April 2017 Surgery

Rocky, glad you're doing well after your surgery. I've heard it's most painful in your underarm instead of chest. Rest up and keep us posted

it's kind of amazing to me how much variation in surgeries.

My BMX was on 4/20 so I'm almost 3 weeks out. Im hoping to have my staples out tomorrow, and maybe one of the drains. The other drain I got 30cc in 8 hours yesterday - it has to be under that in 24, so ... I'm thinking I've really got some time to go. I want it out SO BADLY ... the tubes under the skin/muscle really hurt, I can't get my arm on that side quite up to shoulder level, and I get painful muscle cramps in he chest from the simplest things - even opening my mouth wide to eat. I have no idea when I'll be able to get completely off the narcotics though ive cut them WAY down. I dont know when i can drive but I hope soon. I'm not used to being non-mobile for weeks and have no one to give me a ride most times. I live too far out and Uber is about $75 to go to Church or doctor and back. I hope to work before school year ends but ... yesterday I got a ride to Church and as much as I wanted to go, I was also ready to come home after a couple of hours. I'm SO thankful they got all the newest (third) cancer and I don't need any more rads or chemo, but I admit I didn't expect the surgery to require so much!

It does make me glad for all those who are doing so well though.

Hi Everyone. I was diagnosed with Paget's disease of the breast and had breast conserving surgery with removal of nipple and areolar complex and and sentinal node biopsy April 21/17. My f/p appointment with BS is tomorrow. I feel nervous to get the pathology results but glad to put an end to the waiting. If anything is found I will have mastectomy. My surgery went really well, my surgeon is a very experienced breast surgeon and she is also really considerate (she called me herself - twice!) and I live in Canada so don't have to worry about paying for healthcare. My surgery was scheduled 9 days after I met with surgeon. I'm glad I found this forum and wish you all the very best.

J.

Hi, Jessiebelle and welcome!

My first diagnosis was Paget's too. Rare, but there are some here on the forum. I hope you get the best possible results from your pathology.

This thread has slowed down a lot. I guess many are getting past their surgeries and recovery, and that's a good thing. Please let us know what you hear! I hope all goes really well for you.

I saw the surgeon today and received the best pathology results I think I could hope for. Lymph nodes were clear, margins were clear (>10mm) and dx DCIS stage 0/3 confined to nipple skin. Radiation is still a possibility but I remain hopeful that my cancer journey has brought me to a restful place and I can focus on other things now. I will be closely watched, of course, and my doctor and I decided that since I have dense breasts, 1 will have a yearly MRI for a while. Usually f/up is mammography only so I wanted to mention this strategy for those who are planning ongoing diagnostics.

I have read lots of threads on this forum and feel a connection to you all. @itfinallyhitme - I wish you strength and healing and I believe you will be well and find peace and acceptance of the changes in time.

J.

Great news, Jessie!

And thanks for the encouragement, appreciate it. :

Itfinallyhitme, you are not the only one with pain this far out. I'm a little under 3 weeks but had to go back on Ultram due to pain. And you know why the pain got worse? I drove twice 2 days ago and once yesterday. That was enough to put me back on narcotics. (And each trip is under 5 miles.) I didn't realize I was doing it to myself while I was doing it. I was getting records from my medical office (2 trips) and taking my child to a dentist appt, so these were not pleasure trips. And I can't even do the arm exercises I am supposed to until the pain gets better. So just don't push yourself on the driving and use my sorry story as an example of what could happen.

VERY Gentle hugs to you.

HI LADIES 🎀! Jennifer here looking for some advice. So I had my nipple sparring BMX on 5/8/17 which was this last Monday. All so far is healing well. But one of my nipples looks suspiciously odd in certain places to me. My PS assured me when I saw her yesterday that it's just brusising but I'm over here stressed thinking its necrosis. Ugh! How do you know?? I'm so soon post op. I'm on antibiotics and what not. I hate the drains. They said my surgery was very successful. Ive googled a ton! But I can't not seem to find the difference online of bruising or if it's necrosis. Help I'm stressed! I'll gladly show anyone who might have some insight.

Hi, I have asthma and stress/anxiety can cause wheezing. You may be so stressed that the small bronchi in your lungs are constricting. Try to relax.

I'm just starting this journey and hopefully will be Stage 1 also. Listen to those who have been through this. Many have take chemo and done well.

Take care!

Karen

hanging in there, thank you.

I'm giving up today and starting to take the lortab again, 1/2 tablet 2-3 times in 24 hours, with a naproxen sodium. I went without since Tuesday but it's just too painful, and I finally decided to have it dulled a little was better than nothing. I can get fairly comfortable with some meds.

I hope you are feeling better soon and can get on with healing!

I haven't tried to drive yet, but I try to do this and that, and realize I can't after I try. I am slowly coming to the realization that I'm only slowing down the healing, most likely.

I have another question, but I think I'll ask it in a new thread, since I'm not sure it is very common so I'm hoping more will see it. My abdomen seems to be getting bigger and bigger. I thought at first it was an optical illusion because the breasts are not there, but then my clothes don't fit, and today I am kind of shocked that it looks almost like my breasts are still there, just dropped down some inches. I'm having no serious signs of digestive issues, and not eating much. Ive been told by a friend it could be fluid. I don't know what to think or if it's at all common.

Well, I've asked it after all. But I do want to try for wider input.

itfinallyhitme YES! My belly is bigger also, I thought it was from sitting around and eating so much lmao...but I'm starting to think its bloating from surgery? and of course looking bigger with no boobs....but like you things that fit before don't fit now...so I think its surgery related..

definitely take your pain meds until you are able to bear it without...I stopped at about 2 weeks, then only took muscle relaxers at bedtime for a few more days...now (4 weeks after) I only take tylenol or advil if I get really uncomfortable....

I feel the most uncomfortable right when I wake up in the morning, and later in the day after doing a lot....

I am trying to do arm exercises, but keep forgetting lol but everytime I am in the shower I do them after the hot water loosens up my muscles...showers feel awesome now lmao!

I FINALLY GOT OUT THE LAST DRAINS TODAY!!!! Almost 4 weeks post-op! They.are barely under 30cc and only my last emptying. I'm not supposed to do anything with my right arm until next week. But I'm SO happy to have them out. They've been painful from day 1. I go back next week to see if my range of motion is improved and I'm to get PT. If not, I think I need exercises on my own. I also want to know when I can start massaging scar, if there's any chance that helps with tightness. I haven't read that far yet. He says I can swim soon. LOL I asked him that last year when this started and one thing after another kept happening - a few weeks then has become a year. Though I probably need a noodle or something so I don't drown lol.

Going to try to drop Lortab now so within the next 36 hours I can have a SHOWER, a glass of wine, and sleep in BED instead of a chair. Amazing how good those things sound when I've been a month without them (probably much longer on the wine, but it sounds good to toss into the celebration!

Deni1661 - Your not whining! I just had left skin sparing mastectomy and Diep recon on both sides. On Apr 6. Mine was 9 hours, then after 6 hours out of surgery I had to go back in for another 5 hour surgery due to a blood clot. Incisions have taken their time healing. It sure is a slow process, but the mobility part for me has been great. You will find it gets easier each week. I completely get the work part...can't imagine going back for some time. Stomach gets very tight, sore by dinnertime. Still need ibuprofen especially later in the day. Mine was 7 year delayed Diep after diagnosis in 2010. So did chemo back then and other surgeries.

Take your time with the healing and easing of the pain meds. Stool softener, Prune juice..whatever works for you lol...you will feel better.