September 2017 Surgery Group

Good luck to everyone having surgery this week!

Raven, you have this!!! Keep us updated.

Hi Joyseeker. We are both having our surgery tomorrow! Whew.

Maybe it will sink in more after treatment is over. I was too sick during chemo to worry much about having cancer.

I'm done with chemo now (finished July 20th) but still getting herceptin/perjeta and plus so many medical appointments and tests getting ready for surgery. I was just so happy to be done with chemo and busy with working full time and all the dr. appointments, also wanting to do things I'd been putting off for five months, so I still didn't really think about cancer the past few weeks.

But for the past week or so leading up to this surgery, I wake up in the middle of the night thinking holy crap I have freaking cancer and I'm having serious surgery. And there goes any hope of sleeping. The anxiety hasn't been too bad, just mostly worrying. There was one night I thought I would have to have help dealing because I was feeling a lot of overwhelming emotional pressure and almost couldn't breathe, but I got through it and that was the worse one.

So basically I guess I've not come to terms with it at all and I've been doing all my worrying in the middle of the night.

Sending well wishes and positive thoughts and vibes to all you ladies having surgery this week ! I will be right behind you guys next week . Getting nervous as well ... Yikes

WE GOT THIS !!

To those who have already had their surgery this month I ask: How are you doing now? What tips do you have for others about to take this same path?

I am a week out from my mastectomy. I still have my drain. Still getting a lot of drainage. I haven't seen my BS yet since surgery as her method is to not set an appointment until the drain is ready to be removed. Instead I talk with BS nurse each day about volume of drainage and any questions I may have. Nurse has said to expect my drain will be in for another week. So far, the time the drain bothers me the most is when showering.

I am still able to use my right arm for way more stuff than I expected. Not exercising or doing PT yet as that is supposed to wait for my drain to be removed.

I slept in a real bed last night instead of my recliner without issue. Felt pretty good to be all stretched out. Didn't have any pain or discomfort.

Tomorrow, I had an appointment with MO. I haven't been in a car since coming home from surgery so am curious to see how that goes. This appointment is to flush my port, get an update on how post-chemo is going, get a flu shot, and talk about hormone therapy. MO wants me to start now but said that RO usually wants hormone therapy to start after rads.

Oh, lastly, I got my pathology report yesterday. It shows that beside the known IDC, there was DCIS in 2 other areas in the breast. So for me, I think going the UMX route was the right choice.

Hope everyone is doing well. And to those with surgeries still to come in September, you can do this.

Dodgersgirl,

Thanks for the insight. Your post gives me a good idea of what the next week will look like for me. Tomorrow is the day. Hospital at 7:00, surgery at 2:00. Sleeping pill tonight...

joyseeker,

Sending prayers.

Mimi

joyseeker- surgery will be over before you know it. Wish you luck tomorrow and in your recovery with the added catch of your ankle healing. Take things as slow as you need and let those who want to help, help you.

Utjoy- I am just as you described about researching the cancer journey. I have been concentrating on the step I am on, learning all I can while not researching too much about the next step. One day at a time.

You mentioned rads Oct 1st. Do you have appointments set up already or is that a general timeframe based on the date of your surgery?

Question- once you had your drain removed, did you feel like you could move better? Any less electric shocks? BS told me those electric shocks are probably the drain hitting a nerve.

Lastly- how is DH's recovery?

DodgersGirl, I had BMX Aug 31 so I'm about 3 weeks out. I bought 2 undergarments specifically designed for post BMX or UMX surgery. Super soft with Velcro-on pouches for those stupid bloody awful PITA drains . I had 3 drains and it certainly helped to be able to keep everything tucked up and somewhat contained.

I had drains in for 10 days. Ugh. I wasn't a fan of having them or getting them out. My tip for drain removal day is take Ativan or your drug of choice before the appointment although it appears everyone frowns on heroin . Notably, I'm a massive infant about these things. I wish they could just gas me for pretty much everything. I expect the nurses feel the same way. Ha ha.

I can't reach over my head yet and I'm not tall so a step stool is a handy thing.

Be generous with pillows in your bed so you can have whatever kind of support you need to be comfortable at night. I have 5.

Embrace your pain meds . I don't need any in the daytime anymore although I'm still sore but I need them at night if I want to sleep.

Do the exercises. Personally, I have not but I definitely should. Possibly tomorrow.

Drains came out last Monday and I was driving and back to work last Tuesday and back to walking my dogs Friday

raven- glad to hear you are on the recovery side of your surgery. Hope the PS gets you a quick fix for the leaking issue.

Enjoy your nap! I have an MO appointment this morning and then plan on taking an afternoon nap!

Dizzygirl- wanted to wish you the best for your scheduled surgery tomorrow!!! Let us know how you did when you feel up to it

I'm out of surgery. Uneventful. Great pain meds on board. Surgery site is way less than anticipated. Toast. Tea. And support from my team and I'm a happy camper. Those waiting....you've totally got this. Settling in for a pain meds induced sleep. Cheers ladies. Be good 💜 Sara

I found you DodgersGirl- found out you had your surgery, speedy recovery. The drain is the most painful thing but it will go away soon, believe me it is much better than chemo.Good luck girl

DodgersGirl - they do drop fast When it's ready. I can't remember how long did I have my drain, I thought I kept it for two weeks but my hubby thinks it was 3 weeks

raven4mi- hope you get your Tylenol this morning! And GREAT news about the leakage self resolving!

Sounds like your drains won't be in too long!

I asked my question about the drainage amounts because this last week after surgery those drainage numbers were nowhere close to where they would be for drain removal. I don't have an appointment with BS until drainage numbers are low enough to remove drain. Based on how high the drainage amount is/was, I figured drain will be in for many more days. But yesterday's amount was dramatically less than the rest of the week and wondered if that was normal?

The drain doesn't really bother me when home. It just sticks out, visibly under my clothes and looks silly and makes me self conscious when in public.

Dogmomerica:

Luckily some great lists on this site, which helped me tremendously. But ask questions if you are not sure about something. Don't forget Colace or something similar. (+ other fiber recommendations, etc.) Start a couple of days before surgery. TMI -- but no one wants that issue with dealing with pain and healing. Narcs just bring it on. I also, as everyone knows, recommend the heck out of Arnica and Bromelain, started a couple of days before surgery and a week after. You can ask your PS about them, too. They may ok or not care. That is the typical response.

Do you need drain holders? I have two -- one went around my waist and one Koosie type material that hangs from neck for showering. Both are clean and the one around waist was a Godsend. It's flexible so should fit different size waists (I think). I can send to you. I'm not even sure I used the Koosie one but it's kinda cute anyway. LOL PM me your addy if you want them.