November 2016 Surgeries

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  • Icantri
    Icantri Member Posts: 93
    edited November 2016

    Best wishes Seedsally

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  • caroline372
    caroline372 Member Posts: 16
    edited November 2016

    Good luck Seedsally! Thinking of you.

    Binky, Icantri and techteacher, hang in there! It's tough when we don't have control of our situation and have to rely on others to help us get better. Be sure to take care of you this weekend, not just your family. I got a mani-pedi and massage last Saturday and was glad I did. Also, let your friends and family help you. I've found that they want to feel wanted. Good luck to all of you next week!

    I hate how the Percocet makes me feel so I've just taken Advil today with my muscle relaxer and antibiotic. The drains are a nuisance and I think add to the discomfort. It's all bearable though.

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  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited November 2016

    Thanks to all of you for thinking of me. I think about you guys everyday and try to check your posts whether I post or not. Believe it or not I am home now in my hospital bed with mild pain and not much meds for it. But I am bruising under my arms pretty badly. My PS wound up doing liposuction there as well as removing a lot of excess skin and fat tissue. So far the implants look and feel wonderful. My daughter is impressed with the results and my PS was very impressed with the good job my first PS did with the TE and pocket work. He said his job was very easy because of the job she did. I like this new PS very much. He came highly recommended by my husbands Doctor. Well think I'll catch a nap and check back tomorrow.

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  • lpgrms
    lpgrms Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2016

    I guess I had so much fun in the Fall of 2008 (lumpectomy, Mammosite, chemo, 5 years on Ferma) that I experiencing this road again in October 2016! Had a mastectomy on October 27; 2 lymph nodes positive out of 11; will have radiation in about 5-6 weeks; BS wants me to talk to oncologist (12/2) so iffy on chemo. I will have my 1st expansion on November 14; still have 1 drain (out of 2) still in. When all is done, I will have a breast reduction on the right. Question? What is the best thing to wear during reconstruction and until I have breast reduction. I am a 42DDD now; I hope to go the smallest I can go so there is quite a difference between. I have been wearing shirts (without a bra) and wearing a quilted vest so it covers it pretty good. Any tips? Oh, I can't wait to take a shower!!!! I am so sick of sponge baths!!!!!!!!

    Thanks, Linda G

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  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited November 2016

    High Linda. So sorry you are going through this again. I had some knitted knockers that a coworker made for me. Maybe that would be a good temporary fix for you. I am right there with you on missing my showers! I had my surgery on 11/3 and still have 2 out of 3 drains in! No showers until 48 hours after last drain is removed...booo.

    Seedsally glad to hear you are doing well!

    I told my coworkers that I would be T-rexing it for a few weeks due to restrictions and one sent me this picture tonight :

    image

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  • damaxx
    damaxx Member Posts: 7
    edited November 2016

    Hi All - Had my surgery on Wednesday, Nov 9th and came home from the hospital late Thursday evening.ย  I am waiting on the pathology reports, hoping for a good report next week.ย  I have four drains but my follow up is not until November 28th.ย  I suppose that will mean Thanksgiving at home.ย  I can't image going out with these drains.ย  Maybe I will get adjusted by then.ย  The past couple of days have not been as bad as I was expecting.ย  My only complaint is the surgeon accidentally post-dated my pain med so I have been unable to get those filled.ย  I did not realize it until the pharmacy declined to fill it Friday.ย ย ย 

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  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited November 2016

    Thanks toyou guys for thinking of me. I was taken into surgery for 2 hours & 15 minutes. In recovery for 1 hour and allowed to come home. My daughter drive me down to Memphis and back home. We were instructed to stop every hour and walk a little on the 2 1/2 drive home. I'm doing good and happy to have the surgery behind me.

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  • Nulyte
    Nulyte Member Posts: 62
    edited November 2016

    Hi Ladies --- so surgery is tomorrow for BMX and I'm ready to run! Haven't had a breakdown,yet and afraid it will come tomorrow while being prepped :(

    Even told my husband maybe they are wrong and I don't need this surgery. He calmly looked at me and said ."I can't begin to know how you feel , but your kids need a mother and I want my wife by my side for many years so it has to be done." Praying for an inner calm or peace to take over.

    My mom arrived today and is staying 3 weeks. She will help hubby with the kids and hoping to keep everything as normal as possible for them.

    Thanks for listening

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  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited November 2016

    NuLyte. We all know how you feel. When I feel that way, I try to concentrate on knowing my path was set before me and I had very few choices going down that path. For example: I chose BMX over one breast removal and I chose a different surgeon than I started with in order to have that. I also chose reconstruction over wearing a prosthesis and so far I'm not sorry. Nothing can change the 6 rather long scars due to other work needed done on my skin. But I accept it and remind myself of what it would have been otherwise. I tell myself what's a couple more scars anyway. I guess I'm saying if you just accept the situation and go through the steps you have to in order to be well and accept the new normal of your life, then you will feel more calm and some peace. Along the way you will think things like "let me wake up from this nightmare" but then you straighten your shoulders and look forward. Sometimes I just take 3 deep breaths and let them out slowly. It's a surprising how just that calms me and helps ease pain when I have it. I will think of you tomorrow. Keep posting so we can know your progress.

    Sharon

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  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited November 2016

    Hi damaxx! The drains really do suck, but I don't let them keep me from going out. My favorite thing to wear is anything with inside pockets. I have two fleece jackets with inside pockets that work perfect for the drains and extra tubing. I can go out and people don't even know!

    Nulyte: I'm sending hugs! That is great that you have extra help for a few weeks. Before my first surgery back in January, the night before was the worst due to anxiety. The morning of, I was fairly calm. Do something fun today!

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  • bpabailey
    bpabailey Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2016

    My wife just came out of surgery Thursday night and released on Friday at 1400. She was pretty scared about a couple of things that many of the ladies here were scared of. We were all wondering why they would send someone home aftter a BMX so soon. Honestly, after she woke up it didn't take us long to realize there was going to be no way for her to rest in the hospital. They are in and out constantly, housekeeping, technicians, nurses, food service, and people we have no idea why they were stopping by. She was really able to rest only after we came home. And rest is what she really needed

    Our Dr wrote a prescription for an after surgery camisole that has pockets for the drains. She was also pretty happy that Nordstrom takes insurance for the camisole and it costs us $1. The Dr informed us of that. It has been such a tremendous help so far.


    One thing she has repeated so often since we have been home is that her anxiety and the anticipation of the surgery was a 1000 times worse than the surgery and how she feels now just a couple days later. Fear is normal, anxiety is normal. Talk to someone you can laugh with, breath, pray and realize that youll be through it soon and it's only temporary. Our prayers are with you all.

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  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited November 2016

    Thanks for posting bpabailey! Glad your wife is doing well! Sending healing thoughts! I stayed overnight after both of my surgeries. You are correct about the rest, but I felt better knowing that my pain was well controlled and could be monitored for any postoperative issues This last surgery I ended up having issues with nausea. Being able to have IV zofran was so helpful. My surgery was at 2pm on a Thursday and I was headed home by 930 the next morning.

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  • AdelH
    AdelH Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2016

    hello everyone. I am a newbie..I just had a right mastectomy with lymph node removal on Nov. 1st. All tested positive. With that being said it hit me like a ton of bricks, not to mention it had changed to a grade 2 to 3.

    I meet with my surgeon tomorrow for my 2nd post op; and finally meet with an oncologist Wednesday to discuss further testing and chemo.

    As far as the surgery recovery I have done quite well physically. I walked 1.8 miles 4days post op. Walked gain yesterday 2.3 miles. Still a little swollen under my arm and sore.

    Mentally is a different story..I am scared to death of what else they will find. I mean what are the chances of it metastasizing?? The waiting kills me and gives me too much time to think.

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  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited November 2016

    AdelH glad to see your post here. Sorry you are having to deal with all this. Keep posting as often as you like and know we understand how you feel.

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  • Jenny867_5309
    Jenny867_5309 Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2016

    I'm a newbie too. I'm 43, from Seattle and have a 5 and a 9-year-old. I was diagnosed August 31st with IDC in my left breast measuring over 7cm. Had mastectomy on my left breast on Halloween. Tomorrow will be 2 weeks. I have an expander in and still 2 drains. I see the plastic surgeon tomorrow. I'm hoping to get the drains out. I have been going to budget cuts and having my hair washed and dried about every 3 days and also bought some dry shampoo and self tanner. All of those things have helped me feel like myself a little. I did buy a wedge by Brookstone at Bed Bath and Beyond for $100 and used the 20% off couple. Well worth the splurge. I meet with the onc Thursday evening to find out about chemo. My anxiety is starting to build about that. I'm still in quite a bit of discomfort but I have been driving a little, cooking all week.

    The weekend before my surgery my bestie came for a visit and we went and met with a tattoo artist that specializes in covering scars on mastectomies. I think it will be cathartic to have something beautiful to look at after surviving all of this. I've been Pinterest boarding lots of tattooed boobs. I currently don't have any tattoos, but this is a good reason to get one. My plastic surgeon gave me a good tip and told me to get it done in Henna first so I could make sure I liked it and that it didn't show with clothes.

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  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 897
    edited November 2016

    Surgery BMX WITH RECON TOMORROW, I am as ready as I can be, in fact I can't wait till they knock me out!!

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  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited November 2016

    Good luck OG56! Let us know how you are once you're able to!

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  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited November 2016

    Yes good luck OG56 and keep us posted. We will be thinking of you.

    I am recuperating from my EX last Friday. Not too much pain and I had quite a bit of extra work done under may arms to remove excess skin and tissues that was causing pain all the time. There's a lot of bruising but I was told there would be.I feel so much better. Go for post op check up tomorrow with PS.

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  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 897
    edited November 2016

    Sally, I think I will have to have a phase 2 to get rid of the extra skin.I'm gonna need lipo on my back fat LOL How do you feel your new foobs are looking?

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  • OrcaPorkka
    OrcaPorkka Member Posts: 61
    edited November 2016

    jenny867 - I am another Mom near Seattle with two daughters, 8 and 12. I have my implant exchange on Thursday the 17th and I am looking forward to it.


    I am glad to hear many of you are doing well. I am being optimisiyc

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  • Nulyte
    Nulyte Member Posts: 62
    edited November 2016

    Hi everyone- had my BMX and node dissection Monday ( after the family dragged me into the hospital ) , came home yesterday , no reconstruction. Using Tylenol and doing ok but the one drain site hurts so bad :( can't wait until it's out! Surgeon told hubby she's confident she cleared all the margins and only took one packet of lymphs because they looked good! Praying she is right so now to wait for path. My husband is afraid I will be depressed but my thoughts are I chose life over boobs and in the future if I want I can have recon!
    You were all right the anxiety over the surgery was worst than the surgery and my nurses on the floor were awesome as was my surgical team!
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  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited November 2016

    OG56 I think my foobs look wonderful from the front but more than that they feel like the real thing pretty much inside and out. So so so much better than the TEs. But my sides under my arms are swollen and very bruised from the combination liposuction and excess skin removal. The incision areas are quite long but I believe they will appear smaller once the swelling goes down. The EX surgery was fast and almost painless. An easy surgery to go through at least for me. And that's what I had prayed for.

    Good luck on your EX Orca!

    And NuLyte my husband sounds just like yours. He was worried the same way about depression and my PCP insists that underneath the surface my mind continues to process everything even when I am firmly choosing to look toward the future like you are. I choose to fight for life too. But my PCP says a little depression can't be helped and prescribed something to take for small episodes when I need it. Plus she said for me not to hesitate if I feel I need an antidepressant. Just ask and she will give it to me. So far I don't need anything but that might change withthe continued anastrozole treatment.

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  • Wicked
    Wicked Member Posts: 141
    edited November 2016

    Had no recon BMX yesterday. Got to the hospital at 6 am, surgery started at 8. I was in recovery by noon and home around 3. I was happy not to spend a night in the hospital. Feeling really sore but no acute pain. More of a dull ache than anything. I have pretty good range of motion in my arms. I do wish someone had told me the blue dye turns your pee blue!

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  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited November 2016

    Glad you are doing well Wicked!

    I had a follow-up with plastics today. I got my last 2 drains out today! I got my first expander fill with 30 cc in each. Not feeling to bad, just a little tight. Got my monthly Zoladex injection as well. I feel thoroughly poked and prodded....

    Hope everyone is doing well!

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  • soareagle1962
    soareagle1962 Member Posts: 18
    edited November 2016

    Wicked. I was also surprised by the blue dye showing up in my urine. I also do not remember it being mentioned on any posts I have read. The nurse ended up explaining why it was blue.

    I am 9 days post op and feeling pretty good. I still have the drain. My surgeon will not remove until there is 20 ml of fluid per day for 2 days (48 hours). I am at around 50 ml per day right now. It is a nuisance and I am not allowed to exercise that arm or raise it above my shoulder.

    I think the surgeons have different rules. I am allowed to take showers and get the area wet. I put the drain on a lanyard and hang it it up in the shower while I am washing.

    I am surprised that there is no brushing and doesn't look too bad. I have attached a picture; not as ugly as I feared.

    I get my port removed next Wednesday




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  • Wicked
    Wicked Member Posts: 141
    edited November 2016

    Had surgery on 11/15/16 and of course got my period the next day. I feel like all I'm doing is watching blood come out of me! UGH!!!

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  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited November 2016

    Wicked, that happened to me back in January. The only bonus of doing ovarian supression shots and taking aromasin is no periods!

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  • OrcaPorkka
    OrcaPorkka Member Posts: 61
    edited November 2016

    I had my exchange surgery this morning. I woke up feeling very little pain. I would say I feel like week 3 or 4 after my BMX. It feels amazing. Definitely squishier already. Less projection, but I am okay with smaller. Thanks everyone for the support!


    Wicked - my doctor used the blue dye and my plastic surgeon used yellow fluorescent dye,so my pee and skin was a glowing green color for a few days :

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  • Nulyte
    Nulyte Member Posts: 62
    edited November 2016
    Ok so it's day 5 post BMX and I'm upset when I read other women were given a compression bra and rules for lyphedema etc. I have nothing but tegadem and gauze. There were no directions on what happens when the drains start draining clear and smaller amounts. My post op follow up is Monday. There was an off handed remark about showering today but no directions , like do I cover the area , the drains etc. Don't get me wrong she was an excellent surgeon but no bedside manner or time I guess for nonsense. I'm thankful for her she worked to not sever so many nerves so I wouldn't live with numbness forever and bruising , swelling are minimal.
    Any advice? Should I request a lymphedema eval, PT, scripts for prosthetics?
    Thank you
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  • OrcaPorkka
    OrcaPorkka Member Posts: 61
    edited November 2016

    Nulyte - I am sorry you are feeling anxious. I bet you will get more directions at your first post-op. My plastic surgeon does absolutely no compression after BMX to encourage blood flow to the area, since so many blood vessels were taken away. I have compression bras just now after my implant exchange, yesterday, which is 4 months after my BMX.

    I did all my lymphadema research on my own (many good websites, including this one have great articles), and didn't do PT until 6 weeks ago, my dr wanted me to heal fully before starting PT, and then only because I had cording issues. Otherwise I would have needed no PT.

    Hope that helps. Sounds like you are just getting started healing. Hugs!

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