April 2019 Surgery Support Group

MountainMia glad you' re able to get out and get those miles in. Ya my lumpectomy for my TNBC years ago was pre chemo this time the mastectomy was post chemo which adds another layer or recovery, plus the complications I had post surgery. I am getting more steps in every day, hopefully next week I can get a few hours a day back in the office. I have been working at home since January and it feels like forever since I saw everyone at work. It has been nice to have the distraction of work but working remotely has made me feel so separated from everyone and the next month is the 2nd most busy time of the year for me at work. Hoping my energy is back to 100% soon.

Motheroftwo36 that is odd that there were no invasive cells but cancer cells in your node. Did they MO saw anything about that? Were the node HR receptors the same as our original diagnosis?

Motheroftwo36 wishing you all the best and hoping it is all very minimal.

I had my lumpectomy last week and got my pathology results today. It’s good news so far- nothing found in the lymph nodes and they said the margins of the mass were clear also. Whew! Now just waiting to get my oncotype score back and then can finalize treatment plans. So much waiting ...

so happy for you guys getting clean path reports and feeling better.

I met with oncologist today and will start chemo May 13th.

Pretty much healed from surgery so I guess it’s on to the next chapter.

I’ll have a bilateral mastectomy once I’m done with chemo (20 weeks)

FrenchPorsche hurray for your good news.

April0315 Sorry you have to start chemo, I am wishing you minimal side effects.

I have been feeling better everyday but if I am up to and around to much or sitting straight up to much I have a pain on my upper left side. It has been tender since surgery, then looked bruised the last few days and now that the bruise is disappearing it is become raised. Saw my PS and he said probably a hematoma but didn't want to drain it as it was close to the TE. He wanted me to see BS for an ultrasound and have her drain if needed. So I called my BS and she is out of town until Monday. Ugh, at least the size has stabilized and color looks better but pain in the same unless I stay down. PS did say it might heal on its own but I would rather it heal sooner or than later.

Pommom, here's hoping they got everything they were supposed to and your healing goes very well.

I had left breast lumpectomy and SNB on 4/18, and the incisions are healing really well and I feel pretty good most of the time. But my left arm has developed what I think is called "cording." It feels fine except when I'm reaching, stretching it very far. Then there is a line of pain that reaches from my underarm toward my elbow. I keep doing stretching. When I've stretched my arm up above my head, it is tight and painful to start and then relaxes a bit, so it is still tight but not so painful.

Also I have big egg-sized lump under my nodes incision. Seroma or hematoma, most likely.

My follow-up appt with BS is Monday and I'll be sure to ask about these issues then.

Hello. The waiting time is really hard. I found out I have DCIS in the left breast on March 28th, 19. So. I had to plan my surgery around my budget. When they schedule you for surgery, they dont tell you your out of picket cost. so, I had to talk with billing to get all the information, and had to take the time and talk to my insurance provider to find out how they cover all the cancer teams. They all may bill you separate. Also about the in network and out of network benefits.

All of this while being so stressed about having the cancer, I had to see a therapist. Which really have helped me.

When I got the cost and also made payment arrangements, I was able to move my Lumpectomy to today. I'm doing good, just waiting to see if my margins are clear. I agree with trying to reach your surgeon. I had to understand and try to be patient, however because of the stress of everything had me calling everyday and left messages.

I found out that surgeons are in surgery all day and the nurse will call you back. Sorry you are dealing with cancer, it is very stressful. You are in my prayers. Take care and take one day at a time.

Motheroftwo36 the waiting game sucks. I still have one of my 4 drains left and I drove for the first time yesterday to my PS which is 1 hour each way. They told me as long as I wasn't on any narcotics, which I haven't been taking, it was ok to drive. It was much easier and less stressful than having my mom drive me yet again. I just couldn't take being driven around any more it was to stressful. When I was first diagnosis at 35 it seemed like the whole process took forever but then years after looking back it was just a small bump in the road. This time every thing has gone by quickly for me thankfully, even though it has been 4 1/2 months so far it has seemed to go by quick. I am so looking forward to all the appointments and healing to be over, I so want to plan a vacation to look forward to. For now just planning my youngest graduation and maybe we can do a quick weekend get away for a break.

Pommom1809 nice to the vacation memories. We luckily had a trip planned before treatment started so was able to get away then thankfully. My surgeon also said I could take a quick splash and turn shower a day after and I was surprise, though I didn't get to come home for a few days so by the time I had a shower I was thankful to not have clean up again with body wipes. Glad you surgery went good and you are felling good.

PRAYING THESE DRAINS COME OUT TODAY!!!! It's been 10 days. The first few days weren't so bad but right now I'm just so tired of the tubes and having it all "touching me"! Also the bra they sent me home in has really high sides under the arms and is rubbing them raw. I folded some gauze of which helped but still so sore! What have you all found to be most comfortable?

hi EngJojo

I had pain under my arm and more swelling when they took my drain out. It went round to my back but lower down than what you are describing. I was checked out and reassured that it should resolve on its own, but the consultant said I should come back if there is new and rapid swelling. If you’re concerned I think you should make an appointment to have it checked out soon. My armpit was very sore as well.

Just a thought - I saw a physio today and she massagedunder my arm. It was agony. She said it’s something to do with fascia. I wonder if that is causing your pain? Xx

I'm 9 days post surgery and can't wait for drain to come out! Appointment Monday but I think I'm still getting too much drainage for them to take it out. It's the second most sore place, the first being my underarm where 3 nodes removed. My footlong incision feels just fine. Go figure. Found out today no lymph node involvement and clear margins (yea!), but tumor larger than though at biopsy. Not sure if that will affect treatment plan or not. Not regretting my mastectomy at all, especially since bigger than thought and multiple areas of DCIS also found. Love my battle scar and don't want to hide with reconstruction. Main concern is prosthetic; had a hard time finding good fitting bra when they were both the same (droopy). I hope everyone has a peaceful, good weekend and feels better each day. 

Motheroftwo, it's so easy to overdo because we don't get good indicators, you're right. I hope you have a peaceful, restful day and week.

Today is my post-op appt. My incisions look great and I generally feel very good, but I have significant cording on my left arm, and it gets worse, not better. That's frustrating. Going to ask for a referral for physical therapy for it.

Then I start chemo at the end of the week.