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August 2011 Surgery Group

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Comments

  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 403
    edited August 2011

    Blondelawyer, I want you to know that you are my hero of the day. I took a look at your blog (not in a creepy way) and felt like you were one of my girlfriends going through this tough time. Please know that your energy and outlook kept me going today. You are an inspiration to at least one person here, whether you intended to be or not. I hope that makes the struggle a little easier.



    Rangermom, I hope your week goes better. There are a lot of women on this site that talk about the joys of being flat, whether permanently or temporarily. If it were me, prosthetics would help me feel more normal. I chose immediate reconstruction (but my cancer was different than yours, I believe) with a one step process because I didn't want to be cut on again. I hope it works out that way, because I feel I have a little infection in my incision. What this has taught me is that I am more than my boobs. This is a hard lesson, because when they were younger, I LOVED my boobs. LOVED! They were real and fantastic. But, they tried to kill me, so pretty as they were, they got gone. Boobs are great, but not as great as living long enough to see my 6 year old boy graduate from high school and get married. I see now that what really matters isn't pretty boobs. Granted, they are pretty nice if you've got them, but living is more important. Remember, to the world you might be just one person, but to one person, you might be the world.



    Stay safe, ladies!

  • RangerMom
    RangerMom Member Posts: 205
    edited August 2011

    Very cute Emma thanks. I know its just a matter of acceptance and readjusting my thinking and finding other ways to dress, etc. that will all make me feel better. 

  • joyceva
    joyceva Member Posts: 20
    edited August 2011

    Thanks for adding me into the list.  I now feel part of the group : ) 

  • HLoveday
    HLoveday Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2011

    Hey ladies, I'm new. 36 years old, breast cancer in right breast found last year. Had my bi-lat mastectomy last Sept. I had to wait until now to get my TE surgery due to rads after the mastectomy. So I just got my TE's on August 17th. Just seeing if there are any other August ladies that are only getting TE's after having to wait? Would love to compare experiences with someone.

    Heather

  • IsThisForReal
    IsThisForReal Member Posts: 154
    edited August 2011

    Good afternoon Ladies,

    I seem to have run across something a little different today with my left drain.  The bulb kept inflating this morning and I couldn't figure out why.  It turns out, it is sucking air at the drain site.  I managed to doctor it up by taping it securely to my chest.  I'll be keeping an eye on that, as well as empying the drains often.  Everything else looks alright, considering.  Thoughts and prayers to those having surgery next week.

  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 403
    edited August 2011

    Isthisforreal, I remember reading in my post surgery paperwork that if something like you are describing was to happen, to tell the dr ASAP. Maybe you want to give a call? I. Just want you to be well!



    So my incision still looks infected to me, despite the visiting nurse coming over to look at it and telling me I'm fine. Am I nuts? Anyone else do this? It is red around the edges and looks like it separated a bit, and there is yellowish tissue underneath (sorry, tmi). Is it supposed to be like that?



    The PS NP recommended wearing "a cheap Walmart bra--2 for $10", so tonight my brave DH went to Walmart to get them for me. He texted me that he had to buy something else so he wouldn't look like a pervert! LOL! Not every man would go buy bras for his wife!



    Wow, after not wearing a bra for almost 4 weeks, this is tight! I had him get a size larger than usual since I'm still swollen. Before the surgery I had to wear bras with a cup size (34 DD!). This is the first time in my life I'm wearing one without a cup size, just 34! It is weird! Still trying to find a comfortable place where the band isn't rubbing on the fill ports. Ow!



    Hope everyone is safe after Irene!

  • lorenar
    lorenar Member Posts: 41
    edited August 2011
    Hi ladies. Spent today cleaning part of the house will do the rest tomorrow,. Kinda nervous about Wed, but at the same time will just be glad to get it over. Okay LADIES  be safe, stay healthy .
  • FLwarrior
    FLwarrior Member Posts: 614
    edited August 2011

    Well wishes for you ladies having your surgery on Tuesday and Wednesday!

  • SAB
    SAB Member Posts: 1,121
    edited August 2011

    LaughingHa Eema!  Thank you (and your DH) for a smile.

  • Tiger_Blood
    Tiger_Blood Member Posts: 83
    edited August 2011

    Hi All!

    It's been a while since I last checked in. I went back to work last week and have been super busy. My son starts school next week so I have been prepping for that, too!

    Looks like everyone is doing great.

    I have an appt with the RO next Thursday so I guess off to the Sept Rads board. Wishing everyone a quick recovery!

  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 403
    edited August 2011

    SAB, my poor hubby:). He is brave enough to get me bras and sanitary napkins. You know that is true love:)!

  • nanadeb
    nanadeb Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2011

    I'm sorry I haven't been around much.

    But I am dealing with a lot of pain and problems right now.(like so many of you are)

    You are all in my prayers and thoughts.

    I hope that the ones of you who have had your surgeries are doing better

    And that the ones who have them this week , do well  (((hugs)))

    I may have thyroid cancer now. I just keep getting hit with bad news :(

    Trying so hard to stay positive and find the humor in it all.
    Remember the song that went
    "If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all?"

    My Drs office called on the thyroid scan results.
    It was"inconclusive"
    More of the "B" word (biopsy)...with my luck more of the "C" word too.
    I blogged all about it....It's the way I get it out and put down my thoughts thru all of this.
    Thank you for the prayers and caring thoughts
    And to those of you who read my blog and support me ,thank you too!

    Debbi http://atoosassygal.blogspot.com/

  • dogeyed
    dogeyed Member Posts: 84
    edited August 2011

    EEMA, about your incision, I have to assume your drains are out and it's just this break in the incision that isn't doing right.  COULD be the yellow is the way fat looks, but could ALSO be pus, and add into it the redness, well, I think I'd have the doc look at it.  I mean, looks like he could put some surgical tape on there to HOLD it together better, or maybe he can recommend an ointment to keep infection down, maybe even antibiotics if it IS infected.  Of course, if you're scheduled to see him before, say, the end of this week, you'll probably make that without coming in sooner.  But otherwise I'd ask to see him.

    DEBBI, you cannot get a break in this, it seems.  I felt like my world pretty much collapsed too.  Like BLONDE felt about her husband passing, I felt when my dog passed day before surgery, and sometimes it all just comes crashing down.  And here we were, already in a weakened state, still stuck in treatment, and stuff keeps happening.  I hope your latest scare works out and that good health will catch up to you.

    I will put a prayer in that forum, asking for good health for all of us.  Love to my sisters, GG 

  • nanadeb
    nanadeb Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2011

    I read somewhere that you are also dealing with 2 forms of cancer  (((hugs)))

    I think it was here and in a new forum they started on the site for those of us with multiple diagnoses 

    Yes....I've read what Blonde is going thru too.

    That has to be the worst. I just can't imagine losing your husband too.

    I just keep trying to stay positive and knowing that this is all in Gods hands

  • joyceva
    joyceva Member Posts: 20
    edited August 2011

    Isthisforreal - I agree with Eema on dr. ASAP and wanting you to be well.

    Eema - Is another nurse coming today?  I'm thinking dr. ASAP for you as well.

    Lorenar - All the best on Wednesday - remember to do something you really love besides cleaning : ) 

    Nanadeb - Prays for you.     

  • dawmson
    dawmson Member Posts: 17
    edited August 2011

    My lumpectomy is tomorrow. So far I've already received two flower arrangements. Doesn't that seem weird? I love my friends and family but kinda weird to get flowers BEFORE the surgery. :) 

    I'm feeling fairly calm and peaceful, which seems strange. I guess I'm just ready to get this thing started. After two months knowing about it, and doing all my research, I'm ready to go. I have the wire localization and dye injection tomorrow morning and the surgery in the afternoon.

    Hugs to everyone who's recovering. Many of you have had much bigger surgeries than mine will be and I'm continually impressed by you!  

  • Natters
    Natters Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2011

    Dawmson, good luck tomorrow! The wire l'oc was so much faster and easier than my biopsy! I was nervous for nothing. I didn't look and it was probably all over in 15 min, they put a bandage on it, I slipped my gown back on and then I got to go wait with my partner for the surgery. I had no I'll effects from the anethesia and was able to appreciate the goodies my friends brought over to the house. I was able to work the next day but I did decide to stay home and mostly relax and enjoy some downtime. I hope your experience is as positive as mine, and I know exactly what you mean about just gwtting it started already! It's nice to have this part of treatment behind me and ready to get onto to thenext step.

  • rockym
    rockym Member Posts: 383
    edited August 2011

    dawmson, Good luck tomorrow!  I received flowers and plants before and after my lumpectomy.  I think it was friends way of wishing me well.

    Your situation sounds exactly like mine.  I was calm and felt ready to move on.  I also waited 2 months since I wanted to do my homework, go on a family vacation, etc.  I even discussed some procedures with my BS to make sure we were on the same page.

    My tips/advise to you would be to make sure your anesthesiologist gives you enough nausea meds.  Mine did not.  When I woke up I was sick as a dog and hubby had to fill a script.  The drug stopped the sickness, but I was out like a light.  I did have to go back for emergency surgery the next evening and I made sure to tell them to load me up.  When I woke up that evening I was ready to do the happy dance and go home.

    Also, after my first surgery, the post-op stuff said if you feel fine, get back to your daily activities.  I was a little sore so I took 3 Advil (instead of the heavy drugs they gave me).  I'll never know if it was me, my body or the BS, but my breast area started to swell and it turned out I was having an internal bleed.  They also said the Advil wasn't the best thing to take.  Of course NO ONE told me not to use Advil after surgery, only before.  Advil = blood thinner = possibly mess up clotting.  My BS was sweet and told me that complications happen and not to blame myself.

    The moral of the story is, take it easy the next day and don't take any Advil.  Use the drugs they give you or Tylenol.  I'm doing okay now that I'm almost 3 weeks out past surgery.  My armpit and ribcage are still sore and still awaiting the rest of my treatment plan with my Oncotype dx test coming in soon.

  • lorenar
    lorenar Member Posts: 41
    edited August 2011

     Got a call from my plastic surgeon today. He says now I will be having 3 surgeries. He has decided it would not be in my best interest to put the expanders in at the same time as my dbl masec/ for a few reasons. 1/ he doesnt want to take any chances of infection setting in and having to take them out. So in 3 more months I will get my expanders than a couple months later my silocone implants. He says It will mean a lesser hospital stay plus less pain. And rather be safe than sorry. The other 2 will be outpatient. anyone else get this sinario. Oh well what the hell. I will just be without boobs longer. JUST HOPE MY FINAL PATH TESTS come back  okay. well ladies tired gotta get rest. Go tomorrow for my lymph node inject. Hope all u are feeling will. pray for u that are not. best of love to u all.

  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 403
    edited August 2011

    Hi ladies,



    Nanadeb, I'm sorry to hear about your thyroid! A friend of mine just went through the same thing, she was "lucky" enough to just need surgery and all was fine. I hope the same is true for you.



    I'm still having pain and I can still see yellow around the incision, and the incision is kind of red still. I have another nurse coming tomorrow, and my PS appointment is Wed, so I hope I can hold out till then. My little boy doesn't have camp this week and school doesn't start till after labor day, so I was the entertainment today. It wore me out. As soon as DH was home from work i went to bed and no one woke me for dinner! I just got up at 930 pm confused, hungry, and in a lot of pain. My implant is rippling under the skin in that breast. I don't know what to do. DH says there is nothing wrong with it, but it hurts and is red!



    Ok, I don't like hearing myself whine so much, so I will say good night here. I hope all of my August sisters are doing well, much love to you all!

  • RangerMom
    RangerMom Member Posts: 205
    edited August 2011

    God will watch over you tomorrow for you all having surgery. it will be a great relief to you to have this behind you as it was for me. You are in my prayers tonight and tomorrow. 

  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 104
    edited August 2011

    I've seen some people on other threads mentioning wearing compression bras but my BS didn't say anything about that. Anyone else not wearing any compression garmets? I only wear my MX cami.

  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 403
    edited August 2011

    Blonde, that's what I've been wearing. Then a PS NP recommended, "the cheap front hook bras from Walmart that come 2 for 10. I got them a size larger than I usually get, and it feels tight. I'm probably still swollen, so that could account for that problem. But they have no underwire-- very important. I think if it wasn't hitting my fill ports under my armpit, it would be more comfortable. Wow, is it tight! But, I've gotta say, with the bra on, my hooters look to be about 20!

  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 403
    edited August 2011

    Oh, the cheap bra from Walmart is Fruit of the Loom front hook sports bra. Front hook is very important for those of us who still can't reach behind or over our heads!

  • bobeena
    bobeena Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2011

    Good luck to all having surgery tomorrow and Wednesday!  Thanks to everyone for continuing to share their experiences and questions.  Gentle hugs to you all!

    lorenar - It upsets me that your PS would have just told you this info today!!! I am having surgery on Wed also with delayed placement of expanders a few months later.  I will freely admit I was very disappointed and upset for some time (knew about it 2 months ago). You seem to hear all the benefits of waking up and not being completely flat, but I came to terms with it the best I can by rationalizing that the decision was made for the best cosmetic outcome.  

  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 104
    edited August 2011

    Eema:  You had immediate reconstruction, correct?  I did not, so maybe that is the difference.

  • Tssheps
    Tssheps Member Posts: 7
    edited August 2011

    Thanks ranger mom! I am packed and ready to go tomorrow. I was worried that surgery would be delayed because of Irene. I received confirmation of 8:00 sentinel node dye injection and 9:30 am surgery time. As of this afternoon there were only 25 patients at NYU Tisch Hospital (it's a 700+ bed facility) they evacuated all the patients on Thursday In preparation for Irene...Crazy, right? We made it through the storm, power restored, no water in basement but a large tree limb (20 ft long) did fall but luckily no damage to house.



    I received a lot of telephone calls and email well wishes and I realized how lucky I am to have such a supportive network around me (present company included)! I shared bedtime stories with my children...my son (4) wanted to give me extra kisses....so sweet! I hope to be home on Thursday if all goes well...I will post then! Thank you Ladies...you are so inspiring!



    Nanadeb- my pet scan showed a tiny spot on my thyroid as well. I will have it biopsied after I complete my BC treatments. My father, an OBGYN, said that he wouldn't be surprised if it is a benign node/cyst as the thyroid is a very active gland and would pick up the sugar dye. I'm sorry you have to go through this...so frustrating! I'll be thinking of you...sending good wishes and a big hug!

  • abatellik
    abatellik Member Posts: 22
    edited August 2011

    Quick question because it is late: does anyone have any advice about having the fluid drained? I am thinking I will have to have that done tomorrow (and on my birthday no less). I am wondering about emla cream even though I don't have a lot of feeling. Has anyone tried this? I have been wearing this compression bra non stop but this darn fluid just doesn't want to move...

  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 403
    edited August 2011

    Blonde, I did have immediate reconstruction.  That very well could be the difference. I read a thread about bras vs no bras and the PSs seem to be all over the place.  I think it depends on the PS's own experience.  If he/she had a problem with other patients, then the do/do not recommend it.  I hope you heal quickly!  

    Good luck tsscheps, I hope all goes well so you are back reading your little guy bedtime stories before you know it!

    I woke up this morning with horrible pain in my neck radiating down my arm into my fingers.  Wow, does it hurt.  I see my PS tomorrow, I hope he will give me a fill, because it seems like my implant isn't placed right.  I have ripples all over the place and can feel it moving under my skin.  Not so pleasant.

    Have a great day, Ladies!

  • RangerMom
    RangerMom Member Posts: 205
    edited August 2011

    Hi all - wanted to give you an update that in about 2 weeks out from surgery I'm walking a mile and doing situps on my exercise ball. I'm feeling very proud of these 2 scars across my chest! Each day I feel better and better. I pray all going through a really tough time after surgery will soon turn the corner and lo and behold, you'll start to recover.

    NanaDeb - you especially are in my prayers and keep fighting the strong fight you have so far, don't give up.

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