March 2017 Surgery

Tappermom383, that is exactly what I am feeling. It feels like something kind of rough or sharp is rubbing right in the at the juncture of my armpit and arm. But there is nothing there.

It sounds like we have almost the same dx. I'm in the Palm Springs area, so not that far from Lake Arrowhead. I went into UCLA for my surgeries, and am considering Loma Linda for proton therapy as my form of rads.

Best wishes

Lisbeth:

I can't really rec. a Vitamin C but also use Thorne and feel they are a good brand. I have an appt with a naturopath, too, coming up. This was actually on my pre-C list but had not gotten to it yet.

As far as speaking to someone, even without your insurance while you get that figured out, your nurse practitioner -- if you have one -- OR BS/PS/MO should be able to give you a name of a social worker or therapist, very often without charge. My local cancer center and MD Anderson (where I had surgery) have someone "on call" that is without charge (aside from what you decide to do with your insurance, etc.). If you're feeling like this, I'd get in touch tomorrow morning and let them know you need assistance now.

Also -- American Cancer Society has folks manning phones all the time, too. Idk for sure but reach out. There's no reason to go through this alone. You aren't alone!!!

Been reading along with everyone just haven't felt like posting too much. I am sorry to hear about everyone's infections. I'm dealing with that now and it's pushing back treatment, which is doubly frustrating. Was supposed to start chemo 3/30, but it's looking like the earliest now will be 4/27. I go back to work 4/17 so of course this has thrown off all my "plans". I hope everyone has a quick recovery.

"Good" news about work is that in addition to cutting pay and laying off people, they abolished the dress code. There's nothing in writing, so I can only go off what my boss texted me: no shorts, no rubber flip flops, nothing vulgar. So I can at least wear leggings, since my abdomen still has some swelling and jeans and more structured pants are uncomfortable. Just need to get some loose tunic length shirts. The PS said I can wear a bra as long as it is front closure and non compression non underwire, which HE felt was an easy find (not sure when he was last bra shopping), but in reality, is not. I have 7 days to track something down. I'm tall and need adjustable straps so nothing tugs, rides up on, or pulls on the DIEP side. I've found 1 non compression front closing bra but it's a racer back with non adjustable straps. The straps are about 1/2" to 3/4" too short. Worse comes to worse I I'll add a bit of elastic to lengthen them

I don't have full range yet. I was only given the ok to start moving the left side more on Friday. Because of the microsurgery and all I guess they are cautious. I don't want to have gone through all this only to have it fail. I am not a candidate for an implant due to all the damage from the rads I had. The only other option would be a lat flap and I'm not comfortable with that.

I can pull things on over my head if they are stretchy, but getting them off can be tricky. Hubby is a big help when needed. With the bras, he could help me, too. But I want to feel self sufficient and if he's not around, I need to be able to do it myself comfortably.

Tried to catch up on all the reading in this thread. Lots going on, and sorry to hear about so many issues! I guess I've progressed along pretty good, a few ups and downs, mostly emotional downs. I can't complain though overall I'm doing well. Back to work tomorrow, 5 wks post bmx w/o reconstruction, desk job. Had a busy busy day yesterday taking the pup to be neutered, running errands, looking after the pup. I practically passed out from fatigue last night. I hope the the work week goes well! Hang in there everybody

2Fun, that is a great idea. Not sure why that didn't occur to me. After rotator cuff surgery that is what I didand this is basically the same weakness/limitations as that. Brilliant! I'll check out the bra you recommended. Thanks!

I've now had the flu for 3 days. I can't imagine how sick I would be if I had chemo and rads. Should I be in touch with GP tomorrow? I figure I need to tough it out.DH is pretty cranky about me being sick. Sometimes I forget how much he keeps the ship upright and moving forward.

I assume my PS will not want to see me for a fill?

Cdv4251992, I found Fruit of the Loom front close sports bras at Walmart for $8. They don't have adjustable straps, but no underwire, so they may work. Best of luck

EastCoast, You're right, I will call someone Monday to get a therapist name. My excuse is I've been so busy with all the cancer crap but I never thought about there being phone support people. I should have reached out on here sooner. Thanks!

2Fun, first of all so sorry your dealing with the flu, that's bad enough under normal circumstances, but when recovering from surgery that really is tough to deal with. I'd definitely see your GP or someone about it. I hadn't heard of the Gilda Club, I'll look into it. I did finally (procrastinating since July) go to a local BC support group just this last Thursday and really liked it. But I don't think I could talk about my depression in a group like that. Just one person saying "awwww" would start the flood works, and in public, once I start bawling, I can't stop and the more people that feel sorry for me the worse it gets--soooo embarrassing. But at least I can talk about other cancer stuff there. They seem like real nice ladies so I'll go again..

CDV, sorry about your infection and it pushing out your chemo, that sucks. I've got an infection now too, same place I had one after my first MX. I dread calling the PS, he'll probably find some reason to blame me. Can't for the life of me recall what they had me do about it the first time, I think I remember gauze and neosporin but can't remember if they put me on an antibiotic. After my c.diff hell, not looking forward to more antibiotics, but I did survive my antibiotics after this last surgery--tons of probiotics, so I suppose the same will help. Hope your bra works out. I must confess, I HATE MY COMPRESSION BRA! Only allowed to take it off to shower. I'm counting the days (14) until I can burn this torturous thing!

Goldie, getting your pup neutered cracked me up, always reminds me of that Far Side comic where the dog is excitedly bragging to a friend (dog) from the car, "first we're going to the post office then the vet's to get tutored!" Or something like that--one of my favs. I should find my book of his comics, that would cheer me up. Been binge watching The Office and that's helping, I laugh hysterically. Down to my last season so trying to stretch it out. Good luck with going back to work.

Was going to whine about some other crap going on but thinking about The Office cheered me up, so the pity party will wait for another day.

Love you ladies, sending out healing thoughts to everyone! Thank you for all your support!

big hug Lisbeth❤️ I had to fire my first oncologist because I felt he was preoccupied!! I'm praying for a speedy recovery and that you get to feeling better soon!!

Hey ladies;

Its been 5 weeks almost since surgery - mastectomy, TE expander placement and fat grafting on the other side where I had mastectomy 13 years ago.

I am doing my stretching exercises and still feel pain. But its less, I must admit. I am not supposed to lift anything over 10 lbs still or do any pushing or pulling, and neither can I sleep on my side or on my stomach. I am a side sleeper, so this has been affecting sleep.

I went in last week for my second fill on my TE expander, and nurse said my symptoms and pain are expected. She said the burning pain is "normal" and can get worse as you expand more. Ugh.

I have seen my oncologist and radiologist now. I do not need any radiation because I had clean margins and a mastectomy. This is a relief because the plastic surgeon was concerned with dealing with capsular contraction around the TE or implant after radiation damage to the skin. So this is not a concern on my left side.

As for chemo, I am waiting for the oncotype dx test to return. The oncologist thinks i will not need chemo either but she is checking to make sure. She says my 5 tumors were tiny and I am node negative and I am highly (100%) Er+ positive/ and 98% Pr+, her2- and grade 2 with a 1/3 mitotic index so my tumors were unlikely to have spread at all.

So.... this means I just need further recovery from the surgery and then I can return to work. Insurance company will mandate I return to work if do not need chemo. I am a bit concerned about returning to work because I drive around alot and I lift heavy equipment alot. Will I be able to do this in a months time?

I had UMX but am currently limited to 5 pounds lifting with either arm for 6 weeks post op. I am at 4 weeks. My dr told me I could return to work lifting children in/out of wheelchairs in 8 weeks. So 4 more weeks doesn't sound too far off, but like I said, tell your Dr of your concerns

I'm hoping I am strong enough to be transferring and treating my kids. My boss doesn't want me back until I am 100% and has coverage contracted until I am ready. I have been 5 pound lifting only since 1/10/17 , so i am anxious to get more strength training in b4 i go back. Im not sure if 2 weeks will be enough. I had pre pectoral TEs, so i am sure that has made all the difference for me.

I don't have short term disability, so that is the difference between us. So have you been sort of working, even tho you are on short term disability? Legally, that not right, but practically, I understand.

Back from PS. No news. They were encouraged that it looked better and that the pain has diminished but concerned that I had a fever over the week-end. (Gee, if only they would have listened to me last week.) They took a culture. Expect results in 3-4 days but if the abx are already working not sure they'll even find anything.

I'm in wait and see and pray mode. He won't do further fills or anything for at least two weeks until we figure out what's going on.

Oh, and Elphaba is still with me. ~sigh~

Hey Raven and Scottie:

Hugs to you both. What an ordeal you are going thru.

Hopefully you lose your drain soon Raven. Its crazy.

wallan