Topic: Surgery in May?

I had a lh mastectomy on the 17th of april but I am going back in on may 1st to have more lymphnodes removed.

Look for a fannypack to put your drains into. It was a lifesaver for me. It kept them nice and hidden under shirts that did not have pockets to tuck them into.

Good Luck!!!

May 1st is my date - bl mast with expanders.  I have been cleaning and organizing because I know I'm going to be out of commission for a little while.  I have cooked and frozen food, washed all the clothes, cleaned the clutter.  I don't think there is anything else to do, but worry.

I see the PS tomorrow and go for the injection at 1:30 pm on Wednesday.  Have to be at the hospital at 6:00 am on Thursday.

Wishing you well on May 1st Kay!

I have a Bilateral Mastectomy with Expanders on May 22nd

Hi terridwo,

So glad that you joined our forum, but so sad that you had to. You found a real good place to get support, and to learn about others experiences, with some extraordinary women. A very caring place. You're having the same surgery I am, just a week before mine....sure will be here quickly! As far as what to wear, pack, get ready for, etc., there are some good topics with lots of postings. One is called "Is there a packing list for hospital", and also "Shopping,packing/to-do list for surgery & recovery", and many more. Some tips I am using:

Try to get things you will need to use for the next few weeks, down to counter level, as you will not be able to reach things above your head for awhile.

Make sure you have a lot of extra pillows for your bed, or a recliner to sleep in.

Have a small pillow for the car ride home--I think to pad between your seat belt and your chest.

I have made some pockets inside some of the large shirts I bought (was told it could be about 5"x5", or all the way across  on each side); this is to hold the drains that you will be coming home with and which may be there from a few days to a month or so. Others have used fanny packs to hold their drains, and others have made a ribbon "necklace" to lop the drains over.

Make sure your shirts and tops have buttons or zippers as you will not be able to pull them over your head. 

Loose pants to come home in the hospital with, and also to wear in case you have swelling, or fluid retention.

Face or hand cream in the hospital, for your face, hands, and feet.

There are other hints, but this is what I can think of at the moment. There also is a post showing a picture of what the drains look like, so you will be prepared.

Best of luck to you, and please let us know how you are doing!

Kathy

Thanks Kathy, that was very helpful.  I'll check out the topics you talked about.  I wish I would have followed up on this site earlier.  I am only scheduled to stay one night in the hospital.  I was wondering what others are expecting?

Terri

Hi Kathy,

  If you want to add what you can to your 1st post before your surgery...And I can update after the 9th when Anyone that joins in.

Terri  Wishing you the best on Friday.  I was told I would stay 1-2 nights for a Bilateral with Expanders.

My surgery is a Thursday not til 12:30.  My PS joins my BS at 2:30 & he said he  will need 1.5 hrs.

 I hope I am home by friday night or Sat.  It is Memorial weekend.  I told my surgeon I am having a Picnic on Monday.  Wouldnt that be nice- LOL

The fanny pack idea I read somewhere...was it here?  I cant refind it.  Anyway- that sounds like a good idea for the Drains.  I dont think we own any anymore- so need to find one.   I think the drain issue bums me out the most.

I forgot to add that just within the last couple of days, I'm increasingly anxious, scared and more than a little panicky.  I can't focus at work...basically, now I'm a mess.  I'm seeing my PCP on Thursday to see if I can get a sleep aid, and maybe something for my anxiety leading up to the surgery.

Hi again, I am having a unilateral mast, snb, and expander.  I was told to expect about one hour with BS and 2 hours with PS.  My surgery is scheduled for 12:30. (way to long in the a.m. without coffee, water, anything!!!). I hope they move it up.  Was told by hospital at p.a.t. to plan on leaving by 11:00 a.m. to get the room ready for the next patient.  Kinda like a hotel, maybe I can get one of those do not disturb signs for the door if I don't feel like I am ready to leave yet!!

I too had frustrating waits for calls back from doctors offices.  When you are there you feel so comforted and cared for, but when you leave I think they pretty much forget about you.

I called my reg. doc and she prescribed Xanax (sp?) for anxiety.  I'm not sure it has helped all that much.  I take it at night to help me sleep but am afraid to take it during the day when I have things to do.  It is so hard to concentrate on anything!!!!! with or without the drug. 

Terri

Thanks Jeanne, I'll check out that site.  Thanks for the words of encouragement and the tips about the pain meds.

Hi everyone!

determined mom,

Glad to have you join our conversation. You can add so much, since you have already been there. It must be WONDERFUL to have your life back now!!! I'm jealous (just kidding!). Please keep posting things you may think of. Thank you!

canuckintx,

Let us know when they schedule your new surgery date. I know....it is so frustrating when you want to reach someone in the office, and they just don't get back to you in a timely manner. No, you are not being unreasonable, not by a long shot. I hope you can get something for your anxiety. I was dx on April 2, and was okay for a couple of weeks, but then had several days of crying and depression--which I think was due to a PS that had us really uneasy. Once I bailed out on his surgery and found a wonderful PS, then I have felt ok about it. Bad days caused by my first PS, or would I have had a bad few days anyway--I don't know. I am a little down today, but I think that is because I am trying to get everything fixed around the house myself, and sometimes it is out of my control. I cannot do everything; although I am trying to. I hope you will feel better soon, whether it is with meds, or with venting here. This site is a wonderful place for venting our feelings!! You need a big (((HUG)))!

terridwo,

I updated my post, as I just talked with a nurse at my PS office, and she said I would prob be in the hospital just 2-3 nights. And the surgery will be about 3 hrs for bi mast and expanders. I hope your surgeons are giving you enough time for your hospital stay, but I would think if you end up needing to be there longer, that they would go ahead and approve it. My surgery is close in time to yours--12 noon, so yeah, it will be a long day with no food/drink. Well, I am sure we will be okay, as that is minor compared to what we will be facing after surgery with recovery. Will be hard to keep occupied all morning though! I like your "do not disturb" sign idea--I actually have kept some--should I try to use it??? Just kidding. I like your humor....very helpful during this time! Do take care!

My DH just got home from the dentist, and he has an infection and needs to see an oral surgeon. Great! Hope he can either get it all done before my surgery on the 9th, or else put it off for a couple of weeks. Things keep happening, don't they!

The very best to everyone,

Kathy

Dejaboo, My drains were only in for 8 days after my surgery and I just pinned them to a strip of cloth around my neck. The hospital provided me with several of the strips and it was a pretty comfortable way to carry the drains. . .it kept them in front of me and since I didn't get out of my pjs during that time I wasn't worried about hiding them. I even left it on when I slept and then didn't have to worry about picking them up when I was trying to get in and out of bed.

When I made my first visit to the PS I just tucked them in the waistband of my pants. Luckily they came out on that first visit.

Good luck to everyone on this thread with your upcoming surgeries. I will probably check in from time to time to see if I can offer any advice since I'm now 4 weeks into recovery, hope you don't mind.

Hugs

Hello Ladies,

Kay and Sable,

 I want to wish you the best for your surgeries tomorrow! You will both be in my thoughts and prayers. This may be an anxious day for you today, but every day is a step closer to having this all behind you. Hope things go really well! Please let us know how you are doing, when you are able to get back online. Lots of (((((HUGS))))) --did you feel that--for you both!

Anuhea,

Will be thinking of you also, for your surgeries on May 6. Did you let the dr know how sick you felt being under last time? Is there a different drug they can use that might be better for you? I can understand how anxious you would be about that. I didn't realize the expanders had metal in them (there is soooo much I don't know!); will they be reinserted after you are through with rads, or will the recon be the final step? Thanks for the hint about the web belts for the drains--we can use all the hints we can get. I'm still getting things together for my surgery on the 9th.

You came to the right place with the boards on this site. Lots of helpful, very caring ladies, so feel free to post any concerns, or fears you may be having, as there will prob be someone who may have gone through the same thing, and can be of help. Do take care!

Kathy

Well everyone, it is 4:45 am and I am sitting at the hotel, waiting on DH to get ready, so that I can then get ready, so that DS can get ready and we can walk over to the hospital.  We live 2.5 hours away, so a hotel was necessary.

I had my injection done yesterday.  They use an ultrasound to find the tumor and then inject a radioactive material into it.  No real pain, amazingly.  Then, I massaged the injection site and they took me to nuclear medicine, where they x-rayed the site and the radioactive material had gone into the lymph nodes.  This will show the surgeon which node to remove first to test for cancern cells.  Sentinel Node Biopsy, I believe it is called. 

I am nervous and near tears, but trying to be courageous.  I am glad the surgery is here, the waiting has been excruciating.   Thanks to everyone for your support.  Good luck Sable!

See you all on the other side of surgery!!   

A trick I learned when I had my mastectomy last month was to buy those foam bead filled pillows that are shaped like the neck roll and use them under your arms.  I had a bilateral so I used a pillow under each arm when I sat in the recliner.  They would form around the drain tubes and allow me to relax my arms on them.  A lifesaver at night.  I used a fanny pack for my drains too and it worked well.  In the shower I tied a string around my neck and using a safety pin held them there.

Hi Ladies,

Kay and Sable, Our thoughts and prayers are with you both today. Good luck on your surgeries, and recoveries. Please post when you can. And Kay, thanks for explaining about the injection--I had no clue to what that was for. Hugs to you both!

Sherry, Thanks for the tips! I also have some of those soft, bead-filled pillows, so will definately use them now.

I am disappointed right now. Got a call yesterday that my surgery date has been changed, as my surgeon will now be out of town (was scheduled for 5 pm Fri the 9th). Since he is buddies with my original PS who was terrible, and I have a new PS now, I was wondering if he still had my best interests at heart. So now although they are keeping a May 7 slot open for me, I will also see a new surgeon on the 5th, and possibly be able to have the new surgeon w/ new PS do mine on the 12th. I was so uncomfortable w/ first PS and it was a good move to change to new PS, that I wonder if my instincts on my surgeon should be acted upon too. Will not burn any bridges though--nice of my PS to hold 2 surgery slots for me, but would feel better with the new surgeon too, as my new PS works mostly with him. WHEW---sorry to make this so long. I know most of you seem to want to hurry and have surgery, but I have so much I want to get done first, as I am the one who mainly does the repairs,etc here at home. Also, my parents are still here from Hawaii till the 7th and I have been spending lots of time with them,so haven't had enough time to spend getting myself ready. SMALL prob though, just having dates moved....not anywhere near the problems lots of other ladies are having. But it did upset me nonetheless---thanks for letting me vent! Hope things are going as well as they can, for everyone.

Take care, Kathy