March 2017 Surgery

Raven, hope your drains have slowed down and "Elphaba" comes out today!

Hi everyone:

Hope everyones weekend was relaxing.

2Fun: I am so sorry you need more surgery. That sucks. On the other hand, I am impressed and inspired by your 10,000 steps already. Holy macaroli! What a fighter.

sjl: Thank God your surgery is over and that part of treatment is done. It is mind relieving, I agree. I used to live on the west coast myself eons ago and took ferries everyday, so I know what its like to wait for a ferry. What an ordeal to have to go that route after surgery though. It can be tiring.

Scottie: so sorry about your burning pain too. Has it subsided? I find if I am too active (and I don't mean to be) I get burning pain by the end of the day. If I am not too active, I am mostly pain free except for the odd twinge. It frustrates me because I want to get on with it. I am not a patient patient. LOL. I hope your pain is resolved Scottie.

Raven: I too hope you get your drains out. Fingers and toes crossed.

And to everyone else.. hugs to you all.

I am getting weird aches and pains now. Twinges of pain in my fat grafting side. Weird.

wallan

My goodness, 2FUN, that's a lot of walking just 3 weeks post-op. The robotics thing sounds awesome, though. I wish my two boys would get into that; I think they'd really enjoy it. Sorry to hear about your DH's works woes - just what you need! Don't worry about being a downer, girl. We're here for ya!

wallan, I had pretty extensive FG back in October and I had pain from that for a looong time afterward, but mostly from the donor site. Is your pain where they put the FG?

F/up with PS again this morning: Elphaba, the bitch, is still with me. Next appointment is in another week, although the PS said that if the drainage slows down by Thursday to go in and have the drain removed then, but I just know I'm not that damn lucky.

I did get another 100 CC fill today, though, and he did explain that the reason he's going so slow is not to put any undue pressure on the incision while it's still healing. He said once he's 100% confident the incision is healed he'll start filling me faster. So right now I'm at 300 cc on my way to 750.

Good news on the nodes, Kim. Sorry about the margins. It's this constant unknown that's so exhausting, right? No chemo but will you have radiation? I'm still waiting for my pathology report but the surgeon already told me I'll have radiation (what's confusing about that is I've read radiation is not usually prescribed for women 70 or older - what? We don't have years of living left to do?). Best of luck on your second surgery

Just to say hi to all the ladies here. Seven days post op today, three drains out of four gone, one more left. Still sore and in pain at times mostly under my arms. Hope I ll be home soon

Raven: Sorry to hear your drain is still there. Dammit! Hopefully its out before next visit.

Kim: Great news on the nodes... sorry you need more surgery though. No chemo would be awesome.. that is for sure.

Dafne: Great news on your drains disappearing one by one. One week is quick for the drains to come out. Are you still in the hospital?

wallan

2FUN sending positive thoughts and hugs. If you have more surgery ask about radiation again. I would have had radiation if lumpectomies, but avoided it with BMx. Probably depends on the margins but it's possible. Way to go on the steps. I'm not very mobile yet. Yeah on the robotics competition (my ds is a total geek and would love to do that). Prayers for your dh. Vent away when needed.

Tappermom. . .have you considered a second opinion on rads? Lake Arrowhead is beautiful.

Raven, fingers crossed the Elphaba dries up. Raven it sounds like you're doing okay with the fills. Better slow and go than too fast.

Sjl. . .wow on riding the ferry after surgery. 45 minute drive home was alot for me. Take it easy.

Kimelliott sorry about the need for more surgery but yeah on the nodes and hopefully no chemo.

Wallen, I think you're right that I may have to give it more time. Sounds like we both need to keep taking it easy for a bit.

Welcome Dafne. . .sounds like you're doing well. Keep us posted. Are you still in hospital.

Hope I didn't miss anyone. . .

My udpate: Yesterday was better and woke up just very sore this morning. Burning pain back this afternoon, but no swelling, redness or fever. If it continues for a couple more days will call PS, although my surgeon is currently out of town. I've had nerve pain issues with each surgery so it may just be me. Bad storm's here today so mostly just hanging in bed with arms propped up. Pain is manageable just frustrating at 2 weeks post op.

Scottie

HI Scottie:

Take it easy. It is frustrating to have these setbacks and have to sit with our arms propped up.

Heres hoping your pain is subsiding.. and you can get at it once again.

Wallan

Scottie, I am very sorry about the pain. I am doing really well. Just get a momentary shock each time I see my right frankenboob. That is the side with the mastopexy. Superbody, I need to check with my PS first but maybe...

Molly, that is so funny you said frankenboob. I was writing a friend this morning and I called it Frankenstein Boob, I like your version much better.

I was reading some of you ladies signatures with all the stuff you have done (that sentence didn't sound right) ... wow. So many years dealing with this beotch. Here's to us all being warriors!!!

Hello Ladies,

I am having a hard time focusing so I didn't go through and read all the post I missed, sorry. My surgery went great, I was in the hospital only 1 day. Coming home was rough, but now I have my pain under control. I am emptying my drains every 8 hours and I feel like I am not getting much. I have 4 tubes. Tubes 1 and 3 rarely have more than 5 cc per dump. Tubes 2 and 4 I can dump any amount from 7.5 cc to 14 cc this evening. Do I add the total cc dumped for the day, Is that how they gage the amount coming out? I think I worked up the surgery and recovery in my mind way more than I should have. Yes I am uncomfortable and yes I hurt but not what I was think it would be like. I go for my follow up on my reconstruction doctor on Thursday. She told me she was able to fill 300 cc in both TE. I look so awkward, I know the end result will be nice but for now it just looks so weird. She said she won't do another fill until about 4 weeks out from surgery. I've been able to shower every day since surgery which is nice. But my limitations are driving me crazy. I can't bend over, lean over, and I can't reach for things. Relying on ;someone 24-7 is tough.

I am so glad this phase is over!!

Hi! For all who are having difficulties with their surgery know that you are in my prayers and thoughts every day. For all who have had their surgery I wish you a speedy recovery and take it easy on yourselves.

As for my own up date 1 week after release from the hospital for arm amputation I'm learning to adapt to one arm. My pain is mostly in my scapula where the surgeon did most of the work to remove the tumor by cutting a window in my ribs #2-5. I also get shooting pains that runs length of amputated arm to fingertips like shock waves (phantom pain) hurts but I can deal with it. I will talk to Orthopedic surgeon on the 7th about pain management and finding the right drugs for me and my symptoms to manage the pain. I start a therapy group for amputees friday. The therapist mentioned a mirror program they do to tell the brain that the arm is no longer there, she said alit of people benefit from the mirror program. All in all doing pretty good considering.

Raven I too can't wait to get my drain out. I had 4, 3 chest drains and I breast drain. Still have the breast drain. Hoping to get it out on the 7th.

Hugs and prayers to all!

2Fun the only prosthesis I can have is for looks only cause I have no joint to attach a working prosthesis to. It doesn't bother me it's part of my battle scars. I really don't even think about not having my arm i just adapt and do the best I can. I think attitude has alot to do with recovery process.

DiV, I agree, it's 99 % attitude, and you will master all the skills you need b/c you have the right sttitude. I have a friend who is a physiatrist at Cleveland clinic if you need a referral ( doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehsb). I was in Cleveland last weekend, I didn't notice until today that you are located there!

Hugs to all and keep beating cancer! We can!!!