December 2016 Surgeries

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  • Kattis894
    Kattis894 Member Posts: 218
    edited December 2016

    Since I had my main node removed already last summer and it was clear, they are not planing to remove any more nodes during my upcoming surgery. The fear for mets are of course huge but the surgeon today recommended not to do any scans either since they usually find "dark spots" that might be cancer but usually might not be so she felt that for the fear factor it is better to wait with this until long after the surgery, pathology report, perhaps more chemo or hormons etc. I understand the pathology report will tell how the medication has worked up until now since I have done months of chemo before the surgery together with herceptin and perjeta due to the biopsy showing my cancer was trippel positive Her+++.

    I guess for those that does surgery (usually small lumps) before chemo the report shows a lot more information and that nodes are removed during the same time. The wait for the results are a nightmare. I am already taking pills to calm me down and think I will have to take lots of them while waiting for the results of my report even if I know what kind of cancer I have been dealing with so far.

    I am glad to hear it seems everyone is doing well recovering, even with flaps (I will prefer this later). Apparently just removing the breast means a pretty fast recovery and usually they send you home after one day in the hospital.

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  • dccancer
    dccancer Member Posts: 26
    edited December 2016

    Hello everyone,

    Thanks so much for checking in! My surgery yesterday went well and I came home this morning around 11am. The lymph node procedure was done while I was under anesthesia. The surgeon told my she was able to get the lymph nodes with the mastectomy incision so no underarm pain for me. I feel fortunate since i was so worried about that. She only needed to take two lymph nodes and is pretty confident they will be clear. I was in a lot of pain when I came out of surgery and was in the post op but they gave me fentanyl and that helped. I had a morphine pump that I could deliver every ten minutes,. They also gave me valium and nerve pain medication - neurontin(sp??). I have numbing medicine that will bathe the site during the first three to four days and the plastic surgeon will remove it on the 13th. I only have one drain so I am grateful for that! They gave me percocet and valium to take at home. The valium helps stops the muscles from contracting. I haven't needed much of the percocet yet. I hurts worst when I wake up after a nap but other than that I am just a little sore and tired but otherwise feel good and am happy to be home!



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  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited December 2016

    Hi. Same for me as far as staging. Still waiting for all of the details to roll in. Trying to focus on surgery being over and healing up.

    The nurse came today and mostly just checked all my vitals and dressing. Added more fluff in the itchy bra j have on from hospital and that was about it. I haven't had the bravery to look at my incision yet. I can see bruising but I just am not ready to look I guess.

    RedemtiveSufferer, how are your drains doing. Mine has slowed considerably so may be able to call tomorrow or Monday to get mine removed. I would think that will be a relief. Hope your pain subsides for you soon.

    I can't say enough about how strong the ladies are who have had BMX. I can't really raise my right arm so I cant again how much harder it would be having both. My 13 yr old was just kind enough to help me put my hair up in a ponytail. Slightly lopsided but works! Lol

    Thanks to all the Dec fighters posting updates, etc.

    Traci

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  • RedemptiveSufferer
    RedemptiveSufferer Member Posts: 242
    edited December 2016

    GoinCrzy8 & Pepper 43 You're on my mind tonight. I'll be praying for a good night's sleep as well as peace & comfort for tomorrow. I'll reiterate what so many others here have said...it's not as bad as I thought it would be. You've got this!!

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  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited December 2016

    I couldn't agree more w what RedemptiveSufferer has said. Hang in there goincrzy8 and pepper43. The fear is worse than the surgery. We will be here for you when you can post.

    Hugs!!!

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  • Goincrzy8
    Goincrzy8 Member Posts: 387
    edited December 2016

    Thanks ladies went to lunch with my BFF she has been so supportive always ready with a glass of wine. They called earlier from hospital to collect my Co Pay....guess that made it real. The nurse then called for pre op she said she had been through this and it really is going to be ok. I explained I have never had anesthesia and she said she had not either but when you wake up you feel like you have a had a nice sleep.

    I did ask about drugs my Surgeon gives Norco. I work for a dr and he writes these like candy and his patients are addicted. She said I will be fine and should breeze through this.

    I am just wanting it over, I have to be there at 5 am, she said drink lots of water till 11:30 will make anesthesia easier for me. So hoping since I had a big lunch I will find something lite to eat before bed.

    Will be back when I can, and thank you all so much for all the support, glad to have women with me who understand. Thinking of you Pepper

    Sherry

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  • MyJourneys
    MyJourneys Member Posts: 143
    edited December 2016

    dccancer, it's so good to hear from you! I'm glad you're doing so well. They gave me a different muscle relaxer, but I can't remember if I'm supposed to take it, or take it only as needed. So I'm taking it, just in case. Keep us updated!

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  • MyJourneys
    MyJourneys Member Posts: 143
    edited December 2016

    Goincrzy and Pepper, I'm thinking about both of you. Check in with us when you can.

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  • jcn16
    jcn16 Member Posts: 128
    edited December 2016

    Goincrzy8,

    Hope all goes well for you tomorrow. I had never been under general anesthesia before either and your nurse's description is exactly right. Felt much less anxious after meeting members of the surgery team and speaking with the nurse anesthetist in pre-op. I was able to tell her about my asthma and the medication I take for it. As I was waking up two members of the team were by my side telling me it was over and all had gone well. They were all so kind, thorough, and reassuring.

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  • Armecia
    Armecia Member Posts: 28
    edited December 2016

    Goincrzy, best of luck. My BMX was Friday 12/2 and it was not as bad as I imagined. I really had little pain afterward. Get your prescriptions filled and use meds when you need them. You want to have the surgery because it is goin to help save your life!

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  • Armecia
    Armecia Member Posts: 28
    edited December 2016

    For those wondering about pathology results, my op was Friday and I heard from my surgeon on Wednesday. My tumor was larger than estimated and one (out of four) lymph nodes had cancer in it. So I've got to go in next Tuesday to have more nodes removed

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  • MyJourneys
    MyJourneys Member Posts: 143
    edited December 2016

    Armecia, I'm sorry to hear about your positive lymph node and having more surgery. What happens after that?

    I still don't have any of my pathology back yet. Hopefully tomorrow. It's so hard to wait.

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  • RedemptiveSufferer
    RedemptiveSufferer Member Posts: 242
    edited December 2016

    Great advice, Armecia, to GoinCrzy8! It's to preserve our lives...don't know why it can be easy to lose that perspective. Armecia, I'm also sorry about the positive lymph node. Why do they need to do more surgery? is that commonplace, I guess, for them to remove more? So much I still don't know as I walk this journey.


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  • thekeensheep
    thekeensheep Member Posts: 24
    edited December 2016

    I haven't checked in for a while, but I am reading all your posts as soon as they hit my email and I am thinking of you all. I am struggling. Trying to keep it together emotionally and mentally. Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and completely checked out. I am finally succumbing to taking an ativan for bed tonight. On top of the surgery stress, my 20 yr old son left this morning to drive from college in Oregon to me in Michigan to get here before I go in on Tuesday....he has been slammed with the snow storms since he left and after 14 hrs, broken snow chains, being towed 200 miles, and having to buy a whole new set of tires, he finally crossed into Idaho and is staying at a friend of mines house in Boise. I am so stressed with him driving in this weather across the whole country. We had a huge pile up and fatalities this morning here in Lansing that made national news...I don't even want to drive.

    My mother arrives Saturday night, and my son will hopefully arrive Sunday mid day. Regarding surgery, I am not really concerned anymore about the physicality of it all...just the mental and emotional adjustment to a new body. I have been consciously doing things that engage my breasts in ways I have taken for granted...I am taking the time to really notice how they feel, how they move, what they 'really' look like. Tonight I sat in a salt bath with candles and a good bourbon and just felt my body float for a while, noticing how my breasts felt in the water - how they are bouyant and move, and thought about what a bath will feel like in the future without them there. Its all very interesting, rather melacholy. I think because my surgery has been delayed, I have begun the grieving stage early. I don't know. I just know it feels like loss, like a death of sorts. I am grieving, even though I don't want to be. But maybe it will allow me the space to grieve less on the other side of surgery.

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  • Armecia
    Armecia Member Posts: 28
    edited December 2016

    Thank you MyJourneys & RedemptiveS. When a sentinel node has cancer, the standard is to revert and do a axillary node dissection, that is take out the rest of the nodes on that side. The idea is to surgically remove all local cancer.

    Of course, removing all these nodes can disrupt the lymphatic system on that side nad cause lymphedema. My surgeon is an expert in node mapping and will use reverse mapping to ID the nodes in my underarm that serve my arm and conserve those while removing the rest of the nodes that filter fluid from the breast. Reduces my chances of lymphedema

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  • MyJourneys
    MyJourneys Member Posts: 143
    edited December 2016

    KeenSheep, I'm sorry you have to deal witk extra weather stress right now on top of surgery stress. I hope everyone makes it to your house safely soon.

    I think your feelings of loss and grief are normal, and hope they evolve into a feeling of peace soon.

    {{{{sending hugs}}}


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  • MyJourneys
    MyJourneys Member Posts: 143
    edited December 2016

    Armecia, you already went through that on your other side, didn't you? It sounds like you chose a great surgeon for your circumstances.

    I haven't gotten any of my pathology back yet (since Monday), and am getting nervous.


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  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited December 2016

    Armecia, sorry to hear about lymph and that more have to be removed. At the time of my masectomy Tues, my sentinel was very large and removed so my dr also removed additional lymph nodes. Still waiting on all the pathology and nervous.

    Going today at noon to have my drain removed. I hope it doesn't hurt too bad.

    Feeling sore and swollen but was able to get a baby wipe bath in today lol and fresh set of jammies.

    Thinking of all my fellow Dec fighters.

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  • RedemptiveSufferer
    RedemptiveSufferer Member Posts: 242
    edited December 2016

    Armecia, sounds as if you are in excellent hands. Not sure that we have access to such experts where I am. Not that we want to have any cancer in our nodes, but 1 out of 4 doesn't sound extreme to me. (I realize i don't understand how all of this plays into our diagnosis) but will be praying that that's it and whatever is found can be removed completely: badda bing, badda bang.

    I just had one of four drains removed today and it didn't hurt at all. I didn't even feel a pinch. I do have some swelling & bruising near where the drains come out but was told it's normal and things are progressing on schedule! Had my sponge bath last night...YES!...and my mom washed my hair today. Feeling a little fresher :-)

    KeenSheep, what's the latest with your son? Hope you've been in touch w/him and he's either w/you or will be soon. So thankful my mom has been here to help me. Thankful for my husband, too, except where drains are concerned...he'll have no part in even looking at them, lol!

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  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited December 2016

    Hi RedemptiveSufferer,

    Just checking in to see how you are doing. I saw you had a drain removed so that is good. I had mine removed today and am looking forward to sleeping w o it tonight. Feeling sore and very tired today but otherwise ok.

    How are you feeling? Glad we both have out hubbies and moms to help us out. Nothing better than that.

    Wishing you and all the other ladies on here a peaceful weekend.

    Traci


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  • Goincrzy8
    Goincrzy8 Member Posts: 387
    edited December 2016

    hi ladies well I did it. It has been a long day. This hospital is a peice of work. Sx over at 11:15 they have no beds so I was in recovery till 6;30pm my poor kids have been here since 5 am with me and they don't let visitor in the Pacu

    Surgery went fine tumor bigger than he thought and he had to take more skin than he thought hopes for rads but will know more later

    I am in no pain as of yet anesthesia went great as usual the waiting is the hardest

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  • Aumgirl
    Aumgirl Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2016

    Hi! I will be having a lumpectomy with IORT left breast on Dec 22.

    Hope everyone is recovering well to those who had their surgeries and sending positive and healing energy to those who will be having thwirs soon!

    @MyJourneys, thanks for starting this awesome thread for all of us!

    Namaste

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  • pepper43
    pepper43 Member Posts: 103
    edited December 2016

    Surgery done! My BS did mapping and removed 4 nodes that drain. Prelim biopsy determined none were cancerous. I am super sore. Hoping I will be out of the hospital later this morning afte PS and BS maud their rounds

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  • RedemptiveSufferer
    RedemptiveSufferer Member Posts: 242
    edited December 2016

    Traci: Sorry I'm late at responding. Feeling extra tired this morning. Not sure if going out yesterday to visit the PS, while it felt good at the time, was a little much for me. Today i just want to sleep, but otherwise am OK. How are you sleeping? Better without the drain?

    GoinCrzy8, you did it! It's over! Glad the anesthesia worked well...I know I felt amazingly great when I awoke! I have an appt. w/BS Thurs to go over pathology report. Tick tock, tick tock.


    pepper43: wonderful prelim biopsy report! Sorry to hear that you're sore but otherwise ready to go home! Glad we're all here to share notes and encourage one another.
    ~ Kim

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  • Goincrzy8
    Goincrzy8 Member Posts: 387
    edited December 2016

    not really in pain just some twinges ghee and ther

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  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited December 2016

    Hi Dec 9th ladies!!!  So good to see you post and know you are now on the mending side too. Hang in there, each day gets a lil easier!

    Hi Kim!  Sorry you are feeling tired, I have been very fatigued the past few days as well, so I completely understand.  I did sleep a lil better w no drain, was able to turn on one side for a while which was a huge relief.  Took a shower today and washing my hair never felt so good.  Taking it easy the rest of the weekend of course, that wore me out.  Hope you get some rest and keep healing up good.  I have a ton of under arm numbness and weird tingles, etc.  Going to take time to get used to that I am sure.  Hope the rest of your weekend is good.   I got preliminary results back, 2 out of 5 tested positive so I am in that grey area and will need the onco test back and then to discuss further w oncologist what the suggest on treatment.  Going to heal and try and enjoy the next few weeks before all that comes into play.

    Truper and TheKeenSheep--hoping you can enjoy your weekend and find comfort and peace about your upcoming surgeries.   We will be here waiting for you!!

    Hugs to all,

    Traci

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2016

    Hi Everyone-

    Scanning your board, as I should be having surgery (BMX) in January, but currently trying to finish chemo (my final treatment was delayed this week). I thought I knew what I wanted surgery wise (BMX for sure, reconstruct with implants?), but glancing over some of your posts I see some of you were trying to figure out what was best as well. It's so hard sifting through the boards lol, and I went immediately to chemo after diagnosis so trying to take one step at a time. If anyone is up to it, as I know you are recovering, let me know your thoughts now and what has guided you towards your decision. TLGIO17- I see they didn't do the TE now? I assumed that's what usually happened, and what the PS said would happen for me as well, so any insight is welcome from all! Thanks so much - wishing you all a smooth recovery.

    Kelly

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  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited December 2016

    Hi Kelly,

    My BS and PS met w me and suggested I wait on the TE because they wanted to get all my node info first and not have me trying to deal w healing of TE and radiation of needed.

    So for me, I am taking each part of this journey one step at a time. Its all very overwhelming and hard to know what's best so I just relied on the docs and what I felt ok with.

    How is your chemo treatment going for you so far? Once I have my next treatment steps I am sure I will have a ton of questions. 😃

    Best wishes to you w your fight and finding help on this forum. It is definitely a blessing amd comforting chatting w others on here.

    Take care!

    Traci

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  • MyJourneys
    MyJourneys Member Posts: 143
    edited December 2016

    Hi Aumgirl, and welcome to our group! I've added you to our list. What's an IORT?

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  • MyJourneys
    MyJourneys Member Posts: 143
    edited December 2016

    Goincrzy, it's so great to hear from you! I'm glad it went well (except for the wait for your room). Update us when you can.

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