Any October 2011 Surgeries out there want to wait together?
Comments
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Ginger - thanks for the info about the expanders, please come back and post after your exchange. I want to know how that is and if they feel comfortable.
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Great news MargieC!!
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Margie - Great news! I'm glad the report was so positive.
Mackenzie and etherize - Welcome to our group (as much as we wish no one else had to join. At least you've found a great group of women)
Mackenzie - One of the hardest things I'm facing is the reality that this is something where I'm going to need support, before and after, no matter how independent I've tried to be. Do you have any friends who can take you or be on call? I'm finding a lot of people I considered simply 'acquaintances' who are now really stepping up and offering to help - cook, clean, drive me to the store. Don't be embarassed to ask for help, even if you're not quite sure what someone else could do. You'd be surprised. Good luck with your prep and surgery.
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Etherize, I am more of the squeamish type too and I wasn't thrilled but I managed. My dd's helped at first but they were doing so much for me, that I took over self care as soon as I could. Once you do it, you learn to do it quickly.
Deniseday, there are several brands of drain management camis. I did a review of the Amoena (non zip) and Softee Two on the packing for surgery thread but there are other brands as well. Beside on line sources, mastectomy boutiques carry them. Also, some insurance providers will even cover them so check with yours.
Caryn0 -
Mackenzie, I agree with Rachel.it is hard to give up independence but if there is anyone to lend you hand when you come home, take it! Both the physical and emotional support help speed healing along an people really do like to feel useful at times like these. Your job is to focus on healing.
Caryn0 -
One caveat on the drain management bras/cami's - I went to a special store and was professionally fitted. I couldn't tolerate either one on after my MX - it was too tight over my bandages and squeezed in - very uncomfortable. I used a lanyard and it was very simple and easy to use or pinned the drains inside my shirt when I went out.
I am now 3 wks post with no bandages or significant swelling and just tried to wear the bra (without the drain bags, since they are gone). Well, the bra is definitely too tight. It left indentations in multiple places on my new breasts and on my chest. Definitely a waste of money (mine and insurance co's). So much for a professional fitting. I'm more comfortable in my pre-BMX bras!
Just wanted to share - YMMV. You may want to order a size larger than you normally would wear.
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Deniseday, Yes, that's the thing, we are all so different! My Amoena and Softee Two were super stretchy and didn't squeeze at all. My leisure button front bra, professionally fitted, was sized up to a 38, so again, no problem. It is a source of constant amazement to me how every step of the bc journey is as different as we are. Caryn
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Yes Caryn - I actually think it was my fitter's fault - if these were sized properly, I think they would be very comfy!
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Surgery Happening October 20. Just wondering if anyone has any tips for things to get to be prepared for surgery. Also having a hysterectomy at the same time as the BMX. Done with my chemo and need radiation so no reconstruction until later.
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Great shopping/packing lists on the surgery, before, during and after forum!
Good luck, Caryn0 -
Kelley's surgery was delayed until 3p. I'll post information when it is known - Mr. Kelleyod.
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October 20 BMX & Ooph/hyst no rec/radiation
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Mr. Kelleyod...thanks for keeping us posted. Must seem like a really loooonnnnnnng day for you both. Wish her luck for us...
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Unless the biopsy comes back positive, having a hysterectomy and ooh on Oct 25.
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Etheize and mckenzie welcome to the group. This is the best group of women.
I had my appointment with PS this afternoon and he pulled 2 of my 4 drains If the other drop their output to 25 ml per day I will lose them on Fri. My PS is allowing me to showered too.
Sherylh72 --- the first look was the hardest for me but as my ps told me this afternoon it is going to look better each week.0 -
Well things seemed to good to be true...while the surgery sites look great, it seems my white cell count is up to 26000 and know one knows why...I don't have a spleen (Hodgkins 25 years ago)...anyone have any thoughts? Levels have been 19k 22k now 26k...running low grade fever 98.8 to 100.3...not sure how worried I should be
Tracie0 -
>Well things seemed to good to be true...while the surgery sites look great, it seems my white cell count is up to 26000 and know one knows why...I don't have a spleen (Hodgkins 25 years ago)...anyone have any thoughts? Levels have been 19k 22k now 26k...running low grade fever 98.8 to 100.3...not sure how worried I should be
Tracie0 -
Good luck GrandmaV and Matahead... We are all with you...
GrandmaV are you feeling well enough for the surgery tomorrow? I hope it all goes smoothly!!
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mackenzie3-It will be necessary for the first few days to have some help around. Your movement will be pretty limited and some people even need help to get out of a reclined position. Allow your friends to pitch in and help at the beginning till you see what you can do on your own. Just my advice, of course.
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Last drain came out today, which makes me feel a little better. No pain to speak of, Still emotionally mourning the lose of the TE and my "new" appearance. See GYN tom. due to ooph also done, thinking I need something to snap myself out of this funk. Still don't know anything about what is next, that's not helping much either. Can't wait to get to 2nd opp appt on the 25th. Hope everyone has a painfree, restful weekend. Always sending prayers to you guys.
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Survivor11. Congrats on the drain removal. I hope you get some good news tomorrow at the dt to help with your funk. You have had a lot to deal with over the past week.
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Grandma and matahead7 good luck tomorrow. I will be sending positive thoughts your way
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GrandmaV & matahead7 - Good luck tomorrow. I'll be thinking about you. Hope you're able to get good rest tonight.
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TracieM, how are you doing hon? everything I ever read questions infection with elevated white blood cell counts postop... I'm no a doctor clearly but am thiking of you and praying all is well quickly
!WOW it's great how well most everyone is doing this most certainly seems to be more of an emotional than physical ride of highs and lows I'm so sorry to read of some of the set backs both emotional and physical. I was staying off for a bit but always keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers... with my surgery coming up again I'm finding it harder to prepare myself this time around and I was just wondering if any of you turned a bit or in my case alot bitchy the week or so leading up to surgery? Everyone one seems to be handling it like champs... Me not so much I'm scared, angry and hurt everytime someone says it's fine or stop worring you'll be fine.
Sorry to ramble love warm thoughts and prayers for all of us making this journey
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Hi ladies,
My BS had me come to her office to check me out. I still have allergies or cold but seem better. She listened to my lungs and they were clear, and had no fever. She and my Onc had originally both recommended a lumpectomy with radiation, and I had thought I wanted a BMX but told her I wasn't sure, I was going to do research on the two. So she reserved the OR for the longer surgery and said I could let her know on the day of surgery and she would plan on the BMX but keep my other options open too. And since it is a longer surgery she wanted to wait a few days and see if the cold cleared up. She thought it would be Thursday, or Friday, if she could reserve the OR that day, but couldn't guarantee that. I reminded her I have seasonal asthma and said I'm afraid the allergies/cold will trigger it and if that happens, I could start coughing and it could last weeks. So far it hasn't happened, but is a real possibility. So this would actually be the best time to do it. Then I told her I had waffled back and forth between my options and was really starting to lean toward lumpectomy because of the risk factors I have for lymphedema. I'm also scared of the radiation side effects so couldn't decide which way to go, My husband and I had talked it over and I was so distraught about it, that he didn't know what to do. Then I got this allergy/cold thing and it about sent me over the edge to think my surgery would be postponed, and I thought if it was postponed I would go completely out of my mind. I said I think I'm more afraid of lymphedema than I am of radiation and was probably going to go with the lumpectomy. So if I did and that's a much shorter time under anesthesia, could I go ahead and have the lumpectomy tomorrow. She was very sympathetic and did another sonogram on my cancer breast to see if that is still an option. And said it was. So she said she was concerned though that I was making that decision because I might start coughing and wheezing and was just acting out of fear. I told her more about my research and that I was leaning toward the lumpectomy before I got the cold, but I agreed that the cold is the thing that tipped the scales to go with the lumpectomy instead, but that when I think of the BMX or that it is going to be postponed, I'm just overwhelmed. She really took the time to make sure that was really what I wanted to do and agreed to the lumpectomy tomorrow,SNB and the port a cath. That will shorten the time I'm under anesthesia by about half. But it could still be postponed tomorrow morning if I have a fever and it depends on what the anesthesiologist recommends, I won't meet him/her until I get to the hospital. But I feel so relieved that I'm having the lumpectomy. I know going that route doesn't guarantee I won't get lymphedema but it cuts the chances of that down by a lot. I wish this rotten allergy/cold would just stop already. But thats how it stands tonight. I'll go to the hospital and find out if it's still a go. I'm sorry this is such a long post, but it's very complicated and I know you all understand how I feel. Thanks for all the well wishes and encouragement, it helps a lot.
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GrandmaV, the very best of luck tomorrow... I wrestled with the same decision but when I weighed everything out with the ILC dx I went with the BMX, it is a really tough call especially with your added concerns, you know your body best and I'm sure you are making the right decision. All the very best to you as always Lisa
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Thanks LisaWade, I appreciate that vote of confidence.
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LisaWade...I cried all through the weeks before surgery. I cried while driving. I cried while dressing. I cried while running. I cried while eating.
Being scared angry and hurt seem pretty reasonable given the circumstances. But I don't think that means you aren't a champ. Anyone who passes this way and is still working at it all is a champ, I think.
Hang in there...
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GrandmaV...I don't know if you will see this...but here goes...I am glad that you have such a supportive bs. I hope that there is no fever and you get to go forward. I am glad that you were able to find a choice that you could feel relief at making. I am thinking of you... Good luck!!!
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Hello to you all...my knickers still in a twist (wonder if you use this expression in the US?)so this won't be very long...yes, ah2bthin (love your name!!!..don't we all wish that!?), I have all this manic energy but don't actually get much done..was planning to go in to work this morning (am head of English in a secondary school, and lucky enough to have a choice as wasn't given any teaching duties this semester) but then couldn't face it; still need to pack my things for hospital tomorrow, but can't seem to get round to that either, will probably end up doing it at one o'clock in the morning... very weird feeling I must say, somehow detached from the real world if you know what I mean, and many of you probably do as you're going through the same thing..anyway, instead of chores, I've decided to take my son (20) and daughter (18) out to lunch which I think is an altogether better idea..DH abroad on work but will be back late tonight. Yes, LisaWade, I know exactly what you mean re bitchiness..somehow many people can't get it quite right can they. Actually many friends want to be positive but feel awkward and many don't get the tone right and I find myself thinking 'What the f--- do you know?'. Hopefully what I'm thinking doesn't show in my expression or I might be left with far fewer friends
GrandmaV you must be feeling relieved at having made yr decision..keeping fingers crossed for you that your op can go ahead today...good vibes going to matahead as well. I also have a decision to make by tomorrow regarding whether to give the go ahead to my bs to fold the flaps of skin after my bmx to simulate small breasts...I'd mentioned it earlier on, it's a v new procedure called Goldilocks, especially for those women with big breasts who are opting to go for a mx with out reconstruction..anyway, I need to decide by tomorrow, but it is difficult to change course once you have planned and prepared for a different route...
Thinking very much of Kelleyod and Sigarcia; thankyou Mr Kelleyod for input, I hope the wait wasn't too nerve-wracking. Hello to all the new ladies who have joined recently, and good healing to last week's post-ops. Thinking of you all, you give us courage, and especially thinking of ah2bthin going under the knife with me tomorrow...because of the time difference I'll be in the operating theatre while you are asleep...GOOOOOOOOOD LUCK!
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