will only work if the other side has some fill. Drains are a pain, however yo slice it.

  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited November 2016

    Grandma, thinking of you this morning!!!

  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited November 2016

    thanks, Raven! I'm on my way over to JHH. The biopsy is at 11:00.

  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited November 2016

    thinking of you grandma 3x. sending hugs your way.

  • tsoebbin
    tsoebbin Member Posts: 474
    edited November 2016

    We're in your pocket and sending positive vibes your way!

  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited November 2016
    Thanks everyone! I'm all done. Four cores sent to pathology. They did not rupture my implant (one of my concerns) so now I just play the role of Schroedinger's cat while I wait for the results.
  • myToyStory2
    myToyStory2 Member Posts: 162
    edited November 2016

    Glad that's over for you, Grandma! Thinking about you today! Any idea when you'll get your results?

  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited November 2016

    Thank you, MyToyStory! I could hear back from them as early as tomorrow afternoon, but more likely it will be on Wed. I feel much better now that it's done and "out of my hands".

    I'm getting my thoughts together in case it turns out to be positive - how soon I would be able to get a lumpectomy, whether they would need to remove the implant since the lump is right up next to it, how radiation treatments would impact reconstruction, whether they recommend a complete axillary node dissection (and also the nodes in my chest because the lump is on the inner upper quad) since they would not be able to do a SN dissection, or if radiation would be as effective, how this might change my MO's recommendation for therapy since the Femara is not effective, (will he recommend chemo instead?) and if I can get a PET scan before we do anything just to be sure it has not spread. Did I miss anything?

    Meanwhile my incisions are healing well. My left side is still a bit swollen because of the extra work the PS had to do. She tacked my new IMF to my chest wall somehow and it's like someone pinching me in the ribs - hope this eventually goes away!
  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited November 2016

    grandma - sorry you have this new worry, but still hoping for a benign explanation, particularly in light of the rapidity of onset - makes me think it may be a lipoma or fat necrosis. Hoping you get word asap.

    I will be going to surgery on Wed. morning for what is hopefully the last time. My chemo port will be removed, my left nipple removed, lipo to both lateral sides, lipo to the IMF to try to force a better crease - this is the problem side and sits markedly lower than the right, and fat grafting bi-laterally. I need to be done after this - my PS had a cancellation for Wed., and my insurance was able to get ducks in a row to allow me to do this now and not wait until January. I am a bit excited thinking 2017 might involve no breast surgery! What a concept! I am only a little nervous that things won't go as expected - mainly because this has certainly happened previously - but trying to be optimistic simultaneously. I am not expecting any kind of drastic improvement aesthetically, but port and nip removal are both good things!

  • myToyStory2
    myToyStory2 Member Posts: 162
    edited November 2016

    Great news, Special K! You must be so excited to be getting this done earlier than expected! Sending best wishes for a successful surgery and outcome!!

  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited November 2016
    Good luck Special K!
  • Angtee15
    Angtee15 Member Posts: 209
    edited November 2016

    Good luck Special K! Getting the port out is such a relief. Chemo relic be gone!

    I am at the PS waiting for a follow up. These drains should be coming out. I plan on returning to the office tomorrow which will be the one year anniversary of my diagnosis.

    Grandma3x I hope you are doing well as possible waiting for the results.

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited November 2016

    Thanks all! I have mixed feelings about losing my port - it has caused me no issues, and I have had it for six years - almost to the day. I have never minded having it flushed because it allowed me to remain in touch with the great nurses at my center, and with continued access it made it easier when I needed something - they could associate my name with my face even this long out from chemo. I am also irrationally superstitious in that the port has remained and I have not needed it - now that it will be gone I might, even though I know that makes no sense whatsoever. It doesn't stick out because it is so small, and I did not have an external scar since it was installed at the time of BMX under the skin flap and is subclavian. I will now have a scar that is visible in any neckline other than a turtleneck (not worn often in Florida!) because it is right at the hollow of my throat. This is one of the reasons I wanted the plastic surgeon to remove it, I feel like her aesthetic will be better. However, it is time.

    grandma - hope your wait is short and the news is good - don't know how I will be feeling so may miss a post from you if it is in the next 48 hours.

    angtee - yay for no drains! Always a good thing!

  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited November 2016

    SpecialK hope all goes well. I hear you about the 'port' feelings. I plan on keeping mine as long as it gives me no trouble. Angtee15 sending good thoughts your way for drain removal success. Grandma3x we are here for you and heres for benign resuilts.

    Grandma3x did you have rads or chemo before? so sorry you have to do this. In your pocket, you too Raven4mi and all others on drains...

  • MrsB88
    MrsB88 Member Posts: 83
    edited November 2016

    Grandma3X - Sent you a public post right after you shared finding a lump on the Exchange City site. Haven't seen any posts from you so searched you out & found this separate site. So glad you were able to have a successful biopsy (no damage to implant) & am sending a prayer that the findings will be benign! Hope you'll post an update on Exchange City too.

  • MrsB88
    MrsB88 Member Posts: 83
    edited November 2016

    SpecialK - Found out about your surgery tomorrow looking for Grandma3X & found you both on this site. I'm glad that you are able to have it before the holidays because it would be fantastic to have a surgery free 2017! I am sending a prayer your way that you will have excellent results! I had my port placed in my upper chest by a general surgeon & removed by the same guy. You were smart to get a PS to do it. My scar is barely noticeable now but it's definitely not the work of a PS. Hope to hear about your outcome back on Exchange City.

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited November 2016

    MrsB88 - Thanks! Will report in after surgery!

  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited November 2016

    SpecialK, good luck with everything today!

    Grandma, glad to hear your head's in the right place. Hoping and praying you get BENIGN news today!

    Angtee15, hope those drains came out yesterday and healing is going well.

  • Angtee15
    Angtee15 Member Posts: 209
    edited November 2016

    Yep drain free Raven! Now I have to find some good, under wire free bras. I was thinking of trying the temporary nipple tattoos too. I am assuming nipple reconstruction won't happen for a few months

  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited November 2016

    BENIGN :):)

    Thank you all for your well wishes!!

  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited November 2016

    HOORAY Grandma3x. been on pins and needles in your pocket.

  • myToyStory2
    myToyStory2 Member Posts: 162
    edited November 2016

    Great news, Grandma! So happy to read this!

  • Angtee15
    Angtee15 Member Posts: 209
    edited November 2016

    So needed good news today!!! Wonderful outcome Grandma 3X. May you continue to heal and enjoy the road back to good health.

  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited November 2016

    Oh my gosh, Grandma! I'm so relieved and happy for you!!! Congrats on such great news! I swear, I've been on pins and needles all day - can't imagine what you've been going through. I might even have a glass of wine tonight to celebrate your good news. :)

  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited November 2016

    same here raven. i felt like it was me, and know it's not, but that's how us bco's sisters are.


  • tsoebbin
    tsoebbin Member Posts: 474
    edited November 2016

    Grandma3x.... Do happy to hear your great news! Something to celebrate today!🌼🌻🌼🌻🌼

  • GreyKat
    GreyKat Member Posts: 225
    edited November 2016

    Yay Grandma! What a relief!

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