December 2016 Surgeries

Traci, yes, just one overnight. That seems so short, doesn't it? My SIL just had her gallbladder removed and she was in the hospital for 3 days! But from what I've seen online 1 overnight sounds standard.

I am having left MX Dec 9th. I too am looking for button up shirts, and they are so hard to find. I cant run around all day in PJ's although I would. But I need to get up and get dressed. I will be sleeping in a recliner and I am a single lady so do know my daughter from Oregon will be here a few nites, then not sure. I was told in the hospital 1-2 nites. I am hoping we all have speedy recovery, as this is the holiday season. Something I have never liked till I had grandchildren now this will always be in my holiday memories.

check amazon for some cute flannel shirts. Inexpensive. I but a lot on Amazon like all my Christmas toys so I have free shopping but still worth it to get a good deal

I also felt pretty good after survey. Mine was 11/9 and iwas up and about a day later. Sore and needed lots of rest but around and sitting with my kids

Hiii Scaredashell! I am glad to see things are healing up for you! Thanks for the info on Amazon, I do a lot of holiday shopping on there for my son, so will check that out. Glad to hear you were up and moving about a few days after taking it easy.

I am super nervous about surgery but anxious to get the mass out and check nodes.

Best wishes on continued healing!

I am happy when I see the ladies who have gone to surgery before us and they are doing amazing. Because of the wait, it is scary and I can't wait for this part of the waiting to be over. WIsh I had a crystal ball for the next few months.

Goincrzy8: I agree! It's extremely comforting and encouraging to hear that others have sailed through what we're about to experience! Hopeful we'll do as well!

MyJourneys: What a great idea!! Thank you for assembling that list!! Will be easier to refer to that so we can keep those here in our thoughts & prayers. Well done!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

I'll be thinking of all you having MX's in December. A tough time to have received this diagnosis, but there sure does not seem like any time is good. Sorry you are need to be here and the only advice I might offer is to rely on each other. Hugs to you all with love.

Hi MyJourneys,

Here's an update for your list.... My surgery is Dec. 2 (next Friday!). MX on right with immediate reconstruction (DIEP). So glad to wait until after Thanksgiving and really looking forward to dinner with my family tomorrow. Haven't sent Christmas cards out in years but it looks like I'll have time to do it this year!

Sending prayers and well wishes to all!

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Kind of emotional today, but read a post on another thread that gave me an "ah ha" moment. She wrote: Because there are no organs or bones or muscles moved around you are really just dealing with the incision. I was like WTH I got this, Spending time with family and friends is more important than being lopsided and not having a left breast. I am not a Black Friday shopper so today is day for me.

So did some weekend shopping. Actually found some button up shirts, Brand new with tags at the local goodwill. Lucky day today everything half off, so 3 shirts for $9.00. Also went out and got a new recliner, this one is a power recliner and also a great price....Merry Christmas to me. For those with no reconstruction, have you thought about prosthetics and any decisions?

I am hoping for a quick recovery my grandkids know I will be off work and they want to come stay with me the week before for Christmas while son and DIL are at work. They will make the healing go smoother, my grandson *8* already has movies picked out for us to watch. Gotta love that boy.

Hi RedemptiveSufferer, I met with my plastic surgeon last week and he gave me both options I am also wavering between the two and I'm not sure what I want to do. For now I will have the te placed at the time of surgery and I guess I will have time while I'm healing to make a final decision. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I will not have a breast on that side and that I will have something else placed there.

Hi Redemptive! DIEP is not an option w my plastic surgeon either. I also had c-section w my son, but he said I could go with either option of implant or TRAM. I leaned towards implant despite the replacement factor of every 10 years, but then I started wondering if I should consider the TRAM instead. Its a very hard decision really like other things on this journey so far. Very grateful for this forum tho and to be able to chat w others facing same fears and bouncing ideas around does help a lot!

For now, I guess its one step at a time.

Hope your last pre surgery week goes well. I have a lot going on this week between work prep for me being out and home stuff.

Have a good Monday!

Redemptive Sufferer, it's just how you describe - I didn't like any of my options either. It took me a long time to decide. Simultaneously I was consulting with a local oncology surgeon and then traveling down to Penn in Philadelphia (1-1.5 hours) for a second opinion. What I was hoping to do was a lumpectomy, but after additional biopsies revealed a total of 3 locations of DCIS, both surgeons recommended a mastectomy. I kept trying to decide between local treatment and Penn, TE and DIEP. I'd have these little pep talks with myself - trying to force a decision. What finally made the choice clear was the plastic surgeons. The local PS my oncology surgeon referred me to said I wasn't a candidate for DIEP and his approach was that of a cosmetic surgeon. (He recommended going bigger and having surgery on my healthy breast to match.) What the local PS should have told me is that he doesn't do DIEP. My Penn PS says I'm a good candidate for DIEP and understands I just want to get back to my life as quickly as possible. That did it for me. Not looking forward to surgery on Friday, but I am looking forward to getting it behind me.

I can imagine how much harder this decision would have been if my kids were younger (they are 23 and 19). Hoping that your next visit brings you clarity and confidence in your decision.