Edited to add- sorry if this is TMI! I don't know where else to ask questions like this.

My surgery is scheduled for July 18 and by my calculations, I'm due to get my period on July 19 give or take a day or two. I have 2 concerns: 1) My periods are ridiculously heavy and 2) I typically have terrible PMS with breast soreness for several days leading up to my period. I have brought both of these issues up to my OB/GYN and PCP in the past, but they have both told me that it is perimenopause and that it will go away eventually and unless I'm willing to take hormonal birth control, I have to deal with it. I don't do well on hormonal birth control and thankfully, I haven't taken them up on that option considering I've had an ER/PR+ tumor growing in my breast for who knows how long.

I'm curious here has ever had surgery while on your period and what did they do about the bleeding while you were in surgery? My second question is- what does everyone think about the breast tenderness and soreness and having surgery while my hormones are obviously so out of whack that they cause that much pain. My BC is hormone receptor positive!

I mentioned this to the surgical oncologist and they said that the breast soreness is not a concern. They looked at me like I was nuts when I asked about having my period too. I can't imagine that I'm the first person to experience this.

hi ladies,

I have my last chemo(TCHP) on Thursday 27 I have my surgery BMX on July we didn't schedule it yet

My surgeon said 4 weeks after last chemo

I am nervous and scared

hi all,

you could also "pin" your drains on your clothes using tape and safety pin. this is what is normally done in the hospital and you could ask your nurse later on on how to do it..

Hi all, I'm jumping over from the June surgery group with a tip I found helpful for newbies. Get some inexpensive button up pj's from walmart or similar and sew in inside pockets for the drains. I found this a vast improvement to the neck or waist straps and it's pretty easy.

toughcookie_21 I'm having a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction on the 11th, and that is the day my lady time is scheduled to start, too! I actually just asked my care coordinator about this yesterday because I have a heavy flow, like you. She said to tell your medical team when you check in for surgery - apparently they can give you a special pad-type thing to wear that can accommodate heavy periods if you're going into a longer surgery. I'm hoping the breast tenderness isn't an issue, and I have to say it will be nice to be knocked out and medicated when my cramps are the heaviest

Like everyone, i'm sure, this was not a 'team' I wanted to join... but, after several weeks of conflicting opinions re: pathology I am scheduled for a lumpectomy to remove two tumors in my rt. breast on July 14.......the day before my birthday. I've just told people now they have two reasons to be extra-nice to me!!

I am told it should be fairly straightforward, but i'm not certain how the lymph node process works. Do they only take one, unless it's cancerous? Do they take a few, just to be sure? I realize i should have asked my surgeon but it was one question that I didnt' have written down.

Wishing all on the July 'team' steady-handed surgeons, good pain meds and strong recoveries.

lifeisgood,

That is what I was good also. They would take out the first ones that they know are cancerous then go from there

if your surgeon has you wearing one of the surgical bras to compress things afterwards, you can clip the drains to the bottom edge of those. My doctor actually wanted me to keep my BMX drains clipped higher than coat pocket height so My drains had little plastic clothespins type things to hook them up to my surgical bra. It worked well for bathroom etc. He hardest part was avoiding turning to my sides to sleep for a few months. Its tough to sleep on your back so long.

Good luck and prayers for ladies with surgeries this week!

I am having my surgery tomorrow morning! I can't wait to get this over with, it seems like I have been waiting forever. I know there are a few of you having surgery this week, I hope everything goes smoothly for you.

goodluck suzy!

TE surgery July 10. BMX was in Dec, just finished chemo and have decided to have the TE placed before Rads. Good luck everyone!

Lumpectomy with sentinel node removal and port removal 2 days ago. I was originally going to have a mastectomy but the presurgery chemo (4 months) brought me into the lumpectomy range. I am fairly sore with trouble bending over and lifting my arm. I removed the ace wraps and showered last night. It looks pretty good, I don't see any large bruising or bleeding. The sports bra helps a lot. I finally took a narcotic pain pill since the pain woke me up last night but I generally don't mind being really sore if I can avoid the narcotics. The sentinel node was clear in surgery and I will get the pathology report in about a week and a half with my follow up appointment. I am also looking forward to seeing how much cancer is left in the tumor that was removed. Two other smaller tumors disappeared on MRI after 3 months of chemo so the surgeon took a "generous" lump to try to include that area as well. I may need oral chemo in addition to radiation if there are enough cancer cells remaining.

Thinking of you July ladies and praying for quick healing and better results!

hi all,

just had my pre-op with my PS. apparently ,i have to sleep on my back for 6 weeks after the surgery. yikes... we have a recliner but its in the living room downstairs and its too big to fit the door to our room. i guess i have to sleep in the living room or improvise and use lots of pillows on our bed..

aussie,

how long did you have the expanders for and did you uave fills too