September 2017 Surgery Group

joyseeker- my port hurt worse also! It bothered me for 2 weeks. It's fine now, I'm 6 weeks post mastectomy and just had my second dose of chemo today.

My mind is my worst enemy, the anticipatory fear was the worst. Round 1 went well, im hoping round 2 is the same

Hi everyone. I’m a little late to this particular group, but I just joined the site last week. I think I was just lurking and trying to deal without talking to survivors like me.

I’m 4 wks our from BMX and just got “pumped up” for the 3rd time. It’s a strange sensation. And a strange sight. I’m a very visual person and it’s not easy to see myself now. (We didn’t spare nipples due to tumor location) I’m trying to understand the PS “volume” idea, but I honestly am at a loss.

What I wanted to ask about is this. I haven’t had any PT. I don’t know if I’m supposed to. My PS gave me some simple stretching to do but I am not having a lot of success. My ROM is better on my right than my left, which I guess is normal. I go back to my SO on Monday. I have this pulling pain down the left side, kind of to the rear of my chest. What can I do that will help this pain but not do too much stretching to the chest muscles that we are expanding with the TE?

My surgery (lumpectomies on both sides) was 9/13, so a little over 5 weeks ago. Apparently I'm a very slow healer. The incision on the right side is small, but it still has half the scab on it and is still a little tender. The left side incision is twice the size, is still rather tender, and hasn't fully scabbed over.

I went to the radiologist two weeks ago for a post-surgery consult, and he said he didn't like the way my incisions were looking, and he sent me back to the surgeon. Surgeon said that they're fine and I'm just a slow healer. Two days ago (at exactly the 5-week mark) I had my radiology simulation, but the radiologist said to hold off for a couple more weeks before starting radiation so that I can finish healing.

So radiation won't start until 11/6, 7 weeks after surgery. I'll just be glad to get it finished before the end of the year when my insurance deductible resets!

Wonderwoman388 my expanders are under the muscle. It’s not too painful but my ROM is not very good on my L side. And I would so love to sleep on my side!

What is axillary web syndrome?

I want to ask, who is still napping daily? I had my surgery September 20th and I’m still so tired!

Sara

TaRenee : I'm glad you said that , I am 3 weeks out and debating when to return to work. I thought about starting back tomorrow but not sure if I'm ready . Still super sore and yes joyseeker I could nap all day. I have good energetic days but I think I over do it on those days and that sets me back. Two steps forward.....one step back . We will get there eveventually

I found I was more tired from the after-effects of anesthesia than anything else. They say a good rule of thumb is to plan for one week of recovery for every one hour of anesthesia, which, until my last surgery, I found to be pretty accurate. My exchange surgery ended up taking four hours because of all the work he had to do to try to (unsuccessfully) get a symmetrical result, but for some reason it didn't wipe me out as much. I was pretty much back to normal after only two weeks. I went to a surgical center for the first time instead of the hospital, so perhaps there was a difference in the type of anesthesia being used.

dazzlingeagle-- great news about your 10/10 surgery results--no cancer!!!!

I returned to work this week. Sure wish I had more time off though as I feel pretty worn out. Rads started Monday so today is 4/28.

I am in physical therapy to work on ROM and cording after mastectomy.

Hoping we all return to our pre-diagnoses energy levels as quickly as possible.

dazzlingeagle- I do plan on working thru rads. Time will tell how successful that will be!

I have cording from my surgery. Mine is mostly felt in the arm pit area. Feels like a tight guitar string. Physical Therapist works to massage them to make them go away. I feel like the really big cord has lessened quite a bit. Today I was given exercises I can do while at work to stretch out that surgery area. I think my PT is classified as Occupational Therapy, too.

Having a daily appointment for rads sure makes me feel like I have a lot of appointments to deal with. Miss the once a week chemo appointments for the ease of once a week but certainly don't miss the chemo

Rads seems to take about 30 mins from the time I arrive to the time I am ready to leave. Mondays take longer as I have more images and I see the RO

GrandmaV, really there's not a "limit" as to times it will need to be drained - they'll just have to keep doing it as the fluid builds up.

Hi Ladies, Just checking in reading, seeing most of you are doing okay since it's been some weeks since I haven't been on.  I can't say that I'm feeling so great though and a bit burned out emotionally, 6 weeks out of mast surgery without reconstruction.  I saw my Onc last week who did not get my Onco score test results back yet, then being nice said my #'s weren't all that bad but meanwhile I know they are.  He did not like the way the surgical area looks, as he said raw, but I feel more internal pain and still swelling under my arm, all around.  He contacted my surgeon at Sloan and I went there on Friday for him to hopefully aspirate which he did not.  He said it's inflamed and put me on Clindamycin which is really nauseating.  He also said that the pain could be that I already had radiation which finished in April and then having the mast. in September, I don't know.  It's not likely anyone can prove that since yes, I'm the 1 that they left a tumor behind in 2015 during surgery, getting 9 months preventative chemo, then radiation only to find I still had it in me 2 weeks after I finished treatment.   To say I'm stressed for 2 1/2 years is an understatement.  Then the Onc says, "I know you've been through it all but would you consider chemo again?"  I barely recovered from 1 operation, 1 year of treatment, then another surgery and now back to this!?!  He then said we'll wait to see what the score is on the Onco and I agreed, trying to keep an open mind.  I've been strong for so long in my own way, going and doing what I'm told or have to, only to get rid of this but still, it was there without anyone knowing.  Days ago and I still have melt downs, I feel like I'm falling apart with the things that have went wrong without much support here.  I did everything right after this surgery and I wonder if they suspect an infection which is scary to put me on antibiotics.  I hate feeling doomed and am just trying to do 1 thing at a time, like now, to get better.  Still what doesn't hurt is numb, such a weird feeling and as the surgeon suggested the exercises which I still do.  Can't even sleep well with the pains, 1 feels like my ribs are broken where the drain was so I'm never comfortable and mostly tired.  Sorry for my rant but I feel very alone in this and I'm scared.

MFPM, sorry you're having such a tough time. Sending you gentle hugs.

MFPM you surely have been through it ! So sorry . You are stronger than you think !! Stay Positive and take it one day at a time . I also will say a prayer for you . Love and Hugs

Hi, I'm sorry you are having a hard time. I wish I could drive to Queens and we could be miserable together. I agree with MamaFelice to reach out to see if there is a free counselor. Or is there any nurse coordinator you can get in touch with that can direct you to some support services?

Is there a different med you can take besides Clindamycin? Can you call that doctor back and tell them it's making you nauseous?

Your post made me cry. Please hang in there and know that someone in Ohio that doesn't even know you in person is thinking about you a lot.

Hi Ladies and thank you for the outpouring of love!  I'd give you all hugs for the beautiful words and support.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way at times and sorry for the rambling but it hasn't been a picnic.  I stopped the antibiotic today having 1 more day but have been feeling so sick from it.  I think it was more of a protection that they prescribed it for me to take it, not saying infected, God forbid.  Still numb which some say won't go away and more so pain on my right surgical side especially when I lie down.  Emotionally I'm a bit better but it's like a roller coaster at times.  I got a phone # from a social worker for Cancer Care and she said they're wonderful, there for anything, so I will give them a call.  Sometimes I'm just so down, I don't even pick up the phone but I'm better than I was.  My heart aches for all of you too, going through this garbage.
Mama Felice, You certainly have been through the mill too.  I wonder where we get our strength at times!  What happened with me, sorry for repeating myself for those who read it before, was I got an order to have 2 suspicious spots to be biopsied, going to a small local hospital as the medical center didn't do it there anymore.  Dr. seemed nice enough but biopsied 1 and as the technician even asked him, "Aren't you going to check the 2nd one?", the Dr. said, "Eh, it's just a cyst", dismissing me.  HAD he done what he was supposed to in 2015, that would've been taken out during surgery but instead I had a lumpectomy for the 1, 9 months chemo, radiation, and then this past spring when I figured all done, time to relax, I went for the re-check mammo/sono.  A Dr. came running in the room and asked what was at the 10 o'clock position and I remembered like it was yesterday, telling him the Dr. said it was just a cyst, not biopsying it.  He said very seriously, it didn't look good to him.  Weeks later I was diagnosed again, not that I ever got rid of it.  I haven't had time to relax, even my mind to be free of this.  It could've all been done had he followed the orders which is beyond upsetting but I'm just doing what they say and now know I have to be my own advocate, wishing I would've spoken up that day.  I've done enough beating myself up about that.  I could think I did all of that treatment for nothing but then I think, maybe it's God's plan that I did to keep the other at bay!  I like your words that surgery is the most important line of defense!  I'll keep that in mind since like everyone else, I don't feel free of this but maybe I should.  
  I didn't hear from the Onc yet, whether he got the score back yet but will give it another week or so off time for myself, then call if I don't hear from him.  My Drs. are all nice but I hate to say I feel like just another number to them.  These big hospitals and centers are great for professional care but it's not very personal.
  Many thoughts and Prayers for Everyone!  I'll check in again soon and let's all take care to get rid of this.  I just want to be normal again, whatever that is.  Much love!