July 2018 surgery

Dsbmisto, it sounds like you and I got similar post surgery news. My pathology showed that there is still a good amount of cancer cells left behind. It was almost like getting the cancer diagnosis all over again. I'm so sad and scared. My oncologist is ordering new CAT and bone scans, and I'll be starting chemo again soon. My hair is just starting to grow back just as thick as it was before, but now I'll be losing it again, not to mention the new worry about the other side effects of another round of chemo.

I'm so sorry that we are going through this, but we'll get through it.

Dsbmisto, mine is hr+. I'm considering asking about just doing radiation and the hormone therapy (not sure which one) 10 years. He told me if I didn't do any additional treatment, chances of recurrence is 50%. I was so shocked, I didn't ask what the chances were if I just did rads and hormone therapy. I'm wondering if a second opinion at this point might be worth it.

Debsmisto,

I'm happy for you that you wont need chemo again. I have my first Radiation Physician and Oncologist visit this week. Im praying I wont need chemo but of course will do what I need to.

🤗 Cindy

I posted this in June so posting again in July. Hoping to catch up with others in the healing phase...

Hi all, I had BMX on 23rd July and am surprised by recovery so far. I thought I would be a lot more incapacitated than I am. I was distressed going into the surgery and felt very relieved once it was done.

Drains came out days 3 & 4 and again I was relieved to have them gone. My pain levels are very manageable. I have some swelling on both sides. Mini boobs. I have not planned for reconstruction so no TE at this point.

I don't take the oxycodone because of the sides effects. I do take Targin and some voltarine at night to help me sleep. I find I am trying to roll onto my sides and it hurts. With the pain relief I get there and rest easy (once my side). I am more numb than sore.

My involved side is numb right across the breast under the arm and down to my elbow. Feels weird. The other side is no problem. I have simple dressings across each breast that cover elliptical incisions. Each incision has been joined with glue and steri strips. No stitches.

I see my surgeon and oncologist on 07/08 for review and pathology results. Until then I will do my exercises and try not to over do it.

Best wishes to you all.

Hi. I am 2 days post op, bilateral mastectomy with lymph nodes removal. The morning after I felt great, no pain but that changed about 12 hours later. I am taking my pain meds every 4 hours to stay ahead of it. I was terrified of the nuclear Medicine injections but that was a piece of cake. Mine was day surgery. I am glad to be home but need to force myself to go into my bedroom away from the hustle of the house. I find the drains, the pain and the noise of my busy house overwhelming. When alone I feeL calmer. Overall I am feeling much better than anticipated and moving more than I thought I would. No appetite. Have to force myself to eat toast. Now I need to wait for pathology results. Asked my GP to send to me as she gets them in as I know they will come in bits before my actual follow up on Aug 28.

Elizabeth, good luck with the drains and try to stay as calm as possible. It is a big shock to the system. I am very numb on my affected side (left) across the breast into the arm pit and down to my elbow. My right side (prophylactic) is fine. Although that side my dressing is lifting. I have a nurse friend coming tomorrow yo replace. I am wary of infection. There is pain but not unmanageable. I take a Targin (oxcycondone) and Voltarin (Ibiphrofen) at night and find whilst moving in bed hurts once I am settled I can sleep. Try to eat to keep your strength up Elizabeth. I wish you a speedy recovery and good results.

WagMoreBarkLess - I'm curious what others have been told too. I had my double mastectomy with prepectoral tissue expanders on 7/19. I got 2 of my 4 drains out yesterday, and I go back Friday to have the final 2 removed, then a week "off" from doc visits, then I go back to get assessed for healing and to hopefully get my first fill 8/13 (they didn't put anything in during surgery). I was told to not lift my arms higher than shoulder level until that "first fill" appointment and that "at that time they'll give me stretches/exercises". I'm going nuts at home though, I have two small kids (they'll be 6 and 2 in Sept) and while the older one understands what's going on, the 2 year old just wants "momma up" and it kills me that I can't lift her up. I know the lifting restrictions are in place to not overdo anything, but I'm curious what the harm would be given that I had everything done pre-pectorally, so my muscles weren't cut. I'm going to ask at my appointment Friday, but I'm hoping maybe I'll be given the green light to start lifting things sooner rather than later.

Wagmorebarkless, here is the pics of exercise, in 2 weeks of post op please start with pendulum and make snow angels on the floor

also wall exercise

stretching 4 Th week

Hi everyone,

I've enjoyed reading about your experiences with your July surgery ("enjoy" being a relative term...). My surgery was July 24. I was supposed to have LMX on my right side with DIEP flap reconstruction, but the day before, my surgeon changed it to latissimus flap due to high blood platelets (which I still need to investigate). Luckily, so far so good. My pain is controlled via Extra Strength Tylenol. My margins and nodes were clear (praise the Lord!), and I was staged as a 1A due to size (4.6 cm). I'm waiting on Oncotype results to determine next steps regarding treatment.

I've had an outpouring of support from neighbors, friends, coworkers, even people I haven't seen in 20 years! My mom is here helping and my employer is paying me while I'm recuperating. I should be over the moon. But...I feel numb inside. I feel alone and lost. Not depressed, because thank god I take Lexapro (which is a miracle drug for me!). But i just feel...sad. Like i just want to hide upstairs in my room and get lost in books, movies, etc.

I suppose this is normal, but I'd love to hear your experiences. What is your emotional state right now and how do you care for your sweet selves?

Wagmorebsrkless, Bean town rocks!!! Go, Pats!!

Hi Wagmorebarkless - I can totally relate to hiding with books - they are an escape from the reality of not having control of so much (diagnosis, snail's pace of waiting on test results, pace of surgical recovery, etc) and for all the blessings that the friends and caregivers are, they can also be exhausting - and it's not steadily easy to adjust to a different body and all that comes with the treatments! I'm glad your margins & nodes were clear (mine, too!!), I'm trying to be patient with all of the many limitations (my last two drains came out yesterday - what an improvement!!) I still have, 18 days post-surgery (my belly is still "off" after the laparascopic ooph), while celebrating the things I can do today that I couldn't yesterday (I got a stretchy tank top on all by myself). I wish you (& all of us) well as we move forward!!

Robinda2970, I went home from bilateral mastectomies with drains in but no bra and no bandages. A minimalist approach, I guess....