November 2018 Surgery Support Group

Thank you Jamiesue! I'm nervous but looking forward to getting this over with. One more milestone to check off the list.

I am getting nervous about living alone, and the process of recovery. Most of my family lives quite a ways away from here, and my sister, the nearest relative, is going to have surgery just a few says earlier, so she won't be available to help. I have a male friend, our relationship is in the very early stages of <<maybe>>, and he is going to have surgery in several months. I have friends from church who will be willing to help, but I don't know how much. I am going to meet with a motherly friend who has been through it next week, but.... I am just scared of being alone, and having to do everything for myself.

Hello everyone,

Is a wire localized excisional biopsy considered a lumpectomy?

Edited: I found a good conversation from 2011 in regards to the difference. BLUF, a biopsy is for diagnosis and a lumpectomy for removal of cancer.

bilateral double mastectomy scheduled for November 6

@RosieRed

I’m feeling great today. Some tugging and uncomfortable feeling in my breast when I’m up and about. I do wish I was able to find a wire free bra before my surgery. There was none locally here with a front closure, and I didn’t have enough time to travel or order online. I think that would make the difference, though, so, something for those to consider who will also have pmx or lumpectomy this month.

I could have gone back to work even yesterday, save for the fact I don’t have a proper bra to wear. I’m feeling well, healing well, and in good spirits. I get intense itching from time to time, and not even at incision site. My neck and ribcage would be so itchy it would keep me up at night. All that’s is getting better now too.

Thinking of HockeyChick and Kells today!

My next step will be a dmx. I’m not sure what that time frame is going to be, but I expect within 6 mo to a year.

I will be getting results on Nov 13. Could have got them sooner, but I’m going out of town on a conference, and I didn’t want to know until after.

My insurance will pay for a home health care aide. And I will check into it if no-one steps up to the plate. A friend who is a nurse will be bringing me home. I think I just need to wait for a while and see what happens. I would rather have someone who I already know. But maybe I will also qualify for a few visits from a visiting nurse.

Thanks for the reassurance. It will all happen in due time.

Hi borogirl and all! I'm having prophylactic nipple sparing BMX on Nov. 12 and will have pre-pectoral tissue expanders and eventually silicone gummy implants. Going in for pre-ops next week. Met with integrative medicine specialist this week who did guided imagining to prep for surgery. It was really interesting. Heading back there again in four week post-op for nutrition guidance. Anxious to get this moving. I was diagnosed on my wedding anniversary and the day before my daughters bday in early October. It's been a whirlwind and emotional roller coaster. The forums are helpful and also a bit scary sometimes. I also just received genetics test results that I am CHK-2 positive. I am having test for a larger panel in case there are any other genetic variants. I have two daughters who are 8 and 11...I am 45....so I am trying to care for myself and also feel bad that they may have inherited this from me. Only one family member of mine (a living aunt who had the same cancer at same age as me), as far back as my family remembers, has ever had cancer....so its frustrating that it has popped up in me. But I guess it's time to move on and do what I need to do. Hanging in there and waiting for surgery.

BTW....I have read some posts about feeling helpless and feeling like it is spreading. I started growing broccoli sprouts. It supposedly stops the cancer from spreading and could potentially kill the cells. Who really knows, but at least I feel like I am doing something to help the cause for now. And it's fun to grow them.

Welcome, Sarah.

Kstine, those broc sprouts might be just the placebo I need. All of the cruciferous vegs are good. https://www.drfuhrman.com/library/eat-to-live-blog...

I am going to help the church ladies get ready for a funeral luncheon today, so I can talk about my fears of being alone during recovery. Probably why they called me, now that I think about it.

I just received a phone call from the clinic. They were finalizing the pre-authorization request and ordering supplies. Wanted to know if I was sure I wanted unilateral. I explained again that lefty faithfully fed my two babies for a total of five years, and that means a lot to me, for the same reason that I want to keep righty's nipple if possible. Righty never delivered as much milk, because of a biopsy when I was 18. Maybe the nipple can go, was always a bit deformed because of medical stupidity.

Edited to add:

I start thinking of medical stupidity, and noted that I see more left-sided BC here. I looked it up, and sure enough, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2315217 Probably because the left side is more able to steal blood supply being closer to the heart. I have/had two second degree relatives, the genetics are not that strong. I think it is due to the mangling that happened when I was 18. But genetic testing might reveal something.

I don't know how to add my name to the list above - my surgery was 10/24, but I just found this group. Had bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders. Starting chemo 11.27.

MCBaker and evily - tomorrow I am two weeks post op. I live alone, and have been very independent. My mother came to stay with me for surgery - I expected it to be a week or two - looks like it's going to be another two (total of four weeks). I have to honestly say I don't know how I'd be doing this alone. The biggest issues for me have been the chest/torso tightness and weakness to lift, etc. For example, I didn't even have the strength to lift up or put down the sofa recliner. Little things like that. Perhaps I could do more if forced, but I honestly have been less able on my own than I thought. The worst day was the second morning after I came home - I was so stiff I couldn't get out of bed and down the hall alone - I simply couldn't move well enough. Don't want to scare you - just hope this helps you plan some.

Had my pre-op at hospital today and was able to speak with anesthesiologist about possibility of nerve blocks for surgery. He said he has no issue with doing Pecs 1 and Pecs 2 nerve blocks and said it “substantially” reduces pain. Should reduce nausea after surgery and need for opiods for pain. My BS and PS didn’t really have much opinion about it and said to check with anesthesia people. Very happy to be able to have this option.

Prayers for all of you having your surgery this week and hope all who have already had theirs are felling better everyday.