May 2019 Surgery Support Group

ipenelope, thank you for your kind words and for your advice! It's just so confusing.. I wasn't given no restrictions at all, except for no lifting/pushing/pulling more than 10 pounds. And with low level of pain (plus two kiddos) I can load dishwasher, cut veggies, load and unload laundry... of course I do rest a lot, but I just don't know when to stop if I am not tired. And I became swollen in no time, literally within 2-3 hours. Today I wasn't doing anything, just exercises. Tomorrow I will try and take it easy.. My parents are helping a lot, but next week they are living so i need to figure out if I can manage by myself

Hello to everyone out there on this journey it does help to know we are not alone .Even tho I have a wonderful support system as my surgery nears May 20th mastectomy with sentiental node disection and immediate reconstruction I want it over .I feel like I am holding my breath at times until  I know final pathology .I have been going thru major get everything in order mode trying not to stress about it .Any suggestions when friends / family start visiting . I have been thinking after few days  home . I kind of want to limit some first few days home and give myself time to feel a little better . Best wishes to everyone I know youve got this .....

Welcome Meldora,

Good luck with your surgery. Visits totally depend on you and how you feel, as well as on your friends and your family - who they are and how close they are.. It's a first post op week for me. I have my close family members here with me and for me, and a couple of close friends around if I need help. Nobody is just visiting for sake of visiting.. they are here to help when we need help. You know, I feel that I do have some extra time these days, so while I am resting I can respond to all the emails and messages, but I don't want anyone around me when I am in pain and swollen, wearing pajamas and my hair is all over the place.

Juliann so glad you are doing well. Can you tell me is the tissue expander uncomfortable . I am hoping I dont need one but my PS stated will depend on how tissue looks and let me know I could wake up with breast done or not , and may require few more surgery’s,for implant or reduction of other breast . Did you consider other breast prophylactic ? My BS and oncologists pretty much convinced me very low risk in other breast . I feel comfortable with my decision , I have had a few people Question me about why I am not doing both breasts , and I just let them know my decision. Continue healing well good vibes your way 

Hi May surgery group. I read the 3 pages to catch up with everyone. I hope everyone is healing, physically and mentally. 11 days out today. Tube came out Tuesday. Ah that shower felt so good. I'm swollen in the tube area, but not like the left side after Feb. mastectomy with sentinel lymp node removal. Pathology came back clear on the PMX right side. Still dealing with major bowel issues. Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Here's the doctor's list for me: 24 mg Amitiza (I have IBS-C), 2 senecot-s, citracel, miralax and enema as needed. Since the bowels became too loose, we removed the miralax. Problem is they are still ribbon thin, blood tinged. When I hit the loose stool, there was a major amount of blood. So Wednesday I went to the hospital for a hemaglobin test. It really frightened me, but came back that I was not anemic.

I already had a CT of abdomen a month ago, and that came back with beginnings of fecal impact. I have pain in the abdomen, bloating, etc. I was hoping that the blood was hemmoroids, very concerned as the PA didn't find any internal or external hemmoroids. My daughter survived a spontaneous colon death. They could never determine the cause and she lives with an iliostomy to this day. Hereditary? Who knows, but I watch carefully especially living with MS 18 years and suffering from bowel and bladder dysfunction. See the surgeon Tuesday and will see what to do next as she said too soon for colonoscopy due to risk of infection. I can't wish this problem away.......

meeko,

I am so sorry to hear your news.. please keep us posted once you meet with the oncologist. And please try to stay strong, I know it's easy to say.

I feel for you because my diagnosis is similar to yours and I might be 'upgraded' as well once I get my pathology report. My surgeon said with DCIS we have 40% chance to be diagnosed with invasive once the surgery is done, otherwise there is won't do no reason for a surgery with non-invasive cancer.

I will only see the surgeon on Thursday, and I am trying not to think about it, but of course i do think a lot.. My drain is still in 7 days post op, draining 70 cc a day, so I think it's at least another week for me.

I agree for me it was also the mri , genetic testing and I didnt want the risk of more side effects on other side either . I didnt choose diep flap because longer time off work longer surgery 6 to 8 hours 3 to 5 day hospital stay , greater risk of infection and like you said only once it can be done . I had 9 lumpectomies in my right breast before the cancer diagnosis so mastectomy was easy decision when oncolgist stated I should consider it , plus risk of radiation damage to lung . I hope you continue to show improvement every day .I cant wait for it to be over and final pathology is all-clear 

Hello All,

It's been comforting to read everyone's experiences the last few weeks. I'm 6 days post op from bilateral nipple and skin sparing mastectomy with TE and 1 SLN removal. I woke up from surgery not wearing a surgical bra but just a tegadrem (medical saran wrap) bra. My TE were only filled with a little air, no saline. I felt considerably better than I ever imagined I would.

I actually stared to turn a corner 24 hours after surgery and each day has been getting better since. My drains are getting less and less each day. My first post op with both surgeons is this Thursday. I'm actually looking forward to it. A home care RN has been coming to the house a few times a week since being discharged to help with drains, bandages, vitals, etc. They approached me in the hospital and they said insurance covers it! I recommend that you all look into home care, it's relieved a lot of stress and anxiety knowing that I have a medical professional at my fingertips to help with my healing process. I'm sorry that some of you are having a challenging time post surgery, hang in there and stay strong. Mind over matter; it's so important to stay positive. Remember the worse part (the surgery) is over with. For those of you who haven't had surgery yet, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sherry- My surgery was in November and i promise the swelling will go down but it will take a good amount of time for it to completely hp down. I think my significant swelling took about a month to month and a half to go down. You had major surgery it takes time!! I know the wait is terrible but it will happen!!

Thoughts to you ladies!!!

~Katie 💗

Hi folks,

My surgery on May 15th went pretty well. I was in the hospital overnight as expected and discharged the next afternoon.

I had a BMX with TE's placed over the muscle. The first few days I had a lot of horrible burning pain at certain movements, but that has mostly stopped thank goodness.

I've been told to move around and use my arms lightly, and that's been pretty good. Right side is much better than left as far as reach and pain.

I'm walking about 3 miles a day now at 7 days out from surgery (3 walks daily of 1 mile each). Sometimes I get a little tired and I walk a bit slowly, but at least I am out there.

There is still a good bit of constant low grade pain which really adds up after a while and makes my back hurt too. I can't really say that is getting better because I do a little more activity, and then everything hurts more. I sleep a ton. About 12 hours a night, and then I take a nap or two during the day.

They said to expect that my drains will be in for 2 more weeks. The left one was pretty painful at first, but it has been better lately, so I am not too upset about the extra time.

I have occasional painful jolts from the surgery, but mostly I get waves of tingles. Constant tingles across my whole breast area.

I'm happy for a few things I got for the surgery like the wedge pillow, the waist and shower drain holders, the mastectomy shirts, the mastectomy pillow, and lots of tiny travel pillows from Walmart.

I'm glad that everyone got through their surgeries ok and I'm hopeful for a quick recovery for all of us.

I'm also waiting for the pathology results and I hope they are ok.

I am two weeks post op (left MX with direct to implant silicone implant and SNB) tomorrow, and am feeling better than I did at my last check in.

My drain (I only had one) came out yesterday and that has made showering SO much easier. PS said to continue to really limit my activity with no lifting over 3 pounds until the 1 month mark,so I am being careful to do what he says. He wants me to wear the compression bra 24/7 for 2 more weeks, but I will admit I cheated and slept without a bra last night and it was HEAVENLY.

I went back to work for a few hours earlier this week and I am going to return full time on Friday. I took a tramadol before the drain pulling, but otherwise haven't needed narcotics since last week. I am taking Gabapentin and Celebrex every morning, and Gabapentin every evening.

My implant looks great, although the scar is still pretty jarring. He matched my healthy side almost perfectly.

My final pathology came back and the invasive portion of my cancer is Her2 negative with a low Ki67 score, so my oncologist isn't recommending chemo. She started me on Tamoxifen (I haven't picked it up from pharmacy yet). I have to have my mirena IUD removed tomorrow (tumor was ER and PR positive)

I am hoping that those of you with postop complications are feeling better soon and keep us posted!

Oh, Julie...I know you are frustrated by that! I hope you get a definitive plan soon..I know the waiting and uncertainly is the hardest part!

Julie, yeah..those people who minimize DCIS can kiss my behind, for sure. I hope your swelling is better...are you seeing a lymphedema therapist or do they think it is just normal post op swelling?