Going under the knife again

sugarplum
sugarplum Member Posts: 318
edited September 2018 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Boy is this getting to be a habit. Not even a year past my second hip replacement and now I'm having a defibrillator implanted this Tuesday. New territory for me; I've always been so smug about my heart health, but it seems the aftereffects of chemo have worked their magic on me over the past 12 years.

My sister tells me "at least you won't be facing a year of BC treatment when you come out of anesthesia." She's right of course, so I'm trying not to whine too hard!

With that said, all positive thoughts will be MUCH appreciated...

Julie

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Comments

  • PreludeSing
    PreludeSing Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2018

    Sending you lots of love and positive thoughts sugarplum. You will be well. I always loved reading your posts and I expect to keep reading them for a long while more !!

    All the very best for Tuesday.🙏😘

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited August 2018

    Good luck. Hope you heal quickly.

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  • Dhanno
    Dhanno Member Posts: 104
    edited August 2018

    Hi Kelso Just do not worry .My dad had his first heart attack at the age of 33 .He later under went bypass surgery ,angioplasty , He survived well .He recently had his knee replacement surgery last year. It was so good to see him pain free and happy .So when I got my BC diagnosis I felt more bad for him than myself .No father wants to see his daughter through this ordeal

    What I mean to say is that despite so many odds my dad survived . God has planned a very long life for you .You will get few bumps here and there but ultimately you will outlive everyone around you .So cheer up and smile .

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  • Ausykaren
    Ausykaren Member Posts: 68
    edited August 2018

    Best of luck Julie.

    Hugs to you,

    Karen


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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited August 2018

    Good luck and a speedy recovery, Julie.

    I had lunch with a few high school classmates this week, and of course the conversation came around to illnesses and operations. They fell into two categories: 1) Illnesses that were chronic, and 2) operations that were reconstructive and reduced pain. I wanted to stay on topic #2 because it was a more positive focus on our lives, but sometimes they overlapped. Like the cancer treatment from years ago causing the heart problems to pop up now. Thankfully, there is a treatment for that. I hope it brings a new lease on life!


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  • sugarplum
    sugarplum Member Posts: 318
    edited August 2018

    Thanks, you guys - EVERY one of your posts helps me!

    Julie

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited August 2018

    Julie.....

    Good luck...... I am sure all will go well. Although no one wants to go thru any more than what we have all done.......it's a very common procedure with great success so I am sure you are in good hands!!! My father-in-law and brother-in-law have gone through it and quickly were back to work.

    But...... prayers are always good and you have mine;)


    Jacqueline


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  • 7of9
    7of9 Member Posts: 833
    edited August 2018

    Good luck! I have an 82 yr old coworker who had a defibrillator placed... he came back to work for 2 yrs and is just now retiring from his shop job! You can do this!

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  • weesa
    weesa Member Posts: 707
    edited August 2018

    Julie...you have always been one of my if-you-are-ok-I -must -be ok-people. I know that sounds crazy because you were diagnosed after me, but it's the truth. You have always been so mentally strong, so upbeat despite I am sure having bad days. We still need you here, not time for the universe to claim you.

    I know you are going to be ok after this surgery but what a pain to have yet another one. Between December of 2002 when I was diagnosed until 2006 I had 17 surgeries, all related to my breast cancer or side effects of treatment. I finally got so I just had my husband drop me off at the front door of the hospital, it got so darn routine. My best always, always admiring you across the country...Weesa

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  • ErenTo
    ErenTo Member Posts: 343
    edited August 2018

    sugarplum, I'm a proud owner of a defibrillator! There aren't many of us out there. In my case the order was reversed. I had a little mishap between surgery and chemo, a crazy, still unexplained cardiac arrest. I drove myself to the chemo class just a few days before the scheduled chemo start date and collapsed in front of the chemo nurse as I was signing the attendance sheet. Oh so lucky I was at the hospital. After all the craziness and tests, cardiologists said that my heart was A+ and released me to proceed with the cardio toxic chemo!

    Standard of care for cardiac arrest survivors is to get a defibrillator, so I reluctantly agreed to it as I was anxious to start chemo and had to wait a few extra weeks to heal, because infection can lead to pretty serious complications and that too in the middle of chemotherapy.

    It was a pretty quick surgery and I was not fully under, they also do a test after to make sure device works, but that takes 5 minutes. They only kept me for one night, they might keep you longer if you have any cardiac issues though. At first it feels uncomfortable, but you will get used to and it will settle into its 'pocket' and becomes part of you. I had to get mine on the right side because I had to do radiation on the left and it had to be outside of the field. But typically it goes on the left. You're not supposed to raise your arms above your head for 6 weeks so not to dislodge the lead. Do you know what device you're getting?

    I'm very active and can pretty much do anything. No serious contact sports or scuba diving, but running, cycling, weight training etc are ok. I haven't had any episode since it got installed andget the device checked every 6 months.

    Good luck on the surgery and feel free to ask any questions!

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited August 2018

    Hi Julie,

    wishing you well on this procedure. Its a minor one and nothing like the BC war that we all know so well.

    Just a blip and part of blessedly getting older!

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  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited August 2018

    Hugs Julie.


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  • DancingElizabeth
    DancingElizabeth Member Posts: 415
    edited August 2018

    Julie - Sorry to hear you have to go thru this!!!

    I only *hope* that I can be 12 years out and cancer free!!!! Your posting on here - gives me hope that one can climb out of this nightmare. Not trying to make light of what you're going thru now. But, to be 12 years out...would feel like a dream to me.

    You will get thru this!!!! (((Hugs)))

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  • Dhanno
    Dhanno Member Posts: 104
    edited August 2018

    Hi DancingElizabeth Same feeling here too. To be 12 years out...would feel like a dream to me. I will see my kids get married and settle down .sugarplum is lucky person and I am sure she will overcome this road bloc .

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  • sugarplum
    sugarplum Member Posts: 318
    edited August 2018

    YES, I AM LUCKY - thanks so much you guys, for helping me keep that first and foremost ! How well I remember my first few years after diagnosis, when every little twinge in my body seemed to herald a recurrence. It is a new normal, that's for sure - but it's amazing how the human spirit can adapt!

    Hugs to all - see you on the other side of tomorrow...

    Julie

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  • sugarplum
    sugarplum Member Posts: 318
    edited August 2018

    Just a quick post to say....I made it! Now back home after a night in the hospital - plenty sore but am avoiding Oxycodone, just using ice & Tylenol. No showering for 5 days & must keep left arm below shoulder level for a month (trying to get used to sleeping in a sling to prevent that from happening). Have a device plugged into the wall that communicates data to my cardio's office via the phone line - I was monitored once today & they assured me all 3 leads are in their correct places! Leaving for our beach house in a few days for a week of recuperation - whew.

    All your positive wishes have been much appreciated!!

    Julie (the bionic woman)

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  • PreludeSing
    PreludeSing Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2018

    Go Julie 💐💐. Recuperate and rest well. You will be continue to be fabulous for many years to come!

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited August 2018

    Wonderful to hear Julie. Enjoy the beach, nothing better for healing!

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited September 2018

    This is so wonderful......glad everything went smoothly.....

    I love the water and wake up to it every day now.....as Linda said....nothing more healing.....

    Relax and take it easy.....be good to yourself.

    Jacqueline

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  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited September 2018

    julie, you are bionic woman for sure.

    Jacquline, you too are inspiring.

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