Any October 2011 Surgeries out there want to wait together?
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Denise- I have posted about it before but the best advice we were given was to use an alcohol wipe pinched between your thumb and pointer finger when you empty the drains. This helps it go more smoothly with no tugs. I agree they were more of an annoyance than anything else. Once you get past the first couple of days, you will be a pro! I kept mine pinned on the inside of whatever button down shirt I was wearing or on the bottom of the lovely compression bra they sent me home in.
I am going to wish you good luck now since my exchange surgery is tomorrow and who knows if what I type will make any sense when I get done.
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LisaWade- glad you are seeing improvement!
Dukes_Up- my PS let me shower before I even left the hospital. I like clc"s idea of the shampoo over the tub. My teenage daughter puts baby powder on a hairbrush and brushed it through her hair when it is in need of a shampoo and she has not time. Seems to really work. Clean hair and body will make a world of difference!
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Thanks everyone for all of the info on the drains. I'm feeling much better about dealing with them. Surely if I managed 16 weeks of chemo, I can manage these drains. I'm just soooo not looking forward to them. But hopefully, this will be the beginning of the end of this chapter in my life.
Maria_Malta, Congratulations on the pathology. That is my prayer. My post chemo MRI showed only a 10% decrease in the size of the largest tumor (IDC). The PET scan, however showed no activity. I'm very apprehensive as to my actual path reports. I'll sure be glad to get past the next couple of weeks.
Thanks so much for all the info,
Denise
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Maria_Marta-- congrats on the path results. Nothing feels better then hearing that the Chemo worked (I did Chemo first also and a similar result as you).
Denise as the others have told you the drains are more of a pain to deal with then an actual pain. I order pink pockets ( pockets that you stick inside your clothing to hold the drains -they worked for me). When i had them removed I took a pain pill before going to the doctor and it didn't hurt much when he pulled them out.0 -
Maria Malta - excellent news! You go girl!
I am hoping today's surgeries go smoothly for those of you having them - as Gamergirl says, "See you on the other side. . . "
Denise - drains: I am a lanyard girl! I hook 'em up . . .we go everywhere and anywhere including one anniversary date out of the house. Alcohol wipe to clean them is my process too - you'll be a pro in no time. I am still hanging out with one of mine. . . .
Hope everyone else is enjoying a lovely Wednesday. . .0 -
Great news Maria Malta! Just what we like to hear : )
Going for another fill tomorrow - seems I'm going to have to finish the fills before I can start radiation. I just want to get going already - patience is not one of my strengths...0 -
Hi everyone. I haven't posted due to all the posts being a bit overwhelming to me. But you all have been in my thoughts and prayers. I had my surgery on Monday the 24th. I was right there with you Dukes_up! They did a double mastectomy but unfortunately could not do reconstruction due to my stage. I'm home now. My surgeon called me earlier and informed me that she removed 15 lymph nodes and 13 of those were cancerous. My tumor was 6 cm. I'm glad I made the decision to have my left breast (the good one lol ) removed as well because the path results showed numerous problems with it. There's a possibility I may have to have more chemo before radiation but I won't know until I go for my Onc appt. I hope not...but I'll do more if needed. It's been hard looking at my bare chest... but I'm here and that's really what counts. I'll have reconstruction when my dr gives me the go ahead. Hugs and thinking of you guys,
Diana0 -
Hey you guys.... been trying to keep up with all your posts but it's hard! Mrs Clams is doing great. Still gets tired when she does too much (which is almost every day) but she's healing beautifully and is able to drive again. All other restrictions (no lifting, don't increase the heart rate, etc) are still in place. There is still some swelling around the new boobs (and her abdominal incision), but all the discoloration is gone and they look fan-fucking-tastic. Best wishes to all of you!!!
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Maria_Malta & CLC: Thanks for the wishes!
Ginger: I'll be thinking of you and wishing you well tomorrow and in the days to come.
Off to make dinner now before an evening of attempting to relax before D day (as I've taken to calling it).
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Diana- sorry to hear about the holdup on reconstruction.Good choice on the BMX. You have a great attitude and seem like a fighter to me.
Mr Clams- glad to hear Mrs Clams is coming along.
Thanks everyone for the support.
CookieMonster- we will do great. See you on the other side surgery sister.
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Ginger48 and CookieMonster~ Sending a bazillion good vibes for smooth surgeries tomorrow. I hope that you both manage to get some sleep tonight.
Diana~ I'm with Ginger--- you are CLEARLY a fighter and I just know that you have what it takes to conquer this. I am truly sorry to learn that recon wasn't possible on Monday. Stay strong Girl.
mauimom~ Good luck with your fill tomorrow! Do you know how many are left?
Clams~ Thanks for the update on the Mrs. How long was she told to not raise her heart rate? No cardio activity at all? While that seems odd to me, I've learned that every surgeon has different thoughts and recommendations for just about EVERYTHING.
Maria_Marta~ So happy to hear your news!
Denise~ While I'm not diggin' these drains (I have one on each side), it's not as bad as I had anticipated. I can't say they're not cumbersome though. My son calls them my "udders." Nice.
So so so tired tonight as the Benadryl I'm taking for this allergic reaction is seriously kicking my ass. I am SO uncomfortable--- in fact it feels worse than the actual mastectomy sites. PS took me off of all meds other than Benadryl as we can't identify which agent(s) are causing the reaction. I'm a bit nervous about not taking an antibiotic while my drains are still in. Has anyone else experienced this situation? I had adverse reactions to Keflex and Clindamycin. PS said that the first 48 hours is the most critical for antibiotics but I'm still fearful to go without....
Alright Ladies, I can no longer keep my eyes open. I wish you all sweet sleep tonight. Back in the morn!
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I just wanted to echo what Maria_Malta said about chemo. I did mine neoadjuvant and while I haven't received the finial path report yet, the post-chemo MRI showed a >50% reduction in the size of my tumor. And no nodes found on the SNB despite some "suspicious" nodes on the pre-chemo MRI. It's powerful stuff! Kind of made all the SEs feel more worthwhile.....
Of course, nothing is certain until I get my path report - on Friday!
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Dukes: Thanks for the well wishes. I hope it'll be smooth sailing from here. I also had an allergic reaction to something. The first time it showed up was 2.5 WEEKS after surgery so my BS said it was unlikely to be related to surgery. The second time it was 1 week post surgery and my BS said that given that it happened both times, it must be related. This time it was exactly the pattern of the prep that they used, so she figures I'm allergic to it (Chloraprep). They won't use it tomorrow. I'm looking forward to a recovery without the itchiness - it was terrible, both times. And if it shows up again, I just might scream. Good luck figuring it out, I hope we got it this time, but the BS did say that the rash looked like an antibiotic allergy, but it was only on the skin where they prepped me for the surgery, so it's a bit odd. I hope it's the prep and we'll be in the clear this time.
Sleep off the itch, it was about the only thing that helped me.
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Dukes-Up- I also had itchiness after my BMX which they attributed to the pain meds.I am allergic to all antibiotics except one (clindamycin) . When I woke up from my first surgery (lumpectomy) I told the dr I was sooo tired and he said "oh that is probably the benadryl" and when I looked at him with a question in my eyes he told me that the minute they gave me the antibiotic I turned red from head to toe on the operating table and they had to immediately give me benadryl. that stuff really packs a punch! Added keflex to the allergy list(should have already been on there) and left me with just one to take. It is all a bit fuzzy now but I do not think they gave me a new antibiotic at that time. But I did not have drains either.
Today I will get clindamycin and really hope I have no problems. Many of my allergies showed up after repeated doses of them as a kid. I luckily have not needed an antibiotic other than for surgery in years.
CookieMonster-I really hope that we are both itch free when i come home today and Dukes_Up-hope you are soon itch free as well.
I had a pretty good night's sleep and woke up at 5am ready to get on with this. Had a water problem last night. Tub was full of silt and we do not know why.Might be the 6 loads of laundry that got done yesterday but has not happened in the past.. Off to try to shower but otherwise have to go to a friend's house this morning to get clean for this surgery. I don't believe a silt filled shower would be a good idea for pre-surgery cleanliness...
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Hi ladies. I thought of posting yesterday evening, but just as my parents showed up with my computer, the day caught up with me and I just wanted to crash.
My surgery went well - about 6 hours, and they took me pretty much immediately after I showed up at 6 am. I was in my room by 3 and feeling not so bad. The pain has been more like an ache from the compression bandage, and of course when I try moving my arms to reach for something. They only took the one node and it was clear, so that's a huge emotional hurdle gone for me.
The only real worry moment was right after they brought me to my room and the aide took my blood pressure - on my SNB side!! I asked if that was okay, saying, wait, I had nodes removed (at that time I didn't know how many yet), and that I didn't think she should, but she said I didn't have any pink bracelet, so that meant it was okay. Turns out it wasn't, and I very quickly had the bracelet and a sign above my bed. I've been reassured that with only 1 node gone, I should be okay, but I couldn't help thinking about Trinity's warning.
There were a few other 'incidents' - my catheter tube kinked up and the women who answers the bell took her time getting a nurse; and then my IV started beeping so I called, and she came in and shut the IV down so it wouldn't keep beeping while I waited for the nurse - who didn't get the call right away and took 20 minutes (and wasn't happy the IV was off). Overall I like the staff, but those were a bit nerveracking.
I'm in good spirits though. One of my first thoughts after coming to was - it's gone!!!!! I'll see what they have to say about chemo, of course.
Eema - I hope all went well with you yesterday.
Ginger and Cookie monster - Good luck today! You're in my thoughts.
And a big thank you for everyone for leading the way - I think it was a lot easier for me to do this knowing all along what to expect.
Wishing everyone a great day.
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RachelVK -
totally get your LE fear - just so you know I had a minimal number of nodes taken out too - 3 - and I've been told the same thing - be CAREFUL but it's a bit different type of LE risk for you and I with those lower numbers. . . .rest your head and heart on that and recuperate! Press the nurse button every 20 minutes just to test 'em!
Hope you get some good sleep!
more later from me. . .
kelleyod0 -
Welcome back Rachel! Great to read yr post so soon after op... and even greater that your lymph node was clear...
Denise, will be thinking of you tomorrow
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Denise - good luck tomorrow. I will be sending good thoughts your way.
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It is so good to hear from you all...
solange and rachelvk...glad to hear from you:) I am sorry you both had bumps (and/or major obstacles) in the road...but you both sound in good spirits...:) What strong women we have here!
deniseday and anyone else having surgery tomorrow...good luck tomorrow!!! I hope it is smooooooth sailing...
Here's hoping for good news and good recovery for all...:)
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Well ladies I'm 2 weeks BMX today and I got my last 2 drains removed! my surgeon says I'm healing very nicely although I'm concerned with the dog ear flap under my arm. It's not very comfortable and far from attractive. Both my breast surgeon and plastic surgeon say I look great though and that the dog ear will be corrected in time. I found out that my BRCA testing was negative!!! Yay! I was thrilled to tell my sisters that I don't have a weird genetic mutation, just a normal case of no one knows what causes it anyway, cancer! ;-)
I hope that everyone is healing well and for those who have yet to undergo surgery y'all will do just fine! There is a light at the end of the tunnel and we are all living proof!
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Kim...wonderful news!!! And wonderful relief of getting drains out!! YEAH!!
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Ginger- Thanks so much for the kind thoughts & words. My thoughts and prayers were with you today as you had your surgery. Hope all went well.
Rachelvk- I'm glad to hear your surgery went well overall. Ugh....I bet that was scary when the nurse took your blood pressure on that side. I had 15 nodes removed and two different nurses almost did that with me even though I had a sign above my bed and bracelet on.
Denise....my thoughts and prayers will be with you tomorrow!
Dukes_Up- Thanks a bunch. I know you're a fighter as well. I'm sry to hear about your allergic reaction.
Ugh...I know that had to be so miserable. I hope you're feeling better today!CLC- thanks....it is just a bump in the road. You're right...we are strong women! Hope you're doing well.
Hopefully I can catch up with everyone soon and my thoughts are with all of you,
Diana
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Will read posts and catch up tomorrow.
I am back home from exchange! It went well despite the Boston traffic making me 20 minutes late and fearing that they would send me home with a new date as the paperwork had threatened. But apparently everyone had the same issue with traffic and backed up surgeries so I did not get into surgery till 1:15.
I am a bit sore (really from the fat grafting areas more that the actual incisions/implants). They took a little from my hips and a little from upper chest close to armpit. That is what is bothering me the most but just kind of achey.Took pain killer to tolerate the drive home and I was fine. NO DRAINS! which made me so happy. I had a lot of energy initially but am really tired now. My voice is gone and throat is a bit sore from the breathing tube.
My husband and I took a look before we left the hospital with the nurse and they look pretty good. Mentor smooth round high profile gel 600cc. Will take a better look tomorrow.Compression bra 24/7 till we go back to see her. No shower for 3 days sponge bath is ok and we go back to PS on Monday.
No ice cream sundae for me( one of the girls on the exchange thread actually had one on the way home yesterday) as it was snowing out the whole ride home but I did have applesauce and gluten free pretzels at the hospital and am about to have some risotto that my husband made yesterday. Was a bit nauseous upon awakening but they gave me something and it resolved very quickly.
All in all it was not bad at all
Eema and CookieMonster- hope all went well.
Rachel- good luck tomorrow.
Time for me to sleep!
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YEAH, Ginger! You sound like you are doing really well...and, bonus on the drains!
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Just checking back. My temperature is up - 100.7 or so - and they're going to check for uti. Hoping I still can go home tomorrow, but I'd rather stay if there's anything possibly brewing.
Nurses loved my BF. We had some good together time this evening. He took me for two walks around the hall. And the PS resident unwrapped my bandages so I got a (downward) look. About what I had prepared myself for, and I can deal with it. Got a 100 cc fill on both sides, and the pressure's not too bad (but boy do you feel gravity when you stand up!) Apparently they took 2 nodes, but both clear, and doc said risk of LE was very tiny. Still, the nurses were glad to see me using and raising my arms (carefully).
Ginger - glad the exchange went well. I completely understand the sore throat and raspy voice.
Denise - wishing you well. I'm finding the drains pretty tolerable. The worst part is trying to go to the bathroom holding on to two gowns (front and back), the drains and my q-ball of lidocaine. Not too graceful! But I'll sure miss the lidocaine. I have a feeling that's what's kept the pain pretty low.
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Hi all,
Surgery went well. I'm not feeling too bad, now. Surgery started about an hour late (surgeon running late, apparently). It all went as expected, now just another wait for margin pathology.
No pain meds taken at home yet (didn't with excisions 1 & 2 either). Recovery this time was between #1 groggiest & #2 least groggy. I'm feeling sleepy (only7:35 pm here in CA) and am sitting on my butt as much as I can right now. Ice packs are my friends right now as the boob is starting to get a bit achy.
Ginger- I'm glad yours went well! I also have the sort throat and rough voice too. For me that's probalby the worst pain, so I'll take it.
Good surgery to those upcoming and good healing to those on the other side.
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Oh my goodness! I feel like such a bum, as I have not posted on here in forever! My surgery was October 10th and I must say I have not had an easy time with it. I am not trying to scare anyone, as we all heal differently, but I am just now starting to feel ok. I had a minor set back last week and ended up spending a night in the hospital. I miss all of you, and hope no one is mad at me. It is all I can do to update the caring bridge site that was set up for me. Thank you to all of those who have posted on there! It is really uplifting. Here is an update on me. I ran out of pain meds, tried motrin, and was in total misery. I saw my docs and the refilled the Norco for me because they said I would heal better not being in that much pain. I have never been a wimp....geez, I did two stints in the Air Force, but my goodness, this really knocked the wind out of my sails. Maybe it is my age. I'm only 36, but I find I don't heal like I did in my 20s. They reassured me that this is okay, not everyone heals the same. Yesterday I got one of the drains out, yippee, but still have one on the right side. I am not sure what Jerry or myself posted so I will give my dx (possibly again, please forgive me). They told me the SNB did not work, so they took 12 lymph nodes out. 1 came back positive and 1 had cancer cells. I am Stage IIa, Grade 3, 1.8cm, HR+/Er+. They HER2 test still does not have a difinitive answer. My oncologist called me Tuesday evening and said one number is just over the line for a pos. result and one number is under the line for a neg. result. She is still consulting with the pathologist to see if there is more testing to be done. She said if not, if this is the best answer we can get, she will move forward as a positive result (better safe than sorry I guess.) This means surgery to place the port (outpatient), 18 weeks of chemo, and 1 year of herceptin. I am so friggin scared!!!!! Never thought it would come to this. I thought I would have the surgery, recover, and go on my marry way. This really sucks. I am so sorry I have not been on here. I have not felt good, and just went into a little shell. I hope all of you who have had surgery are doing well, and those of you facing it are in my prayers. Actually, I have been praying for all of you. I promise just b/c I was not posting does not mean I wasn't thinking of ya'll. I would get on and try to at least read, but found myself going crosseyed. Those pain meds made me loopy. I am still on the Norco, and a pill at night for nerve pain. I WAS on 6 different meds, so I was out of it! Not feeling so loopy now, and it manages the pain so I can function. Sorry for the long post, just feel terrible about not being on for so long. I am feeling better, had a really good day today, and hoping this is the first of many. I actually felt like the old me for the first time today. Hugs and love to everyone!
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Dearest sigarcia, of course no one here is mad with you for not having posted for some time! We all go through phases when the sheer hard work of getting through the day, and the physical and emotional strain are overwhelming...reading through pages of posts to get up to date and posting oneself on these occasions is often too much, so no worries on that score! You're welcome at any time, whether you check in every day or almost never!!!
Having got that out of the way, I'm sorry to read that you got an unpleasant surprise..but all I can say is that I, and many of us here, have already made that journey, and though tough, it is doable, and most importantly it WORKS! Look after yourself, regain your strength, and only think of one day at a time...and come here and rant whenever you feel you need to!
Positive healing thoughts coming your way.....
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Hi, Shannon! So glad to "see" you! I think we all have been feeling a little overwhelmed by the posts at times. I guess we should all remember that this is just to HELP us, not add to any burdens. I am sorry you have had such tough news... Any one of us (and we are all very strong here) would have curled into a little shell for a while. That is just plain normal. I am glad you are finding your way out of the shell...and feeling like the "old" you...
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Shannon- nice to hear from you! this is a guilt free zone. It is always here when you need it and no worries about backing off when you need tol So sorry for all you have been going through. Will continue to send prayers your way.
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