November 2016 Surgeries

I am scheduled for my bilateral exchange on Nov. 28. Waiting on genetic testing results. Really looking forward to having the TE's removed. Thanks for starting this thread.

This waiting for surgery sucks. My cancer is hormone fed and it is my adrenal glands doing it. I love doing genealogy but I get alot of adrenaline rushes so that just feeds my cancer. I don't want to do that.

I am having a left mastectomy this Wednesday, the 9th. I am 61 and have chosen not to do reconstruction. I don't like being under the knife at all and didn't want the extra surgeries. I keep thinking if I had been very brave I would have a right mastectomy "just cuz." But I worried about not being able to use my arms and well..just not knowing how it would all pan out.

I was diagnosed in April with a stage 1 very small Invasive Ductal carcinoma in situ. I went through 2 lumpectomies without them getting clean margins. The oncologist felt another lumpectomy might get us what they wanted to see (or not see I suppose). But I felt why go through that again and IF they found something else, I would end up with the mastectomy anyway. Because my cancer was very aggressive and my numbers were high, I had 4 rounds of chemo.

I think what shocks me about the surgery is I was told it would be "out patient." Oh my. What happened to the days of staying one or two nights in the hospital and have the awesome nurses look after you? I am afraid I won't know if I am having a complication or that I will panic if I do have one. I have my button down jammies and a nice recliners to sleep in. I am also taking 3 weeks off work. About how long until you were able to wear a bra with some sort of "poof" or prothesis? I need to get back to my dance class but am not going lopsided! Where does one get the drain pockets folks have mentioned? I would think the hospital would have given me a bit more info, but this seems standard here. My aunt had a mastectomy in Germany in January and they kept her 8 days and gave her her first post mastectomy bra and form.

I am not crying but I feel like it. My surgeon said I would be in the hospital over night. The doctors office said they give us a pouch for our drains before we leave the hospital. I am praying for everyone here. Hope all goes well.

Hello. My surgery (unilateral mastectomy L breast) was completed yesterday. I am resting comfortably in the hospital and should be released sometime this morning. I agree with other postings that the stress prior to surgery is gone once surgery is finally completed. The pain was pretty bad when I woke up from surgery however no pain now that meds have kicked in.

I plan to have my DH with me the first time I see the scar and deal with the reality that my breast is actually gone. My surgeon said that we can remove bandages over actual scar in 4-5 days or we can wait until 1 week check up.

My best to everyone recovering or facing surgery this month.

Heidibird. I am sorry for the struggles you are going through. I was blessed to be under care of a great Breast Cancer Partnership group that takes care of everything from the moment of diagnosis. The surgeon's office sent me to for a camisole fitting as part of my prep for surgery. It has Velcro opening with pockets on inside for drains and pockets for soft pillow type pads to use on both or one side. They also providesd a couple of lanyards to attach the drain(s) to in the shower. I also sent and received a free pair of Knitted Knockers.

I was admitted to the hospital at 12:00 noon yesterday and released to go home and left the hospital by 10:30 this morning. The RN's were great with private rooms set aside for patients undergoing cancer surgery. I felt ready to go home since my pain was under control and was able to get around. I think it must of been easier since I only had one breast removed, even though it is my left breast and I am left handed.

I know that the day/night prior to surgery was the worst for me. I was so anxious I didn't know what to do. I got up at one point during the night before and walked around our kitchen island in circles for 45 minutes listening to a book on tape. I promise you that anxiety will go away once you get through the surgery.

I had to laugh at you eyelash comment. I have exactly one eyelash left after 4AC/12Taxol treatments. I am 54 so we are also pretty close in age. I plan to be off work another 4-6 weeks and to complete radiation while working.

Yes, the night prior surgery was the worst as you count down the hours. Just know that there is a sense of relief once you wake up from surgery.

I am attaching a couple of photos from the camisole and drain packets that contain email addresses. Hope this might be helpful to someone.

Caroline- glad you are home and doing well!!!!

I had my surgery on 11/3 and came home the next day. Surgery went well. I did ask for the scopalamine patch prior to surgery. I still had some nausea that evening and night and had some zofran. I came home with 3 drains. One on the right and 2 on the left. Had my post op appts today. Got one drain pulled! Woo-hoo! The one on the right has been draining quite a bit since surgery. Here's hoping they both go next week! I agree with Heidi about soreness from the expanders. I have been using my percocet, ibuprofen, and flexeril around the clock. The daily naps have been nice.

Happy that my pathology came back benign since this time was a prophylactic mastectomy!

Sending healing vibes and good luck to everyone!

2yorkies it sounds like your surgery combination is the same that I will have 11/15

I am glad you are doing well and am wondering about the aftermath of the ALND, this honestly concerns me way more than the BMX

I already know because of MRI that I have multiple affected nodes. How many total were removed?

Brenda

Binky36736...I was the same way, more worried about ALND than BMX. I had a total of 15 nodes removed,, which was a level 1 and 2 dissection, typical of modified radical mastectomy. Like Logang stated, everyone has a different number of nodes. I was told not to lift my arms higher than shoulder height. No problem there..then in two weeks I can start some exercises. For some reason, my surgeons haven't provided me with specific exercises for that time. I am hoping at my RO appointment this am, he with give me a referral to OT for lymphedema awareness information.

Hi all,

Today is my last day of work before I go on leave. R mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy, & tissue expander placement on Tuesday. Everyone at work knows (my choice) and so far they have all be really great about respecting my "business as usual" request. But today I'm getting all these meaningful hugs and well-intended sad eyes. Walking about on the verge of tears. I feel like my fear has ramped up to an insane degree over the last day or two. Doesn't help that I totally fake it to protect my son and husband (he has anxiety and depression, although generally well-treated).

Having a Saturday night retreat/sleepover with two of my closest college friends. I suspect it's all going to come flooding out there.

Thinking of you Seedsally!

I think we are all entitled to a breakdown at some point Ironmom! I think my breakdown came after the appointment with my surgeon where we got my oncotype results. With a score of 57, I knew I would need chemo. That realization hit me hard because I still had high hopes of not needing it.

I am slowly getting better since my 11/3 surgery. I haven't had to nap as much. Still having to take my percocet, flexeril, and ibuprofen especially when I am going to be up moving.

Hope everyone is doing well!