-
October Surgeries/ No Need for Awareness, It's Reality!
Nothing says "fall" like October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, unless, like me, you are having surgery for breast cancer! Those like myself, know all too well about breast cancer! I am definitely not looking forward to endless public service announcements and commercials about breast cancer! This is my third time with…
-
Pain Following Unilateral Mastectomy?
Hi all--having unilateral mastectomy on Tuesday, wondering what to expect, pain-wise. For context, over the past year I've undergone three diagnostic mammograms (one that was attempting to visualize an area near the nipple was significantly painful, requiring me to do some mindful breathing and self-talk exercises), two…
-
Adhesive TAPE - help need to find non-allergic
Thanks to folks posting here and the full support of my surgeon (new hospital due to employer's changed insurance plan), I have recently had success using 3M Cavilon Barrier Film (I prefer the swab applicators.) >> WHEN APPLIED CORRECTLY <<. If your department does not stock them, have the department see if they can obtain…
-
Issues with a top-ranked NCI hospital, Huge Anxiety/Frustration
I had my first surgery consult and MO consult this week, and after waiting 2 weeks when the new patient coordinator at the top-ranked NCI I transferred care to, set those up, I find out my imaging is NOT at the NCI. The coordinator claimed to have sent the request form for all imaging, but the imaging center I went to…
-
August 2022 Surgery...Anyone else out there?!
Starting this thread as I'm sure others are scheduled for surgery in August. I'm scheduled for DIEP on August 25th. Had BMX Sept 2020 with immediate reconstruction with TE's, had my exchange to implants July 2021 and diagnosed with a recurrence a few days later. Did 25 rounds of radiation Sept/Oct 2021, to which my newly…
-
August 2011 Surgery Group
Here's the list of August sugeries so far: Bluecowgirl MX Aug. 2 Buzziecat Lumpectomy Aug 2 Deb 74 UMX Aug. 2 Dogeyed Aug. 2 Eema BMX w/ immediate reconstruction Aug. 2 Halo1horns2 BMX w/TE Aug. 2 Sheypres Lumpectomy Aug. 2 dontworrybehappy BMX w/ DIEP Aug. 3 Tigerblood UMX Aug. 4 Lilylady BMX Aug. 8 tkdmomyn BMX Aug. 8…
-
September surgery scheduled and need to chat?
hi all! I’m scheduled for DXM on Thursday and would love to talk about what’s happening! Is anyone scheduled for surgery in September? Thanks Mary
-
Side sleeper with tense back muscles - Help!
I can't remember ever being anything but a side sleeper. I have a lot of tension in my upper back, which can obviously affect my lower back. Sleeping on my side with a thin pillow between my legs is most comfortable for me. Sleeping on my back tends to exacerbate any pain I have in my lower back. I also have problems…
-
Pathology Question
Hi! I had a double mastectomy last week following a breast cancer recurrence. A biopsy confirmed I had ER- PR- DCIS in two different areas of my breast. I have just received the pathology results from my double mastectomy, and it is saying that I do not have DCIS or any other type of cancer in either breast. I would be…
-
4 days post double mastectomy, nipple sparing, direct to implant
Good morning/evening and afternoon everyone. This past Monday I went in for a double mastectomy, which was reconstructed immediately and spared skin and nipple. While the pain has been tolerable, the drains manageable (but hated!), my left nipple has incurred 2 deep purple spots, both about the size of a dime. One is in…
-
Cording
It’s been almost 3 weeks since my lumpectomy and SNB. I started having pain in my arm a few days ago and then noticed the cording. Does this ever go away on its own? I’m doing exercises at home but can’t get into physical therapy for another 3 weeks. In the grand scheme of things, I’m sure this is nothing compared to what…
-
Philadelphia plastic surgeon
I am researching plastic surgeons in Philadelphia who will exchange aging implants and are skilled in fat grafting. I’d appreciate any recommendations. Thank you.
-
Anyone have an enlarged lymph node post mastectomy
Anyone here ever have a false negative sentinel node biopsy or find an enlarged lymph node on chest wall within 2 months of mastectomy? I had follow up.with surgeon today and showed him the lump that feels like its a lymph node. He is doing a biopsy on Thursday. I'm praying it's nothing! I haven't even seen oncology yet…
-
Seroma
I developed a seroma after my lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy last week. It’s not the worst surgery side effect, but it’s irritating and I don’t want it to be there. How long does it usually take for these to go away
-
Fat Transfer from Inner Thighs
I searched through the forum and found discussions on the topic of Fat Transfers. But have a couple more questions. I had a double mastectomy in mid-April and I am scheduled for a fat transfer from my inner thighs next Friday. I weigh 120 and it's about the only place they can grab any fat from -- this is purely cosmetic.…
-
Post mastectomy pain, numb below scar, one month later
I had my mastectomy 4 weeks ago (left side) along with axillary dissection. It is still very painful, especially the underarm area and I assume is mostly due to the dissection, especially as this is the 2nd time around for me (local recurrence, 2.5 yrs ago a lumpectomy and nodes removed). I still can't lift my left arm…
-
Postcards from the Ledge
Hi all I’ve heard from a lot of women that there were times they had to be talked off the ledge during their cancer “journey “. I have found it to be more like a mud run - messy, exhausting and glad to see the finish line! My most obvious ledge day was this: I called my surgeons office on a Sunday night, when I knew they…
-
Surgery Delayed/Possible SAVI instead of Wires
Went in yesterday afternoon for my Pre-Op with my surgeon to 'finalize' everything for my surgery scheduled for Monday, 29 August. I was prepared, had my list of questions, my mind set, etc. I have my little baby tumor, and I also have another spot (biopsied 3 weeks ago) that was ALH. The surgeon explained how (since both…
-
Expander pain 3wks post-surgery
Hi all, wondering if there are others who have been through this-- I had a mastectomy (left side) and expander placed under the pec three weeks ago. The ps said there were two tears to the pec during surgery, one of which he repaired. I'm still in a lot of pain and am not looking forward to the first expansion, which…
-
July, 2022 Surgery- Tips, Words of Wisdom, Others Scheduled?
Hi everyone, New to this site, and I'm already feeling much less lonely reading all of your posts. 39 y/o, scheduled for bilateral mastectomy on July 6, nipple/skin sparing with expander placement. I am absolutely stricken with fear for the surgery and anxiety about the pain. I heard that the drains are very painful, and I…
-
Shopping/packing/to-do list for surgery + recovery....
OK, I admit it, I am a compulsive planner. I have had some great suggestions and tips not only regarding what to bring to the hospital, but also on how to prepare the house to make the recovery as easy as possible. I am travelling for surgery so, for me, "packing" includes the first 10 days of post-op care. I thought I…
-
New cancer in other breast: Lumpectomy or mastectomy?
Hi, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (3 cms) in 2009. Treated with lumpechtomy + radiation + chemo. No recurrence. I have been having annual checkups with the occasional need to have further testing due to some suspicious finding or other. A new cancer was discovered in the other breast 2 weeks ago. It is…
-
Weekly "In Treatment" Zoom meetup!
Hi Everyone, We have created a weekly virtual support group for all who are planning or going through active treatment. If you've just been diagnosed, planning surgery, chemo or radiation, all are welcome to our weekly Zoom Meetups. We have two meetings for you to register for: Register here: Tuesdays at 1:00 PM EST and…
-
5 year post sugery,,8/2017 anyone?
Hi, Just saying hello to fellow August 2017 post surgery friends. There were a number of us, and I hope this finds all of you well. I'm still on Tamoxifen and not yet to menopausal status. Have had to have a d/c since then due to an endometrial polyp, thickened lining, not sure from tamoxifen or just bad luck. Keeping on…
-
Post-Surgery Follow-Ups
I had a lumpectomy in August 2021, followed by chemo, and declined radiation. What I'm wondering is if my follow-up care is typical of others. I have never seen my surgeon in person since the morning of my surgery. I have had 2 telephone "visits" with her, but nothing in person and no in person visits scheduled. I had a…
-
Seroma
Hi All, 2 months after bilateral mastectomy, i have developed seroma. The surgery site had healed well, however, it opened up due to the fluid buildup inside the tissue. I am also going thru chemo. I saw the doc for the seroma. He showed me how to pack the wound and i have been packing it for a month now. However, recently…
-
Post mastectomy drain problem
My mastectomy was the day before yesterday and already yesterday the drain seems to have blocked. Went to clinic this a.m. but nurse not sure she solved the problem so may have to go to hospital emergency and wait 10 hrs to see someone with ability to get drain unblocked. Has anyone else experienced this?? When I left…
-
Surgery and SLNB next week
Yesterday I got my diagnosis and today got the call for my surgery next Thursday. Yesterday kind of didn't feel real, but now that the surgery for the lumpectomy and SLNB is schedule it finally feels real. Like overwhelming. I am happy to know and have a plan, and one day at a time. Any advice for surgery?
-
LD flap surgery - can you share your post-op experiences?
I am a two-time breast cancer survivor and have been radiated twice. I opted for no reconstruction after a unilateral mastectomy in 2019 and am now having a latissimus dorsi flap surgery on August 19. I am not getting a new breast however, rather just a flap to cover up a chronic wound over my mastectomy scar. I developed…
-
Swelling after lumpectomy and SLNB
Hi everyone - I am a week out from lumpectomy (about 2.5 cm plus margins) and SLNB (3 or 4 nodes). My armpit is still a bit swollen. Just sort of generalized mild swollen-ness of the whole underarm area. It's soft, not hard, and not hot or painful (just achy if I stretch or poke at it). Does anyone here remember whether…