January 2014 Surgery Sisters
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Hi all. I would love to join. Surgery is at the end of Jan. Finished 6 months chemo in November. Last rad is Monday. I am having a BMX with immediate reconstruction with AlloDerm. I am a RN too so being a patient is scary.
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Jackiegray-Thank you so much for all of your tips!!! I too am in a state of mourning over losing my breast. But, what you listed really makes sense!! I'm still trying to come to grips with everything..My surgery isn't until January 23rd and I'm wondering how I'm going to make it that long!! I'm anxious/nervous/scared/fill in the blank!
To all January sisters: I'm praying for everyone to have a safe surgery and recovery.
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@lindacam welcome to our group. The saying goes strength in numbers right? we will all get through this together. As an RN can you give us all advice on how to not drive our nurses crazy? I am so not that patient who calls for a nurse every other minute but even when I do call I feel so guilty that I am bothering them because I know how incredibly busy they are
@trying2staypositive7 I was lucky enough to only know my surgery date for 2 weeks. Prior to that I was being shipped off for more testing and doctors appointments. I was diagnosed November 14th I had not slept in several weeks. I felt like I was losing my mind and my breasts. I finally asked for a prescription to help. They gave me xanax which I take before bed so I can some sleep.
@lighthouselady thanks for the pre-op suggestions. I too purchased a cami, button down PJ's, and zip up sweatshirts. I started packing my bag and included lip balm and lotion. I am also going to buy an electric toothbrush as I imagine brushing my teeth will be difficult. Also looking for a shampoo cap. My sister had bought me one when i had my brain surgery. It looked like a shower cap but yet it has this "wash" inside to wash your hair without having to rinse it. I stocked up on protein bars, crackers, cereal bars and put a good amount of them on my nightstand so I would have something close by to eat easily when taking meds. I put a cup with a straw on my night table too so I wont have to lift a cup, I can just get to the straw and drink. Stocked up on colace and miralax per my BS advice. I heard to ask the pharmacy for non-locking lids on your pain meds (providing you don't have small children at home) because it is difficult to push down and turn the regular caps. I am going to print pictures today of things I am looking forward to (ie, summer, vacation, amusement parks), also my kids and husband and hang them all over my bathroom mirrors to remind me of why this "bump in the road of my life" is worth the pain and emotional nightmare.
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Moring ladies-My PS has me taking 2000 of Vit C each day and MultiVit too. Filled post op meds yesterday-now how to keep track of all the times and meds! Will need a huge notebook. At least won't have to worry about eating, will be full of pills! Getting ready for after-I ordered a wedge pillow and travel neck pillow-figure between couch and recliner maybe will get comfortable.
Meet with breast surgeon Monday for preop and final questions-Emla cream RX, location of incisions, and ???s-yes, I do like to be in control. Tues fitting for postop sports bra at hospital, New Years Eve-dry, no alcohol for 10 days before and after surgery. :-(
Jackiegray-yea Versed, wish could have before the injections for SNB tracking! These are kind of freaking me out. Not sure what to expect, hope MD will prescribe EMLA cream, heard it does help. Char
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have light weight cups and things... I couldn't lift a coffee mug, open fridge and definitely couldn't reach up to microwave. Have helper help you get up by pushing/lifting you from your back.
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hello all,
So I began this thread and have been having so many tests as chemo ends and my January 15 surgery comes up that I've not had a chance to post much. Okay, also, I've been scared and didn't want transfer that to you all. Not scared about surgery. I've a great doc who I trust. Not about my reaction to no recon after surgery either. It's not easy but in my case it's best. My fear is that despite all the chemo and surgery and disruption to the life I had, this disease may not be gone. I've since realized that even if this is true I need to keep having the best life that I can given my circumstances. That's what has gotten me a good life thus far: a great spouse, good friends, professional and academic success ... I never had the perfect circumstances but I worked hard any way and hoped for the best... Believing that I could achieve it. Any way, I better get a wedge pillow. We don't have a recliner. Safety pins, camis, anything else?
V
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lighthouse lady: thanks for the advise. I think I will be making my decision based on the PS I have interviewed do far. Thanks for the tip on pink pockets; I found them at www.curediva.com
Hopefully I will get my sx date soon
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Hi HVV! Thank you so much for starting this thread! And as far as you being nervous/scared, that's NORMAL!!!! Cancer is a scary thing!!! Just have faith in your doctors and believe that you are going to be fine. This journey is long and hard but thanks to you we all have a place to talk about our fears and get cheered up when need be! You are going to be fine. I'm not saying that it's going to be easy but after reading through your posts I see that you are a fighter!! Fighters always win!I don't have a recliner either. I was thinking about renting one before my Jan. 23rd surgery. Do you think a wedge would do the trick instead?
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Hi Jackiegray - thanks for the Xanax suggestion. I think that I'm going to talk to my doctor about that. And, thanks for all of the tips for getting ready for surgery!0 -
bit lots of various sizes pillows for sleeping. Behind your back, under your arms....after you can start turning to the side a bit youll want one you can clutch to your chest to kind of pad it/the te while you are on your side. Have daily items counter height or lower so you dont have to try and reach up at all. Have shampoo caps or someone who can help wash your hair in the sink if you cant shower til drains are out. EAch ps is different for what they say about that.
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Thanks aviva. I'll try that0 -
I would like to add my thanks also HVV for starting Jan thread. Read some of your posts and I think you have just what you need inside of you-heart, determination, strength and faith. You have already been thru a lot and I think you will do very well with the surgery too. Char
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I would like to add my thanks to HVV too! I feel so connected to you ladies. Having a very emotional roller coaster kind of day. I was diagnosed in mid November and it seems like January 3rd would never come, and now that it is just 5 days away the fear is becoming overwhelming. I just hope there are no surprises when they finally do the surgery and that they find nothing else.
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jackiegray- I am a NICU Nurse so only take care of ill and premature babies so may not have good advice on not making your nurse crazy. I work in the cleaniest area of the hospital so am having my nurse friends wipe down my room as I will not be in my unit. I am concerned about my care as the nurses are so busy. Will try to have friends set up the room..bring my own ibuprofen..water..etc so as to be independent.
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hi January ladies!
Hoping you won't mind a couple pointers from someone who's already been there (someone contacted me early on and asked for some assistance so I've been lurking). Looks like you've got this ready to go. Just a couple (minor) comments:
- for the hospital, the sock things with rubber grippers so you don't have to worry about slippers or flip flops and less chance to slip. Also for the hospital (and home): baby wipes (or dry wash rags in zip-locks). They'll help wash up your face or body when you can't shower
- recliners are great, if you don't have one, don't despair, using pillows and wedges also help. I found I was more comfortable with a sheet placed on my recliner so much more comforting (flannel or t-shirt ones this time of year would be great)
Edited to add:
- ask PS/BS for pain med Rxs prior to surgery so they're home and ready to go. Like others, found Xanax night before/morning of surgery was the only way I could do it. In this regard, had all my info printed (or hand-written) to hand separate sheets to nurse (meds, prior health history), anesthesiologist (what worked, what didn't, history of PONV), and surgeon. I made sure surgeon had copies of everything as she was the one constant in all this. Don't be afraid to ask for what you want: I needed J-pen (what they use for kiddos for fear of IV's), warm blankets, juice post surgery.
- I had a tub in the car (just in case, for NV), never needed but glad I had
- for home, again, baby wipes and dry shampoo for the first couple days. I had a 1-step step stool I could move with my foot for items on shelf I had forgotten about.
- ginger ale to settle my stomach. PS advised stool softener, prunes as you don't want to strain (sorry, but that's what is necessary)
- keep busy, keep your mind busy. As silly as it sounds, don't focus on the day of surgery, it will take care of itself. I focused on afterwards, being cancer-free. Just a mind game.
And don't be brave, for the first day or two, take pain meds as prescribed. No extra points given for being brave. Not taking the pain meds is chasing the pain, not worth it.
Wishing you all the best! You can do this!
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Thank you co much 2nd._time_around. The list is getting longer
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Dancermom, I had 3 surgeries between Halloween 2012 and July (first, hospital stay and 2 outpatient), it took a while to learn this, hoping to shorten your learning curve
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Thanks 2nd_time_around. It really helps to hear from people who have been thru this and triumphed. Thanks. I really like the keeping busy part because my mind is on serious overdrive & my surgery's not until January 23rd! 0
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That's what we're here for! And while I remember, for those going thru exchange (from TE's to implants) and those who will in the future, check out Breast Implant Sizing 101 (Whippetmom is our angel advisor as this part is all so confusing) and later the Exchange City threads. My advice for this is ask your PS for authorization for surgical bras (cotton that have hooks and eyes in the front, the one I got from surgery was synthetic fabric and very scratchy and uncomfortable). Also, some insurances will cover coat of post-op camis which hold drains (my insurance paid 100% for these).
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Thanks 2nd_time_around. It really helps to hear from people who have been thru this and triumphed. Thanks. I really like the keeping busy part because my mind is on serious overdrive & my surgery's not until January 23rd! 0
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Hi ladies,
I will be joining you.... I have my surgery on January 16th. This surgery will be for removing my "good" breast. I have already had the "bad" breast removed on July 8th prior to chemo. If I can give you any advice please make sure to take something for constipation! You really don't want to deal with this! I learnt the hard way, and will not be dealing with that again!
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Just came back from my pre-op clearance and all was good. No turning back now! Bring it on!!!!
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Just one other suggestion for you. Three days before your surgery take colace which is a stool softener. It will help you after your surgery. It's an over-the-counter drug so you don't need a prescription.
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HI ladies,
I just wanted to ease all of your minds. I was diagnosed in May had bilateral MX with immediate DIEP reconstruction (aka tummy tuck) to fill in the breasts. I was nervous before surgery since I never had major surgery before. My surgery was 6 hours long. Trust me when I tell you, the worst part is getting into the gown prior too. Once they wheel you back they already have you out of it! The only thing I remember is the hallway before then recovery. They will give you access to a pain pump while in the hospital. Use it as needed, every 15 mins if you want. I have to say, my MX was a piece of cake. The stomach surgery was what was hard. My breasts were so numb and still are that they never bruised or bothered me. I had 12 nodes removed so under arm was sore but I showered the day I came home from hospital. My advice is get a shower chair! That was my saving grace and trust me, you will want to shower. The wipe down by the nurse in the hospital does nothing! I slept in my bed with pillows as support. I can never sleep sitting up so a recliner didn't sound comfortable to me. YOu will be EXHAUSTED so sleeping won't be hard to do. Just take it easy when you can. I finished 8 rounds of chemo and no on to Rads next week. YOU ALL GOT THIS!! the anticipation is worst then the actual, trust me!!! Good luck everyone and keep your head held high, you will get through this!!
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Thanks 38tooyoung!
And HI hockeymommy
I'm having to pack my bag(s) today & tomorrow. Hubby and I are leaving Wednesday for a night at the casino, then I have pre-op testing Thursday morning. Have to be at the hospital 6:30am Friday for surgery. I was told that he'll be able to stay with me at the hospital... hope so. My surgery is 3 hours away, so if he can't stay we'll be scrambling to find him a hotel room Friday night. <sigh> I guess I should probably ask at the pre-op testing so we know ahead of time.
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Hi all. I was hoping to join in for some support. I'm heading for my bilateral mastectomy with t/e on Jan 2. I'm getting really nervous/scared. Just looking for someone to talk to.
Laurie
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hi lighthouselady. I have my surgery on Thursday and we are planning a casino day too. Something to keep my mind off all this crap. I have to be at the hospital for 6am for prep for 8am. Are you afraid?
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Hey 38tooyoung:
Thank you so much for your post. You make me feel so much better! ((hugs))
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Hi levassel:
You are one day ahead of me. I know you are scared, so am I. However I am feeling a better after the words of encouragement from 38tooyoung. The fear of the unknown is so difficult. Wish it was a week from now. We are fighters and we will get through it!
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levassel - I am scared. More like freaked out if I think about it too much. And sad. So... I try not to think about it.
I hope the casino date does the job on providing distraction, and that we both win big! 0
