Any October 2011 Surgeries out there want to wait together?
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Tips for anyone with constipation, especially if still on vicodin. (Warning: may be gross to some.) I share these b/c I had major emergency surgery 7 years ago due to colon damage from years of constipation and not knowing how to best deal with it.
1) Work from the bottom up - the rectum is where the problem is. Use Fleet (or store brand) glycerin suppositories. They are small (1" or so). If having trouble, do not strain too much. Insert one suppository, and you should have a BM w/in 15 - 30 minutes without too much effort/pain. Less dramatic results than with MofM, which I dislike.
2) As told to me by an RN: recipe for a BM cocktail. 1 small can pineapple juice + 1 small can prune juice. Add a pat of butter. Heat in microwve just long enough to melt butter. Be careful it is not so hot as to burn your mouth. Tastes better than plain prune juice, and results are less explosive <sorry>. This recipe makes 2 servings.
3) If you do not have any of the above handy, and things are really stuck, do not try too hard to push. If you have a surgical glove, put one on. Use your index finger as a shoe horn. This is what the ER nurses do if you go to ER w/ an impacted stool. Even if you don't have a glove, use your clean finger - it beats a trip to the ER, and you can wash with soap and water afterwards. I know this sounds gross, but it works in an emergency.
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SalSpecht I will be thinking of you on Monday, my surgery has a later start time of 1:00pm when are you scheduled to start? God Bless all of my sisters in this journey I am praying for all. As always Lisa
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Kelleyod, I am a uni with TE, too...I was off the percocet on day 6, but I was having some sideceffects they thought were related to it. Since then, the pain isn't too bad but I feel like I tire easily and can tell if I overdo it and will need to rest up. Basically, I've been trying to do more each day but there have been some days that are frustrating. With three little ones, I have to consciously hold back a lot. I agree that the TE is uncomfortable since it was filled during surgery. I don't have my next until the beginning of the month thankfully. Keep us posted and hope the healing is progressing!
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I had BMX and TEs last Wed. My pain level hasn't been too bad. The thing that's driving me crazy is the itching. I told the BS and PS that I'm allergic to most adhesives and evidently they didn't hear me (or didn't listen???). Anyway, we took the dressings off for the first time yesterday and I have blisters and redness where the tape was. My husband put new dressings on and took most of the tape off (the dressings are anchored by the bra they gave me) but I'm still itching. I guess it could also be part of the healing process. Overall, I have to say this wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I offer my best wishes and prayers to those with surgery coming up. You can do this!
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CLC - I haven't seen the written pathology yet and discussed it with my Onc (the basics were read over the phone by my BS) so I don't know what they do with the staging. I don't think they "erase" what the stage was, but call it the same stage IIIc "in remission" -- I'll try to pin that down at my Onc visit tomorrow. But I do think they would call this CPR: complete pathological response, to the chemo. If cancer were truly gone, they wouldn't need to do radiation, would they, but they continue with the whole works to be sure, including the full course of Herceptin. I wish I understood it better. Also, this pathology addresses only the breasts and nodes, not possible micrometastases elsewhere. But it's the best news the evidence shows right now.
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Lisa Wade - Just a quick note of encouragement - I know today will be alternately too short and too long. You just remember that you can do this! You are taking a huge step tomorrow! You put that game face on and know that all those creepy little feelings you feel on your arms are all of our little hands reaching out to touch you and let you know we're with you! Go get 'em!
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Maui Mom! Thank you for the post! I am doing decently with the pain . . .trying to dive into Tylenol and out of Vicodin after BM from h&ll which I believe was more Vicodin induced - arrgghhh. I too have 3 little ones and am just shaking my head at how much one HAS to hold back and push on to someone else. makes me a little sad but I guess that is our reality for now. I have been surprised at how tight my chest feels . . . .learning to deal. How much was your first fill? Thanks for reaching out - really appreciate it.
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Ann Alive - great news for you! Keep the faith!
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To all of the BC sisters here on this thread-- Thank You for all of your thoughts, ideas and encouragement. Your comments mean so much to the specific person may be writing to, but also to all of us who are reading and keeping up on everyone's progress. My surgery is this Thursday and I have been reviewing for the second and third time this month what I may need in the hospital and what to expect afterwards. I live in Michigan and I am a single mom of three college age children. Three days after I officially became an empty nester-- I got called back for more mammogram pictures and then after that my diagnosis. I can say I am glad that none of my kids are here to watch me go through this. There are times I do get sad to be going through this alone- but wouldn't want either of my exes to be here either. My kids are having some trouble handling all of this so far from home. My oldest is my daughter- lives in TX and is in med school there; next is my older son- he is about 2 hours away studying to be a pharmacist; and my youngest son is a freshman who is 3 hours away from home. My older son is having the hardest time. He has decided to use my diagnosis as an excuse to go wild. I told him last week that his bad choices are making me stressed and sicker and that he needed to stay away from me until he got his act together. That was hard but what I felt I needed to do for me. I am not used to putting myself and my needs first. My parents and sisters have stepped up to the plate to take care of me after surgery and I could not be more thankful. It has been hard to accept help- usually I am the one doing the helping for others. The big puzzling thing for me is what bras/camis may I need afterwards. I will have TE. My PS hinted that I may come home with nothing- no compression vest or anything. I have read through and found so many good suggestions from many of you. Thank you!
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AnnAlive...I am sorry if I was being insensitive or just plain ignorant.. I was just so happy for you to hear no residual cancer... That is such a wonderful thing to hear... Please forgive me if I upset you in any way... Claire
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Melissah, I had the same issues with tape and itching (even though I also told them I had an allergy). Grrrr. Benadryl helped some, but mostly it was just b/c it knocked me out, and I slept through the itching. Eventually I got all the tape off and held my bandage on with an ace bandage. (I wrapped the ace bandage below my breast area over top of the bottom of the bandages going over my chest - this way no pressure on my breast area.)
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I've missed welcoming a lot of new people - hard to keep up. You've found a good group of women to wait and recover with, and to learn from.
jmz - Sorry to hear about your son, but you are right to put yourself first at this point in time. You've probably seen a lot of posts about that - for many of us, this is the first time we've had to really consider asking for help. It's good that you have your parents and sisters for support. Good luck with your surgery and your recovery. I'm also doing TEs the following Wed, so I'll look forward to your report.
LisaWade and Sally - Take it easy today. Lots of good thoughts coming your way for tomorrow.
AnnAlive - Great news. I hope that indeed the last word.
One quick question - I was told initially that by choosing a BMX, they would not do radiation, only chemo, but I've seen some posts here that suggest otherwise. Anyone know more about this?
Wishing everyone a great Sunday. The weather is great here in the northeast, and I'm hoping to put together some type of schedule and to-do list for the next 10 days - the bathroom isn't going to clean itself.
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Rachelvk,
I know that for DCIS, sometimes after MX you need radiation if you have poor margins. It's rare, though. Here's what I found about this (written by the American Cancer Society):
Conclusions: What did the researchers say their study results mean?
Patients with margins of 2 mm or less who have any additional unfavorable features such as having high-grade disease, comedonecrosis or being under the age of 60 are at particular risk of local recurrence and might benefit from radiotherapy after mastectomy. However, additional research is needed to confirm these findings.It is thought that half of local recurrences will be additional DCIS and half invasive cancers, this belief by other long term studies of breast cancer. However, in this small sample, looking at these special parameters, all the cases of local recurrence were invasive. This makes the recurrence more dangerous.
https://www.cancerfacts.com/home_studyreport.asp?cb=266&litid=374
Now, I don't know what the research shows regarding IDC and MX and radiation. Hopefully someone else will have something to share on that.
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rachelvk ~ I see we are having the same surgery ... BMX wth DIEP or Free TRAM (My HMO doesn't do TRAM any more ... happy to hear that.). I am a TN also ... twice (see my bio). My MO said if I have surgery ... I don't have to do radiation. I had Taxotere/Cytoxan 4X over summer. My MO wanted me to do 6, but 4X is enough for me. I don't see the benefit to having more Chemo.
Funny I have cleaning the bathroom on my list of things to do too. Today, I am or my husband and I (we don't work well on projects) installing a vinyl gate. My last DIY project this year.
You are so right about keep up with the Oct Surgeries.
To all with surgeries coming or done ... "Don't be afraid" ...that's what my Dad said to me in 1999. With those little words ... I was able to move on and let things go.
~LA
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QUESTION:
I was sent home from the hospital with various gauze pads, circle things,extra odds and ends. I have NO idea what I am supposed to do with them...?? Am I supposed to be changing my drain dressings? My boob incision lines all look fine, although deflated and bumpy looking. They used surgical glue on me since I am allergic to most adhesive tapes. Everything looks nice and dry.
Did any of you have to change your dressing at the site were the drains come out of your side?? Either way, I won't be able to do it myself.
My range of motion is really good. I do not have "t rex" arms and am functioning pretty normally. It is hard to wipe though after going potty --perhaps too much info for some-- but if I reach too much toward my backside, the drain sites burn like holy hell. any suggestions or tips ?? am I supposed to be changing any drain dressings??
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Oct 28 I'm scheduled for a lumpectomy and SNB. I haven't the slightest idea what to expect. There doesn't seem to be any coordination between all the docs I'm dealing with. I am hoping to get an appointment with the breast cancer group at Loyola (Chicago). What questions should Ibe asking?
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Spunkyboobster - welcome to our group, even though none of us would choose to be here if we had any say in the matter.
What doctors are you currently dealing with? Would Loyola be a second opinion of sorts?
I pretty much jumped right to plans for a mastectomy, so I didn't get much info about what to expect from a lumpectomy. In general, though, you should have a good idea of your what your pathology report says - I assume they did a biopsy? Did you get a copy? Make sure you understand what type of cancer, stage, grade and other details. Other questions: Where exactly will they have to make the incision? Do they expect to take any skin if it's close to the surface? If it's close to the nipple, they may not be able to spare that, so make sure they can give you a rough estimate of the area that will be affected. What do they expect in terms of radiation and chemo post-surgery? If you have a family history of cancer, you may ask if there are any genetic tests you should consider.
Find out if the current hospital or surgical group you're working with has a 'breast care navigator' or 'coordinator.' That person can often help give you a sense of what to expect and help you formulate questions, or even 'translate' what the doctors have said.
Good luck with finding your answers and your surgery. And check out other threads on here - you can find others that have the same type of cancer (DCIS? IDC?), stage, location - there is an IL group. Ask away. We may not all be on the same paths, but you can get some good advice from many women who have been through this before you.
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spunkyboobster- I had a lumpectomy and SNB in April. It was not too bad. One thing I would suggest is to ask if they can inject the dye for the sentinal node biopsy once you are under. That is what my surgeon did and it was one less pain to feel. I was sore for a few days and off meds other than tylenol by day 3. I met with the surgeon before surgery and asked him to show me where the incisions would be and what to expect for recovery and what should I be worried and call about.
Since then I have had NSBMX due to BRCA 2+ status so the lumpectomy is not as clear in my memory. Good luck to you.
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Hey All!
So sorry that I just have a few minutes to check in but I especially wanted to wish LisaWade and SalSpecht super smooth surgeries tomorrow. I'll be sending good vibes all day long!
Ann~ Can't wait to hear how your Onc visit goes tomorrow. I am thrilled to know that you had such a wonderful response to your treatment.
rachelvk~ You always have such wonderful advice. Thank you for offering so much support to all who are just starting this journey....
spunkyboobster~ OMG your screen name made me laugh. Love it. Rachel gave you some fantastic info.
ILuv2Knit~ Never TMI, Girl! So glad you have good range of motion with most other functions!
I've thought about everyone so much today particularly during my "Bye Bye Itty Bitty Boobies Brunch" held at my very favorite B&B here in Maine. I'm not too proud to admit that I chowed down 10 huge lobster tails in addition to lots of other healthy-ish deliciousness. I'm so full.... (and still a bit tipsy from the vino that went down a little too easily!)
9911~ Welcome to our awesome group
jmz~ Hi! I totally understand finding it difficult to accept help. I am NOT good at being on the receiving end.
Kelleyod~ ACCCCCK! So sorry about the BM from he*&!
CLC~ Response on the way soon
Can't wait to hear how your day went. More personals tomorrow--- and I send Solid Sleep wishes to all tonight!
~ AJ
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LisaWade and SalSpecht...best of luck tomorrow!!!
iLUV2knit...my dh changed my drain bandages or I left them open. But I got NO instructions, so I don't know what I was supposed to do... I think you should call bs office for clarification...
DukesUp...please don't feel compelled on response... no pressures here, just on the rest of life...:)
Gosh, I am overwhelmed by the pace of new folks being added...I am sorry to not get back to everyone! Welcome to all newcomers!! Sorry you have to be here, but glad you found the women here, they are a very supportive group.
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Ok,so I cant concentrate long enough to read all the posts thanks to my new friends Percocets, Lortabs and Flexeril. I just wanted to log on and let everyone know that I'm doing ok post-op. I had surgery Thursday and came home Saturday. The pain isn't as bad as I anticipated....don't get me wrong, it hurts like hell, but I'm alive to tell about it. I have more good than bad moments. I did make the mistake of sleeping thru my next pain pill dosage one time. Won't make that mistake again!!! Alarm clock is set and ready to alert me every 4 hours! I will update y'all more this week when I get my final path report back. Love to you all!
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Holy Moly. Leave town for wkend and look at all the activity posted.
LisaWade & SalSpecht-good luck tom. Remember we will all be there holding your hands and loving you. Post when you can to let us know how your doing.
Judy 67, Matahead & Cyndi-awaiting your path report with great anticipation. Praying that all turns out well and remember if you don't hear exactly what you want, try not to panic. We will be here for you and whatever is ahead we will all help you in any way we can. Just remember how strong you all are and what fighters you've already proven to be.
Jerry & Shannon-I know your scared about your appt on Tues, but believe me you will feel better once you have a gameplan. It will take awhile to get your head around all of it, it may be a good idea to take a third party since most of us don't remember our first onch appt and everything they say-too much to take in at once. We will all be here ready to answer any questions you have afterwards. Try to remember that this battle is fought one day at a time, don't get too far ahead of yourselves, okay?
CLC-yeah for the BRCA neg. Sorry you had a bad hospital experience. I'm a nurse and consider myself lucky in a way because now when I go back to work I will be so much better prepared to take care of my OR cancer patients, hope I can make a difference for someone in our shoes. Sorry also that you had a bad experience with your daughter. All kids are different and they cope in different ways, at least it is now out in the open which hopefully will make the communication easier for both of you guys.
Gamergirl-how are you doing?
Kellyod-stay on the meds if you need them. Everyones journey and recovery is different. Don't compare yourself to anyone, alot of different factors affect recovery. It is so easy for us as woman to push ourselves. This really is the one time that you have to be selfish and put yourself above everyone, even the kids. In order to get back to where you want to be, you have to be selfish now.Will be thinking about you and your soon to come up path results.
Sott-I had a BMX with TE placement and my PS didn't put me in a compression bandage or a bra, Just gauze overing incision sites. Afterwards he only told me that he didn't want anything tight on and no underwire what so ever. Like others have said, every PS is different, make sure they give you the instructions before surgey so you can be prepared.
AnnAlive-yeah on the path report but sorry don't have any answers about staging afterwards.
jmz-sorry how your son is behaving. Hopefully he will snap out of it soon, but like i said above, now is the time when you really have to be selfish and put yourself above all others. Hope you can do that and am glad to hear you have your family to lean on.
rachelvk-I had BMX and was told the same thing about radiation. I had IDC with no node invovement so don't know if that makes a difference.
iLUV2knit-With drains, alot of times your PS will tell you to put a small gauze over the insertion sites to catch any fluid that may seep out. Plus by anchoring a gause there with a little paper tape, it will help keep them from pulling when you lean over. I did this and changed the gauze twice a day.
spunkybo-love the name. Welcome but sorry you have to join us.
Kim137-glad about your surgery and hope recovery is going well.
Okay think I got most of you, if I missed anyone very sorry. Continuing to pray for all those having surgery this week and all of us that are recovering.
I see my PS tom and hopefully get an answer as to when my TE will get reinserted, will keep you posted.
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Thank you everyone for the well wishes and positive thoughts, they are greatly appreciated, and kelleyod I look forward to the feelings of all my sisters reaching out to me... I don't think I could do this without the support I get from all of you and the special ladies who have gone above and beyond contacting me thank you, thank you, thank you. You are all wonerful! hope to be back posting soon love, prayers, warm thoughts and wishes to all of you, as always Lisa
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I have come to the conclusion that I will be of little use to this forum since everytime I log on, I can't concentrate and reply to the other friends here. I find myself sitting here, hands on laptop keyboard and head slouched to chest. I keep falling asleep! Just like that....zzzzzzz....and then wake up and am disoriented. Wow, I am shocked at myself. I have even fallen asleep holding a saltine cracker and wake up to find I am still holding it. LOL!!
My friend brought over the best meal last night. Roasted whole organic chicken, roasted red peppers with quoina stuffing (however you spell it) rolls, organic green beans, creamy mashed potatoes, homemade pear/apple pie. wow...It smelled so wonderful, but with my nausea I only ate a couple bites. Thank God for phenergan and who ever suggested it!! When I am better I totally plan to slather pie all over myself and roll in the red peppers like a pig happy in mug!! LOL
so I will try to keep eyes open and reply, but if I can't please know I am reading your posts and continue to pray for everyone's upcoming procedures and treatments!! It is a bright sunny day here in Michigan, dang it!! I want it to be gloomy, raining, and cold so I won't feel guilty about laying around,
take care all, and talk to you soon!!!
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wow take a few days off from the site and you miss so much. I hope all off you are doing well and healing.
LisaWade-- I will be thinking about you today.
Ann-- congrats on the good path report.
for those of you asking about what to wear after surgery. I came home with no bandages just a surgical bra. My PS has me wearing front closure sports bras. I got them from Walmart and they have been working really well.
I am going tomorrow to the PS in hopes to lose 1 or 2 of my last 2 drains.
I have a question for those who have had surgery. Are you having issues with your node incision? My node incision in my left arm pit is tight and making it hard to raise my arm over my head. I have asked my PS to order me PT which we will discuss tomorrow. Have any of you experience this with your node incision?
My DH left this moring for work and will not be home till Thur evening. It's going to be strange and lonely. I have a bunch of friends who will be checking on me, but he has been at my side 24/7 for the past 2 weeks.
have a good Monday ladies... sending gentle hugs.
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Hi everyone,
I've recovered very nicely and am doing so much better. I stopped the pain meds yesterday so I can stay awake. I'm still taking the antibiotic, but haven't had any fever now for two days. I'm still coughing, but that's due to the bug I picked up before surgery and am still fighting that. I have my post op Wednesday and will hopefully find out about the nodes and stage, etc. I meet with the onc next week to discuss chemo. I'm beginning to get use to the port, but I still have to be careful how I move my neck or it pulls it. Good wishes to everyone still facing surgery and hope all goes well to those recovering. Thank you to all of you for your encouragement and understanding.
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OK, so after hearing the good pathology report from my BS last Friday, I got to meet with my Onc today to discuss it in a little more detail. She was ecstatic about the results! Negative for residual carcinoma in the breasts and 19 nodes dissected. One or more of those nodes had been cancerous before, and this report refers back to the previous biopsy. This pathology report doesn't specify a stage, but the Onc said I am considered in remission now, with prognosis improved -- to be vigilant for 5 years, and recurrence reduced to 10%. Woo hoo! I will of course have to have rads and continue Herceptin.
Meanwhile, there is recovery from the BMX with TEs and node incision. That long axillary incision is stiff and burning, making it hard to move my arm. I wasn't given specific exercises by either surgeon, so I am using something I found from Sloan Kettering, including shoulder rolls, arm circles, and "make wings." When is it safe to raise arms above the head and not mess up the TEs or strain the axillary incision?
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AnnAlive - that is incredible news - congratulations!!! Regarding exercises, every PS is different, so you will have to ask him/her. You may also want to ask for a PT consult (specificially someone who specializes in treating breast cancer patients).
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AnnAlive - That really is great news! But I'm sorry to hear about the discomfort from the AND. My MRI suggested the nodes are clear, but the release I signed for surgery calls for 'possible' AND in addition to SNB, so that's up in the air. Definitely look into a PT. That's one of the reasons I wound up going for the PS I'm using - he's the only one of the 3 I met with that took me seriously when I asked about PT. I met with him last week and he gave me some strengthening exercises to do pre-surgery (he also suggested a daily walk with the BF holding hands - a combination of getting the red blood count up and couples counseling, it seems) and will work with me after. For anyone else having surgery later this month - definitely look into it. Even these 'simple' recon like TEs represents some serious manhandling of our muscles, and they don't like that.
Margie - Sorry about the incision pain as well. Thanks for the suggestion about the bra.
GrandmaV - good to have you back from the painkiller fog. Hope that fever finally gives up and leaves you alone.
Iluv2knit - we know you're with us, even if you're not writing much. Enjoy the 'rest' while you can get it. I hope your appetite comes back soon.
My goal tonight is to go through this thread and the Sept thread and jot down notes for my to-do list.
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Cyndi - Good luck tomorrow! Hope report is good.
LisaWade & SalSpecht - I hope everything went great today and that you're both in recovery doing well with pain meds.
AnnAlive - I'm so glad to hear you're in remission. That's great news!
I developed a low grade fever this weekend and the beginnings of infection in right side. Now I'm on Clindamycin, but BS also gave me good news today. My pathology report after mastectomy only shows ductal carcinoma. They think they must have got all the invasive with the original biopsy. Although Staged as a 1, BS thinks probably won't have to have chemo, just Tamoxifen. Won't know for sure until after I see Oncologist but feeling relieved either way.
Hugs to all my BC Sisters,
Judy
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