new and future flat sister, with questions
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Hi R.Rose, I am with you for you mx! here to support you all the way. That is what my dh and I did before my surgery as well. Just be sure to eat before the time they give you. I also had to shower the night before and morning with anitbacterial soap. Even had to wash hair the night before but not morning, but I would have because I was so paranoid about infection. You will come through with flying colors, but I understand how you will be and are feeling, we have all been where you are and we are all here to help you!! Be waiting for your update as soon as you feel up to it! Sending hugs and many good positive thoughts your way!
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Welcome RamblingRose! I see you've been through the repeated lumpectomy and still ended up having a Uni. There are several of us, Uni's I mean, here, so ask anything you like, we're here to help if we can.
I hope you, and your husband can have a pleasant evening together, I know it seems easy to say, but for the majority of us, this surgery isn't anything like we expect and the relief is exceptional, when it is over. We will be there for you if you need us.
Take care and please let us know how you are getting on. M x
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Hi ndgirl! this is the link to the magazine article and picture published in our Spring, last year. The story is toward the back of the magazine. I hope you enjoy it! Amoena Life Magazine
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Thank you so much Ariom, what a wonderful article and you are such a lovely lady.. just love your picture. I can only imagine how many others you have helped by doing that segment in the magazine. Well done.
DH and I just returned from a nice long walk, heard so many birds, Canadian Geese flying in their V form overhead and even heard my favorite.. Meadowlark! he would fly from tree to tree as we walked along. I do believe spring has sprung!! wonderful time of year especially after this winter. I do so love the change of seasons here, cannot imagine living where that really doesnt happen, but I also fully admit.. that our winters are way too long and harsh! But it teaches us to really appreciate a nice day!
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Welcome Rambling Rose. I see you are going the same lump, lump, mx route that I did. The pain of my first surgery was mostly from the sentinel node removal. That wasn't necessary with the mastectomy, so I had less pain than before. Enjoy your dinner the evening before. I didn't sleep much but it was because I was afraid I would sleep thru my surgery time. Best wishes for speedy recovery.
Ariom, I loved the article. I liked having Dex in the photo; he's such a charmer. I'm going to look up that Valetta camisole and see what it looks like.
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Hey Bobo, it's been a while since I could give you a spanking! I just couldn't do it to you when you were so sick! LOL
I can't believe you have just started Yoga, I have just booked into a class for Yoga starting on the 23rd of the month!
I am still doing the Rites, I started back recently, and will continue with those too, mainly for the spinning exercise which has completely cured my postural vertigo.
I am glad you were happy with the dinner report, let me know how you go with the Yoga class. M x
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ndgirl, I loved your description of the walk and the beginning of Spring. You so deserve some lovely warm sunshine! It's going to be wonderful watching everything blossoming!
Thank you! I was a bit nervous about the magazine article, but it is so long ago now that I am not bothered by anyone reading it now! LOL
Wren, thank you too! Dex wasn't meant to be in that photo, but he is such a camera hog that he just wandered in at the right moment! Colin says Dex and I are the perfect dog and owner lookalike! Colin took that picture for me and I was about to have tears streaming, from the long wait ,for him to push the button. The sun in my eyes was killing me, but it came out not too squinty!
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A. Very nice article. And you and Dex with the water behind you. Very very nice!
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Thank you Spookiesmom! I appreciate that! M x
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Wow... had to go back a few days to catch up with everyone! Sailman and I cooked and cleaned more this weekend getting ready for the big day. I am having a hard time sitting and doing nothing, I get to thinking too much and stressing LOL. So, my theory is work myself to exhaustion staying busy and then don't have to worry about the stress (ok, that is what I am telling myself, but stress has been a constant). Sailman built a fire out back yesterday, first time the wind hasn't just totally howled, and we sat out there drinking coffee and just enjoy being
. He is so good to me and tries really hard to keep me calm. We even had two bouts of really nice rain over the weekend. Friday, I had felt a meltdown coming for a few days and had a bit of one Thursday night after the doc appt, but knew it just wasn't all out of me. On the way home from work, I tell him how I am feeling and he starts trying to get me to talk about it, problem was, I wasn't sure what it was, just knew I needed to cry. He is the best therapist and helped me figure out what was going on. I hate crying like a girl (I know! I am a girl), but never could stand the simpering whiny girls. Stand up and grow a pair for pete's sake. You know, Betty White has it all figured out. "Don't tell people to grow a set of balls. Tell them to grow a vagina. Balls are fragile, but a vagina can really take a pounding!!!" Anyways, feeling better today, still anxious, and nervous but know that is just normal.I hope I catch everyone, and if I miss you, I really tried to catch all.
Otceb~ I hope you are still feeling well from your last chemo and sorry the house didn't work out. Maybe your neighbors will quiet down and not be so bothersome.
Vintage~ a wreck! and so soon after surgery. I am glad you are ok and that you are on the mend.
Zills~ have you tried a B-complex vitamin to help with energy? I take them every day and they are amazing. I loved the story of DS slipping off to go see his daddy, but oh my what a scare that must have been!
Wren~ How is Goldie and how is the painting going? I hope you are well.
Bobo~ So glad you are back to being a badas$ and feeling better! Hope that DLLP and the kiddos are doing well.
ND~ hope the weather stays warm and your energy returns. I am NOT eating egg shells either, just sayin'... LOL.
Ariom~ glad your dinner was a success and totally loved the article! I hate that winter is coming for you, but it does mean spring is on the way here and I am so tired of the cold!
Rose~ welcome and will be thinking of you on Wednesday and will be here if you need.
Thank you all for being with me as I go through this the next week and I am so thankful for each and every one of you. I have gotten a huge bag so I could fit you all in it
and take you to the hospital with me. Poor Sailman, last time I had major surgery, I had an obsession with time and needing to get up and walk, every 5 minutes.... It was my back fusion and I knew from prior surgery, the best way to get a back feeling better quickly is to walk, and walk and walk. I guess, in my morphine induced fog, I still knew I needed to walk. But the funniest thing was the "What time is it?" He said it never stopped unless I passed out for a few and then I would wake up and ask again... Better get back to work, just wanted to pop in and say hello and huggz to you all!0 -
just a quick wave to say I love you all. I'm breathing. and wishing for a nice spring day. Trigger finger has taken over virtually all my fingers to the point that I cant open my hand so typing isn't so easy. Enough whining. I'm going back to read a ton of post now. HUGS
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hi all! I gave a question with regards to fluid after surgery. 3 weeks ago I had a modified radical mastectomy. I had home care daily following surgery which was awesome. The nurse changes my dressing and helped with my drains. 5 days after surgery my drains were moved and 7 days after surgery my staples came out.
I had a follow up with my surgeon last wed and he was pleased with my healing and said that I have no restrictions. He then removed approx 2 oz of fluid and said that if the area swelled up again I should call his office
So here I am 5 days after seeing the surgeon. A bit of fluid has returned but it's certainly not as swollen as it was. I was told the the body will absorb the fluid eventually but do I have enough to justify seeing my surgeon?
Did anyone have fluid buildup after surgery? How long did it last? It's not bothering me at all so would just be curious to understand how others healed
As far as going flat it doesn't bother me at all. I was born with 1. - the right side never developed and I had an implant for years. When I had the mx I has the surgeon pull out the implant as well. So now I have a mini boob as a result of the skin stretching due to the implant and flat on the left. Lol
I bought 2 bras at la vie en rose which is very light. For those that might not know they have a line called muse which includes the forms. Very economical as well!!!!
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Hi Footballnut. I had fluid that had to be drained after surgery. When I went back the 2nd time, they said that amount would probably have just absorbed. I would probably wait to see if it gets more swollen. Mine was drained twice and that was it. Sounds like you're doing well.
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Hi FootBallNut
we had our surgery about the same time. When my surgeon looked at me last week I questioned the fluid (seroma?) in one area. He said it was normal, fine, & would probably take care of itself. So I had nothing drained. I see him again in about a month.
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OMG!! I am so far behind!! Just checking in to say I am still here, I read a bit but haven't had time to post.
Hi there to Rose and footballnut! Rose, in the bag for your sx.
jsj in the bag for you too!
Ariom, great article!
Vintage, glad you weren't hurt in the accident.
bobo, I'm glad you were able to get all your records and see exactly what was going on. How scary those bacteria really sound! I'm so glad you were able to recover. Sorry it is taking so long for you to get to 100% again. (((hugs)))
ndgirl, yes, it seems Spring is here now too! I was looking at my lawn this morning and I'm sorry to say I wasn't happy it was so green already. Can mowing be far behind?? I hope not, I can wait!!
Nice to have a gramwe sighting. I have one trigger finger, I can't imagine a whole hand of them! I am so sorry!
I know I have missed some of you, just know I think of all of you each day!
Hugs for everyone!
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Hi Footballnut! Welcome here, cant advise anything about fluid build up, but the others have addressed it pretty well. Born with just one huh? I have a dear friend that says she has 3!! but the third one is just a part of a nipple looking growth, wonder what it would be like to have mammos on 3 boobs?? ha! no thanks, I am gonna ask for 1/2 price when I get my next one!
Hi Gramwe, oh trigger fingers are not fun, I had a shot in mine in Dec. worked like a charm! But I only had one and my whole hand just ached.. hope you can get some relief. how is that sweet baby doing, and how are they eyes?
Ariom, heard on the news that the Royals are going to visit "Down Under", maybe you will get a visit?? I bet they would love your place and you would have a great party for them!
Kate is so beautiful, I think I mentioned it here earlier that while in England we saw Prince Charles walking right close by us. Princess Di was dead by then tho. Fun experience anyway.In the bag for js and rr. Hello to all! also nice to see GB posting again, was wondering where she was, hey I am so ready to mow grass!! Bring it on.
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hi! Footballnut, i did not have swelling until a ball developed in my armpit 3 weeks post surgery, which i had checked out and eventually developed into an infection. But i didn't have normal seroma that some do. I think you will know when it does not seem normal or does not seem to improve. Don't hesitate to get it checked out, it's your body! I see you're in Mississauga, are you at Credit Valley, or PMH? I had surgery at Women's College and chemo at PMH, happy with BS and MO.
Welcome RamblingRose! We will be thinking about you on Wednesday. Take time to rest for days after, don't be afraid to take pain meds if needed, and patience with the drain(s)!
Jsj, your date is fast approaching too! Totally understand the nervousness you're feeling, it's so normal since you don't really know what to expect. I'm glad you have such a strong relationship with your DH, i see why the ladies wanted to steal him!
Hi granwe, sorry about the trigger fingers, that must be annoying. As others asked, how is the baby, and how are his eyes?
GB! I can't wait to mow! But i have such a tiny yard, you would laugh. With all the land we saw in your pics, i can imagine that it's actual work for you. I was so happy to do yard work this weekend, there are still small patches of ice on the lawn, but it's all melting fast. And i finally did my spring arrangement in my main urn on the porch - small things that give me so much pleasure. Too early for any other planting, i'll be patient!
M, thank you so much for the link to the article and for sharing your story. You are truly amazing in so many ways!
Sgc, how are you? Hugs!
Dawny, how was the race?
Vintage, glad you are feeling well enough to wear bras and foobs. I stayed sensitive and swollen for a while. It gets better but i do still moisturize my chest everyday (plus still do the scar massage, although it's probably not necessary anymore) and still have weird numbness on the left. Milestone this weekend, i slept on my left side for the first time in 5 months! Still not super comfortable, i think i have weird ribs on that side, but whatever. I stopped the stretching exercises maybe a month ago, i should probably do some once in a while.
Ndgirl, a bonfire sounds great! You must be looking forward to entertaining outdoors again soon!
Today was my worst day on Taxotere, the pains (mainly in my knees) started last night and i was useless all day, could not feel good, relax, rest, work, whatever. Anyway, i will take double dose of x strength Tylenol tonight, i hope to sleep better. Don't want to take Tylenols 3 though if i don't have to, i literally pass out when i take some!
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ndgirl, I had to laugh, just before they wheeled me into the OR, my bs asked one more time if I was sure I wanted to do both. I said, "If I had three, I'd say take them all!"
otc, Yeah, I have 1.2 acre and it is a lot to mow! I forgot to answer your question about where I sell the crystals. I strictly sell on eBay. I had a website for a while but it didn't get anywhere near the traffic I get on eBay. I've really slowed down since the bc dx, but need to get back into the groove as I need the extra $$. Sorry about the pains, hope you can get some sleep tonight.
Hugs!
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Hi all, so sorry I haven't caught up today. I have been flat out and had to be ready for the first lunchtime sailing on a Tuesday so had to make sandwiches for the crew! It was a lovely warm afternoon, but so little wind, and then it started to get cool towards the end. I couldn't wait to get back and have a hot cup of tea. I have just got in and have to think about dinner. I don't know where the day went.
gB, glad to see you back and I am pleased your Ebay sales are picking up again. I still haven't done anything about ebay. I have to list all the Marika stuff I bought that was too small. My neighbor and I are going to have a yard sale on Easter Saturday, we both have lots to offload, so we will do it together.
I remember you telling the surgeon in no uncertain terms that if you had 3 you'd want them all off!
otceb, Thank you for the lovely kind words!I am so sorry you are having se's from the Taxotere, I hope you can get some relief and it passes.
Congratulations for getting onto your side! I had a weird rib thing too, but I think it turned out to be the track where the drain tube exited. I would suggest that you keep up the PT exercised for a while yet, I found when I got a bit lazy with them, I started to tighten up. In the end I did them for almost 12 months, and I still do the chest massage every day.
ndgirl, you have a point there! Half price Mammos for us! I love a bonfire too. I didn't even light the fire pit this year!
The Royals are visiting Downunder, but not anywhere near here. Apparently Charles and Diana did visit here, when they were in Aus and they took an impromptu walk down this street before going for lunch, on a launch on the water.
Gramwe, so sorry to hear of your painful hand. How is everything else? The OG and the baby? is the weasel still around? How is our girl doing with Motherhood? We really miss you!
RR and jsj, I am thinking of you both as the days fly by. It won't be long till you are telling us all about your experience. It is an awful time, this lead up, but you will be so relieved and surprised, at how it is so different, to what you expected. I am there in the bags! Anytime!
Vintage, I am glad you are doing well, so sorry to hear about the car accident, but relieved you weren't injured......Posting..M x
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Hi Footballnut! I was like Wrenn, I had my Seroma drained once in the Surgeon's office. It resembled a waterbed, under my incision. If you tapped it at one end it would form a wave across to the other side. I went back to have it checked a second time because I started to get an infection in a section of my incision, but the Surgeon decided to give me antibiotics and just let the body absorb it. I didn't have any real bother with it, and it eventually just went away.
jsj, give that Sailman of yours a big hug from me, I love him, all the way over here! I am so happy you have such a rock to lean on. Don't feel bad about having a cry, it will do you good. I have never been one to cry at anything, not even sad movies, but this journey has brought on waterworks that I have never had before. When I came out of the surgeon's office, doing a full blown Happy Dance in the Hospital car park after getting my final Path results, Colin and I had a big, girly cry together in the car! That's never happened before. M x
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Hi Footballnut, I am 3 months out from my mx, I had fluid drained three times. I had infection also. I was worried that multiple jabs to drain the seroma can facilitate infection, so opted not to have it drained a fourth time. Everything has been good since.
Today is my first day trying the FX scar tape "stuff". After Ariom talked about sometime ago. Will sleep with it at night, for up to twelve weeks, I think the instructions read.
Otceb, my DH came 2nd in the race! He was beaten by a guy who is a great sailor, and has skippered Sydney to Hobart races in the past. DH doesn't like to lose (lol) but all of the prize money was donated back to the kids, for their trip to England, to compete in the worlds. I think the kids all learned a lot, as it was a very tactical race. We had champagne at the yacht club after to celebrate/commiserate!
RamblingRose and jsj, best wishes, we will be thinking about you
Hi Gramwe, grammab, bobo, ndgirl, Zills, spookiesmom, wrenn, and everyone else.
I am starting to get scanxiety, I have scans next tues, to see where I am at now. I was stage IV at diagnoses, (er/pr- Her2+) had Abraxane and Herceptin, with a total response to NED, and after six months or so, lymph nodes in my sternum and same breast were showing. I started a TDM-1/Kadcyla trial here in Australia, which was really awful. Anyway, I did not respond, things were growing, so I stopped the trial, continued on only Herceptin, and then had mx, and radiation to chest lymph nodes. The pathology after mx showed that tumour to be Her2 negative now. WTH? No wonder TDM-1 didnt work, as it is targeted at Her2. So i felt awful for 6 months on a chemo that was never going to work! Still feel a bit peeved that onc didnt test for this. So I need to find out what is happening, have been having headaches, so had a brain scan 2 months ago, my onc has requested for another brain scan to be done, along with the rest on Tues, as I still have headaches. Am trying not freak out, and just eat chocolate covered raspberry licorice! Lol
Dawn. Xx
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Hi Dawn! So sorry to hear what you're going through, what a nightmare to find you did that treatment without it being the right one for you.
Congratulations to your Husband for coming 2nd!
We went sailing today, it was the first week of Tuesday lunchtime racing, the Tuesday night racing, finished for the season last week. There was barely any wind so it was a long afternoon.
I hope you get a good result from the FX strips. I have used them for other surgery, and have always had great results. I did wear a shape wear tank sometimes, to hold the tape in place, while I slept. I also bought some wide tape to hold it in place when it was too hot here, for the tank, I found that using very hot water to wash the strips actually helped to keep the sticky side really sticky.
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Hello Dawny, sorry about how you are feeling but it is very understandable! That is unbelievable that you would go through chemo that couldnt possibly work for your situation. On the up-side, my friend that was dx with stage 1V lung cancer just got another all clear scan yesterday, we were all so thrilled, we tease her that she is a Timex.. "takes a lickin and keeps on tickin" she has beaten many odds and predictions so you can do it too! The right meds are hopefully helping. Congrats to you and hubby on the race! Sailing sounds so good to me, I love the water. So what am I doing living in land-locked ND??
Js, you have a jewel in your hubby, so nice to know he will be by your side, such a comfort, and you realize it and appreciate him as well. Thinking of you for tomorrow.
Otc, hope your se is subsiding, you have done so great through all this.
Hello to everyone I havent mentioned, think of everyone alot.
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good morning all!
Thank you for sharing!! I like the reference to a waterbed!! That's it exactly!! I left a msg with the drs office. It certainly isn't as "full" as it was before being drained last wed. It's mostly concentrated in one area closest to the centre of my chest. The incision looks as good as can be expected.
This afternoon I meet with a MO to discuss my treatment the closer the time gets - 2:30- the more tense I get
Thanks again for sharing!!
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I just thought if a question - do any of u or have any of u used any type of cream on ur incision or skin in the area? Sometimes the skin is fairly dry however I also wonder if there is a cream which might promote healing
I left a msg for my drs office because of course I forgot to ask him when I saw him last week!!!!
D'oh!!
Lol
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otceb I am at CVH. They have been wonderful! My surgeon was great and all techs and nurses have made everything do much easier to deal with. I also had a home care nurse for 2 weeks following my surgery and she was wonderful. When I told my surgeon he was actually happy and surprised to hear it because he said that this doesn't seem to be the normal practice
I am most thankful!!
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Football, I was told to use Vitamin E Oil and I also used coconut oil, both worked very well. hope this helps. Good luck
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RR in the bag.
Football Nut. I still use aquafor that was told to use during rads. My vit e cream smelled. Vit e oil was good on scars. Allergic to cocoa butter. Some others have recommended goats milk products from bass farms.
Dawny. So sorry. I'm with you but my scan is end of month. Are your headaches bad? All day?
OTC. Have you tried icing your knees or sleeping with a pillow under them or muscle cream like Bengay? So sorry. It's hard to get away from that pain.
glad to hear from Granwe. Did you stop the F! Femera and it's worse?
Waiting to hear from Idesim.
Hello to everyone. Got to run. PT this morning, birthday shopping, bc meeting tonight. Going to stay in town at my aunts so I can enjoy the meeting. Going to Paul Mitchell salon for hair, nails and makeup. DH has kids tonight and tomorrow morning.
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I use aromatherapy oils in wheatgerm, macadamia and sweet almond oil. I also love coconut oil, like ndgirl. I am a body butter nut too, so shea butter all over too.
Big breaths for the appointment this afternoon. Hugs...I'll be thinking of you!
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Hi all ... I posted this pic under the April 2014 Surgery group, but thought I'd put it here, too. I am currently 5 days post BMX with no recon and feeling pretty good. I'm happy with the symmetry of the stitches, but these drains really have to go! I also have pouches or dog ears on my sides that are a little annoying - I left a message with my surgeon to see if I could put ice on them. Hope you are all doing well. ~Carla (cdelv66).
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