September 2017 Surgery Group

I was diagnosed in March with triple negative stage II breast cancer. Began chemo in April. Finished chemo on August 31st. I am having a lumpectomy with breast reduction and lift in both breasts. My surgery is scheduled for October 3rd. I am scared of surgery but at the same time looking forward to putting this all behind me. Radiation will follow a month later. Hoping I have little pain from surgery and my pathology comes back good

Having been through so many surgeries, I can guarantee that what Rayleen wrote is correct - the waiting is the absolute hardest part. Hang in there, ladies. And, yes, allow yourself some time to cry, rage, whatever you need to do - I had one huge ol' sobfest before my BMX last year but the rest of the time I've basically just been pissed off about all the complications I've had since then. Still trying to figure out what lesson God and the universe intended me to learn through all this because right now I just don't know. I will say I have learned to be my own best advocate in developing treatment plans, so maybe that was it.

I had my BMX on Friday and I'm feeling pretty great. Taking pain meds regularly, and spending a lot of time in bed. The drains are bothersome, but tolerable. I'm heading to the plastic surgeon tomorrow for a check up and to be re bandaged, so hopefully she can adjust one of the drains that is protruding into my armpit. I can't believe how well I feel, physically and mentally. My advice for everyone awaiting surgery is to stock up on pillows. I'm sleeping with one under each arm and two under my back and neck.

Good luck everyone, I've found this surgery to be easier than I anticipated and I hope you all do as well!

Glad things are going well for you Flygirl12! Yes, I've said this to many friends with much chagrin, but it's surprisingly easy to have your breasts cut off. Keep resting easy and glad the drains aren't too much of a bother for you. I'm quite the big baby about them, myself. Also I found that sleeping in a La-Z-Boy recliner is the only way I can get any rest with the drains in. Hope you have a great check-up today.

Also popping on to say good luck to Rayleen, RedMoon, and AllyKat25 who are scheduled for surgery tomorrow.

Stay strong, everyone.

Hi All "September surgery" brave women! If you haven't had surgery yet, don't forget to refer back to this list: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics...

had my surgery yesterday went well, I think ( won't talk to surgeon for two weeks, but they only took out one sentinal node so that has to be good?) Pain not too bad, but am taking Tylenol 3 regularly. I have a fair bit of swelling And tingling in my hand. Is that normal???? Also, I gained 7 pounds??? Totally unfair because I didn't eat for almost 24 hours before surgery. Do you retain a lot of water after this surgery. Very interested in other peoples experience. Thanks

I had my lumpectomy with axilliary node dissection on sept 5 with one drain.
Little bit of discomfort but not as much pain , taking tylenol as of now.
As per doctor , surgery went fine and to him lymph nodes looked normal but we will know for sure in pathology report
Today i wanted to take shower , since i have vaso vagal syndrome , i became light headed while looking at the drain site will shower tomorrow now.
Just want to get my arm back in motion and get over with radiation too.

I am also planning to start taking biotin for hair growth , eyebrows and eylashes( 4 weeks out of chemo) , Its been a long journey and still going on..waiting to look and feel normal again

moodygina and BCFighter, glad to hear you're both doing well after surgery.

MamaFelice, my drainage started out fairly red then eventually turned an light orange-ish to yellow-ish color. There definitely are no generalizations you can make about how much drainage there should be - some women have very little and some have tons. I was in the latter group and had my drains after initial BMX for seven weeks. Don't freak out though - I'm extremely confident that I'm in the minority on that. Most have them out in a week or two.

Skvirm, I decided to do the high dose radiation to the tumor bed only. It will be 2 x a day for 5 days. I don't have enough breast tissue for a balloon catheter to do brachytherapy. I could possibly do the multi-catheter brachytherapy but my BS and RO said there is always a risk of infection. I hope this doesn't affect my implant. Time will tell. I had my LX yesterday and I am doing very well. Best of luck to you on whatever you decide.e

Eastcoast, glad to hear you're doing well and that the pain is manageable. Did you get any drains with your exchange? When do you go for your first post-op appointment? I'm dying to know how you like the result once you get a good look at it.

Raven:

Another thought: you and I had infections and I bet drains increase the chance for complications, right? Another open wound and area for bacteria to reach. Even if they are performing a good "job". So maybe that is why my PS nixed the idea. Idk.

I am joining all of you lovely ladies as I am having my exchange surgery on September 21. I will also be having fat grafting and removal of redundant skin on my sides. I am exited and scared all at the same time! Had two pre-op visits this week. One with PS and one with PCP office. Hopefully I am all set!

For those of you going through MX, I found that a waitress apron with the pockets in front works great for drains. You can get them on Ebay for about $5.00. It is easy to wash too. I had drains for three weeks the first time so this was a life saver. Also a lanyard and with safety pins works great for showers. I don't anticipate having drains this time but I will have these ready to go just in case.

I am doing a lot of physical therapy to keep my ROM after BMX and Rads. I hope this helps in recovery from EX too.

Best of Luck!

DizzyGirl

I'll be having surgery on this coming Wednesday, September 13th, with lumpectomies on both sides. After a regular screening mammogram on 8/1 detected areas of microcalcifications in both breast that were "suspicious of malignancy", I had biopsies on both sides on 8/9 and was diagnosed on 8/15 with DCIS on the right and atypical cells on the left.

Not looking forward to it at all - especially the wire placement on both sides - and I'm really wondering how long I'll be off work afterward. The surgeon said he likes people to rest and recover until their follow-up with him, which I think is sometime the next week. I'm not sure.

But, this time next week the surgery will be over. A couple weeks later, I'll be enjoying ave a 5-day trip before diving into 21 radiation treatments, so I've got that to look forward to!

Joining in ! I try to stay off the internet because it makes me CRAZY lol but also reading all your positive comments and stories brings me GREAT comfort ! THANK YOU ALL ! Surgery scheduled 9/29 .. Yikes ! Double mastectomy with reconstruction . Honestly, I CAN NOT WAIT ! My biggest concern is being under Anesthesia for so long . I hate the drugs and get terribly sick . Any advice at all to prepare ? Thanks !

I am scheduled for a right mastectomy on September 27. I had a needle biopsy on Aug 9, diagnosed with DCIS. Lumpectomy was August 28. Margins were not clear on 3/6 sides, and it appears the cancer is "peppered" throughput my ducts. I decided on the mastectomy vs further lumpectomy since my breast is small to begin with. It feels like such a whirlwind. So much to read and decide. So many opinions from well-meaning friends. So many things to take care of before I am incapacitated for awhile. Trying to remember to breathe...