Best Of
Re: Full mastectomy and lymphectomy coming up advice needed!
Hi @mabel2310
Welcome to the forum. We're glad you have found us.
Congratulations on getting through your chemo!!!!! Chemo was much harder for me than any of my surgeries.
It is frightening when you have never been through any surgery. I think the 'idea' of the whole thing is worse than the reality. Honestly, the worst part of either of my mastectomies was the drains. Dealing with them was just annoying. Follow the instructions they give you on movement and exercise your arms as directed. If you start reading threads on here, you will get a lot of information about what else to expect.
You WILL get through this too! Hang in there! We're all pulling for you!
Take care.
mandy23
Re: Full mastectomy and lymphectomy coming up advice needed!
Hi Mabel 2310!
There's no reason to be scared. I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction and left-side lymphadenectomy (23 lymph nodes removed) in January 2023. I was very anxious up until the anesthesia. When I woke up, I was in the ICU, and I was moved to a regular room just two hours later. I didn't experience any pain or anxiety related to the surgery itself. Most women who had surgery on the same day were able to go home the following day. I stayed longer, not due to the surgery, but because I developed adrenal insufficiency after immunotherapy. The pain can be managed with paracetamol; I took two paracetamol a day for about 4–5 days.
You will be instructed to sleep on your back for several months after the surgery. The best decision I made was to buy a pregnancy pillow (I think I received this advice on this forum). It helped keep me on my back while sleeping and was comfortable to use when I later worked on my laptop.
I didn’t push myself at all until the drains were removed. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I’m more than happy to help!
xo
nume
Re: I’m on hospice - anyone else?
@cookie54 Thank you. Everyone’s comments are giving me so much comfort.
My daughter, grandson, and son-in-law are coming today to stay close by for three days. I’m very happy.
kbl
Just diagnosed
hi my name is Kim and I was just diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. I’m a grade 1 but haven’t been told my stage. My coordinator said it comes later. My tumor is 1.1 cm. I have an MRI next week then meet with the surgeon on the 13. I’m terrified and find myself not able to eat or sleep and cry. I watched my mom die from liver cancer and my brother from colon cancer. I’m trying meditation and have an appointment with counseling next week. I’m so lost.
hope3736
Re: I’m on hospice - anyone else?
@kailag I want to thank you so much for letting us know. I now how much harder it is on the family, and to take the time and let our BCO family know helps us so much with closure. May @exbrnxgrl rest in peace, and I’m so glad you were able to be with her. Hugs to you all.
Kris
kbl
Re: So...whats for dinner?
Carole, The ravioli is a good base for so many different meals. Carpet cleaning is definitely a chore I don’t look forward to.
m0mmy, The country style ribs sound yummy.
Nance, You’ll have to make an evening run to the grocery store if the workman are around for a few days. A walk in shower is a necessity as time goes by.
Wally, DH claims that microwaved scrambled eggs have a more uniform texture but don’t have the flavor from the frying pan.
Dinner tonight was apple juice and crackers while waiting for a surprise midnight MRI.
maggie15
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
My friend that I spoke of with MBC, and was put on Hospice, died today. She was diagnosed MBC in 2007 or 2008. Bone-only for several years. Went to liver in 2019 or so. Went on Hospice July 20 and gone July 30. POA told me her last scans a month ago were stable. I am still unsure what went wrong, but it doesn't matter now. May she Rest in Peace.
Re: BCO In Memoriam thread, Part 2
I am so sad to hear exbrnxgrl (Caryn) is no longer with us. Rest in Peace, ExBronxGirl.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Mara Well yea that is weird with the fridge but glad it's cool now! Glad your infusion went well and your weren't too hot traveling there. Looking forward to Friday here when we get a break in this humidity.
Threetree Glad that's behind you now and it's definitely something we all would like to avoid! Hope they are able to gather some good info from it.
mkestrel Wow what beautiful scenery, glad you were able to enjoy a little camping.
So the eye saga continues, now my MO want me to see an neuro opthamologist.I guess she's being super cautious but honestly who feels like adding another doc to my list. It was only one episode but I guess I will make an appt to be safe. I'm sure I won't get in for months anyhow. Hope you all are having a decent day and have a peaceful evening.
cookie54
Re: I’m on hospice - anyone else?
Kbl, thank you for continuing to share how you are doing. I've learned so much from you on this message board and have always appreciated your posts and perspective. I have confidence that the palliative sedation and hospice will make you comfortable. Thank you for the care and comfort you gave to me and others when we needed support . Sending love and prayers to you and your family.
