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Comments

  • kal52
    kal52 Member Posts: 12
    edited March 2017

    Hello everyone, my name is Kathy and I am going for BMX and immediate Diep reconstructions on 14th of next month and was wondering if anyone here had the same procedure. The US ladies seem to have a different post operative experience to that which I have been told I will have, so I thought I would try for some feedback here.



  • Delvzy
    Delvzy Member Posts: 454
    edited March 2017

    kal I can't answer you as I had a double bmx followed by reconstruction 18 months later . It went a little pear shaped as the drainage bottles came out a little too soon so I had the infected 1 removed and i finished them one after the other with inplants it went really well and I am very happy with them. I just wanted to wish you well judy

  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited March 2017

    Hi kal52, I had a double mastectomy and immediate TRAM surgery back in 2012 in Sydney. I spent 9 days in hospital (RPA) after the surgery and went home with drains etc. I was 47 at the time of the surgery.

    What has your surgeon told you?

    Regards Jen

  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 1,661
    edited March 2017

    Hi Kathy

    Welcome to our group. I'm sorry you are dealing with this again. I can't answer your question as I've chosen not to have any reconstruction at all. However, like you I had a new primary. I went from Triple Positive in the left breast in 2010 to Triple Negative in the right breast in 2015.

    I'm not sure who in this group has the answer to your specific question, but a bit more information might be helpful. What are your concerns?

    Trish

    xoxo

  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 269
    edited March 2017

    Nice to "meet" you Kathy. I chose not to reconstruct so have nothing to offer but good wishes.

    Hello to everyone else too. Hope you are all doing well. I think of you often. Hugs Donna.

  • kal52
    kal52 Member Posts: 12
    edited March 2017

    Thank you ladies for your responses. I have my pre-op appointment with the plastics surgeon the Monday before the surgery, to ask the questions I need to ask. However, sometimes the experience of others is a lot more informative about the little things like " how hard was post-op mobility", "what type of night wear is best", "will underwear be easy to put on and take off" etc etc. I have a lot of concerns but I guess they stem from the fact that I am actually doing this and haven't really come to terms with it. Still it is booked and my breast surgeon and my family are glad I am finally doing it, so I am not going to cancel now.

    I will be glad when it is all over.

    As you have probably noted, I haven't been a big contributor to these boards, but I visit a lot and, lately, feel that I need to chat with others who have gone through what I have. I do not know anyone who can relate to my concerns and so if I have worries about recurrence, or anything bc related, I tend to keep it in.

    Thank you for your welcome,

    Kathy

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited March 2017

    Hi Kal, no experience here either with recon as I never had one. We hear you on the need to speak to others who have been there done that, they are the only ones that really get it.

    Feel free to air whats on your mind, there are many ears here to listen. Good luck with your appointment.

    Welcome.

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • Lucy55
    Lucy55 Member Posts: 2,703
    edited March 2017

    Kal ..Welcome ..Sorry I can't offer any advice ..I had a single mascetomy with no reconstruction...But wish you well !!

  • wildplaces
    wildplaces Member Posts: 544
    edited March 2017

    Hello Kal52,

    Where there specific questions - just PM me.

    I used to live in Melbourne.

    The U.S. by enlarge have shorter hospital stays - they are multiple reasons for that:)

  • wildplaces
    wildplaces Member Posts: 544
    edited March 2017

    And if you are done on the 14th of April - I am assuming it is a private list.

    You will be in bed for 2-3 days with toilet privileges - and probably calf compressors.

    Analgesia will be a narcotic, paracetamol, and maybe tramadol/ plus local anaesthetic to the area and depending on surgeon preference a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory aka Celebrex or naprosyn ( assuming you are notallergic to any of the above)

    Make sure you get good antiemetic medication - zofran 8 hourly works - sometimes the narcotics (morphine, Pethidine or oxycodone can make you nauseated); they can also constipate (so Movichol - flavoured preferably - for that)

    Oddly the hospital night gowns are best for the first few days - they open up top and allow you to do all sorts of things with your drains.

    Underwear - buy a few large cotton ones where the top is higher then the bikini line ( so it does not sit on your lower incision...)

    Take good music - you will not be able to read much for the first 2 days

    Hope that helps:)

  • kal52
    kal52 Member Posts: 12
    edited April 2017

    Thank you all, and Wildplaces thank you for your advise and information, it was very helpful. The underwear I will buy today and I will be taking my music and open-down-the-front nightgowns for when I am allowed out of the hospital ones.

    Yes, I am going private as I am extremely sensitive to anaesthetics and wanted to be sure I got a good anaesthetist. Even so I am more worried about that than the surgery itself. Ho hum, I will be glad when it is over.


    Kathy




  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited April 2017

    Deep breath Kathy, you will soon be on the other side of this and wonder why you were stressing over it. Yes there will be pain and discomfort but on the other hand there is also good drugs to help control all that and keep you comfortable.

    Keep us updated with your progress.

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • aussie12
    aussie12 Member Posts: 421
    edited April 2017

    Hi all. I have 3 appointments at the hospital over the next month or so. April 24 for a mammogram then May 8 for breast cancer oncologist for results and checkup then May 17 for a CT for bowel. I'll probably have the oncologist a week after that. I haven't had any appointments for a while so it will be strange to go to the hospital again. I hope that everyone is well, I've been back at work and wishing that I was still on holidays !!!! Carol

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited April 2017

    Hi Carol! I've got everything crossed that your scans etc are all good.....you deserve it.

    My week so far has been a busy one and it's not going to get much better.....lol. Yeah, I hear you about being on holidays as I get so spoilt when I visit my brother that it's hard to come home......lol.

    Let us know how you get on with all your appointments.

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • wildplaces
    wildplaces Member Posts: 544
    edited April 2017

    hello Kathy,

    Let your surgical rooms know this - secretary has info - ask about a week in advance who will be your anaesthetist - once you have the information then request to speak to the allocated anaesthetist prior to the day. That contact even if often by phone alleviates a lot of anxiety.

    What do you mean by "sensitive" - sleepy for a long time afterwards, nausea, sensitive to the pain medication, comorbities ... You do not have to answer on the forum - but that is what they will ask.

    It is possible to be kept asleep intra-operatively by anaesthetic gases or by intravenous infusion of propofol - depending on what sensitive is for you - the wake up with propofol might prove smoother and with less nausea - but it is obviously the decision of your caring anaesthetist after they see you and discuss with you.

    Keep well 😊

  • Delvzy
    Delvzy Member Posts: 454
    edited April 2017

    Hi girls I hope the weekend away was very enjoyable and relaxing. Definitely would love to go next year hopefully it's our way . Chrissy I enjoy your pictures of Gus he is a beautiful cat x

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited April 2017

    Lol Delvzy, Gus is Aly's cat, Megs is mine. Aly was staying with me for the week prior to the get together and Megs decided to take care of her so she wasn't lonely for Gus........both are ginger boys but Megs has a lot of white where as Gus is a pure ginger boy.

    The get together for next year will be either the third weekend in March or the first weekend in April and will be in Adelaide. Keeping everything crossed that you can join us.

    Love n hugs all. Chrissy

  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 1,661
    edited April 2017

    Carol - will be thinking of you for all your appointments, keeping everything crossed they will be ok.

    Delvzy - great to hear from you, hopefully you'll be able to join us next year, it's a great weekend.

    I have news! I decided last week that I cannot keep up with the hours needed to do this job at Pegasus. I love it here, but it's a full on job, with a couple of people who are really challenging. I'm finding I'm getting really, really tired. So Monday last week I rang my recruiting lady that I've been with for years and years and told her I was back on the market lol. She said - great! Long story short, I start back at the Department of Education (where I was when I got the second bc dx and I loved it there) as soon as I sort out what to do here at Pegasus. I'll be working four days a week and earning the same money I am at the moment. It will be a change from the 50-60 hours I'm doing now. So I'm happy, but sad I'm leaving here (sort of)

    I hope everyone else is staying well out there.

    Trish

    xoxo

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited April 2017

    Yay Trish! Way to go on the job front.......congrats! Much better that you work less time for the same money.........even though you love the present one it's better not to get so tired.

    Good luck in the change over!

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • Delvzy
    Delvzy Member Posts: 454
    edited April 2017

    Oh Chrissy I had a feeling I was mixing the cats up but they do look similar. Trish I have cut back from 40 hours to 20 with my second reoccurrence and my insurance pays 75 percent of the difference for 2 years so that is a relief financially and em. We have some challenging girls at work as well so I am glad I am not there 5 days per week and trying to look after my family as well. I am going to out a picture on of my day here in the Mornington peninsula. There is no way 8 weeks ago I could have gone 3 hours in the car walked half the day and gone in a canoe the other half without extreme fatigue and pain . Thanks to lots of prayer and acupuncture and Chinese herbs I am so much better. Next year girls I am in 😀

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited April 2017

    Lol, no probs on the cat mix up. Great pic of you! Glad you are feeling up to getting back in the kayak........time and a few other things sure do work magic.

    Can't wait till next year to see you along with everyone else at the get together........not that I'm wishing away time......lol.

    I saw my doc today to get some results of bloods done last Monday and compare them to bloods done a month ago. It's a big boo! I have to continue with the statin for cholesterol, he's added meds for under active thyroid (that answers why I've put on so much weight lately) and I'm borderline diabetic so am starting a paleo diet to see if that works in evening things out........oh bugger!! Other than that everything else is just hunkey dorey........lol. Oh well, it could have been worse.

    Love n hugs all. Chrissy

  • Delvzy
    Delvzy Member Posts: 454
    edited April 2017

    chrissy I was a borderline diabetic and went low carb and my sugar went from 7-8 reading to 5 with my sugar so it sure does work. So glad that everything is good off your hormone meds x

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited April 2017

    Good to know that the low carb diet works Delvzy. I was just a bit po'd because I got one med back plus another new one.......lol. I get a little sick of having to take a handful of meds each day but I'm sure I'm not the only one.

    Yep, overall things are pretty good being off the AI and I'm really happy about that.

  • KarenAus
    KarenAus Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2017

    I have a question. I spent a week in hospital with cellulitis and had to have 3 cannulas put in due to my veins collapsing, the last one put in with ultrasound. I just recieved a out of pocket bill of $374. I am worried that if this reccures I may end up with a bill over $1000 next time. Has anyone got any ideas how to avoid this sort of cost or make it easier to get and keep Cannulas in. I had 3 in 48 hours.

    KarenAus

  • wildplaces
    wildplaces Member Posts: 544
    edited April 2017

    hi Karen,

    1. Bill - was it from a surgeon, physician or anaesthetist? I guess you want to determine how important is that you maintain a good relationship with this person? Were you financially consented for this cost? It can't really be called an emergency so strictly speaking there was time for consent. Are you able to call up and discuss the fee?

    Was the bill for all three IVs or one only?

    2 IV - no simple answer, whether it will last depends on:

    I) operator / what size they use, where it is placed, how much of the plastic cannula is in the vein itself etc

    II) the quality of your veins ( if you had chemo through arm, veins not great ...)

    III) what you put through the vein / type of antibiotics and how fast it is infused

    You yourself can not improve your veins ...

    3. Future

    Warn them you have poor venous access and try to get a plan in place before the acupuncture starts ...if you can...

    😊



  • wildplaces
    wildplaces Member Posts: 544
    edited April 2017

    ohh you can try a heat wrap before cannulation as well as making sure you are well hydrated


  • KarenAus
    KarenAus Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2017

    cost was for the last one not ll three. Have tried heat, hydration, the lot. I war them of stuffed veins , they are aware of my problems. This is my 11th trip to hospital in 2 1/2 years and apart from one trip I had to be canulated. Best person I have known for cannulation is a nurse at the day oncology but as she was 80km away I had no choices. They weren't lasting 24 hours and I was there for 5 days.

    Cost was not discust at any stage and bill was from ultrasound people.

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited April 2017

    Hi Karen. The bill you recieved was for finding a vein under ultrasound.......I have this each time I have a CT as my veins are extremely small and deep.

    The only way that you could possibly prevent this sort of thing if your veins are shot (and it sounds like they are), is to have a power port put in. That in itself can also be a pain and have problems so I suggest that you speak with your doc as he/she may have some better ideas that will work.

    Hoping you can get some better ideas soon.

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • KarenAus
    KarenAus Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2017

    I had a port for chemo but it had to come out the week after I finished. It was sitting in my heart and I had a blood clot in my heart as well. Normal nurses are not allowed to use them which to me is stupid.

    How much do you pay to have your cannulas done via ultrasound?

    KarenAus


  • KarenAus
    KarenAus Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2017

    I have now chaged to HCF and am now covered for the above. I can now sleep at night.

    KarenAus

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