July 2018 surgery

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  • Debsmisto
    Debsmisto Member Posts: 171
    edited August 2018

    Hope everyone of you July surgery girls are doing well. Update on my journey, I have had 2 revisions to my mastectomy incision on my cancer side in the office, kinda gruesome but I got thru it. I still need more lymph nodes removed and will have my PS there to do this lymph bypass thing he does to help prevent Lymphedrma, hope it works, trying to get both surgeons scheduled on the same day isn't easy but I'm hoping its soon. Haven't been able to do any expansions on my right side and my docs like to do the exchange before radiation so I'm way behind on radiation grrrrrr. Taking anastrozole, ok so far, still getting Herceptin infusions. Ok that's my story, hang in there girls

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  • Cindymb
    Cindymb Member Posts: 206
    edited August 2018

    Hi Debsmisto and other July girls,

    Still waiting for the call about my Oncotype score to find out about chemo before radiation. I went back to work today, just hope I can stay. 😔

    Anyone have or had soreness when touched, right under the ribs on both sides (in line with my breasts). Im three weeks out from my lumpectomy with reduction/lift on both breasts.

    🤗 Cindy

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  • LittleRebel
    LittleRebel Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2018

    Debsmisto - I hope you get scheduled soon! It felt like forever getting my BS and PS lined up on the same day!

    I'm 2.5 weeks post-op, and for about the last week or so the sunburn/raw feeling has been the worst symptom to deal with once my drains were gone. I had read before surgery that this was a common issue, but I just assumed it would be at my incision sites - but for me, my incisions aren't the problem, its the area on my front both where a bra band would sit, as well as above my expanders up towards my collarbone, then the backs of each armpit, and my entire upper back. Wearing anything feels like sandpaper! I asked the PS at my last appointment (to have my last 2 drains removed) about continuing the Gabapentin, they OK'd it, but it's not helping. My next appointment is in a week for (hopefully) my first fill so I plan to ask for other options (prescription or non), but I'm wondering if anyone else is having this same problem? Or is far enough ahead of me in timeline to say whether this ever goes away?

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  • Vermonster
    Vermonster Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2018

    Hi LittleRebel - I am 23 days post-surgery (nipple sparing bmx, direct-to-implant), final drains came out last Thursday and sutures come out later today!! It's amazing the range of feeling of discomfort around my chest. Like you, there are times anything touching me seems like sandpaper, but I have to wear a compression bra per my plastic surgeon. Where the band touches is hot & itchy. Where the drains were feels raw on each side. The top of my cleavage feels sunburned and hypersensitive. My nipples feel like they're being gnawed off. There's pressure on my backbone between my shoulder blades (but I think that's from being forced to sleep on my back for the last 3+ weeks). And I still have adhesive residue from taping that came off two full weeks ago. Such fun. The only area that doesn't have feeling is the underside of each breast and along the suture lines (mine go from nipples out to armpits, like hands of a clock pointing at 9 & 3). I'm kind of hoping that lack of feeling means it won't hurt when they take out the sutures, but I'm also hoping there will be some feeling when they do that (does that make sense?). Anyone willing to share whether they could feel it when the sutures came out?

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  • jenny153
    jenny153 Member Posts: 21
    edited August 2018

    Hi Ladies. Just reading about all your reconstructions. I had lumpectomy in Nov 2015 followed by rads but thankfully no chemo. Treatment left me with radiated breast nearly two sizes smaller than the other breast. I'm due to go in next month to have a reduction and lift on both. Just wondering if anyone else on here has had this done, and if so, was it successful.

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  • Whateverittakes
    Whateverittakes Member Posts: 43
    edited August 2018

    I used rubbing alcohol to remove the leftover tape residue. If it is painful to you when they remove them they have a kind of spray(can't remember the name) that instantly numbs you. Do not be afraid to ask for it. Best wishes SA

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  • Vermonster
    Vermonster Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2018

    I had my sutures out Wednesday - didn't feel a thing. Maybe one or two tiny tugs out of 32 stitches. Otherwise, totally numb!

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  • Oneof7
    Oneof7 Member Posts: 59
    edited August 2018

    I had a LX and reconstruction that included a lift. I like the looks of the lift! A bit worried about your experience with radiated breast becoming so much smaller than other. Yikes. My radiation begins in 3-4 weeks

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  • borogirl
    borogirl Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2018

    I'm posting this under multiple surgery threads as I hope to get input from several of you.In doing my own preparation for prophylactic DMX this fall, I'd read where it helps to have small pillows for under the arms to relieve pressure from your arm resting directly against your side.I had assumed that was because of pain from not only any lymph node removal, but also because of drain sites right there.I made a pair of pillows for myself, and then because I like to sew and wanted to help other patients who don't have the time or ability to sew for themselves, started making more and am donating them through the nurse navigator at my local hospital.She gives them to women (along with a bag of other comfort items) at the time they come in for a pre-surgery class to learn how to take care of drains etc.My thought was for unilateral MX you get one arm pillow, bilateral you get two (drains on two sides).

    image

    The nurse told me last week that the arm pillow is only needed for the side that had lymph node removal, and a bilateral patient that only had lymph nodes on one side involved only needed one pillow. I suppose for someone like me doing prophylactic MX, she would say I didn't need any pillows.Those of you who have already had your surgery – what are your experiences?Would you consider those pillows not needed if no lymph node surgery on that side?Would they help with drain incision areas?I'm not trying to second guess her as I haven't gone through this yet, but I don't want not give women 2 pillows if they would both be helpful.
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  • Vermonster
    Vermonster Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2018

    Hi Borogirl - that's so generous of you!! I had my BMX 37 days ago - nodes done on left side, prophylactic on right side so no nodes - I am still sleeping with squishy pillows to prevent me from pushing either arm too close to my ribs - there's tenderness on both sides and having the pillows supporting my arms and being padded in the underarm/pit area has been comfortable (or as comfortable as it gets). I've tried napping without my pillows and it's not as comfortable. So, from my perspective, a pillow for each side works. Not every one of us will have the same experience, but I'd say go with your instincts!

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  • helenlouise
    helenlouise Member Posts: 420
    edited August 2018

    I was given two pillows but didn't use them much after the first few days. Have to say though I do suffer a sticky feeling under the left arm which is quite annoying. Breast care nurse said use the pillow! I also have seroma that needs to be drained manually. Breast care nurse recommends to use the pillows after that as well. I will see how it goes.
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  • Debsmisto
    Debsmisto Member Posts: 171
    edited August 2018

    Hi ladies, checking in on every one, hope you are all doing ok. i have surgery on sept 18th, axillary lymph node dissection and implant exchange.Then i move on to radiation which i fear will ruin my implant on my cancer side but what can i do, it has to be done, ugh, this is all so complicated




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  • Bostoniangal25
    Bostoniangal25 Member Posts: 263
    edited August 2018

    hi Debsmisto, good luck with the surgery! Can they postpone implant exchange? After radiation?

    I m going through chemo now , next week is second cycle ...also finishing my occupational therapy- still have some cords but no problem using my left arm.

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  • Fairchild
    Fairchild Member Posts: 206
    edited August 2018

    Hey July girls, I have a question. After the mastectomies they analyzed the tissue and found a pleomorphic lobular cancer, Her2+ that they had previously missed in all their imagine. They are now sending me for chemo. My oncologist has not run an oncotype, which he had initially planned to do. Why didn't he do it? I'm really confused, b/c before the BMX he talked about the oncotype as standard. They knew then I had invasive lobular and ductal cancers in both breasts.

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  • wlo002
    wlo002 Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2018

    Fairchild - I can't say for sure but Her2+ is considered to be aggressive form of cancer so that might be the reson. I think Her2+ always gets chemo and Herceptin.

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  • Fairchild
    Fairchild Member Posts: 206
    edited August 2018

    wlo002, Thanks for the information. Do you have any idea why he would skip the Oncotype after he found out about the new cancer? I know he had planned to run them on each breast (bc I had bilateral cancers).

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  • Fairchild
    Fairchild Member Posts: 206
    edited August 2018

    This is so great!

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  • Bostoniangal25
    Bostoniangal25 Member Posts: 263
    edited August 2018

    Fairchild, how old are you- if younger than 60 they tend to treat aggressively and besides what is situation with your lymph nodes? It there is micromet in your node they do chemo. Please go on settings and make your dx visible to us aka public profile so we can see yours I go like you see ours , please it's hard to help otherwise! Best regards!!! And luck!! What chemo they wasn't to run?

    What grade? And yes, her2 positive is more aggress

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  • Oneof7
    Oneof7 Member Posts: 59
    edited August 2018

    Fairchild

    My oncotype was run after pathology from surgery came back. My nodes were negative. I know if my nodes were positive I would have to have chemo. I'm 61. If onco 25 or higher would have to have chemo. I don't know how chemo treatment is determined. Does onco influence type of chemo given? Anyway, i would call MO and get the question answered. Maybe they forgot. You never know. That's how I roll. ☺

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  • Fairchild
    Fairchild Member Posts: 206
    edited September 2018

    Folks, I'm sorry I deleted my post above....I don't even know how I did that! I just wondered how everyone's doing? Hope all is well!

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  • Bostoniangal25
    Bostoniangal25 Member Posts: 263
    edited September 2018

    I m going through my second infusion of TC, still going for occupational therapy for minor cords. Nothing much

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  • Vermonster
    Vermonster Member Posts: 44
    edited September 2018

    I am 7 weeks out from surgery - met with the PS yesterday and am cleared for taking a real bath, swimming, side sleeping, going bra-less at night (if I want) and had all weight restrictions lifted other than "don't overdo" - I see my PT later today and meet my new MO next week. I have another appt. with the PS in November and have fat grafting scheduled for early December - need to research more about that... I hope everyone else is doing well as we all transition to the next phases of treatment.

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