March 2017 Surgery

Sitti thank you for your kind words! I will look at the February surgeries thread...great idea! I'm happy I found this group as the more I read, the more comforting it is to see how many are feeling/thinking similar to me. I'm sorry we're going thru this but thankful for this forum

NervousGal and all others here who will be having BMX or UMX with TE/implants - please don't hesitate to ask any questions if you're concerned about something in particular. I had my original NSBMX with TE placement back in April, 2016 so I've kinda "been there" already.

Since you specifically mentioned pain and recovery.....everyone has a different experience, of course, but for me, the post-op pain was definitely manageable and my recovery was relatively easy. Nothing on the level of, say, any kind of abdominal surgery, for example, if you've ever experienced anything like that. I was in the hospital just one night following my surgery. The BS about fell over when he walked in the next day and I was up and walking around on my own and asking if I could go home. After I got home I think I took the Norco prescribed by the PS maybe 2-3 times, then did just fine with Tylenol after that.

I also second Sitti's suggestion to read prior month boards to get an idea of how others coped/handled things. Try not to get too freaked out by those of us who may have had minor complications - we're definitely a small, unlucky percent of the posters.

Hello girls

12.hours after Lumpectomy and reconstruction with silicone implants was performed. I was able to come home a couple hours afer the surgery, those first 2hs were a little tough I had no pain but every little bit of liquid I injested would come out 10 min later (nurse said I was gassy). throat feels raspy from the intubation but nothing that bothers too much and I have pain killers ready for when anything starts hurting. I was out going and leaving the surgical room so I just feel like I went in there and got implants on one breast (I told my friends i'm half fake and half real now lol). BS told my mom was much better than she expected with a big smile (she doesnt smile that much and they have a language barrier that prevents details so that was a sign for my mom). PS also spoke to her and said everything went great. I'm excited to see them in a week to check the pathology results. Getting up and moving around has been difficult too, feels the same way from when i did the biopsy but 10x harder. Anyways, I wanted to share the first feelings with you guys. I know a lot of you are getting the DIEP or MX which are a lot harder so i wish you all the best of luck

LaisSS I'm glad your surgery went well. I hope you have an easy and quick recovery.

Sitti and March group of fellow BS troopers:

Thank you for asking about me and SORRY for not responding sooner. I'm in a hotel, so that may factor into my even being slower getting into normal routine. I go home on 3/10.

I decided upon nipple/skin sparing BMX due to multiple factors: dense breasts and mammo finding nothing, finding another small bump/lump a couple of days before surgery on "healthy side", etc. I was scared about more surgery of course and having two arms to deal with and mobility but here goes for my progress. I really was almost not sure up to surgery -- ha ha. Or maybe not ha ha, right?

I'm six days out (surgery Monday 2/27) and want to let everyone out there facing this know that my experience has been BETTER than I expected. I had tissue expanders placed, 50 ccs filled at surgery (I'm really small and have very small tissue expanders, too) -- and the discomfort has been fine/manageable. Am I taking meds? YES. Tramadol and valium for muscle spasms. I have hydrocodone but have only taken one. I did the pre-Colace regimen + protein + fluids + arnica/bromelain (no doctor is going to jump for joy about this but it's safe) but had to get something else from the doctor because had constipation. Taking supplements (Juven powder, B6, CQ10, Vit C, too, because it can't hurt). I have Mepilex strips covering the incisions in the breast fold, waterproof derma-something with antibiotic sponge covering the drains (only have 2) so I can shower! These I have not touched. Have had swelling and bruising but not crazy amount (I think arnica helps here!). Range of motion is what I could consider very good but I'm horrible and have not done exercises yet. Going to do that today. I think I can do them all though.

YOU CAN DO THIS.

I think I'll have drains out next week. Also got news (though I was sleeping when I answered and hope it was not a dream, that my nodes were clear!!!). And that the other spot was fibrous, etc. Still glad I did BMX because it has not been that bad and I was not super attached to my AA/A tiny but perky/youthful breasts. I also will say that my path. report now says I am ILC officially, which I'm not at all surprised about. One path report said ILC the other said IDC/LCIS. I have not seen the report, only got this info on the phone.

Good luck and warm wishes to all going through this! Ask any questions. I'm here to answer.

bmx on Friday, home from hospital late afternoon Saturday. Had some pain management issues Saturday 4:30 am and 10 am so were going to keep me another night. Figured it out though so just got discharged later than expected. Feeling okay, taking tramacet on schedule so pain is okay. (The switch from Iv morphine to pills Saturday at 10 am was an issue they did not kick in and I had had a major pain issue when I had to pee in the middle of the night.) Pretty tired and not much energy but overall doing okay. Sleeping better than I expected esp since I never sleep on my back. Propped up on pillows. Surgeon used dermabond so could see incision right away and surprise surprise it's not really bothering me. I will be very very very very happy to get these drains out, got 4 in. They're pretty sore They're easy enough to drain, and nurse came today then tomorrow then every second day till they're out. I'm amazed at those of you who seem to have more energy, good on you. My partner says I'm a warrior, and yes I am.

wow! 1.5 years!! why so long?? I'm dreading the 6 month wait I'll have to do after I get my rads done... I will have surgery in April, but hanging out here to get some pre surgery tips :-)

Tomorrow is my day for my left mx and lymph nodes.. Took the dogs and myself for a nice long walk and now I'm cleaning as much as I can and keeping busy. Husband is sick, I think he's freaking out. I'm more worried for him. I didn't have these emotions when I had my excisional biopsy surgery in January, this is the real deal. They said I'll be going home after, not staying but I think I'll throw some jammies & toothbrush in my bag anyway. I've been reading all of your posts. I wish there was a like button or heart button on here. We are warriors!!!

Thanks Molly!

Hey ladies:

I am having surgery Wednesday March 8th. Second breast cancer. Two tumors. Small. Already had SNB. Node negative. Thats all I know right now until after surgery.

Will have left side mastectomy with TE expander placed and fat grafting started on other side - fat from thighs. 13 years ago had right mastectomy for stage 3a BC and did not have reconstruction. So now I am.

I have been waiting for this surgery now for a month and its been torture not really knowing my full diagnosis. Now that it is almost here, I realize how nervous I am.

wallan

Sorry Wallen. We're almost there!

Yvonne: Good luck tomorrow. I remember when I had my mastectomy last time. It wasn't too bad, the recovery. Wear yoga pants and big sloppy t-shirt . The drains were a surprise when I woke up because no one had told me about them. But, a nurse came by my house and looked after them for me. I also remember my armpit was sore from the axillary dissection at that time. I did exercises to keep arm from stiffening up. This was about a week after the mastectomy. I recovered pretty fast actually. I hope you get some sleep tonight. Thanks for your support for me. Its just gotta be done.

Molly: Thanks for your encouragement. I have one more day and then its my turn on the operating table.

Trying not to be too nervous... but I must admit, its a bigger deal than I am telling myself.

Wallan

Yvonne_M - Thinking about you and saying prayers for you.

wallan - I'm sorry you find yourself here again but glad that you got good news on the SNB. I've found the waiting is the hardest, I'm glad your wait is almost over, prayers for you.

goldie63 - Thanks for your updates, they are so helpful.

Molly50 - Wow, you've waited along time. I'm glad you will finally get your exchange.

Phillkri - we have surgery same day. You are going to do great.

Plantchild - prayers for Friday.

EastcoastTS - prayers for continued healing.

I'm sure I've probably missed some but sending hugs to all you amazing ladies, you are all warriors!

They placed a marker on my tumor at the time of my biopsy and I was told that is always done when a biopsy was performed.