January 2014 Surgery Sisters
Comments
-
Mine are vertical- mainly because I originally had lx and other side lift, so they were anchor shaped, from nipple to under neath. Then when I went back for bmx he extended the vertical incisions, removing the nipples then. (where but here would we all be having conversations like this!)...for my exchange he went back in underneath, in the original lx incisions.
0 -
My incision are an inverted Y or anchor shaped like Aviva. I had BMX with expanders and will be going from DD to C cup. My PS said I wasn't a candidate for nipple sparing, and he removed excess skin. The vertical incisions were the ones I was the most concerned about, but they are healing really well. I've also seen a lot of photos with the horizontal incisions only. It seems like there is a lot of variation, depending upon the procedure and the PS.
Mommyathome - my tumor was IDC when they biopsied it and my sentinel nodes was clear. My understanding going in to surgery was that I would only have radiation if there was lymph node involvement. They tested my lymph nodes while I was in surgery, so when I woke up, we knew they were clean. The pathology took 2 days for the preliminary report and 2 more for the final. If they had found cells in the scrapings they took, I'm sure I would have been looking at chemo. Hang in there. Hopefully, your pathology will come back clean and all you will need is hormone therapy like me.
Drove to the dentist today with my son...big deal since the office is about 25 minutes away and it is raining. They cleaned my teeth and my regular dentist (whom I've had a crush on for at least 15 years) wasn't there. The other dentist was very nice, but clearly hadn't read my chart, since she said cheerily. "you are in excellent heath". I couldn't help it, I laughed out loud! The hygienist, who noted my BMX and Anastrazole in the chart, also shared that her mother is scheduled for a BMX on 2/28. Sadly BC sisters and mothers are everywhere. Very glad there is nothing wrong with my teeth! Hah.
0 -
thanks. I know they are doing nipple sparing so maybe that means different incision.
0 -
Hi Art,
I had nipple sparing BMX. My incisions are straight across but go up and around the nipple...kinda like "Kilroy was here"
------^------
Best of healing to your wife.....and bravo to you.
0 -
Hi!
My incision on the affected side is a little different since I had 2 previous lumpectomies by another PS. My new PS recut around the LX scar and then down around the nipple, so sort of a Y, but almost a T. Then the right breast was cut down from the nipple vertically. I had both nipples removed.
I'm undergoing reconstruction. I'm 4 weeks post BMX. Had my first fill on Thursday and was surprised when she put in 330 cs's. Seems like a lot, but I'm not petite. I used to be a 38C and have gained weight over the years. I'm still struggling with pain, although it's gotten better. Seems like recovery has been hard for me. I'm trying to just take Tylenol and Ibuprofen every 4-6 hours and only take a Tramadol if needed, like at the end of the day if I've been very active. Although yesterday I didn't take any tramadol at all - first time ever! I'm trying to distract myself from the pain. They don't you to stay on the hard stuff for long. The pain is changing...not as intense, still have the tight band feeling and hypersensitivity - just not as bad as before. Just wish I could find a bra that is semi-comfortable. I can't stand to wear anything no matter how comfy it's supposed to be. And now that the air is out of my foobs and replaced by saline, my foobs are heavier.
Just want to add that I'm so amazed when I read all your posts. The things we have to go through and just the fact that we're here on this site chatting about all these issues. Just isn't fair....
You are all brave warriors
Take care!
0 -
Art - I was going to say that the incision in the crease is probably popular for nipple-sparing, but then someone said hers were horizontal around the nipple, so what do I know? I didn't even discuss that with my surgeons ahead of time.... guess maybe I should have asked. My incision on the left (cancer side) is a "T", with the longer line going at an angle across the center of my breast. The right side just has a straight line incision, also going across at an angle.
bc101 - WOW that's a lot of expansion for your first till! I had surgery 10 days before you & just had my first fill and they only put in 50cc. LOL But I didn't have a lot of skin to spare... my BS removed a lot of skin on the cancer side because my tumor was close to the surface. I guess one benefit about starting small (with fills) is no discomfort. I didn't feel a thing when they did it and I don't feel any different now.
Is anyone having problems with their joints? I don't know what's going on, but my elbows hurt, especially the one on the non-cancer side. I wonder if it's because I've been using that arm more to compensate since the other side is tighter and more painful? If I push on the outside of my elbow it's very painful, and also if I totally straighten my arms, both elbows hurt. I'm also having problems with my right hip, but that's something I've been dealing with off & on for a few years (went to PT for it two years ago) so I'm not as concerned about that. I just don't want anything else WRONG with me! I was on Taxol for 8 weeks which gave me horrible bone, joint and muscle pain, but that went away a couple of weeks after my last treatment. Why would I all of the sudden start hurting again? Going to have to ask when I see the occupational therapist on Thursday. Of course my mind immediately goes to the fact that breast cancer often metastasizes to the bones. <sigh>
0 -
question for all of you....anyone have dry flaky and itchy skin over their side with tissue expAnders? I am really itchy.....also still feel like a water balloon is in my armpit. Sigh.........
0 -
lighthouselady - ok, I just reviewed the Dr's notes online and it said that they removed 280 cc's of air that was filled during surgery and then replaced it with 310 cc's of saline, so that sounds more like it. After they removed the air I was totally flat - I looked like a deflated bicycle tire, lol! Still... I'm wondering where this is all going to end up. Seems like I'm almost there already, sheesh!
0 -
Girlstrong - Try using vitamin E oil. The nurse at my PS office told me to put it on my incisions to help me heal, and I've pretty much been slathering it all over. It has helped with the dry/itchy stuff, too. I found a bottle of it in the vitamin aisle at Walmart.
0 -
bc101 - That sounds a lot better! LOL I was thinking you went UP 310cc. That would be OUCH! My expanders are only 500, so I guess that's the max I can do. I'm only at 150 right now and have a little to fill my sports bra.... so I don't even know if I'll go all the way to 500.
0 -
I get my first fill on Tuesday and my PS said 50-60cc per fill. I'm only getting 350cc total.
Michelle did you start the tamoxifen yet? That would explain your joint pain. And just so you know my headaches have stopped....must have just been stress.
I'm heading out for a beer with my boyfriend now! Just one...and I'll be wiped and ready for bed!
Laurie
0 -
Hi all,
I am in pain too! I go to bed, but then wake up a couple of hours later and take 1/2 of a Percocet. Burning, raw apin during the day ,especially on either side of my sternum. Pretty much over it.
As far as my incisions Michelle, I think it has to do with where your nips are in the first place. I was getting kinda low so BS pulled everything up north. I have the pain in one hip/back but that is old stuff, like you. I really think the pain comes from using our bodies in a different manner. I broke my tibia and pulled my calf muscle early last year, and had insanely painful muscle spams in my back then all that
We all need to give ourselves a break and let ourselves heal....
I just made a pan of brownies , from scratch, in the oven I am thinking chocolate will help. Yum
love to all,
Eve
0 -
I want a brownie!!!
0 -
LOL
0 -
rotflmao.......
I just re read my post....I have a newer laptop with a touch screen and windows 8. (hate it) I truly am not high...but my post is all funky...lol
I thought I double checked....lol
must be the chocolately smell coming from the kitchen.
0 -
When I hear "brownies" I always think of WKRP in Cincinatti! Does anyone remember that episode
0 -
I am 2 weeks post-surgery and I just got my drain out yesterday. I only had 1 drain for the AND. The morning before my BS took the drain out, I noticed an area higher up under my armpit and a little bit forward that felt hard and a little swollen. It feels like I am smuggling a golf ball in my armpit! I pointed it out to my BS, and he didn't seem to be concerned about it. Today, it still feels like that, and even though it doesn't really hurt, it is annoying and I keep thinking my arm feels like I have my sweater bunched up under there, but it's not. Is this normal? I have the usual back side of arm sensitivity and a little numbness in the armpit and side of breast area that a lot of people seem to have. Otherwise, no pain!
0 -
I'm having a lot of pain too and it will be 4 wks on Monday. My PS said to try Tylenol with my Aleve, but not much difference. I'm still taking an Ativan at night with my Aleve which helps, but I didn't sleep too well last night either. Hmmm
I've been trying chocolate for pain too...not much success, but I don't think I should give up on the idea...just...yet! My PS did say he will need to farm some fat from my stomach to fill things out when I get my implants, so I'm just helping him out. Right?.
0 -
If I understood correctly they can do the amount of the te plus another half. So a te that's 500cc they can fill 750cc if I understood correctly lighthouse lady.
0 -
Chocolate.... hmm....maybe I should raid the Girl Scout cookies.
Macintx - I have that same feeling, but I thought mine was from the tissue expander, which obviously you don't have. I'm sure it's probably something to do with the lymph node removal. You might have a little fluid building up since your drain is out now. I wouldn't be concerned if your BS isn't. Where is your surgeon? Even though I'm in Abilene, my BS and PS are both in Dallas at UT Southwestern.
Dtkd - my PS told me to gain 10 lbs before my reconstruction...LOL I like your idea that maybe we're just following doctors orders!
Thx mommyathome - all they told me was that my expanders were 500.... but that's all I knew.
I went grocery shopping today and then dragged hubby out for a short walk this afternoon. So at least I'm up and moving. And I did my stretches that the lymphedema occupational therapist (from now on known as LOT...ha) gave me. Ouch. My PS told me to stretch, stretch, stretch, no matter how much it hurts, take a pain pill and keep stretching. So I'm trying.
0 -
I could be wrong now, but that was my understanding. Have you, or anyone else who had a BMx w reconstruction ever experienced bleeding from the incision like a week later? I had and still have a little oozing blood, not much just enough to freak me out ( that's not too hard to do). My nurse thinks its ok, no stitch popped or anything, it's not green or yellow indicating infection or anything... I still have the drain on that side but not the other side.... Just curious. I called my dr and I see her on Monday but wondered if anyone has had that happen...
0 -
Lighthouselady- Mine is at Baylor-Grapevine. He also works at Baylor-Irving. I know UT Southwestern is a great hospital though!
0 -
The only stretches I was told to do ate sit or stand and raise both arms straight out together and see how high I can get. Put my arms out by my sides as high as Incan and walk my fingers up and down the wall as high as I can... What else r u you all doing?
0 -
What temperature is a concern after the BMx? I had some drainage from sutures and now have a 99.1
0 -
mommyathom : signs and symptoms of infection include increased pain, redness, swelling, purulent (pus, green, yellow) discharge and temp. If your temp continues to rise, you may want yo call your doc tomorrow or if OK then discuss on Mnday.
0 -
Thanks girl strong! It's been a tough 24 hrs.... I changed my meds from Vicodin back to dialaudid because the Vicodin wasn't handling the pain just making me pass out. I would fall asleep in pain and wake up 4 hrs later still in pain ready to take more meds. Then I noticed some discharge. It's been a week and a half and had nothing draining then all of a sudden I noticed blood on my bra. Yesterday and today. I'm going to watch my temp tonight and let nurse know tomorrow. I see dr Monday so we will get it addressed I just didn't know the magic number for the temp before I call someone tonight.
Thanks again!!!!!!
0 -
Hey Lighthouselady, I will join you in some of that chocolate. UT Southwestern is a great place. My doctors have always been at Medical City, so I am there for my BC treatment. They are a wonderful group of people as well. I admire you for traveling that distance, but you chose a good one.
0 -
Mommyathome, generally the doctors will want to be notified with temperatures 100.4 or greater. The vicodin would mask a fever because of having Tylenol in the formulation. The dilaudid will not mask an infection.
0 -
I was going to say what elsiecow did - a temp over 100.2 is what my doctors say is the danger zone and they want to know. If you have a fever, be wary of taking anything with a fever reducer in it.
0 -
I just got up and took my temp and it was 96.9. Go figure!!!!
0
