March 2017 Surgery

thank you for asking how I am doing, the pain was manageable with OTC Ibuprofen during the day and took the prescribed pain reliever at night. I have not taken anything today. Other than excessive drainage, I am doing well. I have not been emotional as I thought I would be. I continue to tell myself that this is God's path for me and how I can have a second chance at life. I am still a woman which I thought would be my issue of not being a woman.

I've read thru most of this thread, and I hope you are all feeling hopeful.

I had lumpectomy in November, got the IDC but the rest of the sample had DCIS. So I planned jan for UMX. Right after the lumpectomy I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Had hysterectomy in early jan.4 weeks later I started having a reaction to dissolvable stitches. I then used neosporin and had major contact dermatitis (poison ivy is contact dermatitis to a plant).4 weeks of steroids and antihistamines pushed my UMX back, so I'm having that on Mar 13. I'm not ready, kind of worn out. A bit concerned about more alergic reactions. I'm having an expander placed during surgery. I work in a school so I am missing most of the school year. I am hoping I'll be ready to go by next sept!

I only have a few days. What would you prioritize getting done before surgery?

Hi Gardener4:

Hugs to you and so sorry you are dealing with this. Not knowing and waiting are the most difficult part of the whole thing. Its brutal.

Well meaning friends and family can say things to try and be supportive and kind, but it can cause your head to spin. It is difficult to "stay positive" all the time and it totally is understandable that you are worried. I find that venting about how I am truly feeling; my fears and anger or whatever really helps and these boards are the best place for that because the women and men here have been there and can relate.

I hope everything turns out to be B9 for you.

Hugs again

wallan

Molly50, I hear ya, girl! I've had a TE on the left side for going on 11 months now. TE on right was pulled due to infection. I'm having reinsertion of TE on the right side on 3/17, then hopefully just a few more weeks after that to final implant exchange! I'm so ready to have final implants and TWO foobs!

I'm late on answering this for Wallan but for anyone else who's wondering, I would recommend wearing yoga pants and an oversized button down shirt to the hospital. Slip on shoes would be good too. If you're allowed to shower when you get home, find something you can use as a lanyard that you can pin the drains on. I had a ribbon with a little plastic medal on it that one of my kids got as a "trophy" from when they were in some sport or another when they were little, so just removed the medal and the ribbon works great.

Beachluv, I've always been able to get through the MRIs but I can understand why some people are freaked out by them. I have to say, they are freakin' uncomfortable, that's for sure.

Cdv4251992, your BS or PS should have given you instructions on whether or not you could shower. Call them and ask – that should have been covered pre-op for sure. And definitely tell them what you told us; they'll be able to give you the right advice.

2FUN, I'd recommend planning a few meals in advance. We have a make-ahead meal place near us called Dream Dinners where you plan your meals, go in and assemble them at the store, then take them home and freeze them. Then my husband and kids could just take what they needed out of the freezer the night before and make the meals the next day. Other than that, just stock up on books or plan some binge-watching!

Gardener4, I agree with Wallan. These boards have been a life- and sanity-saver for me over the last year. Vent away. We're here for you.

Hello all March BC friends:

Plantchild: I'll be thinking of you on Friday. Again, what is in our minds (fear/angst) I think is worse than the actual when it presents itself for us to face. You'll get through this.

Gardener4: We understand. Our fear is great, too. Maybe different in the case-by-case but fear just the same. But you may have very good news waiting just around the corner.

All is still going well with me for the most part. However, I'll be honest, I do find this endeavor to be a (excuse my French) bitch at times. For example: My mother (82 and a genetic freak, TNBC survivor who looks and acts 20 years younger!) is helping me with drains twice daily because my hubby has gone back to work and my son back to school. I'm in hotel in TX for post-op appts and heading home Friday. Anyhoo -- I'm naked in front of her while she drains, and I was a bit modest before this point in my life. Well, no more of that! She might as well be changing my diaper again. It's a bit humbling. Tissue expanders are not horrible to date. Pains but nothing that is constant. More of feeling of pressure but even that not terrible. But I am, again, not expanded very much at all. My plan is to go slowly and be small in the end/all, be/all.

For the showering question (sorry I'm trying to keep up with names), your doctor must give you instructions based on what you left the hospital covered in/with. You may be able to shower now or not. I safety pin my drains near neck somewhat away from the incisions (beneath breast fold) and do the best I can to not directly spray water on the incisions (as directed) but clean them, too. Again, this is bitch #2 but it's working well enough. I also bought a handy little item called Shower Pockets which are basically koosies on a string that you place the drains in. They hang near the neck and the whole thing dries quickly after shower. A lanyard or even panty hose (I have heard) work well. Pin and just get the drains high enough to get out of your way. It's not rocket science and is an inconvenience but doable. The koosie item would only work with 2 drains.

**The best investment I made was to purchase a waist belt with two hanging pockets (don't know name) to place my drains in. I have used it 24/7. However, someone else said they used a carpenter's pocket/waist thing and I also think one used by waitresses (I used to have one in college job) would work very well, too. No pinning of drains -- just place them in the pockets. It's been GREAT!

My only negative is my nipples are not perfect. One is black, the other maybe partially discolored. And some red on the black nipple breast. Not huge area but...Sigh. Tomorrow is PS and MO appts, so we'll see. I'm using the cream, ugh, silverdene or some such that they recommended. Perhaps it's helping or maybe they will fall off. Idk. <?> Other than rotting nipples, this has not been awful! Day 7 and really, my best day yet! Over 2000 steps on Fitbit and lessening meds. You can do it!!!!!!!!

Warm wishes to all...my thoughts with you.

Plantchild, I called my PS today to see if they put me in a bra after surgery and they said yes. I was kind of hoping he would be one of those PS that says don't wear any bra, darn. I still can't wear a bra comfortably since my RMX in July, so not looking forward to that. I don't know how long I have to wear it. I would ask your PS, I know from other surgery groups that some will send you home in a bra and others tell you not to wear a bra at all, others will tell you what kind to buy, etc.

I got my cardio clearance (I have POTS) so I am a go for Friday (3-10) surgery. Yay? Getting my pre-surgery markup Thursday morning. I already had a UMX for my side that had the tumors so this surgery is just prophylactic LMX plus reconstruction/TE both sides. Swimming is one of the only exercises I can do due to POTS so hoping I will have this over with in time to swim this summer. They said I would get fills starting at least 3 weeks post surgery and then every week fill of 60-100cc they are planning a total of 800cc. So if nothing goes wrong, fills will be done some time between May 15th and June 19th then I have to have the TE/implant exchange surgery. I wonder how long after that before I can go swimming.

I did get some bad news. I was planning on nipple reconstruction and tattoo areolas but their tattoo artist has left the state and she was apparently the only one in the valley that accepts insurance to do areolas. I was told they start at $800. Of course my DH says it's worth it, LOL! Ugh, already paying so much for all this cancer crap.

I have my hospital list now I need to start packing.

Good luck to everyone with surgery to come and to those recovering! I always hesitate to say "good luck" because someone I didn't even know at a doctor's office said Good luck to me about my chemo then she called me back and apologized up and down for saying that, she said it is very rude to say to cancer patients. I don't see the issue but maybe I'm missing something.

Nice to hear how everyone is doing. Sorry to hear when there are issues, hope everyone with upcoming surgery does well. Little update on how I'm doing 5th day post bmx now. I do actually feel a little bit better every day. The drains (4) suck but I have to say they're an ingenious little system. Mine come with easy to manage clips so I just clip them to the inside of my shirt. In the shower I tied the bathrobe tie into a loose loop, put it around my neck, and clipped the drains to that. My partner helped me in the shower, I basically just sat on the shower chair and she washed me. Surgeon used glue no external stitches at all so I could have a shower right away. Also meant I could see myself right away! (No reconstruction.). I was pretty concerned about how I'd feel but amazingly I don't think I look ugly or awful, just odd. 'Odd' is a whole different level than ugly or awful though, and much better. I will be glad to get the drains out. They have to be at 15 ml output or less for two 24 hr periods in a row. Home nurse also said (I think) they have to come out evenly, 1 from each side on the same day. Not sure how that will work because both on one side might be ready to come out by tomorrow, but neither on the other side. Pain management is a bit of an issue only because I don't think they gave me enough pills. They gave me a prescription for 25 tramacet, which I can take 1-2 every 6 hrs. If I take them on that schedule they would last 3 - 6 days. So I find myself 'rationing' them because I don't want to have none left when my drains come out!! I had a bad experience with getting a drain out after axillary lymph node dissection 20 years ago so I'm dreading getting them out - even though I want them out cuz I don't like them in. I have about 8 left so I haven't been taking the max. Anyway I phoned my surgeons office yesterday and asked if he could phone in a refill. Hopefully there's not going to be an issue with that. So, overall I think I'm doing really good. Sleeping lots, eating healthy, doing my day 1-7 little exercises. Thought I would read a lot or watch tv a lot but mostly I haven't done much of anything yet. My chest is very numb and I don't recall really reading much about that. Looking forward to getting the drains out and being on to the next stage of recovery. Thanks to everyone else for sharing.

Joining you ladies. . .I have a March 20 date for revision surgery to treat capsular contracture.

Scottie

Welcome ScottieMom, so sorry you have to be here, but it's a great place for information, support, and to vent.

jrow7, glad your surgery went well. So sorry you have lymph node involvement and will need chemo. I've already finished my chemo back in November. Let me know if you have any questions about it. I'm getting my port out with my surgery Friday, and I'll actually kinda miss it because it doesn't bother me and it sure is nice when I go to the hospital to not have to get an IV.

Goldie63, the numbness was a surprise to me too. It's nice in ways but weird when it itches and it's numb when I scratch it, I found patting it works best to get rid of the itches. You're so lucky to have the clip drains! I'm a bit obsessed with clip drains, hehe. Sorry they gave you so little pain meds and you're having to ration them, even though I usually end up with too much, there's something mentally reassuring about having plenty just in case, hope he/she orders some more for you.

So nice to have all you wonderful ladies for questions and support.

Love you ladies!

Yvonne_M, It's good to hear from you and I'm glad your surgery went well. That seems really quick to have you discharged. Sorry that your surgeon had such bad bedside manners, those responses seem rude. Sometimes I don't think drs get that even though they've done all this over and over we haven't, it's all new and we don't have the same vantage point they do. Praying that your healing continues to go well. Thank you for the update. ((Hugs))

Welcome to all the new ladies that have joined, sorry you have to be here but we are here for you.

Gardener4 the wait is the hardest. It is scary, I hope you find strength and encouragement here. Praying that it is b9.

Jrow, I'm glad your surgery went well but I'm sorry to hear that there is lymph node involvement and that you will need chemo.

Goldie63, cdv4251992, EastcoastTS, you for the updates. It's helpful to hear from others what is coming up or what to possibly expect after surgery. EastcoastTS, I hope you got some good news yesterday regarding the problems with your nipples.

Beachluv, plantchild, LisbethS, thinking of you ladies today as you go in for your surgeries. I hope I didn't miss anyone.

All of you are amazing! Sending prayers and hugs to all.

Yvonne_M: OMG!! I would have been in tears if my dr answered my questions like that...that was rude and wrong! I would be putting in a complaint to anyone who is above him in his department or head of the hospital etc. He should never make a patient feel bad about their questions...of course you have no idea what to expect and those were legitimate questions! he says you should go to the gym?? WTF? does he want you to make yourself worse?? wow! I'm mad for you....

Was this your surgeon?? as for the measuring the fluid...umm don't you HAVE to?? how will they know when to take them out?

Im so sorry....I hope you are healing ok, and I defininitely woulnd't follow any of his advice! ((hugs))

Thanks Ladies. I prayed and processed the surgeon's demeanor and maybe yes he did have a bad day and maybe he was just trying to come in with an attitude of it's all good, no worries, let's move on. When what I needed was a hug and advice. So, I know that's not where to get it, that is what this board is for. I will go in next week when I see him and have a big smile and hopefully bring some light into his world. This will be interesting to see how he reads my Pathology report this time around. I need to find myself an Oncologist too, our Dermatologist recommended one and no way am I asking this surgeon.

Prayers for all the surgeries continued.

BG49TN, yes this was my surgeon. On the drains, I know right? My dh & I have been making jokes ever since yesterday. Well honey, I'm gonna go for a run now and just let the drains fly all over the place, cuz hey it's fine, don't worry about it, we're not measuring the fluids. Might lift some weights today too!

Scottie, not sure if said, the hoodie is a zippered hoodie. 80+ degrees and I'm wearing a hoodie.. Come back cool weather. Oh I found another one in my closet that is lighter weight and has inside pockets to probably put a cell phone or activity tracker in and that is holding my drains good too, don't have to turn that inside out with the tags showing. So if you guys have any of those. Got mine at WalMart a couple years ago.

Goldie, I'll check that link out, thanks for posting and your tips. My fluid sounds just like yours! So we are both on the right track then. The lady that works at the front desk told me yesterday that it may flow more then less and to not be concerned (at least someone in that office was kind, LOL!).

Fight on!

Thanks to everyone for the support and positive thoughts.  I have been having some significant pain in my breast which is scary.  On reading, it sounds like cancerous breast lumps don't cause pain, but inflammatory breast cancer can... so on I go over-thinking everything and trying to decide whether the lump is malignant or not, driving myself crazy  Pointless worrying.  Then I remember to clear my mind and focus on peace.    Thankful to have you all here.