September 2017 Surgery Group

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited September 2017

    andrealee- thanks for the well wishes!!

    Still no pain but finding the stripping of the drain more challenging than the nurses made it look! Got home from hospital and did the first drain and strip. Tubing would not strip clean like it was done by nurse. So panicked and called BS nurse. She said all was well. So 2nd draining went better. Figure by the time the drain comes out we will be pros at this

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  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited September 2017

    Kiwifluff, please don't apologize for needing to vent. Absolutely NONE of this is of your making - the evil that is cancer is 100% the responsible party here. You made the best decisions for YOU at the time, and that's 100% OK. Please feel free to vent away; we're all here for you.

    Sending you gentle hugs.

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  • GrandmaV
    GrandmaV Member Posts: 1,267
    edited September 2017

    Kiwifluff, I agree with raven4mi.  None of this is your fault, but I do know how you feel.  We second guess ourselves all the time.   Cancer is a sneaky beast.  We do what we can and hope for the best.  You can do this.  You can beat it.

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited September 2017

    Kiwifluff:

    Agreed with everything said here! We have SO many decisions to make with this diagnosis and so quickly, that it's impossible to not second-guess at times.

    I also delayed my biopsy slightly to get through the holidays. (All happening mid-Dec and New Year's.) And made my annual mammogram appt upon feeling my lump -- but I didn't rush them into making it the next day or anything. Of course I likely thought it was nothing. I also took time to make surgical decisions.

    Just know that you're not alone.

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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited September 2017

    Just got home from my bi-lateral lumpectomy surgery. It all seemed to go well. The wire localization wasn't nearly as bad as I'd expected. I'd say it was considerably quicker and less painful than the hardly-painful biopsies were. So now, rest and recovery are in order.

    Post-surgical follow-up isn't until next week Friday.

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited September 2017

    angelajl- wishing you a speedy recovery!!

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  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited September 2017

    AngelaJL, glad you are doing well!

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  • Kiwifluff
    Kiwifluff Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2017

    Thank you ladies. It means a lot to hear this from you. My drain is out today, thank goodness for that. It's helped with lifting my spirit a bit.

    Is anyone else surprised at how clean their surgery scars are? I half expected quarter of my breast to be missing, but it looks like it usually does with a bit of a wonky zig zag on it. My armpit looks like a dog has taken a chunk out of it though.

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  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited September 2017

    Kiwifluff, glad to hear you're feeling a bit better. My scars aren't even visible - they're at the bottom of the breast so the natural "sagging" of the TEs/implants hides them completely. Not sure that will stay the same after my exchange surgery next week as the PS is going to have to reduce my left side to match the right, but I've assured him I don't care what the scarring looks like - at this point I just want to look good in clothes because right now the girls are ridiculously asymmetrical.

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited September 2017

    dazzlingeagle- FYI - I wore some kind of chemo scarf to cover my head when I went to the hospital for my surgery and was still wearing it when I got to my room Monday night. Don't know if OR just put a bonnet over that for surgery or if they removed it and then put it back on in recovery but as far as I know, I wasn't bald while in the hospital.

    One more comment on the chemo hat- my instructions for surgery were to do shower Sunday night with hibicleans soap, dry off with a freshly laundered towel, wear freshly laundered pajamas, go to bed with freshly laundered sheets and pillowcase. The next in the morning take another hibicleans shower, another freshly laundered towel, and dress in freshly laundered cloths. All good. But I the new thought about my head cover. I have been wearing ball hat, a soft beanie, or a soft cap from Local cancer center.... none we're freshly washed. What to do? I remembered I had gotten a chemo scarf thing back in March when first dx and opened that to wear to the hospital


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  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited September 2017

    I had my pre-op appointment ahead of next Tuesday's exchange surgery and after having to read all of the "potential but rare" complications in the consent papers again now I'm a nervous wreck about the surgery - I haven't had much luck up until now. If there's a 1% chance it can happen it seems it happens to me. Oi.

    Regardless, Tuesday still can't come fast enough. I just want to get this behind me. Oh, and his assistant said that he usually doesn't use drains during exchange so there's an EXTREMELY slim chance that I won't have them even though the PS said I would because of the excessive amounts of drainage I've had in the past. Still, there's a glimmer of hope, but I won't be surprised if I wake up with them.

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited September 2017

    Raven4mi- prayers coming your way for Tuesday. Hoping all goes well with no complications. You got this !!

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited September 2017

    Raven:

    You do have this! No complications this time around. You and me both! LOL

    Will tell you -- immediate relief from removal of TEs. So damn glad those are gone!!!


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  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 312
    edited September 2017

    Hi September gals. I'm new. Preliminarypathology today, mastectomy on the 20th. Also recovering from ankle surgery on Friday. When it rains it pours. Grateful for the support and information here

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  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited September 2017

    Thanks DodgersGirl and EastCoastTS - appreciate the good thoughts! EastCoast, can't WAIT to get rid of these TEs.

    Joyseeker, you're not kidding about when it rains it pours! So sorry you're getting piled on but best wishes for next week.

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  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 312
    edited September 2017

    So those of you beautiful ladies that have been through this, I'm currently on crutches while my ankle heals. Would you suggest I get a walker for the weeks until I can put full weight on my ankle?

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  • DizzyGirl
    DizzyGirl Member Posts: 59
    edited September 2017

    Best of luck to Raven4mi and Joyseeker on surgeries next week! You got this!!

    I am also getting very nervous with my exchange coming up on Thursday. I keep hearing that the exchange is so much easier than the MX. But there are so many unknowns. Did we pick the right implant, will the surgeon remember to fix all the things we talked about, will the surgical bra be tolerable...Ugh

    Thanks for all the info on ice packs. I think I was told no ice packs after my MX although they were using them in recovery which now makes no sense.

    DizzyGirl

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited September 2017

    joy seeker- I can't imagine being on crutches right now. (Mastectomy was 9-11-17). I am not in pain after surgery (yet?) and do use the arm on the side of surgery for things like brushing teeth, feeding myself, etc but was told not to lift anything over 10 pounds nor to start any kind of exercising routine for now. .... I would be hesitant to have a crutch under that side

    Just my opinion, though. What does your BS say??

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited September 2017

    joy seeker:

    Welcome to the group, though sorry you are here. Not sure about the walker but imagine better than crutches. I didn't want anything to touch any area around my chest, even clothing at first (nerves). I don't think a crutch under your arm would work -- especially with one side having nodes taken. That incision was more tender than my IMF incisions. Talk to your BS and stress mobility and how you'll manage the ankle from a pain perspective with incisions, etc.

    Dizzy: Exchange, seriously, is easier. (And I had what I would consider a more complicated exchange.) Although there are always things that can deviate from our plans, it's not likely to happen. You will do great!!!! And be rid of the TE beasts!!!

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  • Pauline23
    Pauline23 Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2017

    Hi everyone,

    I am scheduled for a double mastectomy 9/26 with reconstruction starting with tissue expanders. I finished 5 months of chemo 8/21. Does anyone know about pre-op nerve blockers that can be given before surgery to reduce pain after the operation? Thanks for all your guidance on this topic.

    Pauline


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  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 312
    edited September 2017

    Thanks for the advice ladies. I will send my DH out for a walker. I can crutch with one arm only but I think a walker will just make things less complicated. BS is keeping me an extra night in hospital because of mobility complications and to administer medication to reduce the chance of blood clots

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  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited September 2017

    Joyseeker, maybe one of those wheelie things that you kneel on might be better even than a walker. Your ortho surgeon should be able to write a script for one if you need it.

    Pauline23, sorry you're here but welcome to the thread. Sorry, I don't have any information on you on a nerve blocker. Hopefully someone else will chime in. You may want to do a keyword search on the forums as well.

    Thanks, DizzyGirl, for the well wishes!

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  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 312
    edited September 2017

    Raven. Great advice on the rolly knee scooter thing. Also, I found camisoles with little shelf bras at Marks Work Wearhouse for afterwear. They were recommended to me by a friend who had a BMX. She said a few days out they are good for comfort and drain storage. I guess my outfits will be PJ pants, button up PJ tops and camisoles. Go me!! I feel like buying a pair of Wonderwoman socks too. I'm going to need them to get throughout all of this!!

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited September 2017

    Pauline:

    I received a nerve block just prior to my mastectomy surgery. Apparently, it does help manage pain, although there are risks -- which they will cover with you. My doctor also used Exparel (injection during surgery) to help control pain.

    Coincidentally, my PS used Exparel during Exchange, too. You can Google to see about it. I was happy because Angelina Jolie's surgeon used it, so I felt: well, that must mean it's good! LOL

    For the nerve block, guessing it depends upon your facility. If this is standard process for them to go this route. Great to have questions about their pain management, though. I was very vocal about finding out what the deal was.

    Good luck!

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  • amygil81
    amygil81 Member Posts: 165
    edited September 2017

    joyseeker, so sorry you had to join us, but welcome here. What a pain to have your mastectomy while still recovering from ankle surgery. if I may ask, are you having one breast off, or both?

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  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 312
    edited September 2017

    amygil 81 just the right for now. When treatment is done I will consider prophylactic removal of the left.

    Normal to not have and appetite and cry every other minute when first diagnosed? Today was a wreck. My mom came to help me bath due to my ankle cast and she said goodbye to my breast. Funny. But also emotionally deep and sorrowful.

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  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 312
    edited September 2017

    And, my husband suggested we buy a recliner for sleeping. How are you all sleeping?

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited September 2017

    joyseeker-- my surgery was last Monday. I am sleeping in a recliner. My bed is a waterbed and I am not going to try that until after the drain is removed BUT I have taken naps in the spare bedroom and haven't had any trouble getting in or out of that bed. I am propped up on 2 pillows on that bed. I could sleep there now instead of recliner except hubby I still sleeping there to be close to ne a time night (this spare bedroom I still off the family room while the other 3 bedrooms are upstairs).

    Oh- and with my recliner, the reclining handle is on the same side as my surgery and I am able to use that arm to recline myself.

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  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited September 2017

    Joyseeker, I slept in a recliner after every surgery until my drains came out and plan to do that again - it's just more comfortable than a bed while those little buggers are in. I never had a problem with the recliner handle either.

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  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited September 2017

    Just popping in to wish good luck to DazzlingEagle and JoySeeker who are having surgery on Wednesday - my surgery is tomorrow so wanted to pop in and wish you luck a little early in case I don't feel like getting on line tomorrow when I get home.

    I'm extremely nervous about tomorrow but also hopeful that this surgery will be my last for a looooong time!

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