Shopping/packing/to-do list for surgery + recovery....
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The surgical wash I suspect is causing me problems is the iodine+whatever used in the OR, not Hibiclens. I didn't use Hibiclens because I got mixed messages about it. Did anybody else have experience this?
In the 4 pre-op appointments I had this year, the advice about washing before surgery varied according to who was conducting the exam! The nurse at the 1st pre-op said only "take a shower or a bath." The nurse at the 2nd & 3rd pre-ops were the same person, and she said "wash well with an anti-bacterial soap such as Hibiclens." Another nurse at the fourth pre-op said "take a shower or bath." So only 1 out of 3 nurses at the same hospital seemed to think Hibiclens was important. I decided to use my regular soap.
The thing is, even if you use Hibiclens, they are still going to swab you with the super MRSA killer soap. There is an alternative but I don't think they like to use that anymore. I had it with my second c-section; it was the only OR procedure I have had where I haven't had a bad reaction.
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Kathe - I'm horribly allergic to Betadyne - my BS and PS don't use it any more, thankfully - found out about that one when my entire chest was swabbed in '01 for my excisional biopsy. Needed prednisone for that one (could've used it after BMX, too, but surgeons said no way b/c of healing issues). As for Hibiclens - it was my PS who was running the show, she told me to wash w/it - BS deferred to her on all issues like that this go-round. It's so hard when all the players are not communicating!!
Sarah
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Wow, so many ladies with allergic reactions!
Kathe, I hope your are out of the chaise lounge soon!
Sarah: Ouchers on the major blistery rash after BMX. How horrible to have to deal with that on top of everything else!
SeaShelly, thank you! And thanks to Sarah too! ;-)
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KatheW- my feet hung off my recliner too so we added a folding chair at the bottom with a pillow on it and it extended the length of the recliner to be more comfortable for me. Also folded a pillow under my knees and I have been sleeping very well in the recliner. not sure if you still have the rental but it is worth a try.
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Is a shower stool really needed? I see it mentioned some, but I hate to spend the money right now.
Thanks!
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I had a umx with no recon...and I didn't need a shower stool. The first few days, I couldn't shower, and my dh washed my hair over the tub pouring water with a pitcher and I bathed in a few inches of water. Then, I could shower. There was some conflicting instructions about getting the drains wet, but according (ultimately) to my bs, I could get them wet. So, no real issues. You may need some help at the outset, but sitting wasn't necessary for me...
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CLC: Thanks! That's kind of what I was imagining I could do.
I will do DIEP flap reconstruction down the road, but I would rather spend that money later if it is needed then. I appreciate the input.
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JBug- I did need to sit down in the shower when I first got home but we took a cooler (like you use at the beach) and covered it with a towel for me to sit on. It worked just like a bench and was great. I would think anything like would work.
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I was wondering about a shower stool too. Love the cooler idea! Thanks.
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I am out of the chaise lounge and into my comfy bed! Well, it's not totally comfy for me yet, but I am still happy to be in it. PS gave me permission to stretch out more, but it's still tough to stand up.
Ginger -- Great solution to put a chair and pillows at the end of the recliner! I still have the rental chair, and I will try that for nap time.
Jbug -- I had DIEP surgery Oct 19 had to sit down to shower until yesterday. It is just hard to stand up --period. Not the same with UMX; no problem showering after that.
Sarah -- For me, the rash was the most uncomfortable problem I had after DIEP surgery! Do you know the name of the surgical soap your surgeons use? I would love to be able to ask for it by name next time. While I don't think I am allergic to the iodine per se, it does sensitize me to all the other stuff they put on me--adhesives, staples, tubes, whatever.
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I only read through the first 8 pages...need to read it all before surgery.
I am seeing another plastic surgeon on Wednesday and bc surgeon. I liked the other bc surgeon, but it seems that plastic surgeons and bc surgeons work in teams so if you change one, you need t change the other. I am not sure exactly when I'll have surgery...hopefully before Christmas. I was dx with idc, her2 + early October so I don't want to wait on this. I don't want to lose my breast, but want to get it over with. I'm not sure if I'm having a uni or double mx although right now leaning toward double mx.
Does the bc surgeon decide how long you will be in the hospital? My three former lumpectomies were 1 day stays. The lumpectomies weren't that bad and I recovered in just a few days to normacy, except for the web cording at the last lumpectomy. Now...it's a bigger surgery, mastectomy...whole different senerio.
I heard from another patient of the doctor I'm going to that the average stay for mx is 2 days. I'm glad because I'm going to need help in knowing how to do the drains and etc. I'm scared to look at the scar or chest. Do you look at it at the hospital or at the post op?
I do appreciate the items listed here. I love the sock idea. I couldn't imagined two long plastic tubes hanging down from my breasts. Although I have friends and family who would help, I am independent and will have a hard time asking for help. I am trying to put things in order now at work and at home so when I'm gone or come home I can be independent. Oh, I also like the idea of going to a hair salon at least for the first few times.
When you stay at the hospital do they allow you to wear your own gown and robe? It would be so nice if I could. I would also like food brought in rather than eating hospital food. Can you slide out of the hospital bed at first or do you need assistence? Do you have much upper body strength?
At the Legacy hospital they give you gift bag with all sorts of fun items. Plus, they gave me homemade pillows that I still have.
One suggestion..not sure if it's good or not. My previous therapist that helped me in redirecting lymph fluid toward the bottom of my trunk is something we can do right after surgery. I am so glad I know how to do it. This might make the drainage easier.
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J-Bug - I really needed to sit down, initially. I was so completely pooped that standing in the shower was not easy. That said, we already have a bench on our shower, so I didn't have to get one. The cooler idea is a good one - you might want to see if you can get up off of it w/no arms ahead of time . . .
Evebarry - your surgeon will decide how long you stay, but you have a say too - I was slated for 2 nights (I had immediate reconstruction w/implants) but I developed a horrible rash and things were NOT under control day 2, so I told them I wasn't ready to go home. Had to make a case for myself with BS, she thought I'd be just fine, it was PS's team that was more concerned about my pain and my rash not being fully controlled. I did have a custom hospital gown that I put on the morning after my surgery - they won't let you wear your own stuff into the OR, but they'll sponge-bathe you day 2 and you can change then. It was a comfort. I too am extremely independent, but found that the BMX + reconstruction really sidelined me - I have learned to ask for and receive help this time around. Not easy, but necessary for me and a good life lesson. I was able to get in and out of bed myself, but again - no arms! I was in super physical condition before my surgery, lots of trunk and leg ability and that was how I did it. Still can't use my arms now, 6 weeks out - feeling soft around the edges but my abs are doing pretty well! If you have any issues, the nurses will help, or they'll get aids to come and help shift you around. It was much easier even at the beginning at home b/c I didn't have a johnny on (wore button front PJs) and so there was a lot less material to get hung up on!
Kathe - I'll see if I can find out what soap they used on me - I f/u w/my PS this Wed. - she may not know b/c BS started off the whole thing, but I'll ask for you, for sure.
Sarah
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I love the cooler plan! Thank you Ginger48. We'll keep that in the plan if needed.
Since this surgery is just the bmx with no reconstruction, I am just hoping I can go to the bathroom by myself!! (I would guess that when I do the DIEP flap later that I will have to have help with that.)
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With a blmx, how long did it take before you can drive? I am getting botox so the pain shouldn't so bad. Thanks for this thread and all those who contributed to it.
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J-bug -- Are you having or did you already have nodes removed? Are you having TEs inserted?
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eveberry -- after each of my surgeries, including DIEP, I was told not to drive with drains. In each case my were drains removed by day 16.
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Evebarry - no driving while on narcotics, and then every surgeon has different rules - I could've driven w/drains, but it would've been tough (all of mine removed by day 10) - plus, I was on massive doses of Benadryl for my rash, so drowsy. I just started driving in earnest this past week, which was WEEK SIX, if you can believe it. I can drive myself 40 min. to PT, 40 minutes home and have PT, but I'm tired afterwards. Everyone's different, lots of women on the Sept. Mastectomy board started driving weeks ago.
J-Bug - I never had any problems w/the toilet (much to my DH's delight!). If you have any issue w/twisting, I'd suggest doing some gentle twisting exercises now so that you'll be lubed up pre-op and better able to twist post-op.
Sarah
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KatheW: I am doing BMX with SNB on both sides, with the possibility of AND on the affected side if anything is found in nodes. No TE's, I will be doing DIEP flap after radiation. (I feel like a texting teen with all those acronyms! : )
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Can I take my favorite memory foam pillow to the hospital? It might get ruined huh? I might never sleep without it!
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Have you ladies heard about botox for reconstructive sugery. The plastic surgeon I'm going to does botox. It is suppose to lessen the recovery time...hopefully.
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J-bug -- The reason I asked about TEs is that I know you will be in less pain without them. I have had MX both with and without TE placement. I have also had MX with and without ALND. ALND is very painful. Try to have with only SNB and avoid ALND -if at all possible. ALND has potentially awful side effects.( I am assuming you will have chemo and rads which will kill any cancer in your nodes.) I rant a lot about ALND on other threads, but will spare you here.
Definitely take your favorite foam pillow! Can you put a washable cover on it? Someone also asked about packing a favorite nightie. I wouldn't unless you are okay with it getting stained. I don't see why you couldn't have someone bring you food, however. Hospital probably won't let you store food there, though.
Also, for the hospital: earplugs and an eyeshade. I spent a night in the ICU and had a hard time sleeping there because of the noise and the lights. I am a light sleeper.
I have not heard of botox for reconstuction. Let us know how it works out!
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evebarry - haven't heard of botox - would think it'd have something to do w/the muscle spasms (would stop them) - my father has MS and gets botox to stop muscle spasms!? let us know what it's for and how it is, I'm very curious!
J-bug - +1 for earplugs (I can't stand eyeshades, but they'd be good too if you can wear them) for the hospital. It was super noisy for me, and I had a private room w/double doors at the end of a hall . . . although the medflight helicopter pad was just around the corner outside . . . .
Sarah
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Sarah -- Apparently we should all be wearing eyeshades at night! Read the article on this forum explaining the link between night time light exposure and breast cancer. Yes it's true: light at night causes BC!
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Oh Kathe, I've read those studies, and I happen to LOVE it super-dark at night . . . we have blackout blinds on our bedroom windows, I don't have a LED alarm clock, and I cover the light from the charger on my laptop when I have it in the bedroom. DH thinks I'm bonkers, but as a lifelong insomniac, it's good sleep hygiene, period.
I'm off to bed right now, actually!
Sarah
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Sarah -- Sorry to hear you are an insomniac, but good to know you like the dark!
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http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/727235
Alan Gabrel is the surgeon who came up with injecting botox into the pec muscles. I spoke with someone who had it done. She said it made the recovery pretty easy...hope so. For this reason, Dr. Gabriel is going to be my surgeon. I am hoping it does what they say. Although, Dr. Gabriel did say he puts you on pain meds and it's about a 2-3 week recovery. That seems like a long time.
http://www.kgw.com/news/local/Botox-for-Breast-Cancer-Patients-106294708.html
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thank you for the suggestions!
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Wow! I had trouble with the little tape they put on me from the biopsy!!! I guess i could be facing similar problems with the glue on my mastectomy recovery. I go in on Dec 5. I am glad I read your posts! I pulled the bandaid off my skin just from the biopsy and it peeled my skin and it felt like a burn!!!! I feel awful some of you had to go through that pain as well as the muscle pain too!!! I will make a note to get some ointment?:)
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wrennest: Check out this post, http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topic/777352?page=1#idx_8. I was able to ask my surgeon about it ahead of time. They were going to set me up with an appointment with a wound care physician, but we did a test and found that the Medipore tape worked allright for me, so there was not a huge need. The surgeon provided this kind of tape for me at the hospital as well as giving me plenty to take care of wounds after surgery at home. There has been no need for me to buy or locate this.
The surgeon thinks that I had a reaction to the dye for the SNB though. I have reactions to contrast dye with my MRI's, so I take Prednisone and Benedryl before. With surgery, the dye that they use for SNB is different, but I ended up itching for 3-4 days all over after surgery, but no rash. It was very frustrating because I couldn't move well enough to itch my back and legs.
I am also allergic to NSAID's and about every environmental allergy... I may just blow up one of these days!
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J Bug: thank you so much for the great tips. I meet with my doc today. What perfect time to have read your message!!!!!! Thanks again!
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