October 2018 Surgery Support Group

Dovely, that is awesome news.

Just out of curiosity, for the stage information, why is it called 1c, I thought it is either 1A or 1B, am I missing something here?

Also, your tumor is small (<= 2cm) , nodes are clear and grade is 1, wouldn't it be 1A instead of 1B?

LilyCH,

I think it's because I had two multi- focal tumors in the left breast? I had it in both breasts, the right had a very small tumor, less than a cm. I also spoke with the BS who confirmed basically stage 1, grade 1, clear margins (even though bmx it’s still good to hear!!)

Dani444,

Oncotype in a couple weeks at the longest is my understanding. BS says considering all the other stats she would predict it being low, but there can be surprises. Crossing fingers!

Hello everyone,

Good to hear that all of you are done with your surgery. I guess I am the last one in the above list. I am scheduled to go in tomorrow. I am getting nervous and more scared about the pathology result. Hoping and praying everything goes well.

Good luck to everybody who had their surgery done so far and wishing well towards the recovery road.

This thread has been nothing but blessing. I have learnt so much along the way and this has been one of the biggest motivations for me to keep going all along.

Naesha,

Wishing you the best on your surgery, and for good news/paths. Just remember to keep up with your pain meds, do your stretches, and plenty of water....I felt it helped with the swelling and just feeling better all around. Also, ask for help as the first couple of days are trying. Having someone available, if possible, to help you out of bed, make sure you have things you need, and just keep you company can really make a difference.

Naesha best of luck on your surgery. Bookworm has some great advice there!! Please let us know how you do.

Awesome news, Dovey, congrats!

Dani444, you probably know this, but if you get to the point where you are uneven after your UMX, insurance has to pay for a revision to the non-cancerous breast. You can get a lift, reduction, implant, whatever.

Good luck today, Naesha!

Bookworm14, I don't know for sure, but I would bet that chemo would be automatically given for someone with positive nodes. Part of the idea of chemo is to kill the stragglers that might have escaped to other body parts and they would want to do that if it is known that nodes were affected. Assuming you DO need chemo, it's very doable! There are various regimenes and yours may be minimal. I did very well with it and worked throughout all 20 weeks of mine. Your MO can help you plan for when SEs might hit, so you can avoid working on those days. The biggest help was getting into the chemo group for the month you start. Just like this surgery group, everyone goes through it together and the support you'll get is priceless. I'm always happy to answer questions, too! Good luck!

So I'm two weeks out of lumpectomy and snb.. arm still a bit sore, esp when stretching or sudden movements but otherwise getting better..

My lumpectomy was at a 12 o'clock position and 4cm away from the nipple, two days ago I noticed a pretty big lump at about a 6 o'clock position close to the nipple same breast. It's not painful, I just noticed it while feeling around my breast checking for soreness.. I'm starting to freak out, but it's probably nothing just surgery side effects? I've had MRI, CT, mammogram and ultrasound about three to four weeks ago, so if it was a lump it shoul have been picked up right? I'm going to see the dr tomorrow but anyone been through something similar?

Just wanted to give an update on my surgery yesterday. Everything went well, but the surgeon did not do nearly as much on my abdomen as we had discussed earlier. She did the revision on my hideous abdominal scar (if looked like it had been glued by a team of drunken monkeys😐) and she did the nipple reconstruction. What she didn't do is the lipo and fat grafting to fill in the large dents I have in both upper breasts. So I still gave no waist to speak of, and still won't be able to keep my pants from falling down.

So I'm going to need another surgery. Urgggghhhh. Plus the surgeon had a weird meltdown before the surgery, yelling at me because I asked if they could use propofol or versed. Don't know what that was about, but I will probably file a report. I almost cancelled the procedure and walked out, but I've been waiting for this for almost a year and a half, so I bit my tongue and went through with it. But I will be looking for yet another plastic surgeon.

Thanks for the well wishes, Gawarrior and Dani444. It meant a lot

Hope all is well with all our October ladies. Sending warm, healing hugs to all.

Trish

Trishlya- I am so sorry to hear about your experience! That sounds so completely stressful. So odd of your surgeon to react that way with your question! You as a patient have every right to discuss what medications will be put in your body. I hope you can find a PS that will treat you with the respect you deserve. Hope you are able to rest and don’t have too much pain!

Girl279- I am sorry you are dealing with issues after getting your drain removed. Could it maybe have been blocked? I hope they find a resolution for you soon.

I have a hard lump where the lumpectomy was.

dovely, no drain removal isn’t usually painful. Sometimes it feels a little funny, but it shouldn’t hurt.

Congrats!

dwiseley, I’m so sorry. That sounds terrifying. Are you at an accredited cancer center? Is there one near you?

Girl279,

Sucks that the drains did not work like they were supposed to. Maybe there was a kink or something that did not allow for fluid to pass? Hope it gets better for you soon.

DWiseley,

I would definitely be ticked with the doctor not being worried about an open incision and drainage. Sometimes the MO may know and be able to speed up the process of finding and getting in to see a new surgeon. I hope it gets better for you soon.