Surgery June 2018

Options
24567

Comments

  • Col321
    Col321 Member Posts: 14
    edited June 2018

    Berniceb4--hoping your surgery went well. We were scheduled for the same day. I am back home after a double mx and diep. I was also really anxious. Just before they took me into the OR, I started crying hysterically and the anesthesiologist gave me some valium. My anxiety has lessened a lot post surgery, hope yours has too. First couple of days were super rough and had a little setback with fluid in my lungs but they cleared it up and I got home yesterday. The pain in the surgical sites is now much better but my lower back is really mad at me for stooping over when I am walking. The fatigue is still very present as well. Hope you are home and on the mend as well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RimRoc
    RimRoc Member Posts: 32
    edited June 2018

    Hi all you June surgery folks. I've just joined your group as my DMX was just scheduled for June 27. This is sort of my second go round as I had DCIS with lumpectomy and radiation 4 1/2 years ago. I had just gotten to where I never even thought about it when WHAM my annual mammogram came back with multifocal lesions on the same old side and a new mass on the opposite side. Now, 2 biopsies and 1 MRI later, I know I have invasive ductal carcinoma on the left and "something" on the R which is too small to biopsy. Still awaiting genetic testing to see if I have some sort of predisposition.

    I've been anxious out the wazoo...and I am a health care professional (I work in a hospital with surgical pts). Trust me, it is awful being a patient when one is used to providing the care. I go round and round about a single vs double mastectomy. I think I've finally got some peace of mind about taking off both breasts even though it doesn't affect survival. It's really for my peace of mind and for the sake of having a symmetric body. Anyway, I'm hoping the recovery time is pretty quick. So I'm reading your posts to see how it goes after the surgery.

    Thanks everyone for sharing your stories. Maybe someday we will have much better medicine and be able to head off cancer without cutting at all!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Aussie-Cat
    Aussie-Cat Member Posts: 5,168
    edited June 2018

    Col321, I can relate to feeling anxious before surgery and I'm so sorry you cried hysterically. I'm glad they gave you a Valium when you really needed it. I'm glad your anxiety and pain are less and I hope your lower back and fatigue get better soon. I think it's very common to get a sore back after this type of surgery with a change in balance when walking and having to lie on our backs in bed for a while.

    RimRoc, I'm sorry you've got more lesions after already having had surgery years ago. I hope you recover well from your surgery on June 27. I'm having double mastectomy on the 19th.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • a3vee
    a3vee Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2018

    Col321. I was anxious too! I just got home from my mastectomy. I ended up having to have lymph nodes taken to because sentinel node biopsy was positive. Bummer! I couldn’t sleep at all Sunday night before my procedure Monday. I’m very sore and my underarm feels like it’s gonna burst. The surgeon said it’s normal.

    The post surgical bra they gave me is a lifesaver! And make sure you have Pillow for the car ride home and for when walking around at home.

    Trying to stay on top of pain... husband and family are so helpful! It makes a difference. My day and night nurse was amazing!

    I will pray for you for peace of mind and God’s healing power! You will get through this... we all will! I’m trying to take one day at a time as now I gotta get chemo and radiation.

    You will be okay. The day before my surgery my daughters and I went to get our nails done and had breakfast together just to relax... do something for yourself that you enjoy to keep your mind adventure relax d as possible the day before. It really helped me!

    Good luck my sister!

    A3ve

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Berniceb4
    Berniceb4 Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2018

    hi all! Back from my surgery on June 4th. I had right side mx with diep reconstruction and left side reduction and lift. They took 5 nodes as well.

    The surgery day I took my ativan and went to hospital. Had the dye injections (really not that bad) and then went within an hour to surgery. When that was over and in recovery barely remember that part. I was then in step down unit for the night. I was very aware of everything and everybody although I wasn’t feeling any pain and was in good spirits. I was checked every hour for pulse in breast and a look of all incisions. So a busy night. The next day I remained in hospital bed and was not asked to get out of bed. Day 2 catheter out and sitting in chair. Walking to bathroom. Day 3 same thing again. Pain is tolerable and the nurses manage it pretty good. Day 3 I had a problem with my potassium as it dropped very low and had to receive IV of potassium. This has nothing to do without surgery and is something occurring with my body and might explain my high blood pressure issues! Day 4 was shower and the night home!

    I have a recliner which is also a lift out chair. Best chair ever! Highly recommend. I slept in this one night. The next day which was day 5 I was able to walk up my stairs and slept in my bed with wedge and pillows!

    This surgery definitely has a recovery but I find I am not as disabled as I thought I would be. I had 3 drains. 1 for my breast and 2 for my abdomen. The breast one came out on day 3 and my abdominal ones out today. 8 days since my surgery. I went grocery shopping today after the drains were removed with my husband. I do not have any extreme tiredness.

    At this point I am awaiting my pathology which my appoint is set for June 21.








    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Aussie-Cat
    Aussie-Cat Member Posts: 5,168
    edited June 2018

    Hi Berniceb4, it's good to hear from you after your surgery. I'm glad it sounds like you weren't in much pain after surgery and you were coping okay. Thanks for telling us how things progressed in hospital and since coming home. It's great that you're not as disabled as you thought you'd be, you're not too tired and you've gone shopping. I hope your appointment on June 21 when you receive your pathology results goes well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gilta
    Gilta Member Posts: 3
    edited June 2018

    I have been so overwhelmed I haven’t posted again. My BMX is tomorrow and a bit nervous. I go for my dye injection this afternoon which I hear is extremely painful and they do nothing to numb the area. My husband and friends have been so supportive as I go through this. My mind is all over the place. My decision of bilateral was easy, it is the waiting game again to see if lymph nodes are involved and if I need chemo or not.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Aussie-Cat
    Aussie-Cat Member Posts: 5,168
    edited June 2018

    Gilta, I pray that your dye injection today and your surgery tomorrow go well. Could you ask for some kind of numbing cream before the injection? Or even take painkillers beforehand? I'm sorry that it could be very painful and I hope it's not as bad as you fear. I'm glad your husband and friends have been so supportive. It's understandable to be overwhelmed and nervous. Waiting is so hard! I hope your lymph nodes aren't involved and you don't need chemo.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Berniceb4
    Berniceb4 Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2018

    Gilta, the ativan worked miracles for me. I had the dye right before my surgery. They really weren’t that bad and 2 of them I didn’t even feel.the other two a bit of a sting then over. No lingering pain. I hope your surgery goes well tomorrow

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gilta
    Gilta Member Posts: 3
    edited June 2018

    thanks for the notes. Injection wasn’t as bad as I was told. Burned like heck but bearable, I only got 1 shot. Off early tomorrow and will post when I am able. Thank you for all the support.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Aussie-Cat
    Aussie-Cat Member Posts: 5,168
    edited June 2018

    Gilta, I'm really glad the injection wasn't as bad as you were told! I hope your surgery goes well and recovery go well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Berniceb4
    Berniceb4 Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2018

    On Tuesday I had 2 drains removed for my abdominals. 2 days later, this morning, terrible shooting pain when standing in groin area. I now realize this is fluid. If I apply pressure to it I can feel it move up and pain is relieved. I believe the fluid is putting pressures on a nerve in my upper pubic region. My sutures on my abdominal area are also swelling from fluid.

    Lying down relieves the pain but doesn’t reduce the fluid. I know this is a side effect from surgery but boy it really has slowed me down! Always another twist or turn


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Teaberry11
    Teaberry11 Member Posts: 79
    edited June 2018

    Bernice .. I had bilateral DIEP on June 4th as well .. had breast drains removed Monday 6/11 but still have abdominal drains until 30cc or less a day output - right now I’m scheduled to have them removed next Tuesday 6/19. My right hip drain today had 80cc was at 160cc on Monday so it’s getting less. Was you’re output down before the drains were removed? Didyou call your doc office to see if they are able to aspirate the fluid? Back in February my breast had to have fluid aspirated after drains came out because of swishyness in breast. I’m sorry you are in pain.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • a3vee
    a3vee Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2018

    I am now 3 days post op from left mastectomy and axillary node dissection. The first day Home was spent sleepy and in bed and walked once or twice down the hall. The pain and pulling under my armpit and chest cane on day two and continues to this day! The surgeon told me it’s to be expected since my lymph nodes were removed. The exercises hurt so bad but he told me to keep doing them to prevent lymphedema. I’m walking at least 5 times a day around the house. I’m only taking narcotic once or twice a day. Sleeping is a hit or miss as gets very hard to get comfortable. I’ve been sleeping in a recliner. Drains are okay. The swelling under my arm is the worst! Just trying to take to one day at a time! Prayers for everyone during their recovery recovery

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Aussie-Cat
    Aussie-Cat Member Posts: 5,168
    edited June 2018

    Berniceb4, I'm sorry you're having shooting pains. Is there a doctor you can talk to about it?

    Teaberry11, I'm glad your breast drains were removed and I hope your abdominal drains get removed on Tuesday. How are you doing otherwise?

    a3vee, I'm sorry the exercises hurt so much and there's a lot of pulling and pain under your arm. I pray that the pain lessens and you get more sleep. Well done for doing the exercises and walking around the house.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Justkeepmoving
    Justkeepmoving Member Posts: 106
    edited June 2018

    hello everyone --- I'm scheduled June 29 for bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction. One breast is nipple sparring but the other one is losing the nipple....

    I've been reading through all of your posts and wow - I can relate to so much of what all of you are writing. I appreciate reading about the experiences of those who had surgery already.

    Anyone have suprise pathology results? I should just stay in the moment but recently been thinking about what if nodes are + or they find invasive cancer. Only one of my spots was biopsied (the palpaple lump) but I have 2 other areas found on the scans.

    Giving all of youladies hugs xoxoxo

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Aussie-Cat
    Aussie-Cat Member Posts: 5,168
    edited June 2018

    Hi Justkeepmoving, thanks for telling us about your surgery on June 29. I hope it goes well. Mine is on Tuesday (prophylactic double mastectomy). I agree that it's been so helpful to read others' posts on this forum. I know it's scary waiting for pathology results - I hope yours are good.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • a3vee
    a3vee Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2018

    Hi justkeepmoving. I’m still waiting my pathology results. I’m worri d about them as well. I’m trying to stay focused on one thing at a time, but it’s hard. I am praying for the best outcome for you; for all of us!

    Aussie-cat, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as well for your upcoming procedure. My surgeon told me the worst part of breast cancer is the waiting.... he is exactly right!

    My hubby is taking me for a walk outside tomorrow. First time out since surgery on Monday, so I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully it will help with the swelling as well as my spirits.

    Take one thing at a time... it’s all I can muster at this point...

    stay strong ladies! We got this


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Aussie-Cat
    Aussie-Cat Member Posts: 5,168
    edited June 2018

    Hi a3vee, I hope you enjoy your walk and it helps with the swelling as well as your spirits. Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and prayers.

    The waiting has indeed been very difficult, since I first saw my surgeon in December to plan the surgery and she said in January that she'd do my surgery in March! I haven't seen her since January even though I told several people at the hospital that I have questions to ask her. I don't know how I'm supposed to ask her questions right before surgery when I'm nervous and there's only a few minutes, if that! I just hope they are all better at medical care than they are at communicating with me and each other, or with administration! I feel really stressed because I still have a lot of things to pack, tidy and wash before surgery on Tuesday, but I'm fairly organised generally. I will be so glad when the surgery is done and I can come home and go through the healing process. I'm scared about a lot of things, as I imagine we all are before surgery.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Justkeepmoving
    Justkeepmoving Member Posts: 106
    edited June 2018

    Aussie-cat....

    Can you send your surgeon an email? Can you write down your questions and give the letter to the surgeon's secretary? Getting the answers to those pesky questions feels so much better than waiting and wondering.

    Keeping you in my thoughts for a speedy recovery

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Aussie-Cat
    Aussie-Cat Member Posts: 5,168
    edited June 2018

    Thanks for your ideas and keeping me in your thoughts, Justkeepmoving. I don't have my surgeon's email address. It's a big public hospital and they don't give us any access to surgeons apart from the occasional appointment. She doesn't have a secretary. When I've rung reception, they've put me through to other departments rather than letting me talk to the surgeon or anyone who could answer my questions. I've talked to the surgical liaison nurses and the breast care nurse and they don't know the answers to my questions and they haven't suggested any way of getting in contact with the surgeon. They have acted like I was annoying for thinking I was going to see the surgeon before my surgery, even though they thought so initially too. I was meant to see the surgeon on 23rd May but I was told the surgeon cancelled it and that I would see her the week before surgery. Then eventually I was told I wouldn't get to see her beforehand at all. It's so frustrating!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gwydiana
    gwydiana Member Posts: 47
    edited June 2018

    I'm so confused about Breast Cancer. I keep trying to educate myself on my ILC Dx but I'm completely overwhelmed with info.

    I had my surgery on June 13th and they sent me home in a compression garment that was 3 sizes too small for me so the velcro kept splitting open as I tried to sleep. There was absolutely ZERO wound dressing -- they packed the inside of the too small garment/bra with gauze (which became filthy with blood) and that was it. I'm shocked at how lackadaisical the after surgery care is.

    The surgery was a large lumpectomy and rebuild of the breast. The plastic surgeon took away 3/4's of my original breast.

    The tumor was 8 inches and the Sentinal Node came back positive for cancer so the surgeon took a bunch more auxiliary nodes. Then he left for vacation so I have no idea what the status is, how far metastasized this cancer has become or what my next move is.


    Kaiser has me scheduled to meet with my oncologist in 2 weeks. Do they really expect me to sit around and "heal" with no proper wound dressing and no knowledge of what's going on with the Mets?

    This is so depressing....

    Does anybody else have similar experiences? I'd be very interested in knowing how they dressed your wound before sending you home after Surgery.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Aussie-Cat
    Aussie-Cat Member Posts: 5,168
    edited June 2018

    gwydiana, I'm sorry that you weren't given better care after your surgery!! It's terrible that your compression garment was too small and that they didn't give you a proper dressing or instructions on how to care for the wound. Here in Australia they put on a waterproof dressing for about a week, which presumably has some gauze underneath it. Here we also have Hospital In the Home, where a nurse comes round to your house each day after surgery until the drains are out and the wounds are doing well. They should have given you spare gauze and instructions on how to use it. Some women have used sanitary pads in their bra if they didn't have any gauze. After 4 days your wound may be okay without a dressing so long as there's no sign of infection, eg. increased pain, redness and heat.

    It really sucks that the doctor has gone on holiday and you don't find out your pathology results for 2 weeks! Can you ring the oncologist's office and see if any of your questions can be answered? Even your regular doctor or a pharmacist may be able to help about the dressings. I have my surgery (preventive double mastectomy) coming up on Tuesday and I haven't seen my surgeon since January, so I can relate to how frustrating it is to wait for answers and not know what's happening. It must be worse when you already have cancer though, so I really feel for you. I hope other women here can answer more of your questions.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Teaberry11
    Teaberry11 Member Posts: 79
    edited June 2018

    Gwydiana- I also have ILC — opted for a double mastectomy. My sentinel node was positive during surgery so I had tissue expanders inserted and the remaining auxiliary nodes removed - sutured and a durabond glue was put over the incisions- no dressings because the glue was protective. On top of the that was a very tight compression garment with Velcro closing front. My drains on each side had gauze dressings that I changed daily. It took exactly one week for the pathology report to come back. My breast surgeon called me with the results. It confirmed only my sentinal node was positive the others were benign. The surgeon then sent my tissue for a Mammaprint - a genomic test that is better than Oncotype when there are 1-3 positive nodes. It gives a LOW or HIGH risk of recurrence so whether chemo is recommended can be decided. That’s test took another 10 days to come back.

    For surgery follow up I had a home health nurse visit every other day until the drains came out . The breast surgeon arranged this. I had a Plastic surgeon appt about a week after to remove drains and I had a breast surgeon appt about 2 weeks post op to discuss final pathology before sending me to oncology.

    You should contact you breast surgeons office and tell them you need help with wound/drain care ASAP! They should set this up for you! Unfortunately the pathology does take some time so you won’t know about the Node status — the waiting is definitely the hardest part :(

    If you have drains you can clean around them with hydrogen peroxide and cover them with gauze — the compression garment is really tight and uncomfortable - for mine it took 2 people to pull it closed and secure the Velcro — I stuck extra gauze under the armpit area and the band just to prevent my skin from chafing. Good luck and I hope you get some relief soon!


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Aussie-Cat
    Aussie-Cat Member Posts: 5,168
    edited June 2018

    I am meant to be at the hospital in about 24 hours and then surgery is meant to be around 2 hours after that. The receptionist said it looks like I'm first on the list, which is good. I am nervous but glad I can get it over with soon. I'm having double preventive mastectomy without reconstruction, so I hope the recovery won't be too bad. I do have fibromyalgia and PTSD though, so I'm not sure how I will go. It's all very daunting. It helps that when my identical twin sister had CT scans last week, they showed her chemo is helping reduce her breast and liver tumours. It would have been harder to face my surgery if the chemo wasn't helping her.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gwydiana
    gwydiana Member Posts: 47
    edited June 2018

    Aussie Cat, It sure sounds like Australia's health system is beyond superior to ours here in the states. I will be thinking of you on Tuesday and sending out good healing vibes your way!
    I've left messages for all the folks I could find on KP.org and I rec'd responses from an amazing Breast Care Nurse that I attribute the finding of my diagnosis as back in February of this year, Kaiser did a mammo and pronounced me "clean" and to check back in several years. 2 months later they found an 8+cm lobular tumor via ultrasound and then biopsy.



    I'm going to continue bugging the doctors at Kaiser for answers and I'm just really dismayed at how this thing is going.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gwydiana
    gwydiana Member Posts: 47
    edited June 2018

    Teaberry,


    Oh gosh! I had to remove the pressure garment after the second day. The velcro wouldn't stay shut as I slept and the velcro tried to eat my skin I bought a new post-surgery bra from Amazon which arrives tomorrow. Tuesday I go in to see the Plastic Surgery PA to hopefully get the drains out. I have no appointments to see my General Surgeon even though the left breast has a spot that they find suspicious from the MRI w/contrast and it will need to be removed and that breast needs to be reduced to match the newly butchered right breast.

    Kaiser is confusing the hell out of me and I'm not sure which way to turn next.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Aussie-Cat
    Aussie-Cat Member Posts: 5,168
    edited June 2018

    gwydiana, thank you for thinking of me and sending me healing vibes. I'm glad you received responses from a breast care nurse. It's shocking that a mammogram could have pronounced you clear when a big tumour was found only 2 months later! I hope you get your drains out on Tuesday. I'm surprised they didn't do all your surgery at once. I'm sorry that you're dismayed and I hope you get more help and support.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2018

    Aussie, just stopping by to wish you luck with your surgery tomorrow! I will be thinking of you and praying for you! Hugs to you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kidogo
    Kidogo Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2018

    I hesitate to post an update as I've had a very easy time. Lumpectomy and sentinel node done last Wednesday. 13th.

    A comment regarding the sentinel node injection. It was a 5 second sting like a 🐝 and then done. I know others have said it was terrible. All I know is my experience.

    After that I was off to get the wire inserted in the tumor (6mm) and that was a piece of cake as well. I suspect there are not a lot of nerve endings in breast tissue, at least not in mine!

    I had local anesthetic with sedation. Woke up in OR and surgeon said the node looks good but no guarantees. Took a narcotic on arrival home and one when I went to bed. After that Motrin and nothing since Friday bedtime. No dressings, just steristrips.

    I'm actually feeling like a bit of a fraud. Wasn't going to post but thought maybe an easier surgery should be recorded. I do realize that a lumpectomy is a very different thing from a mastectomy. I was offered that option but my surgeon recc lumpectomy with radiation and that's what I chose to do.

    I did buy two front closing sports bras from Victoria's Secret, one larger than the other. Wore them until today. Last night slept without a bra for the first time. Felt so great! Today wearing a normal bra.

    Right from the beginning I was more comfortable sleeping on the surgical side. The pressure seemed to help if that makes sense.

    I have no exercises to do, but no activity restrictions either. Can reach without pain as I have done so without thinking! So unlike other surgeries I have had.

    My follow up appt is June 29 to get the pathology and the referral to oncology. Fingers crossed for good reports.

    Today is my birthday and I feel I got the best gift of all with an early diagnosis and so far a relativly easy treatment.

    M


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories