November 2016 Surgeries

1234568ยป

Comments

  • OrcaPorkka
    OrcaPorkka Member Posts: 61
    edited November 2016

    Melinda, I am so sorry you are going through this alone (though we are here for you of course!) Is someone staying with you to help with the mess and drains? It is so tough at first but it really does get better. Hugs and love to you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 897
    edited November 2016

    Went to the Dr. today all pathology came back clean! I cried myself out to my car. always thought I was a positive person but was just sure all was negative. Thank you for all your love and support

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melinda0628
    Melinda0628 Member Posts: 67
    edited November 2016

    My husband was home for a few days but unfortunately had to leave. No one to help but the drains haven't been too bad. They are slowing down quite a bit only emptying them in the morning and night. My dressings need changed too so I will try to do that tonight ir tomorrow.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heidibird
    Heidibird Member Posts: 213
    edited November 2016

    OG56, what great news! I was so excited when mine came back clean too, although for the briefest of moments I regretted the UMX. Then I reminded myself how aggressive my cells were.

    Melinda, you are a strong woman to be doing this. Tears do not make you make you weak. Sometimes we just need to cry. Heck, I cried almost every time I met with the oncologist or BS no matter what the news. Can you get home health care to come out for a dressing change? Hopefully your husband will be back home soon and you'll have his shoulders to lean on again.

    ~Heidi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melinda0628
    Melinda0628 Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2016

    Thanks Heidi, its been rough but I havent cried today at least. I have a PET scan in the morning, nervous about the results since 13/13 are positive. I want to get back to work, get back to somewhat of a schedule, but I know I need to take this time to heal, its only been 5 days since surgery.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heidibird
    Heidibird Member Posts: 213
    edited December 2016

    I will add you to my prayers tonight, Melinda, that your PET scan comes out very good. I understand about wanting to get back to a somewhat normal life again. Being busy at work sure helped me forget at times that I had cancer, With this last surgery I have been off 3 weeks. Was going to go back tomorrow but can't stay comfortably in a bra for the full work day yet. One day at a time is how we have to take it....with or without tears. *hugs* to you. This time next week you'll be feeling so much better.

    ~Heidi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melinda0628
    Melinda0628 Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2016

    Thank you Heidi. I hope to be feeling better soon, One day at a time I know. My BS said 10 days off but I really dont want to go back to work with these drains in.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited December 2016

    Melinda: I'm sorry you are having a hard time. What kind of work do you do? Ten days off isn't much. My surgeon wanted me off for 8 weeks again this time, but I pushed for 6 weeks.

    OG56 glad to hear you got good news with your pathology report!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melinda0628
    Melinda0628 Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2016

    I work at a newspaper, desk job, accounting. I know 10 days isnt long and im thinking i will need more time off. Ill see what my BS says on Friday. I want to heal the right way, I have drains in and on pain meds so I cant drive. Plus I cant even drive yet.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heidibird
    Heidibird Member Posts: 213
    edited December 2016

    Ten days does seem like a short period of time. I know it's hard, but don't rush it or over do things.

    It's an awesome feeling when the drains come out. I only had one but was soooo glad to have it out. My BS said normal activities after 2 to 3 weeks, Yesterday was my 3 week point, However I need to comfortably be able to wear some sort of a bra for the whole work day and what I have bought so far isn't working for me. Three different ones on order and waiting for them to come so I should be back to work Monday, My main incision doesn't bother me but that side slab of fat under my arm is a bear.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melinda0628
    Melinda0628 Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2016

    Yeah I know about that side fat lol I feel the same way...I am getting some feeling back in my left arm where I had my nodes removed and it hurts! Thank God for the pain meds. I had my PET scan today and got my wounds redressed. Nurses said I am healing amazingly. They couldn't believe its not even been a week.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Goincrzy8
    Goincrzy8 Member Posts: 387
    edited December 2016

    My surgeon said 6 weeks, but I am going to push for 8. I have the boss from HELL, so no big hurry to get back to work. I have 2 part time jobs I can work on to keep me busy. Will have UMX Dec 9th.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heidibird
    Heidibird Member Posts: 213
    edited December 2016

    Melinda, glad to hear the healing is going well. Maybe your drains will be out soon!

    Goincrzy, sending your good thoughts and prayer that your surgery goes well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • OrcaPorkka
    OrcaPorkka Member Posts: 61
    edited December 2016

    I hope everyone is doing well. I am still out putting 50ccs per drain, 2 weeks plus 2 days post surgery. I am feeling good though.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited December 2016

    Orca I am doing well. I am 3 weeks and 2 days out from bilateral EX. My PS removed the extra fat, tissue and skin from each side under my arms which means I have about 8" incisions on each side as well as smaller incisions at the sides of my breast mounds that blended into my original BMX incisions. There are about 4 remaining stitches that feel like wire sticking out in random places even though I was glued shut.

    But all in all I am healing well. One thing that puzzles me is that my PS said from the start to sleep any way I wanted and I have no drains, no bra, and little or no swelling. I had 4 drains with the BMX that put out quite a lot. I wonder if the 7 months healing time is the reason. My PS said such a good job was done by my first PS on the pocket work that he had very little to do on it at EX.

    I have been sleeping on my sides with small pillows for support for 2 weeks. I get very achy when I wear a bra for short periods. My PS said I didn't have to wear a bra but could if I wanted to.

    Needless to say my incisions have made me very careful about moving to my sides and propping up on pillows as well as turning in bed.

    Hope everyone has a good day today.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Southern-girl
    Southern-girl Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2016

    KAM5166, hope you're doing ok. I just had the DIEP flap on 11/17 and just had the last drain out yesterday. Wow, what a big, big surgery, but think down the road I'll be glad. Still cannot stand fully upright and am told by my oncologist not to push it because he's seen wound opening up in abdomen when that is rushed. Still sleeping in recliner. How is your healing going

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melinda0628
    Melinda0628 Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2016

    Hi all,

    Well it is 12 days after surgery and drains are still in but definitely lower volumes. In 12 hours my right is at 20cc and left is around 30cc. I think we are getting close to them getting out, just to get a port in to start chemo. I will be glad to move on to the next step though. Should be able to go back to work once drains are removed. I am having cabin fever!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heidibird
    Heidibird Member Posts: 213
    edited December 2016

    Yeah! Glad to hear things are going better for you now. :-) Is hubby home yet to help? Tell him you get to be extra spoiled for the days he missed.

    Port surgery is easy. But I am anxious to get mine out as I am super sensitive to its placement. However, it's the way to go versus a pic line. Even the chemo nurses told me that.

    ~Heidi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 897
    edited December 2016

    Glad to hear your doing well, drains coming out, my 4 are all gone! I cannot sleep well and 22 days later I am weak

    and sleepy ๐Ÿ˜ฅ Is anyone feeling good?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited December 2016

    Glad to hear you are drain free OG56!

    I struggle with insomnia d/t taking aromasin. A lot of the time I'm really tired, but then can't sleep. I may try melatonin to see if it helps. I go back to work next Thursday and will continue going for weekly expander fills. I am sure I will be exhausted after just 2 days next week. I have been working my way back up to pre-surgery with my daily walking. It will take time to get back to my goal speed and distance.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heidibird
    Heidibird Member Posts: 213
    edited December 2016

    I haven't slept well in the past decade or so. I take Melatonin most nights. I shudder to think the Aromasin might make me even more sleepless at night. I, too, have been very tired and tried to maintain walking at least 5000 steps starting the day after my surgery. I dance and teach dance(C/W couples and line dancing) and my legs and leg strength is so important to me. Sometimes my legs just seem to give out while I am shopping...almost as if I ran out of gas. Grrrrr..but I will plod through. I am going dancing in a little bit and then have a full day of dance workshops tomorrow. Woohoo!

    Hope all are healing well and may we all have good health and peace.

    ~Heidi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 2yorkies
    2yorkies Member Posts: 24
    edited December 2016

    To all the November surgeries: have a Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year! We all deserve it!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited December 2016

    Same to you 2yorkies! I am definitely ready for the new year! It has to be better than this one!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heidibird
    Heidibird Member Posts: 213
    edited December 2016

    I agree. 2017 will be MUCH better!

    ~Heidi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories