July 2017 Surgery

Just learned my last biopsy result shows more cancer, so i will be having a mastectomy on Thursday, July 20.

Feelin a little sad and scared...

beachmama- Thanks again for the helpful words.

How great to have a beach vacation ! Focus on the positive and all that you still have.

I am celebrating a birthday tomorrow, and, like you, think about it being the last time with all my "parts." It's such an odd confluence of events: celebrating a birthday and preparing for my surgery.

I have great support and will keep a positive attitude.

I will be sending good thoughts your way in August that all goes well and you heal without a lot of pain.

shelabela,

I'm sorry for what you are going through. If it's any comfort, I've spoken to a few people who say the place we are in right now (waiting) is the hardest. It is so easy to let our minds go to the dark places because we just don't know what to expect.

I've had several knee surgeries, including a partial knee replacement a couple of years ago, and was not nearly as nervous then as I am now.

I'm planning to stay busy - it's my birthday tomorrow so I'm going to spend some time with friends.

I see your history and it looks like you've been through a lot already. I see your picture and it looks like you are a sassy fighter! Yes, part of you is being removed, but it certainly does not define you, or me, or any of us. We are soooo much more than our breasts.

Stay strong and tell that hubby of yours to take good care of you. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you next week, and we can compare notes after our surgeries!

Happy birthday, lifeisgood!

toughcookie - i don't know you but i'm concerned that you're thinking about "calling it off." You are young and, according to your name, are a tough cookie. You can do this! Don't let the negative thoughts invade that precious space in your head. You've got kids who need you, friends and family who love you.

I will be sending many good thoughts and prayers your way on Tuesday, July 18. I will be watching for a post from you on how it went. You can tell the rest of us what to expect.

Be strong. You got this!!!!

Hey Ladies,

I've been gone this past week and just now reading everyone's post. I had a vacation planned before the dx, it was to celebrate being done with endometrial cancer tx and full recovery from ACL surgery. I have 3days before surgery and I'm nervous. Met a lady on our hot air ballon ride in Napa who had just finished her year of cancer dx, chemo, rad, and reconstruction. She put my mind at ease and gave me the courage to get through this. I will enjoy the weekend with my family before surgery on Tuesday.

We are all strong women and will have a message from our mess. I refuse to let this be what defines me and how I live my life. Praying for everyone as you recovery and have surgery. From one fighting breast cancer to another, we got this. Staying positive in Atlanta.

had my bmx, withTEs the other day.went home yesterday. pain will be an issue of course and i found it better to stay on top of it. sleeping in a recliner is a good idea. i just brought pajamas with me with tops having two pockets for the drains.... emtying the drains is not that bad. my PS used some sort of wound vac for my sutures which will come off after a week. i have 2 drains, coming off after 2 weeks. i was advised to take it easy the first week. it will be good if you have help for the next two weeks. let people spoil you! goodl luck to those having surgeries this week! you got this

shelabela,

yes my TEs are filled and no more filling. i discussed this with my PS in the beginning as i have heard that fillings hurt? will you be having DIEP? good luck!

kae

kayarose,

Will be thinking of you. We are stronger then we think. Hugs

Kaemd,

I told my PS i wanted to be filled at the time of surgery also. He said he has no problem as long as my tissue and skin is ok. I hope things are good. As of right now my plan is DIEP flap. But i need rads so I have a little time to think some more

kae, good to hear that surgery went ok. I'm scheduled tomorrow. They're supposed to call me this afternoon with the time. My chemo is aduvant and doesn't start until August, so this is truly the first big step in ridding my body of the cancer.

I had a full blown panic attack on Saturday. Tunnel vision, cold sweat and my mind was going 100 mph. That was fun. I was getting ready to take my children to a birthday party for a friend's 5-year old and I just couldn't see myself pretending nothing was wrong to all the people at the party and, well, I lost it. My husband ended up taking them and I did yoga and took the dog for a walk. I worked through it. I did call the oncologist office and they told me to call my primary care physician to report it and see if there is anything they can prescribe. I said I don't have a primary care doctor, I don't get sick. Before cancer I truly never got sick. My family doctor retired to florida about 10 years ago and I can count on one hand the number of times I've been sick in those 10 years. I see my ob/gyn once a year and that's about it.

We picked blueberries yesterday and finally told the kids about my surgery and the "bump" in my breast. We told them that I'd need lots of help for the next few weeks and they'd be staying with their grandparents for a few days. Also told them that I'd be getting some medicine that "might" make me lose my hair. My 8-year old was like "how much might? You might not, right?" Then she went on to say that I should probably try not to lose it (my hair).

This is my first day out of work. I'm calm now. I have an appointment later this afternoon with the plastic surgeon to get marked for surgery. Then I have to take a shower tonight with the special soap and another tomorrow morning. Question for those who have already gone through surgery- did you wash your hair both times? I'd like to wash it in the shower tonight and then blow dry it so that I can get all the knots and curls out. I'm afraid I won't have time to do that in the morning.

So, I am scheduled for surgery on July 20. Lumpectomy and SLNB (Left). I'm still a bit emotionally numb at this point, but today I did buy a few soft things for wearing after surgery. I'm not really even sure what to say, I guess I just wanted to say hello to you all and prayers and the best of luck to us all.

hello

Surgery schedules for July 25 double mastectomy

I am very nervous I never have surgeries or big anesthesia

My surgeon told me it's not painful

And the reconstruction is more painful than the mastectomy

Best off luck to us all.

Hello -

I'm having surgery on July 19th. Lumpectomy for ILC and sentinel node removal. I just told my dad and son about my diagnosis today. That was pretty hard. I found myself downplaying everything because they were so freaked out.

I'm glad I found this site. There is some comfort in knowing there are others going through the same thing at the same time. I don't feel quite so alone.

I see there are several of you having surgery today. Saying a prayer for all of you! Hugs and healing vibes sent from FL

I hope everyone who had surgery yesterday is doing well. And I'm thinking of those of you having surgery today.

This is really scary. I suspect there will be some tears tonight and tomorrow on my part. I've already warned my bf that I may be a flight risk.

A pedicure and retail therapy sounds like a really good idea.