The Beast & Me: Round Two

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    Gina...You sure are facing alot and I so very much admire your spunk and awesome, 'nosurrender' attitude!

    As for the wig issue...I didn't actually buy mine on line (I have 3), but have seen them online and assume that my 'wig lady' orders from those same sites. The Raquel Welch ones, for me, looked really good, were acceptable styles (no bobby soxer looks or beehives!) and fit well. I also have one from a popular designer with some French-sounding name. Many of them are fairly inexpensive, so maybe you can just order one and, if it's not great, just use it as an alternate.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    I too bought my wig from the "wig lady" who also buzzed my head. She also "fixes" them. One day I was in a furniture store and the saleslady while passing through said, I like your hair. I shoulda taken it off and asked her if she would like to borrow it.

    I'm sorry you have to change oncs. I had to do that after treatment becaue he left me for another woman in Oregon.
    And I got to likin' the little squirt (he was very young..my girls age).

    You're a fighter. I KNOW you will be just fine.
    Shirley
  • RebeccaH
    RebeccaH Member Posts: 72
    edited March 2007
    Gina, I haven't checked in lately...what a busy thread! You are totally amazing. You were shocked at the Junesterette's positive attitudes. We obviously learned it from YOU!

    I hope you are successful finding a good onc. Actually, they should be interviewing you. It would be more like talking to a peer than to a patient!

    As mentioned before your screen name says it all. When you go on lecture circuit (I see BIG things in your future), I want to be in the audience. Your post on Eliz Edwards was so inspiring and encouraging. You should have been sitting beside Dr. Weiss on GMA....

    You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited March 2007
    Thank you so much for all your advice and help!
    I am trying to type as much as I can before I get my arms all wrapped up for the day.

    I wish I had my plan set and I was getting on with it.

    The onc that everyone has been recommending to me is not taking any more patients... and the other onc that they say is fantastic isn't seeing new patients until the END OF APRIL? I don't have til the end of April.

    I am having my docs step in and pull a few strings. I am too pooped to fight the desk dragons anymore!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    NS: Definitely have the docs step in. My onc wasnt taking new patients, but one phone call from my PCP and I had an appointment the next day.

    Nicki
  • SillyMama
    SillyMama Member Posts: 173
    edited March 2007
    NS! I've been off the boards helping my mom with a hip replacement, so I just now saw!

    I am SOOOOOO sorry you've have had to go through this; glad the surgery is over; wish the problems would stop for you; and I'm here with prayers and big hugs to help kick butt!

    You're awesome!
    XO
  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited March 2007
    Thanks Donna, I hope your mom is better!

    Girls I think there is something really wrong here. I was "milking" the drain tube last night and it shifted and it is causing really bad pain. If can't come out because it is one of those really big ones. But I have now a lot of swelling in my back and under my arm. And it really hurts like hell.

    has anyone had this happen?

    Also where he took out one of the drain on Thurs now has a big seroma.

    I think I need to chill out- but the pain is pretty bad.

    I will call tomorrow AM but just wondering if anyone had this with their expanders.

    I can't type it hurts to much so thanks in advance!

    Love,g
  • fancy2
    fancy2 Member Posts: 162
    edited March 2007

    I haven't had anything like this, NS. I hope you didn't disarrange something. I think I'd go to the ER, tonight. At least THEY can call your surgeon and get him to call back.

  • 2up
    2up Member Posts: 1,358
    edited March 2007

    ns, i answered you over by the wagons.

  • Maria_C_
    Maria_C_ Member Posts: 69
    edited March 2007
    Catching up on you.
    Mann ... I do not even know where to start.

    I had seroma happening
    after mastec and when I took the drains out.
    Didn't had recon just mastec.
    By then I went twice per week to take the seroma out,
    it vanished some 2 or 3 weeks after,
    though I think that to start chemo and the cocktail
    they give us, did made a difference on it,
    coz all of the sudden from day to night it disappeared.
    To take it out it doesn't hurt a thing,
    your pain comes from the muscle and the mess in there,
    and seroma is around under the skin and tend to gather
    at several point or just one point only,
    this to make it very simple and
    so that's numb at the moment and to take it out
    usually doesn't hurt a thing
    and one can only feel the relief,
    at least it didn't hurt me a thing
    and if that seems too much and is bothering you
    you should check it out ASAP.
    Our body absorbs it indeed,
    but when it's too much
    it has and it's better to come out.
    To make a fill on the expanders
    I guess it can be "more scary"
    then to take seroma out.

    Sending good thoughts and good vibs your way
    so this cools down real soon.
    Can only say,
    it's just a drag and it "sucks" to say the least
    so many stuff happening one after the other.
    But be certain that will not be for long.
    Hang in there.

    A (((( GREAT HUG )))) your way.

    .
  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited March 2007
    Kay, Thank you for taking the time to check on me! With everything you have on your plate right now!!
    Shel I saw and thanks!
    Maria, your words have been such a help to me over and over again... I can't thank you enough.

    I couldn't get in to see the doctor today but his PA saw me. She took out that bad drain. It was all messed up and it was an extra long one too- I couldn't believe the size of it! I feel a little less pain on that side now and can move my arm better.

    I have to go back tomorrow so the PS can aspirate the seromas. Then she mentioned another FILL! She said the fills push the fluid out. But my lord! I just had one on Thursday and it hurt like the dickens!

    last night I was so bad I was going to tell them to take the damn expanders out. But today I am better.

    One of the new oncs I have to interview can't see me til April 10th. That would be over one month from the masts and two months from the dx..... and that is just the interview...
    I think I am pushing it, but I also have a lot of healing to do before any tx can start.

    Are we there yet?????

    Thank you all so much again.
    Love,g
  • Biker54
    Biker54 Member Posts: 1,310
    edited March 2007
    Oh G, what can I say? I wish there was something I could do to make this easier on you. Just know that we care!
    Love & gentle hugs,
  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited March 2007
    g,
    There's no advice that I can offer so I haven't posted in a while but I wanted you to know that I've been following your posts and thinking about you. You are really going through the wringer on this, aren't you? But just think of all the advice that you'll be able to give to reconstruction patients in the future! I know, you could probably do without having so much personal experience, but I'm trying hard to find a silver lining in this somewhere, no matter how thin it might be!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    Gina, may I say, OH MY GOSH! You poor thing. And the bad part is you can't take pain meds (if I remember correctly). Ya know what though? You're tough and you're going to get through this TOO.

    And like you said, as far as chemo goes YOU DO NEED TO HEAL before starting. Since you're hormone + couldn't they go ahead and give you and AI while you are waiting? Just a thought.
    Shirley
  • myrnaincabc
    myrnaincabc Member Posts: 76
    edited March 2007
    Crap girl Im so sorry to hear your having ongoing trouble with the darn drains, gessssss they can send men to the moon but cant figure out a good system for drains?? Man your one tough cookie, the expander thing sounds like not much fun. It also stinks about your onc, Im sorry you have to go through finding another one. You do need time to heal so while your doing that you will get " your plan down" again if you want sendme some names and numbers and I will help ytou kick some dragon desk ladies butt/ for real. In the mean time sending positive waves your way, and thinking of you often, take care OK
    Myrna
  • Rainenz
    Rainenz Member Posts: 93
    edited March 2007
    Hi NS
    I know how you feel have been going thru round 2 as well mine after 10 years, Had Lump removed 1st time on left side and new one show up on right breast last June at annual check, so went for just having Lump removed and sentinel node taken as didn't think it had gone that far. oops wrong there it had spread to 29 nodes, so then it was back to surgery 3 weeks later to have a Mast on right side, wasn't brave enough to have bi-lat at this stage and too shocked all I wanted was to get rid of it. Have had chemo and Rad which I finish tomorrow thank goodness as have one bad burn and other areas looking like they are ready to blister as well. Hope you are recovering from your surgery now.

    I know we can both make again, we have both done it before.

    All the best from Kiwi land

    Thoughts are with you
  • fancy2
    fancy2 Member Posts: 162
    edited March 2007
    Quote:

    I have to go back tomorrow so the PS can aspirate the seromas. Then she mentioned another FILL! She said the fills push the fluid out. But my lord! I just had one on Thursday and it hurt like the dickens!




    Don't let 'em rush you. You don't HAVE to have a fill every week, or a big fill every time. You have all the time in the world, AFAIK. Make 'em take it slow--I think it doesn't hurt so much.

    Quote:

    One of the new oncs I have to interview can't see me til April 10th. That would be over one month from the masts and two months from the dx..... and that is just the interview...
    I think I am pushing it, but I also have a lot of healing to do before any tx can start.

    Are we there yet?????




    Not yet. Actually, we're not even CLOSE yet. Again, don't rush things. You had surgery. That's a lot for your body to absorb.

    Have you thought to try Omega 3 oils? They're anti-inflammatory. They should help with pain, a little. Better would be any sort of pain killer, be it ever so humble. People who hurt don't heal well.
  • linny
    linny Member Posts: 204
    edited March 2007
    Gina, I think of you every day and hope your pain and discomfort goes away quickly. As far as treatments, I was told that it is important to heal from surgery before the next step, so maybe waiting till April is not a bad thing for you.

    Linda
  • moogie
    moogie Member Posts: 499
    edited March 2007
    GIna:
    First off: YOU GO GIRL!!!!!I've been reading your posts and send you strong intentions for healing.

    Secondly: PAIN MEDS
    I don't react well either, and I'm convinced Tylenol is a big marketing ploy...never had a pain it seemed to help. BUT, I had great luck with something a little off-beat in my recovery and have continued it: Guided imagery on CD for STRESS AND RELAXATION by Bellaruth Naparstek. I listened on my headphones when i was in pain, and it was very helpful....there's good research to support its effectiveness, and she has done work with major cancer centers. Online, you can see she has many different titles. i got the Stress one, because my heart had palpitations after surgery , and found the imagery had lasting benefit with managing my pain. There's no side effect, and I was truly skeptical at first. But a counselor at the cancer center told me they had good patient reaction to this technique...so with my heart all fluttery, and in pain..I figured there was nothing to lose!!
    THIRDLY: LAUGH!!!
    I rented as many funny, light comedies as I could...and though it is a simplistic approach to feeling like absolute crap....it did help. I liked " Curb Your Enthusiaism" because poor Larry was certainly more lost than I was!!!!!


    Your posts are inspiring!!!! We are with you.
    Moogie
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited March 2007
    g...just stopped in to wish you healing and hoping you will be feeling better soon. You sure are going through a lot.

    Wishing you only the best. Be patient...
  • Raye99
    Raye99 Member Posts: 1,350
    edited March 2007
    G,

    I too am just jotting a quick note to let you know I am thinking about and praying for you every day. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you.

    Take care of you and pm me if there is anything you need.

    xoxo
    Raye
  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited March 2007
    Thanks girls.....
    GUESS WHAT??
    I got ANOTHER DRAIN!
    can you believe it?
    every time I walk in there they stick a drain in me.
    This one he said has to be in at least a week and I cannot shower at all until I see him again on Tues.

    And I did recon because?????

    Sorry, but I am forgetting WHY IN HECK I decided on this!
    j/k- i know it will get better- what's another drain or six?

    OY!
  • lizk37
    lizk37 Member Posts: 31
    edited March 2007
    G -

    Sorry to see they put another drain in! I will keep praying for you.

    I do not have any magic words - just some cyber hugs to send your way!
  • Ivylane
    Ivylane Member Posts: 544
    edited March 2007
    Hey Gina: Does the fun never stop? I never had drains my first bc in 1991 since I had the lumpectomy. Second time (Fall 2006) made up for it. I thought they'd NEVER stop draining...but...they do. Just remember that it's temporary. The expansion process goes well (at least it did for me) after the drains are out. There IS am end to the process. I am done with expansion and almost done with chemo. You'll get there, you've done it before, and you'll do it again. Our diagnoses are very similar. Hang in there G... we're ll here for you.
    Maureen
  • CindyZY
    CindyZY Member Posts: 21
    edited March 2007
    Gina,
    Unbelievable news about the drain. I think about you every day and pray for better news! You are one amazing chick!
    Cindy
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    g, I know you are miserable. I HATED THOSE DRAINS! But what I find in your post is your humor. You ARE definitely an inspiration.

    What, no shower! Well, I sat on the side of the tub and took my little baths. That wasn't too easy either.

    Our prayers are with you.
    Shirley
  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited March 2007
    So sorry you're having such tough going so far. The down period post-surgery is just lasting longer for you because of those darned drains. But this too shall pass. Really! At least your doc sounds very attentive, so nothing will get out of hand. I know it's hard to be positive. I only had four drains after my bilateral (no recon) but that was more than enough. Since you want recon, at least you're doing it all at once and don't have to go through double surgery for it. I've got my No Surrender button and I'm sending positive energy your way!

    Barbara
  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited March 2007
    Oh those buttons! THANK YOU!
    Well, the new drain is not draining ONE DROP. So I called them today and said if you think I am going to have a drain in me that isn't draining - they can forget it!
    I have another appointment tomorrow.
    This is nuts!!!

    I also see my BS tomorrow - the first visit since surgery. Maybe he can help with all the blood clots in my arm and chest and back.

    I have an appointment with a new onc on April 10th. So far everyone I have asked thinks she is great. I hope so!!!

    I want SO MUCH to start my flower beds and to putter in the garden today! It has been so warm! But I CAN'T use my arms and I feel like I am in a straight jacket... or maybe they are trying to drive me to one? LOL!!
  • PuppyFive
    PuppyFive Member Posts: 2,808
    edited March 2007

    NS, I feel so bad for you! when I had my mast. they took one drain out in the hospital and the other 2 weeks later! wish you never had to go through all this, But you are Strong, and I Believe In You!!!! xoxo Puppy

  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited March 2007
    I thought I would get this last pesky drain out yesterday but that idea was vetoed by my PS.
    But now I know WHY I am having so much trouble on that side. That is the side where I had my rads from my first BC. And there was a lot of rad damage at the time, so much so I had to have breast tissue removed because of rad burns.

    I have Alloderm in place. And it is not "taking" to the radiated side because of all the fluid building up between it and my skin. So the drain will act like a suction and also I have packing in the surgical bra to keep it together.

    The blood clots/Mondor's, is a pain but I know it will eventually go away. I am now taking E, CoQ10, Fish oil, Omega 3, anaprox and Plavix. If that doesn't break it up i will try some Draino!

    I also saw the BS and he showed me where the port will go. Honestly, I cannot imagine another thing shoved into my chest right now! He promises it will be small and painless....
    yeah yeah yeah.

    I wish I could garden! The weather is beautiful here!!
    Please keep your fingers crossed that this skin "takes" so I can get rid of this drain!!

    love,
    g

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