October 2017 Surgery Group

Hi Behappy, the shopping/packing/recovery at the top of this topic has some great ideas that include drains and hair care. I used a hand held shower and seat (ours has a built in one but other people have used a shower chair or stool) until given the ok to just shower. Then I used a new shoelace to make a necklace for my remaining drain (stylish) and put it over my head. I also had direct to implant and was warned against checking the water temp. Make sure it’s not to hot. You really won’t feel the temp on your chest and you could burn your skin and wreak the implants. Good luck and speedy recovery.

Kahnartist- I had one drain removed Thursday (day 6) the nurse talked and distracted me while cutting the stitches then told me to count to three. Slight pinch and it was out. I get the second one out Monday. I hope yours come out just as easily!

hi all, I realise my surgery wasn’t as big but any tips re pain relief? I don’t know if I’m posting on the right thread etc either. Breast looks/feels swollen, also strange burning feeling and arm hurts too. Cant seem to shake off sickness and dizziness off either. I can’t ice as it’s too tender to place anything on it. I had all my ducts removed and 4 papillomas from my right breast two days ago. Awaiting results re b9 or dcis.

Thank you Meshell5324!, Thank you! I just received my pathology report last week. They found another tumor in the same breast that was not seen on Mammogram. It was in situ. They also found one sentinel node was positive. Good news is - its all out with the Double Mastectomy! I am so happy that I opted for that surgery especially being BRCA2+. My surgeon sent me for a PET Scan this week... I received the results yesterday and there were no signs of cancer!!! I am over the moon! I still have to do my 6-8 months of Chemo. I meet with Oncologist next week to discuss. I am 2 full weeks post op, and I am very sore in armpits still. Drains are around 50cc/day. Post masectomy camisoles are uncomfortable, using Nighttime Kotex pads along bottom - They work great!

Does anyone know if they still would suggest that I get Radiation? I would rather I didn't because I will have a waiting period of 6 months after Radiation before my Plastic Surgeon will insert my reconstruction implants.

SDK8, thank you! When the plastic surgeon saw my drains last week, he said a little oozing is normal and I did not have an infection. I've been taping the tubes to my body to help with pain, but I like your nurse's idea about the gauze underneath to help with the leakage...I'll try that when I re-cover in the morning. I did get two of the four drains out at my appointment last week, so I was doing a happy dance! I hope to get at least one more out next week. Hope you are doing well.

Hi swg they did same to me. My doctor keep my skin and nipple and put silicone implant in moment.. (they did this because I'm very young) they study the margin and it was 2mm for intraductal and 1 cm for ductal so it was a good decision. But I was very scared because they could take it off

I‘ll be 4 weeks post op this Thursday. My cancer side is still sore and slightly swollen. The nipple doesn’t look high enough as I’m more “pointy” on this side, so I hope it flattens out some. Not getting much response from my PS, he just says I was beat up pretty bad on that side due to the tumor behind the nipple. I was lucky in that it was saved, but barely. No telling what radiation will do to it. I hope everything heals by January, (which would be the 12 week healing period), but it looks so very raw yet. I feel deformed. I should hear my Oncotype score this week - the waiting is driving me crazy. When the phone rings, my heart skips a beat!

Well, Eileen, I will most likely be going through chemo too. My Oncotype score came back today at 27. I did not expect it to be that high with all the low clinical risks on my pathology reports. Not sure now if I'll have the MammaPrint test done with it this high. I have a heart disease on top of this that really makes me feel uneasy. Had a bypass 3 years ago that wasn't expected too. Imagine what chemo drugs might do to me. I will know more this Thursday after I talk to my oncologist, but I just can't believe it. I think breast cancer has gotten worse over the years. Nothing we eat, breathe or do prevents it. Because of my heart disease, I have been eating much better - now this? No one in my family ever had BC or any other cancer for that matter. It's so frustrating. I'm not overweight, no high blood pressure, never smoked, breast fed my baby, never drank much alcohol, and always thought I ate well - but not perfectly. Was always active too. (my heart disease is mostly hereditary as it runs in the family). I'm 68, but had a lumpectomy with a breast reduction. Still sore, and still healing. My cancer side has a long ways to heal. I don't think my body can put up with the chemo treatments. If I refuse chemo, then with my luck, it will reoccur. They should just stick to the MammaPrint test instead of this intermediate stage the Oncotype DX test - makes one wonder what to do.

Has anyone reacted to the anesthesia after surgery? I was fine for first two days, then for five days on, had a horrible time waking up in the mornings with grogginess and this feeling I had to force myself to breathe. Can't explain the unstable feeling I had, but it wasn't pleasant. It wasn't anxiety, but just a weak, groggy feeling that made me feel I couldn't breathe very well. Yet, didn't labor my breathing. So, was just wondering.

Blair2 - I had some post-surgery issues as well. I had a hard time with my digestive system, and experienced a fair amount of queasiness and an unsettled feeling. My intestinal track is sitll kind of a mess...hoping that will clear up soon. I still have no news on when I will start chemo. I was initially told I'd be doing A/C x 4, followed by Taxol for 12 weeks and then hormonal therapy for 10 years.. I was then told I should discuss possible radiation therapy which would be done once the chemo is finished. This all has me so confused and uncertain. I have yet to have an indepth discussion with the oncologist.

I'm not familiar with Oncotype or MammaPrint...will look those up. I hope you are feeling better.

I am wishing you well Blair2 as you continue with your treatments.

I finally got my drains out on Nov. 10 (3 weeks with them in) My Plastic Surgeon has me tape gauze over the holes with a little alcohol wipe. I change the wipe out morning and night. It is drying up the holes nicely. I am 3.5 weeks post double mastectomy. Still taking antibiotics. My incisions are a little itchy, but looking good. My plastic surgeon said he will inflate me fully for radiation. I met with my chemo oncologist, and she is putting me on "AC followed by Paclitaxel or Taxall" The AC will be for 4 cycles x every 2 weeks and the taxol will be every week for 12 weeks. So, the end of March 2018, when my Chemo is over. She said I will lose my hair between the 2nd and 3rd session, just in time for Christmas. I already have my wig. I tried it out Saturday night when my husband took me to see Adam Sandler. We laughed so hard, and it felt good to get out. And my wig looked just like my own hair - but better. I bought it off Ace Wigs. Their prices are good. It is a monofilament with mesh front. So realistic. Its not real human hair though. I really like the Raquel Welch Wigs. I am going to get some biotene mouth spray as the chemo is suppose to make my mouth dry, and a friend told me it works great.

neeliecor, I hope you are feeling better and are keeping your spirits up. I think you will know when the time comes whether reconstruction is right for you or not. My Surgeon told me that the prosthetic breasts can be heavy and hot, and Las Vegas is so hot, just like Arizona. They have a lady here who makes "Knitted Knockers" Ha ha! They are just like a baseball, but knitted, soft and light. She says they are perfect for this hot summer weather. Here is the official site she got the idea from. https://www.knittedknockers.org

@Blair2, I am sorry that you are feeling unstable. Give it time, and the answers for your treatment will come to you. I am scared to do Chemotherapy as well. I spoke to a couple friends who had it and they are guiding me through it. I also looked up alternative medicine. Have you looked at any alternatives?

"Then your light shall breakforth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard." Isaiah 58:8

I found out today that I get a port installed under my skin, just under my left collar bone. They say it will protect my veins from all the chemo. I have a tube of numbing cream I am suppose to use an hour before... wonder how well that will work? Hmmmm... Anyone else getting a port installed?

Hi everyone...it's been a big week for me, got the last drain out and my first fill yesterday and had my first PT session today. My left arm, where 20 lymph nodes were removed, is so tight so I'm hoping the PT is going to make a big difference. I'll meet my radiation oncologist tomorrow.

Kahnartist...I agree, life without drains is heaven! My surgery was the day after yours, so I had the last drain for 3 1/2 weeks.

SDK8...I had chemo before surgery, the same regimen that you will have. I was so nervous about the port, but it's been fine. The placement surgery was quick and easy and I did not have any significant pain afterwards. My chemo clinic used a numbing spray on the port site before they accessed it. I used it once, but thought it burned and so from then on, I chose to just have them access with no numbing. It was totally fine - barely hurt. Having the port in your body is weird, but it does protect your veins.

Hope everyone is doing well.

"neeliecor...I hope you are feeling better and are keeping your spirits up. I think you will know when the time comes whether reconstruction is right for you or not. My Surgeon told me that the prosthetic breasts can be heavy and hot, and Las Vegas is so hot, just like Arizona. They have a lady here who makes "Knitted Knockers" Ha ha! They are just like a baseball, but knitted, soft and light. She says they are perfect for this hot summer weather. Here is the official site she got the idea from..."

SDK8 - thank you for your nice message! I'm doing okay, but am REALLY stressed about starting chemo this coming Monday. It's what I've been waiting to have happen so I can get busy knocking out this nasty disease, yet I'm so stressed about the side effects. I don't mind the idea of the infusions. I just hate the thought of having my body assaulted by these chemicals. But I will tough it out and do it. I am on the same chemo regimen as you: A/C given 4 times, once every 2 weeks, then followed by 12 weeks of Taxol. I will also be taking hornone therapy for a minimum of 5 years, maybe 10. At my age (70) I probably won't have to worry about that part.

As for Knitted Knockers, I already have a couple ready to try out once my incision area is healed enough to have something pressed on it. I love the idea of the Knitted Knockers and made a donation to the cause.

Also I had a port placed in my upper right chest area at the same time of the mastectomy (left). I had my first experience with it being used Monday when I went to the oncology clinic to have blood drawn. The numbing spray worked find and I didn't feel a thing when the nurse poked my skin. She told me the port was done beautifully, so I will let my surgeon know that when I see her next time. I'm sure your port will make a big difference in how you handle the infusions.

Best wishes to you as continue through your treatments!

I am a little over 4 weeks post op BMX and bilateral latissimus dorsi flaps.  I feel great.  I am shocked how quickly our bodies heal and bounce back.  Currently doing all my stretching exercise and I have full mobility!!!    I have seen oncologist and we are waiting for the results of my oncotype.  She said that based on my path I am in a grey area for needing chemo, so the oncotype should answer that question. If I need chemo I will also get radiation.   I go back at the end of this month for those results.  If score is low then I will start my anti-hormones and we are discussing a possible hysterectomy.

I had the aero expanders that I fill at home with a remote.  They are really cool and I can not feel a thing.  I am so glad I do not have to drive an hour to see PS to have this done. 

Hope all you ladies are doing well.

I had my ps check up yesterday, and it was exactly 5 weeks ago that I had surgery. My pointy boob side is still slightly swollen. All he said was that it was pretty beat up (from tumor removal) and so I have this feeling that it's going to be forever miss matched. He said the same thing at my last visit. You would think it would have been flatter from tissue removal, so I don't understand why it bows outward above nipple area at a point. No telling what radiation will do to it. At least it's not noticeable under clothes. It's also harder and sensitive there, but he said that was normal.

On to the oncologist this morning- in prep for next weeks first chemo - ugh!

Neeliecor - we are practically same age - will want to know how well you are doing with your chemo. You are probably healthier than me as I have had a dbl. bypass 3 years ago. I want to be brave like you

I did not update here. My chemo now starts Nov. 30. Was suppose to be tomorrow, but my appointment (that I mentioned in last post) was cancelled due to my doctor having an emergency. So I wait a while more.

Neeliecor- any updates? How are you doing or feeling since the start of your chemo treatment?

Tbrunson923 - welcome. Hope you are healing well.