July 2019 Surgery Support Group

I had my lumpectomy on 7/25. Spent the night at the hospital because I live alone. Met with a medical oncologist on Friday and meet a second one next Friday.

Toadsm,

Sorry to hear that you need chemo. I had grade 3 and my chemo was very responsive. You should be fine. The only thing is after 2 days, chemo distroy all fast growing cells that cause pain in stomach and throat I had. I went to see GI doctor and she prescribed me sucralfate and pantoprazole. It works very well. Let me know if you have any questions. You should be fine. I posted a website that said food's to eat and avoid during chemo to get more benefit on this website.

Hugs cutie

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this thread. I had a UMX with DIEP flap on 7/25. Tomorrow I'll be 2 weeks post-op.

I'm doing pretty well, I had 2 drains removed 8 days post-op, then the last drain was pulled 11 days post-op. I've only taken some occasional Tylenol for discomfort since I've been home. I’m sore, achy, tender in my breast and in the abdominal incision. So far, I'm pleased with the reconstruction. Not sure if/whenever I'll need further small procedures to balance things out.

My biggest complaint is that I'm just tired. I got 1 unit of blood in the hospital and I've been on iron twice a day since I came home. I'm trying to take it easy, but I'm not one to sit around.

Prayers to all that are here going through this. We've got this!

-Angie

hello everyone! I had my bilateral mastectomy, SNB, and tissue expanders on July 10th. The first couple days were especially rough with coming out of anesthesia. Four weeks out with no drains and into the process of having my expanders filled. It’s so weird! Not too painful so far. Does anyone else feel like their chest looks pretty big even in the beginning stages of the filling? My doc says they really aren’t big so I’m worried my perception is really off and that I won’t be a good judge of size.

I went back to work this week half days and that has gone well and didn’t make me too tired. How long did you all take off from work?

Today I met with the medical oncologist and I won’t need chemo or radiation, and because my cancer is progesterone and estrogen negative I will not be taking tamoxifen or any other pills. I still have a fear of cancer recurrence bc i have the BRCA2 gene,even though my surgeon says it’s less than a 1% chance. Anyone else still have that fear they’ll fall in the 1%

jmutayron- hi! Are you her2+ or considered triple negative (er, pr and her2 hormones are negative?)

Hi Cutie,

I was also holding my chest whenever I walked and I have been making an effort to stop. My arm pit had pain as well all down my arm, but it is getting better. Initially I held a pillow in my armpit that the hospital gave to me. I had 14 lymph nodes removed.

I think the pain from lymph node removal is sometimes worse than the pain from the mastectomy.

Hello everyone.

I had my preventive double mastectomy with tissue expanders on July 25th. I actually joined the Exchange Forum shortly after my surgery and somehow missed joining/following this thread. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions and physical changes, as I am sure that you are all acutely aware. The surgery itself wasn't too terribly bad. The drains were the worst part. I had four drains initially; two were removed at my first follow-up appointment. I had the other two for ten miserable days and was beyond grateful to have them removed. I have had four tissue expander fills and am currently at 500cc. My last fill is scheduled for next Monday (my first day back to work). I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to proactively approach addressing my probability of getting breast cancer. Please know that I pray for you all. We each have our own very distinct journey and paths to follow and are so lucky to have each other for support.

Hugs to you all!

Hi Cutie.

I hope that you are doing well. My range of motion is probably about 90%. I am an avid yoga practitioner. I set up one of my mats in the dining room of my home about three weeks after my surgery. It's been collecting dust there- with the exception of me sitting on it twice. I tried to do a couple of poses and my upper body was not wanting any part of it. I go back to see my breast surgeon tomorrow for my last TE fill. I'll ask him about PT. I'll have a couple more weeks before my exchange surgery and would be grateful to do some supervised stretching! I also have experienced pinching feelings along with some pretty nasty muscle spasms which would benefit from increased mobility. Best wishes for your PT next week and your continued progress!

Hugs-

Michelle

Hi everyone.

I hope that all is well with my fellow July surgery friends. Thank you Cutie for the exercise link! It has been extremely helpful. I apologize for not posting before now to thank you. I went back to work- which has been a nightmare. It's so hard to work in an environment where everyone has personal agendas to screw over as many people as possible to further their own goals. Then they wonder why so many really good people are leaving. It's toxic and crazy and so incredibly petty and meaningless.

I'm really looking forward to my exchange surgery. My tissue expanders are now filled to 600cc. They are heavy and awkward, but I am actually starting to get used to them. I've been doing a ton of research about fat grafting, as that will be part of the exchange surgery. This entire experience has been quite daunting. I have so much respect for you ladies who are also battling cancer. I couldn't imagine having to face that battle. I pray for you all every night and hope that you all stay strong. Please know that I admire you all.

Hugs and best wishes!

Alden722 I went over all my options with my doctor. I’m happy to say my PS is wonderful and easy to talk to. We went over pros and cons with both and I decided on silicone. I had a skin saving mastectomy and I have chosen not to have nipple rebuild. I think you should research and talk to your plastic surgeon. The expanders are the weirdest feeling things. I think saline implants tend to feel harder and less “realistic”. Just remember what is right for some is not for others. Make your informed decision and talk, talk talk to your surgeon. 😊. Wish you the best

Hi everyone.

I hope that everyone is doing well. I am eight days post-surgery and although very sore and bruised, am incredibly grateful to be on this side of the process. I went to my post-op appointment day before yesterday armed with a ton of questions, none of which I asked. They just don't seem to be that important. Are my breasts perfect- no. Do I really care- no. Am I happy with my choice to have a bilateral mastectomy, tissue expanders and exchange surgery- yes. Am I looking forward and hopeful for the best life possible- yes.

Best wishes to you all, now and always.

Michelle