April 2019 Surgery Support Group

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  • nanette7fl
    nanette7fl Member Posts: 469
    edited April 2019

    Hello I have Triple Positive IDC and had my L breast mastectomy and R breast prophylactic surgery on April 2. For some reason my BS decided to check the SN on both sides.. I never asked her why because I trust her that much. Right was clear...left however was positive and so she also took my axillary nodes too. I previously had done 11 weeks of Taxol and Herceptin from 12/5-2/22. Original plans in my case keep changing but surgery was so I wouldn't have to do Rads. Now I have to do rads and probably different chemo. To say I'm NOT happy about my cancer spreading is polite. It's NOT fair but I'm not giving up either. I just need to regroup and move on.

    Post surgery... its day 4 post surgery and I feel pretty good. Pain is manageable the numbness from the nerve block is weird. The surgical bra from the hospital isn't as bad as I've heard. I had my 1st shower today... I wanted to coordinate it with a nurse visit. I have 1 every day until the drains come out. Sleep seems to come easier now that surgery is over.

    Lymphedema is now bothering me. Yesterday was only in my r foot...today it went from r foot to r arm and then to my face. So I've been laying across the bed with my limbs propped up getting the fluids out.

    Arm exercises are very important but remember when you do them if you have discomfort hold that position for 30 seconds so your muscles and tendons will learn to stretch out again. I had good ROM (range of motion) right out of surgery. It gets a little better every day. The 1st couple of days they didn't feel like my arms but like grafted on arms because they were slow and sluggish that is improving slowly...hard to scratch places so make sure you get a back scratcher... it's my new best friend 8)

    ~Nanette

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  • dju324
    dju324 Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2019

    I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal on April 2nd. Overall, it was a good experience so far. The worst part of the procedure was having 8 shots - 4 pain killers and 4 dye - around my nipple right before surgery to find the sentinel node. I felt every single one of them. The doctor did not wait for the pain killer to kick in. Seriously, the two surgical incisions were better than those shots. I've heard other surgeons wait until you're under anesthesia for that. Aside from that, the pain after surgery has been tolerable with Advil. I stopped taking Advil on day 2. Today is the 4th day after surgery and there is just some burning pain when I move my arm above my head, for example. It's important to keep it moving so things don't heal up in a tight position. My next hurdle is the pathology results on the lump. I'm hoping and praying it's good news and that I only need radiation. Oh, I guess I was also surprised that both incisions were sealed with surgical glue. About 1/2 of the armpit glue is gone already.

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  • rrshannon
    rrshannon Member Posts: 117
    edited April 2019

    nanette7fl Sorry to hear about the positive left nodes and that more treatment is needed. My tumor has been on the right but for the last week and a half I have some deep dull pain under my left arm pit though no lump. Seeing my BS Wednesday and I will bring it up. I would hate to not have the nodes checked and then find it has spread later. I hope your lymphedema starts improve.

    dju324 glad you are recovering good. Yes range of motion is important. No one told me that when I had my sentinel node biopsy 15 years ago and I had to do my own reach took a while to get full range of motions, some says were better than others. Wishing good results on your pathology.




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  • Margot62
    Margot62 Member Posts: 31
    edited April 2019

    hello! I was diagnosed nearly to the day you were and am having surgery three days after you.

    I have IDC, but very small—8 mm. Grade 2. I am still deciding what to do.

    May I ask how you came toyour decision? I’m struggling with it.....

    Sending hugs to you!


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  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Member Posts: 1,307
    edited April 2019

    Hi all, sorry to see you here, the party none of us wanted to attend! My surgery is scheduled for 4/18, lumpectomy in left breast for IDC and DCIS, grade 3, triple negative. I'll have sentinel nodes removed and biopsied, too. Follow-up care will for sure include 35 sessions of radiation. Chemo might or might not be recommended depending on what they find when they dig in. If chemo is done, it'll be about 6 months of it.

    In the meantime I'm 2000 miles away from home. Son and his wife just had their first baby today and he is a beauty. Over the last 2 weeks, sweet husband and I spent much time and energy getting Son's home ready to sell. The house is on the waterfront, down a cliffside with 212 steps to get to the house. And 212 steps to get to the car or the dumpster. Part of our work has included hauling a literal ton or more of crap up the hill to recycle or trash or donate.

    Oh, today we went to the hospital for the baby's birth, left the house (up 212 steps) around 2:30am. Before we left we had to clean things up, as there were 3 showings of the house today to potential buyers.

    It's been a working "vacation," that's for sure.

    Going back home in a week to prep for that surgery. Right now I'm exhausted and looking forward to the rest...


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  • nanette7fl
    nanette7fl Member Posts: 469
    edited April 2019

    MountainMia 212 steps oh my!! Poor new mom at least the initial trip will sort of easy... down. I hope the house sells sound dreamy except for those stairs lol

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  • Pepper44
    Pepper44 Member Posts: 20
    edited April 2019

    hi everyone. I’ve just started posting on this site yesterday and I have a tentative surgery date set for 4/24 so am stopping in here to introduce myself. My diagnosis was quite a shock given no symptoms, no palpable mass, and no family history. I’ve spent the last few weeks learning a lot about BC. As I said on the other thread I started in Just Disgnosed, right now I need to decide on my surgeon and also confirm my current plans for a lumpectomy, Imhoping to get results from the genetic testing before my final decision on surgery.

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  • April0315
    April0315 Member Posts: 223
    edited April 2019

    My IDC is about the same size as yours and I opted for lumpectomy. There is a great post on here about the topic (of course I can't find it now to link it for you). After 4 weeks of debating with myself, the deciding factor for me was that I just never felt 100% comfortable with mastectomy. I figure I can use that option if something else comes up in the future. There is no right or wrong and only you can make that choice. I'm scheduled for this Friday the 12th, I also have ADH in my L breast which will be removed as well, so basically 4 lumpectomies. I thought it was only 3 but I was wrong. I'll have 4 guidewires placed prior to surgery. For some reason I'm most concerned about that part of the surgery.

    Hope everyone is healing well and those that are scheduled are sleeping better than I am :)

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  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Member Posts: 1,307
    edited April 2019

    Now that the house is ready to show buyers and the grandson was born (yesterday!! 6 lb 15 oz, which is BIG considering his very tiny mom!) I can focus more on the upcoming surgery, 4/18. I finally started to write a list of questions for the surgeon for my expected lumpectomy. Here are a few of the questions I've jotted down so far. What are others you would ask?

    Where will the incisions be? How many?

    Will the microcalcifications be removed, too?

    How big are clean margins?

    How much tissue will be removed?

    How many lymph nodes will be removed?

    How likely is a repeat surgery to improve the margins or take more nodes?

    If a second surgery is needed, when is that decided? Does it go through same incisions?

    How do we know there aren't more tumors?

    How are the incisions closed?

    What happens if when you cut me open, the tumor looks different (bigger, worse,) than expected?


    This is just a start, and as you see doesn't include anything about post-surgery. Again, please comment and add any other questions you are asking.

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  • ScarletGray
    ScarletGray Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2019

    Surgery on the first went well. Pain has been minimal with just the occasional Advil needed in the first couple days. Range of motion is a bit limited, but I think the placement of the waterproof tape over the bandages is part of that. My sentinal nodes were negative, the right breast had multiple benign fibroadenomas as expected, the left breast cancer tissue was sent off to the Mayo Clinic for a second opinion. My local hospital's pathology department couldn't reach a consensus. I'm a little disconcerted by this, and really don't know what the final findings will bring. My follow-up appointment is on the 9th. I hope to have the drains removed at that time. I'm not sure if the bandages will be removed then, too.

    Volunteers at my local hospital made and provided a short apron tied at the waist to place the drains in while showering; otherwise, I have them safety pinned to the elasticized binder I have to wear 24/7.

    I hope everyone who has had surgery so far is experiencing a smooth recovery. Additonally for those yet waiting your procedures, I wish you the best.


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  • FrenchPorsche
    FrenchPorsche Member Posts: 75
    edited April 2019

    Hi ScarletGray

    So glad to hear it went well and you aren’t in too much pain. I hope the news is good when you get the results back. X

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  • ed111
    ed111 Member Posts: 73
    edited April 2019

    Going April 24 after two months circling through opinions. Uuuge 8.6cm (now probably longer) weird cord-like lobular stretching formation going from a 2cm IDC deep in the center to the very front. Choosing lumpectomy and hoping for success.

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  • Motheroftwo36
    Motheroftwo36 Member Posts: 116
    edited April 2019

    scarlet gray

    So glad to hear it wemy well. Did u have a biopsy done after mammogram and one after mri? I see you were diagnosed differently based I. Imaging and I was wondering what that means. The great news is lymph nodes are clear!


    Mountain Mia

    I asked several questions but I really am leaving the details up to them, I don’t think I want to know everything!

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  • rrshannon
    rrshannon Member Posts: 117
    edited April 2019

    ScarletGray I am glad your healing is going good. I hope that the Mayo Clinic can come up with some concrete answers. The not knowing phase is always stressful.

    MountainMia Hope the house sells quickly, congrats on the new little grandbaby. Did they do an MRI or other scans to check for additional tumors?


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  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Member Posts: 1,307
    edited April 2019

    rrshannon, no MRI has been done. No one has mentioned MRI to me so far. Thanks for the good wishes. The baby is as sweet as can be. :)

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  • Christene502
    Christene502 Member Posts: 115
    edited April 2019

    After months upon months of doctor visits, tests, and all... surgery is all set to have a BMX. May 6th. Right between my birthday and 44th wedding anniversary...

    Breast surgeon said It won't cure my METS Breast cancer. Oncologist said it would be helpful, that I will live a long life.

    I am hoping that after surgery, radiation will help. Prolong my life as much as possible.

    I have a month of stomach willies to go through, plus get things in order before surgery date. sigh!


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  • FrenchPorsche
    FrenchPorsche Member Posts: 75
    edited April 2019

    Anyone know what the ‘usual’ hospital stay is? I’m going for my pre op assessment tomorrow and I’m going to ask. A colleague of mine was discharged after 48 hours and said they kept her in longer than they usually do. That seems a very short stay to me considering...

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  • ed111
    ed111 Member Posts: 73
    edited April 2019

    MountainMia -- nobody mentioned MRI to me either. I insisted on it. If not for me insisting on MRI, I would be still waiting for "non-urgent lumpectomy of <0.7cm". MRI showed 8.6cm elongation throughout entire breast. Demand it.

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  • ScarletGray
    ScarletGray Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2019

    Motheroftwo36: Yes, I had two separate biopsies. The mammogram found the DCIS, and the MRI found the IDC. Yes, the clear lymph nodes is great news.

    FrenchPorsche: I did stay overnight, and I was released less than 24 hours after my procedure. Going in they stated it would be one overnight. I'm not sure if that's 'usual' or not.

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  • Mar1319
    Mar1319 Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2019

    I had a lumpectomy and 3 sentinel nodes removed on April 2. The pathology report today was good, nodes negative, clear margins, and the tumor was 1.2 cm. I am still icing quite a bit and taking ibuprofen. I teach kindergarten and first grade and today I went in for a little bit for the first time since the surgery. I thought I would be back to school right after the procedure. I took tomorrow and Wednesday off as well, just not feeling ready to jump back in. The swelling and tenderness is holding on longer than I expected. I was very fortunate as my surgical consult and surgery were back to back so no time to worry about it. I had the surgery done 5 hours away from home so they were very accommodating!

    Good luck to all others preparing for April surgeries!

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  • Christene502
    Christene502 Member Posts: 115
    edited April 2019

    MountainMia - My breast surgeon ordered an MRI... after the results came in he ordered a biospy MRI on my right breast since they saw something new. After the path tests came in, Dr reviewed. I told my BS that I wanted a BMX since they also found something suspicious on the right... Doctor wanted a THIRD MRI, I told him No More MRI's I had major damage to my ribs from the 2 MRI's.

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  • FrenchPorsche
    FrenchPorsche Member Posts: 75
    edited April 2019

    Mar1319. Great news on your pathology report! That must be such a relief. Don’t rush going back to work. Give your body (and mind) enough time. X

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  • Margot62
    Margot62 Member Posts: 31
    edited April 2019

    Hey Pepper!

    We’re nearly surgery mates. I’m the 22nd. We also have nearly the same diagnostics—IDC, etc.

    May I ask how you came to a decision about what kind of surgery to have? I wish you well on your journey

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  • EngJojo
    EngJojo Member Posts: 24
    edited April 2019

    Hi everyone! I have chosen to have a lumpectomy (4/18) based on my surgeon's information. He offered MX, BMX and Lumpectomy. He says there is no data to show one over another has a better long-term outcome. We will place to wires before surgery and do one large lumpectomy. I go on the 17th to get the four shots around the nipple to help find the sentinel node(s) for excision at surgery. Good luck to everyone and I hope this is the end of the big C for me.

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  • Pepper44
    Pepper44 Member Posts: 20
    edited April 2019

    hi Margot62,

    Right now I’m planning a lumpectomy for a few reasons, a big one being i understand outcome is about the same as mastectomy as far as long term survival etc for my diagnosis. And I don’t have an Family history indicating high likelihood of future cancer. I work full time and have 2 busy kids and just don’t see the added benefit right now of more extensive mastectomy surgery and the recovery time. This whole diagnosis has been a shock to me and it’s a bit easier for me to process the idea of lumpectomy but of course I’m still wondering if it’s the right decision. I am doIng genetic testing and still waiting for those results so that could change my course still if something turns up. Making all these decisions is tough. Good luck!

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  • Christene502
    Christene502 Member Posts: 115
    edited April 2019

    Pepper44 My mom had a lumpectomy at the age of 54. Then at 72 diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she past at 78 due to liver cancer.

    I had the Genetic testing BRCA1/2 which came back negative.

    I went from stage 0 to metastasis breast cancer within one year.

    Breast surgeon gave me 3 options, lumpectomy, do nothing or a mastectomy. Even though the mastectomy won't help me. I decided to under go a double mastectomy in May then radiation afterwards. I have had so many surgeries I don't want any more. I am now worried that I might possibly have dog ears after my surgery... Yikes not another surgery to remove the dog ears...

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  • Motheroftwo36
    Motheroftwo36 Member Posts: 116
    edited April 2019

    christen502

    Why mastectomy if it isn’t going to help

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  • Christene502
    Christene502 Member Posts: 115
    edited April 2019

    Motheroftwo36

    I am hoping after having the mastectomy that the radiation and the ibrance and letrozole will keep the other tumors at bay. I want the primary tumors out of my body. Peace of mind.

    First my drs said no surgery will help, but after a yr on ibrance and letrozole it shrunk my tumors. Just recently they found small tumors. So my oncologist said to have the surgery. I will live a long life... These treatments are not likely to cure the disease, but they may help me live longer.

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  • lightningblue
    lightningblue Member Posts: 33
    edited April 2019

    I'm scheduled for surgery in two days, April 11th. BMX, no reconstruction. Surgeons said immediate recon was not an option (only tissue expanders could be placed), I decided to go flat and am sort of regretting the decision. Some lovely women in another thread reassured me that it may end up being a fine decision since there will be chemo and radiation, delayed reconstruction might be just as well. I'm 32 also.

    I hope everyone who has already had April surgery is recovering well!

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  • FrenchPorsche
    FrenchPorsche Member Posts: 75
    edited April 2019

    @lighteningblue. I hope the surgery goes well and will be thinking of you. I’m sure you will be able to have reconstruction at a later date so don’t worry about that. Just focus on this first hurdle and take it from there. X

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