Any October 2011 Surgeries out there want to wait together?
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Everyone,
Thanks so much for the welcome and all the info.
Judy67 - there is a patient advocate at the hospital who has been wonderful about helping me collect all the films for my 2nd opinion and I'm sure she'll either help me with all the paraphernalia or else get me to someone else who will.
I'll be going over to the packing list thread after I post this.
Dancetrancer - your info was very valuable. I think I'll freeze my membership until I know I'm ready to start up again. Like everyone else here I expect myself to heal very fast and I need your "reality checks". Lymphedema is the very last thing in the world I want.
Exbrnxgrl - thanks for the hopes for no chemo. I've been told I won't need it but reading about sigarcia's report has freaked me out a little.
CLC - got a very pretty periwinkle bamboo yarn for my first knitty titty! Feels good to be doing something useful and pretty too!
Susan
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I wanted to post my surgery date, but I ran out of time!! Monday Oct. 10th I have a lumpectomy with a SNB. Surgery went well the tumor had grown since first diagnose three weeks earlier. Only one lymp node was removed. I see my surgeon on Tuesday afternoon to go over pathology report, after that I'm not sure!! I value all of the support I've been reading on this forum. You ladies are truely an inspiration.
Cyndi
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Hi everyone hope all is well with you all postopand good luck to the ones comming up and my prayers are always with you. My BLM and SNB werer succesful not a lot of pain they gave me nerve block along with my anesthesia they also injected it in myb ack and shoulders did not hurt at all.I also had antinausea med befoer surgery. First day I was up and walking just a little sore the put bandages over me but removed them before I left for home .Once home I rested only got up to use bathroom. The drains are not bad I only have two My daughter bless her heart takes care of them. I have looked at my vacancies and they are not bad but I am counting down for new residents . I am still on meds Vicodins,antibiotisc 3 days post opt but I know I need them so I take them because I do not want the pain to catch up with me .My arms are like T Rex I am not doing too good with them. But I have patients I just pray that my report is good and I will go forward with the diep. I also am waiting to see if I need Chemo or Rad I will know by tuesday. All in all this wasnt as bad as I thought itt would be thank you all for you words of wisdom and encouragement . Even though I may not always post I am her reading and praying for all of us. We Are Bent But Not Broken.
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matahead7~ I'm so glad you updated! Happy you're home and doing ok. My BS plans to use a nerve block also so it was good to hear your positive experience. I'll be thinking the very best for your news on Tuesday.
Sandlake~ I'm glad your surgery went smoothly. Keep us posted!
sott~ Welcome! I had to chuckle at "knitty titty"!
Is anyone else having trouble receiving email notifications of new posts?
Be back in the morning to further catch up. Is anyone else having trouble receiving email notifications of new posts?
Night all!
AJ
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AJ- I also had nerve block and it worked great!
Mr. Clams and some others (I am afraid to go back and look or I will lose my place) I also felt like I should have more energy and feel better after a few weeks. I kept trying to get off my pain meds and move around more than I should have. Then the pain got ahead of me and interfered with my healing. I received the best advice from a friend who asked me "are you listening to your mind or to your body?' I have been working very hard to listen to my body and stop worrying about what I think I "should" be able to do. If I am tired, I take a break. I cut back my work schedule and am taking care of myself right now. there will be plenty of time to get back to all the business of life. Hang in there!
Gamergirl- glad you are back. Hope you are feeling better soon!
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Jerry Garcia posting for Shannon Garcia:
Today we have finally come home. Shannon is very sore and she is still complaining of the elephant on her chest. Mr. Clams I can identify with you on the complaints in that matter. You are so helpless when they are in a situation of this magnitude. I am an "alpha" type personality so it is in my nature to be aggressive and protective. Thank you for your support of my wife even while your wife is going through the same issue.
Exbrnxgrl: Thank you for the support. It is helpful knowing we are not all alone. We were so hopeful the lymph nodes would all come back negative. It put us on our knees! We feel as if we are heading into a black hole. We will have our first appointment at 0845 this coming Tuesday with our Oncologist on chemo treatment and a more detailed prognosis.
Survivor11 and CLC: You both have been wonderful! Thank you for all you kind words of support and wisdom! We are scared!
Dancetrancer: You are a true solider. You are taking this fight and not backing down. I admire your courage.
Trinity927: May God bless you and bring you peace. One of my daughter's friends made my wife a card while she was in the hospital. Her name is Anna and is 12 years of age. We consider her just a part of our family, none the less; in her card she made this statement: "God picked you because he knew you would fight". How the mind of child works is amazing. I say this - "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Sott: I am sorry you are now part of this sorority, one in which does not take volunteers.
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Hey Cyndi, I'm where you are waiting on pathology. My appt is Monday and I have no idea yet whether or not I'll need chemo. Good luck at your appt.
Judy
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Soot, my point on chemo is that the final determination of whether it's recommend is based on the final path report after surgery. My films and biopsies indicated a 1 mm IDC with no nodes. Final report? 4CM tumor, 1 positive node. Only the final path report and the oncologist's treatment plans drive where you go from there. Good luck to you. Caryn
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Again here is Shannon's web site and anyone is welcome to follow her here as well. I will continue to post for her on this website too with the same updates until she is well enough to do so on her own.
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Trinity...I like the new pic...:)
iLUV2knit...It is good to see you! I am glad you are alive and surviving! I am glad you are having a good hospital experience. Mine was dreadful, with the rudest nurses and horrible instructions/guidance. It is good that they are looking out for you well.
Gamergirl...I am sorry to hear you are having trouble with those blasted drains. I think I can say on behalf of all of us, thank you for having taken care of our group so well. Please make sure you are taking care of yourself...
Clams...I am sorry Mrs. Clams is hitting a rough patch. Is there a project that she can take on to help her get through the rest, like getting photo albums caught up or something like that?
Maria_Malta...glad to know surgery went well!
sott... I love periwinkle...:)
Sandlake...welcome...good luck with the path report...that is a big hurdle to wait for...and, waiting can be the worst part...
Matahead...glad you are recovering and well...and, like I said to Sandlake...good luck with the path report...waiting is the pits...
DukesUp...I don't get email notifications of new posts, just pm's...so I can't help out with that one...
Judy...thinking of your path report...gosh, there is a lot of waiting going on this weekend. I am sorry. It is the hardest part...
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I have lots of news... I got the call...BRCA is NEGATIVE!!! (I am so glad I didn't hold surgery up for that and I feel such immense relief that, for now, there are no treatments or surgeries on the immediate horizon).
After we all just had this big discussion about showing the surgeries to our children, I had a lousy experience with my daughter. She walked into the bathroom while I was changing. She just walked in. I covered up just enough for her to know that I had my bandages off. She asked to see. I showed her with very little preparation and she was unprepared. She was angry that she'd asked to see and that I'd shown her. We talked at length and it got resolved in the important respects (her, me and trust), but it is going to take some time for her to come to terms with what I actually look like (and, I would imagine, what she might face for herself someday...how could she not think about that?). I don't think I should have told her more quickly...it was right for me to wait a little. I don't think I was wrong to show her once she asked because I think that is a reasonable time to share information. I think the moral of the story is that mastectomy is harsh. A reality in life that takes some coming to terms with. But, she knows she has me to lean on, and she will. She seems much better today.
I hope all of you have a very good weekend, whether it is getting ready in anticipation of surgery or coming to terms with the surgery and news you've already had... I am glad you all are sharing here...it helps so much...
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CLC - I'm sorry about the experience with your daughter. That's got to be hard, but it sounds like you were doing the right thing at the time. Telling her no and telling her to leave might not have worked out well either. Sounds like you had a good conversation, and I'm sure she'll grow to understand since you're right there with her.
Good news about brca. After all, that's one less conversation to have with your daughter, and fewer decision clouds hanging over your head.
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rachelvk...thank you for your words of support...it is not easy to know what to do as a parent with run of the mill things, never mind something like this.
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Hi Ladies. It's me, Shannon. Just wanted to pop in and say hi and thanks for all of your well wishes. I am exhausted. I know I've been gone....just want to wish everyone who had surgery a speedy recovery, and good luck to everyone facing it. Much love to you all.
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Shannon - welcome back! Your husband has done a great job keeping us posted. You have a real gem there. Glad you're slowly getting back on your feet. Watching everyone's progress here has really given me a good idea of what to expect. Ups, downs and wipeouts. Keep moving ahead!
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Yeah, Shannon!! So glad you are up to posting! I second rachelvk's comment...Jerry did a wonderful job and is a real gem! With him at your side, you are in great shape to kick this thing. I hope you are getting lots of rest. We are all rooting for you!
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Good Morning Lovelies~
Shannon~ So happy to see you up and posting! Please tell Jerry that his updates have been very appreciated! Hang in there honey. You can do this!!!
CLC~ Thank you for sharing what happened with your daughter/bandage situation. I'm sure it was especially difficulty being caught unprepared for that conversation. I'm glad she seems to be doing better today. Hugs to you-you are such an amazing Mom!
Ginger48~ Great tip re: needing to listen to our bodies and not so much our minds when dealing with recovery. I'm anticipating this to be a problem for me but need to understand that moving forward too quickly will surely derail my progress..
Maria_Malta~ Sorry about the low hemoglobin. Glad you're being closely monitored over the weekend. Stay strong, Friend!
Caryn~ You are always so helpful and I've learned so much from you. I know my BS/PS do not allow showers until all drains have been removed. ICK.. I'm going to hate that! I think I'm going to refrain from buying any special camis for now since they've told me I'll be wrapped up like a mummy with whatever type of garment they use at the hospital...
Gamergirl~ Thinking of you Sweetie. Are you still in the hospital?
ILUV2Knit~ UGH, sorry to hear you had such a painful night. Is the pain level still under control now? I think it's very sweet you were offered a hair wash at the hospital!
Trinity~ Just 2 more fills Girl--- that's great. Does your PS fill every 2 weeks?
MargieC~ Sorry the remaining drains weren't able to come out L
Irie4now~ Welcome (I don't think I welcomed you yet- sorry!) Your surgery is just one day after mine. My PS will be using Alloderm too (which also freaked me out at first upon learning what it really is!) Great idea re: those Colgate wisps!
Kim137~ Been thinking of you! How did surgery go? Hope you're back up and posting soon!
rachel~ Good luck with the apartment decisions this weekend!
To anyone I've missed~ I'm truly sorry. This board moves so quickly and I hate that I seem to have lost my email notifications.
Off to start our afternoon of soccer. Hugs and love to all. Hope to hear more updates from our post-surgery ladies soon!
XO
AJ
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survivor11/Dawn: -Thanks for the warm welcome and words of encouragement. So glad I found this site and forum. At the moment, I am less freaked out than I probably should be. I have had 3 much more risky/invasive abdominal surgeries over the past 7 years, that this seems like a cakewalk in comparison.
Anyone still concerned about drains being removed - it's really not bad. Just close your eyes and follow BS's instructions and take some deep breaths. Do be careful to keep an eye on any unusual drainage afterwards. I had drainage from an abdominal incision site 4 weeks post-op (not where either drain had been inserted), and it turned out to be an infection (nothing horrible) that required additional surgery to remove and treat. There was no infection smell or anything to alert me. Just be aware of any unusual spontaneous drainage.
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Hello Ladies. . . .
Just a quick check in as I'm feeling a bit alone at this time and need to connect . . .
Welcome to the newcomers! Sorry you're here but what a place to be. I don't think I'd be semi smiling these days if it weren't for this crew.
I am now on 5th day post op from UMX with TE . . .and moving around decently. I can't imagine how you BMX ladies deal with the pain. . .I really can't. I am trying hard to get "off" of painkillers at this time (been on Vicodin) as i was not getting the bowels moving. I heard you all in my head . . .going over what I needed to do - prune juice - check; raisin bran - check; colace - check; smooth moves - check.....oh my it was like the BM from h*ll hopefully we've opened the gates and are past that one. . . as one of you said to Margie a couple of pages ago, "it happens..." Oh my yes. Sorry if it's TMI.
My big question probably to CLC since I know you are a Uni like me. . . . how were you 5 days post? were you up / getting back to life? In pain? Give me a reality check. I'm totally not trying to be a martyr or ignore my body's need to rest. . . . just need to know if I'm doing decently. I think this TE and the mondo fill they gave me is causing the discomfort. . . . thoughts?
I am back for post op on Wednesday . . . hoping to hear final path . . . and get my one drain out . . . My kids have asked gently to see scar and have seen me in closer fitting shirts . . . I'm not ready to "bear all" and I think even when they ask (they will!) I will push for some time for both of us. . .just my two cents
hope you all are peaceful this saturday . . .
me
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Kelleyod...I am glad you are connecting...:)
My experience is going to be different than yours. I am not doing reconstruction, so no TE. But this is how it is going for me...By 5 days post op, I took two gentle strolls down the road with dh. I stopped taking morphine 15 hours after surgery and I took 1/2 vicodin two times total. I am tender to the touch, but can move my arm to 90 degrees without pain or strain. I tire very easily. 15 minute walk yesterday left me tired and needing to lay down (and that is coming from someone who normally runs 15 to 20 miles per week). I cannot sleep for long periods of time because I get achy and stiff. I sleep for a few hours, then get up for a couple and move around.
Like I said, my experience is likely to be really different than yours, because no TE's. I think maybe the thing to pay attention to is whether you are gradually improving. I overdid it one day and layed low the next. I think that it is partly trial and error...as long as the trials are made with caution...:)
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I have what feels like a very silly question, but here goes. Even though I'm large (DD) I am very comfortable going bra-less. I've been slogging through the packing list posts and there is so much info on the kind of bra to get. What is the reasoning behind this? Do you have to have something that acts like a binder for the surgery side or could I get away with just bandages and let the other hang loose?
Any comments will be greatly appreciated.
Susan
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Shannon - I'm so happy to see you on here posting as well. I'll chime in with all the other ladies regarding your husband. He's a very special man, and was updating your progress, as well as giving us encourgagement and support. It's very apparent his love for you shines immensely, and you're both very fortunate to have each other.
CLC - thanks for the compliment on my pic ... that was my pre-op pic after eight inches of hair was cut off ...
I'm not sure I'll be posting my pic when I'm hairless! I can only imagine how difficult it was showing your daughter, but in my opinion, in time it will take away her fear, instead of fueling it. Children's minds can sometimes imagine something far worse than the reality of things.
Dukes_Up - My PS is doing fills once a week, as long as I can withstand it ... and, as of right now, I'm not sure I can. I'm very sore, with an extreme amount of tightness and range of motion is minimal. I have an appointment this coming week for another fill, but am considering rescheduling it for the following week.
Kelleyod - I apologize for not sending you a note regarding your surgery. I'm glad things went well for you. You've been in my thoughts and prayers nevertheless. I've just been so busy with doctor appointments, doctor appointments, and more doctor appointments. And, I do agree with CLC that everyone is different on their recovery time, and to basically "listen to your body." I have overdone it a couple times, and was wiped out the next day. So, I need to learn to pace myself as well. I'm not one to sit and do nothing though, and I've ended up pushing myself too hard at times. So, just get as much rest as possible, but keep moving around as tolerated ... with caution as CLC stated.
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Every surgeon seems to have their own way to dress/bandage the area after mastectomy. After your initial dressings are removed, your surgeon will advise you about bras. I'm sorry that I don't remember if you are having reconstruction or not, but that will also make a difference as well.
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Thx exbrngrl. No I'm not having reconstruction.
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Trinity...gosh...that is an awful lot to take in... I hate waiting. I have said it a thousand times in here. But it is so hard because of just what you are experiencing. It lets your mind spin, and spin, and spin until you've spun yourself a million tales, only one of which (at best) will actually be true.
And then, if it turns out to be bad, you crash, then get up, and set yourself into motion and the mere sense of control at moving again makes you feel better. And that is the only lifeline I can throw you... If it turns out to be bad, you will crash, then get up, set yourself into motion and fight it.
I guess there is another bit of lifeline, too. It is okay to spin all of those tales. Don't be hard on yourself. You are working out the possibilities and preparing yourself for the worst. It is only human. You are allowed to be human...:)
In the meantime, try to do things that make you feel good...(good music? chocolate? sitting in sunshine?)
Hang in there...
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sott...not all surgeons actually say anything about bras. Mine didn't. I was in a binder/ace bandage for 4 days. Then it was up to me. At that point, bras were uncomfortable for me, so I went without anything for a couple of days. Then I started wearing the camisole on and off because I missed the support (I am a D).. You should ask your surgeon what to expect, I think. By the way, how is the knitting coming?
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Sott - don't know if you are having recon or not - if so, ask your PS if a special bra is needed. Some will want more support/compression than others, etc. If no recon, I don't think you'd need anything besides the bandages (check with your PS to be sure), but some women like a cami made with holders for the drains. I had one but didn't like it (I too hate bras and found it too tight), so I just used a lanyard to hook the drains into or pinned them to the inside of my shirt.
Trinity - here's your lifeline! Seriously girl, I understand. Can't remember if I told you or not, but my posterior margin near the chest wall is close, too. I'm waiting on a second opinion on the path to find out the exact margins and if that means I'll need radiation or not. Sucks. Taking it one day at a time here, too. (I don't know anything about the internal mammary lymph thing, or I'd comment on that.)
Shannon - glad to see you feeling well enough to be back here posting!
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CLC - thank you for all your encouragement ... the waiting is the hardest part ... and, you're right about the fact that I'm mentally trying to prepare myself for whatever comes my way ... and, I'll have to deal with it at that time ... It's pretty much out of my control anyway ... I'm leaving it up to God, and the plans he has for me ... I've been reciting the Serentity prayer today ...
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference."
dancetrancer - We've been there for each other since the beginning of this awful journey ... but, I don't remember you telling me that you're in the same boat as me ... we'll be each other's lifeline ... we'll both get through this ... what other choice do we have? God only gives us what we can handle ... I just wish He didn't trust us so much! With love, always!
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Welcome back Shannon, we miss you over at the other thread.
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Great news! My BS called me about my final post--BMX pathology report last night. (I was supposed to have heard it in person, but she cancelled my appointment because of an emergency.) R breast (prophylactic) is fine, L breast shows no residual cancer! The 19 L axillary nodes she removed are clear! What a great relief! Praise the Lord!
I initially had one positive axillary node (biopsied during diagnosis) that had an extracapsular extension (and my Onc noted all through chemo that it was getting smaller, and that the breast tumor was also shrinking and couldn't be felt any more before surgery. QUESTION: Would these 19 nodes have been cancerous ones that had become clear as a result of chemo? Or were they always clear? What about the one that was definitely positive in the first biopsy? I'm confused about how they count these nodes. Saying I have 0/19 nodes doesn't reflect the first bad node unless it is among the 19 clear ones. Is there a better way to understand how many had been positive, and how many are still positive (if any) after chemo? I'll get a copy of the actual report on Monday, so I don't know how it describes it.
Wishing you all a peaceful weekend -- what's left of it -- especially kks_rd and LisaWade with your surgeries next week.
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AnnAlive...that is wonderful!!! I am so happy for you! Lets hear it for all of your hard work and determination, grit and strength... Do I understand correctly...you have gone from IIIc to all clear in 6 months? Wow!!!!
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