November 2016 Surgeries

Nulyte: All surgeons are different for sure. When I had my right mx in January, my breast surgeon did not have me wear a surgical bra. I was allowed to shower, had to paint drain sites and cover with drain sponges daily. My incision was glued on the outside. Strict restrictions: No lifting more than 2 pounds, no moving arm more than 30 degrees. When I went for preop, I had a PT evaluation to get baseline measurements for lymphedema monitoring.

This surgery, the show is run by the plastic surgeon. Surgical bra still on all the time (grrr), no showering until 48 hours after all drains are out. Drains sites stay covered with biopatch and tegaderm. No lifting over 2 pounds and no arms above head.

After my surgery in January, I did request a script for a prosthetic, but had to wait for 6 weeks after surgery to use it. I also asked for PT because I had 31 nodes removed and had horrible range of motion and was terribly tight. As far as lymphedema, I would definitely ask if you are noticing any signs and symptoms.

P.S. Today is 48 hours from drain removal! I am super excited to take a shower! The first in 2 weeks!!!

OrcaPorkka, did anyone warn you that you would be green?!

Wicked - they did warn me, thankfully

Had my surgery today. Lumpectomy right breast. They attempted to put a wire in to the titanium marker under ultrasound but couldn't locate it so they had to insert it using mammogram. It took two tries to insert it. ☹️️ Then they took me to nuclear medicine to inject radioisotope into my breast so they could find my sentinel node during surgery. That was painful but only lasted a few seconds. Then they took me straight to holding to prepare me for surgery. They had to send the tissue to the breast ultrasound dept to check for the marker. They couldn't find it so they had to go back in and take some more tissue and send it to be checked. The sentinel node was clear. Home now and resting. Sore but no need for pain meds so far. Next hurdle is radiation

I'm scheduled for a lumpectomy on the 30th - I had an u/s, mammo, stereotactics, MRI, u/s, more core biopsies - all benign but my BS still wants to remove my lump (Im assuming there is a tiny chance it still could be or develop into ca?). Hoping I won't be out of work too long, what was recovery like? my lump is in my lower inner quad mid depth to chest wall 3cm x 1.5cm. Did anyone have to take pain meds other than ibuprofen or tylenol?

~D

Brenda, so glad you are doing better than expected! That is very relieving, and I wish you continued healing.

I had a UMX and SNB 2 days ago, and the pain is also less intense than I was expecting. I am home now and sore, but it's tolerable. I was given a shot of morphine in the recovery room and then a Vicodin the first night, but after that the nurses didn't want to give me anything more than tylenol because my blood pressure was too low. I was okay with that, even though I always have low bp, and I wasn't dizzy. I started to develop a headache at the hospital yesterday morning, and since I've been home it's been terrible. A headache like none I've had before, and I'm sitting with a bucket in case I get sick (I'm nauseous too). I have taken Percocet since I've been home, and I wonder if it's from that? Has anyone had problems with headaches after surgery? It's almost worse pain than the mastectomy. And I don't get headaches usually. I can call my doc in the morning, but it's also Thanksgiving here, and I'm hesitant to call for a headache on a holiday. Hopefully it will go away soon, but I was wondering if anyone else had something similar happen...

Hello Donna:

I am finished with all my treatments, and over a two year survivor. I met many who had only one breast removed during chemotherapy, and a few years down the road it spread into their other breast and other organs. Even though my cancer was in my right breast/and positive nodes.

I made the decision to have the double mastectomy without reconstruction. I did not want to worry about the cancer moving to my left breast. Of course, no guarantees!

I think if you have a peace in your heart that is what matters. No, it was not a easy decision. I laid on my bed the night before my surgery and cried/started grieving over my girlies.

Because of not liking to be cut on. I chose no reconstruction. I only get surgery when absolutely necessary. I did get my husbands input, and he was okay with my decision not to get reconstruction.

I also have many skin sensitivities since cancer treatments. I honestly don't know what other issues could come up. I am 57 now and not willing to take that risk.

Most people get reconstruction. I am from the old school of thought. If it is not necessary, I see no need to put myself through that stress. If I was younger, maybe I would feel different.

Donna I hope this helps.

Kat I am happy you posted that you are feeling better! I feel ya.

Great news Barboyd!

I continue to truck along I had my 2nd expander fill on Wednesday. The first fill was 30 cc on each and the second fill was 40 cc each. Really tight and sore. More on the left side.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

OG56 - I am so sorry you didn't get great care. I too was offended by my own smell. I used baby wipes on my armpits and that helped a lot, as did sitz baths and also getting my sister to was my hair (after week one was over). Hope you continue to heal and things go moe smoothky!

I bought and used disposable wash cloths and was able to wash my hair bent over the sink. I could not wait to shower and was finally able to 2 weeks after surgery!

My surgery mastectomy of left side with no reconstruction was on the 9th. I reported to the hospital at 6 a.m. and was home before 1 p.m. Still surprised that there was not even one overnight on the hospital. Those who said the anxiety over the procedure was the worst part are right. The nurse had the doc prescribe a valium while awaiting the surgery because I apparently was a little stressed. However I am glad to report that my pain afterwards was low and I have only taken 2 Motrin since the surgery.The main incision area is fine but , ouch, that area under the arm is still sore. That fat pad is uncomfortable and I sure hope there are some good options to get rid of that later. Any ideas on how to make that area feel better?

I wanted to emotionally prepare myself to see the incision area but that didn't happen. As I changed clothes that evening there was my incision in all its glory. There wwas no bandage over the area as dermabond glue was used instead of stitches. The sight slapped me in the face but then I got over it quicker than perhaps waiting to see it.

The surgeon said all looked fine at my post op and the great news that the pathology report found no more cancer or precancer cells in the tissue, Yeah! My chemo was finished on Sept.20 so now it's all a matter of healing and getting my strength and endurance back again. I do need to work on the arm exercises to get my full range of motion back. I was afraid to start them as soon as the surgeon wanted me to because of the fear of lymphedema.

The oncologist was pleased with everything and I have a few months reprieve before seeing her again.

I tried wearing a bra that closes in the back but that felt awful after a few hours so back to my one front closure that us way too big.

Now I also sit and wait and wonder when I can tell my hair is growing back. I heard the recent reports that Taxotere causes a 9.2% permanent hair loss. Oncologist says she hasn't had anyone yet have that happen to them. I am hoping I won't be her first!

My best wishes to all who are still recovering. To those who are waiting still for the surgery, you can do it. You will be fine. Remember there are many who love you and it's not because of your body but because of who you are as a friend, wife, mom, sister, co-worker, etc.

~Heidi

How long does it usually take to get post-mastectomy pathology back? Had my BMX on 11/15. The Thanksgiving holiday (I'm in the US) is probably making it all take longer.

I had my pathology results a week after surgery.