March 2017 Surgery

Options
1121315171834

Comments

  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited March 2017

    Praying for your upcoming surgeries ladies. DiV, praying for you too.

  • carmstr835
    carmstr835 Member Posts: 388
    edited March 2017

    Hello,

    My surgery for Bilateral Mastectomy will be this coming Tuesday at 8 am, no reconstruction. Just found out I am Her-2 + does that generally mean chemo and hair loss? The surgeon expects lymphnode involvement and has told me I will probably need chest wall radiation, so no reconstruction at this time. I am hoping it is inflammation from the biopsy, but well, he is a breast surgeon, so he is probably right. So loosing my DD cup breasts and my very long hair is pretty devastating to say the least. I was also fired from my job, because I'm only part time and no benefits, I can't be out for 3 weeks and expect to keep a part time job. If and when I want to come back, they will rehire me. Life has it's curves for sure.


  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited March 2017

    Welcome carmstr835, I am sorry you need to be here. You are amongst an amazing group of women in this thread and on this site. If you are HER2 positive then yes chemo and Herceptin are in your future. Herceptin and another drug perjeta are targeted therapy for HER2 positive breast cancer. They've been a game changer. I had radiation after mastectomy and just finished my exchange surgery on March 21st. So far so good. Hang in there, we are here for you!

  • SJI
    SJI Member Posts: 69
    edited March 2017

    i am scheduled for a lumpectomy and snb on Thursday and am feeling nervous. My ilc looks like a string of pearls in a MRI but in an ultrasound only one "bead" shows up. The radiologist and technician spent a lot of time and effort figuring out a way to mark both ends last week. I'm hoping it all works out.

  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited March 2017

    Hey there:

    I was also nervous about my surgeries - its normal.

    Hugs to everyone undergoing this. Soon surgery will be over and you will be on the path to recovery. Pamper yourselves!

    wallan

  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 956
    edited March 2017

    SJI, good luck with your surgery. Good that you have people on your team who are detail oriented. It will help the surgeon. Try to not be too anxious. There are a lot of medical professionals that are doing their best work for you! I found it helpfull to arrange help for the things that were the most stressful for me. Rides for the kids, meals, comfy clothes etc.





  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 956
    edited March 2017

    carmstr835, it is all overwhelming, no matter your diagnosis or plan of care. Each day we mourn different losses, and learn to live our lives differently. I am surprised that I am not getting as freaked out looking at my chest since MX, and it has only been 2 weeks. I had a plan for my care, but at every decision, there have been twists in the path. Just take each step, ask for help. Take a breath. Be good to yourself!


    Can you really be fired due to illness. I thought that was protected with FMLA . I'm sorry about that.

  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited March 2017

    Well, goody. Woke up today to a hard, golf-ball size mass under the left laparascopic incision from my bilateral salpingo-oophorectemy. Wasn't there yesterday. Will call ob/gyn's office in the morning - I'm assuming maybe a seroma? Who knows.

    I knew things were going too well. ~sigh~

  • lifeb4me
    lifeb4me Member Posts: 39
    edited March 2017

    Hi Everyone,


    Welcome to the newcomers. You will love it here! We get great support, help and advice from each other. Just posting to say that DIV posted in another tread and is ok. She has even gotten up and walked a bit. She said she would be going home yesterday. Praying all continues well and she joins us here again soon.

  • Yvonne_M
    Yvonne_M Member Posts: 72
    edited March 2017

    Oh thanks for posting about DiV, lifeb4me. Good to hear.

  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 956
    edited March 2017

    raven. Sorry about that. Is it hot at all? I hope it is a small blip and resolves quickly

  • BellasMomToo
    BellasMomToo Member Posts: 305
    edited March 2017

    PFC = "post final chemo"

    I appreciate everyone's support. I don't know what I would have done without this website....

  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,298
    edited March 2017

    Welcome carmstr835 . . .with be sending good thoughts and prayers your way now and through your surgery.

    SJI. . .ILC is less likely to form in lumps, so it looks different on MRI. Mine certainly did. Will be thinking of your Thursday and praying for clear margins.

    Raven prayers does your OB have someone on call today?

    Thank you for the update on DiV. Continued healing prayers and looking forward to hearing from here here.

    Scottie

  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited March 2017

    Thanks 2FUN. Scottie, it's not painful, red, or hot so I'm not super-duper concerned - yet. I think it can probably wait until tomorrow.

  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 956
    edited March 2017

    you are better than I am, I now call the on call dr with any problem! I think I am tired of toughing it out!LOL

  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited March 2017

    Oh, and so happy to hear that DiV is posting on the boards! Hoping she checks in here with an update.

  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,298
    edited March 2017

    I'm such a whiny chick these last couple of days. Trying to help ds finish his science fair presentation board. Just going out to office store to get his power point printed did me in. Poor ds had to carry my purse as Dh thinks it's not matcho for a man to do so and he had to yesterday when I went back to PS for post op. Maybe it's time to get a smaller purse.

    Ladies you are all doing very well. Kudos and healing thoughts to all.

    Scottie

  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 956
    edited March 2017

    how old is DS? I'm sure he really appreciated you helping him out. I just carry my wallet, phone. And keys in my coat pockets. I haven't used a purse in almost 6 months

  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited March 2017

    SJI: ILC is "sneaky" has more than one doctor has used with regard to mine as well. Good luck with surgery!

    carmstr835: Welcome to a great and supportive group!!!

    LAW193: I Googled and found lists on blogs, etc., for things you need for to be prepared for breast surgery. (Also lots on this site.) I had a separate bag all packed for the hospital in addition to things I needed at home.

    Glad DiV posted an update. I've been thinking about her.

    Raven: Hang in there! What a trial all this is!!!! I get it. I'm still staring at my breast every day watching to see if the infection/redness dies down. It looks good (much better!) but not perfect. (sigh) I think it's going to be just a wait and see game. Re: Bromelain. I took before and after surgery. NO BS or PS or MO is going to approve this but it's used all the time in Europe and very (!) often in the US for cosmetic surgery along with Arnica. I got drains out at Day 9. Almost no bruising as well (BMX).

    2FUN: Well, at least good news about your son and colleges!!! ;) We gotta take what good news we can get, right?

    Anyone I missed -- warm wishes coming from down South!

  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited March 2017

    EastCoastTS, I don't even ask for "approval" for some of this stuff anymore. When I mentioned high dose IV Vitamin C to my PS he just kind of shrugged and gave me a "whatever makes you happy" kind of response, as if I were trying some really avant garde treatment or something. God forbid the medical community would consider things that are outside their "standard" of care. Glad to hear your infection is clearing up!

  • lidabit
    lidabit Member Posts: 26
    edited March 2017

    Siti- my nurse warned me about lower back pain. She said that sleeping at a 45 degree angle can put strain on the back and to try a small pillow underneath my legs while sleeping. I haven talked bad any issues. Good luck

  • Suburbs
    Suburbs Member Posts: 429
    edited March 2017

    hi everybody. I have been following here preparing for June surgery. I learned about the wedge pillow from another surgical group and purchased a few to try sleeping upright. On amazon, I found a Bamboo Wedge 24.5 inches wide and 11 inches tall. The heights ranged from about 7 to 11 inches. The under the knee pillow was a cushy form semi roll pillow (20.5 x 8 x 4.5). There were more options for this size/type that were designed for massage. Other sites that had many options and price points included overstock.com and Walmart. Pricing could be better on the other sites, selection was about the same; however delivery lead time on the other sites was as long as a month. Hope this helps someone

  • Sitti
    Sitti Member Posts: 230
    edited March 2017

    Thought I would move this up again. I tried to add newer ladies but let me know if I missed you.

    Melzie1972 - Feb 24th – MX; LN removal

    EastcoastTS - February 27 – BMX

    Reginac - February 28 – BMX; DIEP

    CME3 - March 1st - MX

    Jrow7 March 1st – Large LX left; Reduction/lift Right; LN Removal

    LaisSS - March 2nd – LX: Left; Reconstruction (L)

    Cdv4251992 - March 2nd – MX (L); reconstruction (DIEP) LN Removal

    Amandab1234 March 2nd – UMX; reconstruction

    NormaJ March 2nd - Lumpectomy & LN removal

    Kdarner March 2nd – MX; Right; TE; Right ; SLN removal

    Goldie63 - March 3rd – BMX w/o reconstruction

    Botzey - March 3rd - BMX w/DIEP reconstruction

    Lidabit - March 3rd- SNB; either UMX or BMX

    Mommajensen - March 6th - Preventive BMX

    Yvonne_M March 7th – UMX; Left; LN removal

    Romers143 - March 8th – DIEP Flap

    Wallan - March 8th – MX w/TE Expander: Left; Fat grafting: Right

    Lifeb4me March 8th – LX; SNB

    Irwells50 - March 8th - BMX

    Plantchild – March 10th - BMX with reconstruction

    LisbethS March 10th – LMX; bi-reconstruction; TEs

    gently - March 10th – LX & SN ectomy

    Beachluv - March 10th (?) – LX

    2FUN - March 13th - UMX

    GrendelDog - March 14th – LX; Full Axillary Disssection

    MariH March - 14th – LX; SNB

    NervousGal - March 15th – BMX with TE

    Bareclaws - March 15th - BMX

    Xtina78 - March 15th - BMX with immediate NS DIEP Flap reconstruction

    Raven4mi - March 17th - Re-insertion of TE; right side

    Scottiemom11 March 20th – Revision Surgery: Reconstruction; Left, Right- Silicone implant

    DiV - March 20th - LN removal: Underarm Axillary; Arm Amputation

    Magjr - March 21st - LMX W/SNB

    Molly50 - March 21st – Exchange surgery

    Bluebirdgirl - March21st - Exchange Surgery

    Sitti - March 22nd – BMX w/reconstruction; SNB

    Phillkri- March 22nd – LX; lift; reduction: (L) Node Biopsy

    Jadacrimson - March 23rd - BMX; possible LND

    BellasMomToo - March 27th – MX; SNB

    Cse70 - March 27th - UMX

    Law193 - March 27th - LX; SNB

    Lovepugs77 - March 28th - BLX; SND

    kimelliott65 - March 28th - LX; SNB

    carmstr835 - March 28th - BMX

    Gardener4 - March 29th - LX

    Sjsparks - March 30th - BMX; TEs placement

    Tlj1973-March 31st -UMX; (R), TE placement

    Tappermom383 - March 31st - LX; SNB

    Trishyla April 4th – MX: left, Right; Recon (L)(R): DIEP flap

  • Sitti
    Sitti Member Posts: 230
    edited March 2017

    Cse70 and Law193, thinking of you both this morning as you head into surgery. You've got this. Hugs.

  • Sitti
    Sitti Member Posts: 230
    edited March 2017

    Lidabit, Scottiemom11, Suburbs - thank you all for the tips. No muscle relaxers were prescribed but it's all bearable.


  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 956
    edited March 2017

    bellasmom, good luck today too!


  • Sitti
    Sitti Member Posts: 230
    edited March 2017

    Yes, bellasmom, how did I miss you??? Thinking of you and sending you hugs!


  • Bluebirdgirl
    Bluebirdgirl Member Posts: 115
    edited March 2017

    I'm having a hard time keeping up with the thread, lol, but welcome to all newcomers and good luck on your upcoming surgeries! I go to my first postop appointment today. Feeling kinda down last few days, not sure why. Next step for me is MRI to try and finally get an answer on my liver lesion. I think that is what is bothering me and I'm trying to keep bad thoughts out of my head.

    I wish you all speedy recoveries!

  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 956
    edited March 2017

    hang in there bluebird girl. I can relate...when I had CT scan before my endometrial cancer surgery, of course, all sorts of other problems are noticed that need to be followed up. I had 3 major things noticed, and one is not a proble, one needs to be watched, and one I'm putting off another biopsy!LOL

    When is your MRI? Good luck on your post op appt! I am cheering myself up buying shoes today. I usually don't use retail therapy, but I don't care!

    Have a great day everyone!

  • KimE
    KimE Member Posts: 53
    edited March 2017

    Law193 - I hope everything goes well today!!!

    Kim

Categories