October 2017 Surgery Group

Today was my surgery day. Started off with patient registration, up to day surgery, and then waiting to be taken to have 4 needle injections for the SNB. Not going to lie, it hurt, I cried. Waited some more and then scans were done... not really sure what it was for. After this I was taken to ultrasound to have a wire inserted into my lumps. Then off to have a mamogram done. Back to the holding cell to have iv inserted... that hurt and had to be done twice. First time my vein rolled and she stuck the needle right though the vein. Ouchie. Then came more waiting, I was starting to get hangry. Thirsty, hungry and a headache... nausea was not too far behind. My surgery was over an hour late and they didn't bother to tell me this was happening. Finally made it to the holding tank to meet the doctor, the anesthesiologist and a surgery nurse. Off to surgery, woke up in recovery, eventually back to the first holding area and released. Lots of nausea on the way home, threw up once, once I ate that seemed to help. Right now I am tender, tired and feeling a little off in my stomach. I have blue pee and a blue boob- haha. If this is the worst of the after surgery pain I am laughing. Doctor didn't even prescribe any meds so maybe I am in luck?

Good luck ladies with surgeries to come, you got this.

Bilateral done 10/13 with TE recon. A week out sore but pretty much full range use of arms from day 2. Drains are a major pain ..looking forward to post op appts on 10/24 to see if and when they can come out. Sleeping on my back was the biggest challenge first 4 days now I’m used to it. No pain meds since day 2.... my French Bulldog seems to be suffering more than me as he needs to be carried down the stairs and I absolutely cannot do that so we are just chillin inside binge watching on Netflix. God bless all who have gone before me and those who will gonafter

Hi Kahnartist, good to hear you are doing ok. Sorry about the pain you are having. My umx went well (10/19) no surprises and was able to have the direct implant over the pectoral, yay. Hang in there!

Thank you grandma3X. I sincerely appreciate the information!

Wonderful news Kahnartist!!! Hope you are feeling better.

I am 4 days post operation. I came home the day of my double mastectomy/reconstruction. They ended up having to take out some lymph nodes and I will hear back from Pathology on Thursday. My surgeon called me over the weekend and saw me Monday morning. He is very pleased with how I am healing. I got to have a small shower yesterday. The drains are a pain, but have a neat velcro belt to hang them on. packing my post mastectomy bra with gauze correctly helps alleviate any drainage tube pain. I keep a detailed journal on fluids coming from drains. i am at 120-130cc per side a day. When I get to 20-25cc per side a day they can come out. Dr. says maybe 10 days. I also write down when I take my medication, in case I forget. Lip Balm at hospital was so important. I was so dry, hungry and thirsty before surgery... first night home was the worst for pain along bottom of breast and breast bone. Second day pain was very minor. I don't take pills normally for pain but he had me on Hydrocodone every 4 hours. The first night I definitely could have used something for sleep. All in all, I am pleased with it all for now. Waiting and praying for a good pathology report. Good vibrations and prayers...

hi vampeyes!

I was worried about it being er/pr+ and having clear margins and I didn’t like my big boobs and figured they would keep trying to kill me. I was convinced it was in my nodes and tend to be an overreaction type gal. I wanted to do this once and be done. I didn’t want to be paranoid walking around wondering if it was back. I got damn lucky but I was not going to take any chances

kahnartist,

Thank you for your response. I am waiting on the pathology results before making the decision. I don't want to go through this ever again, the needles alone for the SNB nearly killed me! 😕😭

Holy cow SDK I just reread your post. You came home the same day! I’m so glad you were able to handle that at home and that your healing is going well!

Hope everyone waiting for pathology reports gets goods news and that we all get these freaking drains removed ASAP!! They arethe worst.

Drain Removal Question

Hi all...hoping someone may be able to help. I had BMX on Oct. 16 and came home with 4 drains - 2 on each side. Each drain was removed approx. every 3 days when they were less than 30 ml/day for 3 days. The last one was today-YAY!

Now i seem to have a "lump" or possible fluid build up near the incision/drain openings were - on the site of the last drain removed today. I thought the Doctor mentioned that my body will start to absorb this on it's own...did anyone else have this issue?

Thank you Kim

Hi Kim, I had a lumpectomy a week ago and spent 3.5 hours at emergency for the doctor to tell my that blood is pooling in the empty space. He said my body will absorb it eventually but to keep an eye on it as this could lead to infection. Got a anther needle (yay me - sarcasm), a prescription for pain relievers and sent on my way. Likely this is what is happening with you, but keep an eye on it and mention it to your doctor/nurse when you see them next. Mine got really painful and that's why I headed into the emergency. Take care, Cheryl

I want to join this group here as I had my surgery Oct. 12th. I'm waiting for my Oncotype DX results and quite nervous. I want to avoid chemo so badly because of my heart disease. I feel my body won't tolerate it at all as I'm old and exhausted from a bypass three years ago. I have hereditary heart disease. My cardiologist says my condition could have been also due to diet over the years. I always thought I ate fairly healthy, never overweight, but it is what it is. I was a silent heart attack case, but my heart is still slightly damaged, so i don't need chemo. BC does not run in my family, so it was a second shock to learn I now have breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy with reduction. The anesthesia hit me hard by making me feel short breathed for 5 mornings. My breasts still look bruised and beat up. My left nipple where cancer was has a lot of healing to do. I will have a heart sparing radiation treatment (so the cancer center says). If my Oncotype result is intermediate, then I will have the Mammoprint test done. Meanwhile - waiting - it’s what makes this disease suck

Since I had a lumpectomy, my two drains came out the 5th day after surgery. I know it’s different in your case Behappy. One suggestion to keeping water off your chest is to take a large lawn plastic bag and cut a hole for your head and arms. Maybe try washing your hair in the sink if you can lean over, (with hubby help), or lean head backwards in shower with shower hitting your back only. Just make sure neck hole is snug around your neck so water doesn’t trickle down through the neck opening

omg Behappy2017,

My drains make me lightheaded too! I actually fainted at the hospital. I have four drains in on day 8. Two are making less than 30ml which is what my doc said they need to do to come out. Two are at or above 30. I’m annoyed. I got back Monday. I hope two come out at least. I’m worried about that hurting though. Heal up dear friends

Hi everyone,

I just saw this post from Ford Warriors in Pinkwhere they are giving free 2-week subscription for food delivery to breast cancer patients. Thought it might be of interest here:

http://www.warriorsinpink.ford.com/more-good-days-...