September 2017 Surgery Group

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  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 312
    edited October 2017

    I'm still kind of swollen and "flabby" under my arm. It took quite awhile for all the swelling to go out of my breast. My surgery was Sept 20. There is a chance the drain is the source of your pain. Mine was kind of poking me from the inside. The numbness will get better over time. Hang in there!!

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  • AndreaLee
    AndreaLee Member Posts: 14
    edited October 2017

    Post surgery update : I'm 9 days out and feeling better than I thought I would . My 4 drains were removed on day 6 and boy was I happy ! Those things are the devil !

    Still very sore but able to keep the pain meds to a minimum! A lot of chest pressure but I do believe that's because of the implants they placed ( I feel like I have boulders on my chest) still taking a lot of naps , drinking a lot of water and just taking it easy . It's hard to do but I know that's the only way to get better .

    Got my pathology report back and they found residual cancer - so I made the right decision in a mastectomy. I WAS NOT cancer free like I was told !

    Love and hugs to you all!

    Question : nobody told me anything about arm exercises ... What are they ?

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  • MFPM
    MFPM Member Posts: 69
    edited October 2017

    Joyseeker and AndreaLee, What doesn't hurt is numb, a creepy feeling but the chest pain and swelling got worse yet my surgery was September 26th.  Surely the drain is causing me to be uncomfortable but figure with all that's swollen, it's lymphatic fluid that has to come out.  Went through it with the lumpectomy in 2016, no drain but had to get needle aspirated a few times, but probably not enough.  I do know they say nerve endings are cut during lymph node removal, so all of that plays a factor in it I'm sure.  On my side, it's like an apple and so much hanging over this compression bra, even my back but I am very thin.  I know it's all gotten worse since the surgery even the pain that I wake up with.  As for arm exercises, they say range of motion will be lost if not done and I believe it since it does loosen things up for a bit when doing them.  Other than that, can barely reach for anything or raise my hand with the pulling in my chest, under arm etc..  Here's a link to the exercises that I got.
    https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/exercises-after-breast-surgery
     

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  • MamaFelice
    MamaFelice Member Posts: 216
    edited October 2017

    My BMX without recon was on 9/5. Drains came out after 3 weeks and allowed me to feel more comfortable in my movements....but the swelling is definitely still there under my arms at my sides, especially my right side where nodes were taken. Very little numbness on my prophylactic left side, while my right side is quite numb still. Someone in a previous post compared the feeling to having a clutch purse under your arm at all times. Definitely can relate to that.

    I went for my first PT appointment last week and lymphadema was addressed. I am getting a sleeve to be proactive during exercise and travel. When they measured me, my arms were symmetrical in size until she reached up near my shoulder and my right side measured 2 cm larger than left. She said that it should go down over time. I am an exerciser, and have not participated in any of my normal classes since my surgery because I am waiting on sleeve. Just walking for now, but feeling it is time to take it up a notch. Also hunting for the perfect foobies to wear for exercising.

    Love and smiles to you all!

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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited October 2017

    Joyseeker, not sure what your bill would be down here, but it would be high! So far I've had a mammogram, biopsies (both sides), surgery (lumpectomies on both sides), two follow-ups with the surgeon, two consultations with the radiation oncologist, and one consultation with the medical oncologist. The total bill is somewhere around $50,000 USD, though after insurance made its payments, my portion is around $6,000. I still have radiation upcoming and don't know how much that will be.

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  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 312
    edited October 2017

    AngelaJL - Holy Crap! True Notth Strong and Free....I'm so grateful!

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  • AndreaLee
    AndreaLee Member Posts: 14
    edited October 2017

    MFPM: Hang in there ! I'm still definitely numb in areas and swollen . Like u said its a strange feeling . I know my plastic surgeon put some numbing stuff ( don't know the proper terminology) in my chest to help with pain - it is wearing off . So, maybe that's what u are experiencing.

    Did u say you were doing this with out pain meds ? Shew !! you say you aren't strong, but I would have to disagree - you must be . I'm slowly getting off meds because I hate them but definitely still need them at night .

    Hugs and stay positive & strong !


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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited October 2017

    MFPM:

    Going back a few months to recall -- but I had ALL kinds of things going on after BMX. Some may have been attributed to the tissue expanders but my skin overall felt very "sensitive". Like: don't touch. Nerve stuff, tingling and burning. This the doc said nerves regenerating or whatever they were trying to do. Shooting pains/stabbing. Not horrible -- but just a lot of healing going on. And this for me was a couple of months. Totally doable but you're still pretty soon out of surgery.

    If you have much swelling, call the doc. That I did not have a ton of. Had drains for 10 days.

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  • MFPM
    MFPM Member Posts: 69
    edited October 2017

    Ladies, Thanks to all who shared how they felt also.  I was beginning to think something was way wrong, yesterday the pain waking me up, today waking up with the 1 side more numb.  As for the swelling, I wish someone would measure to understand since before this, Drs. were just going by their eyesight, saying it doesn't look bad, but they aren't feeling it.  For the pain, no, I haven't taken any pain meds but it's not constant and worry about them knocking me out, being exhausted/sleepy as it is.  Going to see the surgeon tomorrow, 12 days out from surgery and guess the drain will be taken out, but more so this compression bra which causes pain too.  I'm still afraid of this whole experience and after 2 years, tired of it but now facing the fact I did the mast without reconstruction, (maybe someday) plus not sure what he's going to say about pathology.  Praying for decent news, a good prognosis and a cure for all.

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

    My surgery was Sept 29 and I still have 2 drains, hopefully they will come out Thursday when I see the surgeon.  I have had a lot of pain, especially under my left shoulder blade on my back.  Surgeon said it was a nerve, and prescribed pain meds.  It's a burning, stabbing pain that just comes out of nowhere.  Seems the compression bandage makes it worse.  I hope it stops once the drains come out.  I'm also numb across the chest and under the arms. 

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  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 312
    edited October 2017

    I'm my "other" September surgery I got a walking boot today! Freedom!!! No more crutching around on my mastectomy scar. How's everyone's energy? I still need a nap 😳More staging scans this week. Anxiety is high....

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited October 2017

    GrandmaV: I have had PT with a specialist trained in myofascial release. I believe pain in the shoulder blades or below is common with breast surgery. Myofascial release helps with this. It's been great for me and restoring range of motion. Google it. The myofascial runs from front to back in some way. (I couldn't get it all -- but it has helped.)


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

    did you all get exercises to do for range of motion from your breast surgeons?

    Asking because I am 1 month out of mastectomy and still no exercises to work on range of motion. BS is supposed to be setting up PT but still haven't heard back so I called yesterday to PT office. They scheduled me for next week. I believe I have cording in arm pit area and would like to work on that before daily rads start.

    Frustrated by the way PT has unfolded and wondered what everyone else is doing

    Thanks for your feedback

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

    joyseeker-- I cannot imagine crutches and mastectomy scars at the same time. You must be Wonder Woman!

    Best of luck on staging scans. Scans are so stressful. Did you receive a pathology report post surgery? Mine came back a few days after surgery. May you be given good news!

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  • AndreaLee
    AndreaLee Member Posts: 14
    edited October 2017

    Dodgersgirl : nothing was ever mentioned to me about PT and when I asked my surgeon about arm exercises she said just to do general arm exercises... Arm raises , shoulder shrugs etc . Wasn't much help at all . I will definitely ask for more details on next visit .

    Good luck :)

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

    AndreaLee- Thanks for the info. Doing shoulder shrugs now....and have been working on lying down with arm over my head for as long as I can

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited October 2017

    I believe there are some good exercises on Youtube from MSK (Sloan-Kettering). My nurse practitioner mentioned to me, though I wasn't great about doing them.

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

    EastCoastTS-- thanks!! Going there now to watch. All my BS said was to not exercise til drain removed and then will be scheduled for PT....that was 2 weeks ago and first PT is next week so 5 weeks after surgery. Will probably go on during daily rads. Boy this is some fun



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  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited October 2017

    I was never given, nor did I ever do, any exercises for ROM. I have the same ROM now as I did prior to my BMX. It was never really an issue or a concern for me. I'm sorry for those of you who are struggling with ROM but it may just return over time and with healing?

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

    Raven4mi-- thanks for the info. I have read many people who mentioned getting exercises from BS so I wondered if I was missing something.

    My range of motion is really good and has been since surgery but wasn't sure if ROM could be limited if I wasn't doing exercises.

    I do have cording and hope PT takes care of that

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  • MamaFelice
    MamaFelice Member Posts: 216
    edited October 2017

    I started PT last week-- about 4 weeks after BMX surgery and 1 week after drains out. PT gave me several exercises and while with her she spends time rubbing out my scar tissue and cording. I have fantastic range of motion on my left non-disease side, but my right side is a mess because of all the scar tissue forming under my arm where nodes were taken. I had sentinel nodes taken back on 5/25 and full ALND 9/5 = oodles of scar tissue. PT says my range is great on the right with all things considered, and I feel it getting better every day since I started exercises. My navigator sent me to MSK website to look up exercises for cording the week before PT started and that helped get the ball rolling. Just be gentle and take baby steps. You got this!! 😃

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

    ManaFelice- thank you for your post. I will look for you tube videos about cording

    Good luck with your recovery from your surgeries.

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  • Joyseeker
    Joyseeker Member Posts: 312
    edited October 2017

    MamaFelice I saw a massage therapist that specializes in oncology and lymphodema as well as scar therapy yesterday. It was fantastic. Perhaps you can find one in your area? She was far more knowledgable than anyone else I've spoken with. I felt so hopeful when I left.

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

    Drains came out yesterday.  What a world of difference.  Can cuddle my wonderful husband now.  He has absolutely spoiled me the last two weeks.  

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  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited October 2017

    Yay for no drains, GrandmaV. (And double yay for a cuddly husband. Heh heh!)

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  • CindyVS23
    CindyVS23 Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2017

    GrandmaVI am experiencing this same pain. Started three days after my RMX with recon. My PS prescribed Gabapentin. I am combining that with muscle relaxer and ibuprofen round the clock and it keeps it down to a 5-6 on the pain scale, instead of the 9 I was experiencing before. Increases with activity, sometimes even with the non-affected side. I was also told to lightly massage the area and do the light movement exercises I was given. Seeing a tiny bit of improvement, I can now eat and brush my teeth with my right hand now, but still wake up with more pain than I would like. Starting PT in 2 weeks. Praying that will help...

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

    CindyVS23 - I am so sorry you are having that pain.  I know how bad it can be.  Mine started in the hospital day of surgery.  Mine is improving and I'm learning not to make certain movements with the left arm.  Since my drains out 2 days ago it has gotten better.  Surgeon did say it is common and will go away eventually.  I hope it goes away for both of us.

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  • Micganser
    Micganser Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2017

    Hi everyone - glad to have found you.

    I had a single mastectomy and had the sentinal node blue dye and 3 nodes under my are removed - this was on 9/12. a month later I am still swollen under the arm and in the surgical area and have a "dog ear" on the edge of the incision that is puffy and tender.

    I am going to a breast cancer PT every week and doing exercises for that and it doesn't feel like I am making progress.

    See the Oncologist on Wednesday and back to PT Thursday - perhaps I am asking the wrong questions - PT at this point doesn't seem concerned.

    any thoughts, comments or ideas or encouragement would be appreciated - so far I know I am E+ 100% P+ 100% Her2- Neg and group 3 tumor.

    Greatful

    Have an amazing day!


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  • AndreaLee
    AndreaLee Member Posts: 14
    edited October 2017

    Haven't been on for a while and just wondering how everyone is doing ? I'm 2 1/2 weeks out and doing better than expected. Still very sore and trying to adjust to these foreign objects in my chest lol ! I must say I am impressed with my surgeons work ( Cleveland Clinic). If there's anything positive about this whole awful ordeal I guess it's that I have nice perky breasts lol

    All my help and family is gone as of today and it hit me hard ... Alone time means too much time to think ... !

    I can do this !!

    Sending hugs and good vibes to all :)

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited October 2017

    Andrea:

    Glad you are doing well! You sound good for the 2.5 week mark. I'm 6 weeks tomorrow out of Exchange and doing well also. Really could tell an uptick in healing in the past two weeks.

    Hello to everyone on the Sept 2017 list!

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