November 2018 Surgery Support Group

Still waiting to get my surgery date. I meet surgical oncologist on Thursday. I am not planning on any reconstruction so will I still have to meet with the plastic surgeon? I just want to get started asap...

Evilly that's great news! So glad it all went well. I've been worried about the days immediately following and to be honest you're the first person I've heard from that gives me some hope that it really will be ok. Thanks for taking the time and energy to post about your experience so soon!

I feel the same. I want to scream until my throat hurts! This is not normal. We should not be going through this. I am also very scared and have a lot of anxiety about this. You are NOT selfish and your are NOT weak. You are experiencing something none of us should be going through. Scream out loud here girl. Scream out loud here!!! We here you. We love you. We get what you are going through.

hi from my hospital bed! Had bmx and sentinel node biopsy with te’s placed sub pec late yesterday - last surgery of the day which ended up ok because I didn’t have to rush too early and got to take a last leisurely shower and do my hair (best it has ever come out by the way - just so I could go destroy it in a surgical cap! Typical Murphy’s law...). I did the pec nerve blocks and the other nerve block in the back (not epidural / I don't know the name). PS was able to fill 230cc’s. As a former natural 32G it looks like my 12 year old size but know a long road ahead on that front.

I feel “ok” if I am just still and arms close to sides. But no one will let you stay that way for long! Moving arms around is not fun but necessary once in awhile (and typing not fun either so I’m stopping in a sec!) and have done my first lap around the ward. Had nausea during the night during intermittent sleep but called and nurse gave meds for that right away so it got better.

Time to lay very still again and just doze fm meds & manage my remote!

My BMX & TEs surgery was yesterday and all went well. Has a modified radical on the left and a simple on the right. They ended up taking some lymph nodes out of the left, therefore that’s where I hurt the most. My right arm has really good range of motion without pain. Saw my surgeon around lunch time and he’s ready to take away my pain med button. Don’t want them to quite yet. Of course they will give me pills, but I like the immediate relief of the liquid med that’s going straight through the IV. The PS said he was able to put in 300cc in each TE.

For those of you who said they were scared, that’s perfectly normal and I was extremely nervous yesterday. But since I’ve already gone through chemo, the surgery took out the body parts that started my cancer journey to begin with, and now I’m getting new boobs, so things are moving in a more positive way.

I’m keeping all of you in my prayers. All of us will get through this together.

I am post op day 3 now and am very happy with my progress. Today didn't take any rx pain meds, just extra strength tylenol. The only pain I really have is on right side, where I think drain tubing is. Certain movements feel like someone just stuck a spear deep in my side and that pain echos for a minute or so then goes away. I was told not to be doing any arm exercises, just t-rex movements, but i have better range of motion than that without any pain. It was a challenge to reach to wipe after using bathroom for first couple of days but that's better now. Two drains on each side, one of which on each side is barely draining enough to even count (1-2cc twice/day) and the other larger drains are doing 25 - 30 twice per day now. I have follow up with PS next Wed. so I'm sure at least one drain from each side will come out and maybe the other two also, as liquid is not as bright red anymore either. Got bowels moving good today, between taking colace and a bottle of citrus mag and no rx pain med today. Appetite is good and I spend most all day sitting upright (chair, computer) and several naps a day in recliner, where I also still sleep at night. Husband washed my hair in sink today so that felt good (not allowed to shower until all drains out) and am able to do decent job of sponge bath. I have two 6" ace bandages around (not overly tight) chest, and although they didn't really explain why, based on the way she wrapped me, with most of it on top half of breast, I think it is for compression to help keep swelling down. I definitely feel swelling on top half of breasts, but I'm not seeing any bruising yet. Nipples look good (incisions are around top half of areola and lateral out to side) and have glue, not steristrips.

Best wishes to those with upcoming surgery and happy healing to those of you who are healing. It is a relief to have that surgery cloud no longer hanging over my head.

I am supposed to report to the hospital at 5:30. In order to do that, my driver and I have to leave at 4:30. And I have to take a shower and scrub all the germs off of me. That means I have to be awake at 3:30. I have the alarm set in case I fall asleep, but it is my intent to watch cop shows all night. I am sitting in the recliner, trying to not think of why I am doing this. I just need to yield. I go through the motions, my driver arrives, she takes me to the hospital, and I yield to what is necessary. Gesthemane.

I’m being released from the hospital today. All of my vitals are good and they taught me how to take care of the drains. Will see BS next week for drain removal (have 4 total).

So many of you sound like you're doing well!

My partial mastectomy was almost three weeks ago, and it went well with healing and everything as well. I do seem to have fluid build up as that breast is still quite large and tender. What's weird is I am tender on my ribs...and down the front of my torso. I'm thinking that's all fluid drainage. But nothing serious, so just something to note or question if it happens to you!

I just got my next surgery appt!!

Dec 13 I will be getting a total DBX with Tissue Expanders.

Is there any advice from you are in the position I will be in a month? What did no one tell you!? The little things, like will I be able to feed myself? Hold a glass to my mouth? Go to the washroom without help? How long should I have someone here with me? I have a husband and a 14 and 12 year old, but they’ll be at work/school

The TE's...my only fear is pressure on my lungs. I get a drowning feeling when I have pressure there, partially cause I have some asthma and because I don't have great lung capacity. Any tips or “heads-up" for that?

My questions are starting to roll in. I appreciate any advice from you all!

Cheers to another day of healing

Hello November ladies!!!! Sorry it has taken me so long to write an update......I haven't been on my computer much at all until now. My surgery on November 12th went exactly as planned. I had a bilateral mastectomy and went Direct To Implants (400cc silicone). My breast surgeon took 7 lymph nodes and all were NEGATIVE! Praise the Lord! My tumor was 1.6 centimeters, grade 3, and my stage ended up being 1B. I feel beyond blessed. I will have one more surgery in February, in which the plastic surgeon will use fat grafting from my thighs to finish the final part of reconstruction for the best possible cosmetic outcome. He told me it will be an outpatient procedure with a quick recovery time. I couldn't be more pleased. My pain is manageable, but the right (cancer) side is much worse (especially at the drain site.) As others have mentioned, I get these sharp, almost stabbing pains at the drain incision site and they last anywhere from one to a few minutes. It is only on the right side, but when they happen, YIKES! It HURTS!!!! I really haven't been producing much output in my drains. The right side about 20 cc's per day and left side less than 10 cc's per day. I go back for my first follow up appointment on Wednesday, November 21 and at that time, they said they will remove the 'wound vac'. Does anyone else have one of these things? It's annoying because it hangs way down and has lots of tubing, but it doesn't hurt really. After that is removed, I will have my drains for a few more weeks. I meet with my oncology team on November 27th. I've been told NO radiation, but I'm mentally preparing myself for chemo due to my age and being a Grade 3 tumor. I guess it will depend on my Oncotype score. I was also told I will be starting Tamoxifen and will take it for 10 years. So, I guess that's everything I know for now....I think of all of you and pray for each of you daily. Please keep posting and giving updates! I'm so glad to have this group of strong women going through this journey with me. Each one of you inspire me! Sending all of you much love and many hugs!!!

BluGene - one thing that kind of surprised me was how fast the doctor took away the pain button and started me on oral pain medication. The second I started to show some strength, there was talk of sending me home. I was told that during this week not to do any exercises and have t-rex arms. I can eat and drink fine. My husband took a week off of work (FMLA) and I’m grateful for that. I think the most help I’ve needed so far was getting to the bathroom. It’s nice to have someone steady you and can act quick if you feel dizzy. Have yogurt or jello or pudding on hand. The tube they put in my throat for anesthesia really roughed up my insides. If I think of any other tips, I will let you know

tlc4me,

take a deep breath and exhale slowly! take everything one step at a time and don't look ahead too far if you can help it -- that's when you start to worry about things that you can't change anyway. Things don't always go as planned, but with support and a good medical team behind you, you'll get through it and make good decisions that work for you. You're going to look fine in clothing (and without) -- you're going to be healthy! There are tons of things you can do to adjust the appearance of your breast following your procedure, should you choose to do so. there are many great tips elsewhere on this site to help with that. I had a bilateral mastectomy and chose no reconstruction, and I love my healthy body -- i wish the same for you! best of luck with your procedure and radiation. So glad you don't need chemo (I didn't as well). Let us know how it goes ---

MDRR,

Thank you so much for your kind words. Made me tear up! I will definitely post again after surgery.