January 2017 Surgery Group
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Fightingirl - UGH! I hope they call you today. Good news is Drs. don't end work at 5:00 so there is still a chance s/he will call you later today or even tonight. Hope s/he does and it's good news! My husband calls a lot of patients on the way home from work or even at night when he is doing charts.
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that's so funny - I was the same - couldn't meditate and couldn't even do yoga, although I love pilates. but now im in a habit of trying different guided meditations for about 15 min a day and when you find one that really speaks to you, its so relaxing! all of our minds have been racing with all the diagnoses, treatments, plans going forward, blah blah blah. its like a hamster running on a wheel. so whatever it takes to slow that wheel down or hop off completely to give yourself a break, use it! good luck!!
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omg Fightinggirl.
I understand and hate the wait as well . I went through it after my stereotactic biopsy when this whole thing started! I have an acupressure mat which I lay on bareback and meditate . It really helps lessen my tension. Lots of people do not like them because they are spikey and hurt at first. But they bring blood flow to tense muscles and relieve that tension . I use you tube guided imagery videos . Just listening to them with my eyes closed . I hope they call you soon . As DSCIinAZ mentioned, a lot of Doc's including her hubs calls people later.I got my call well after 6pm re: biopsy . Best Wishes ❤
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DsMom, oh I have a list!! I'm a list maker for everything! Just afraid wine mix with lorazepam would make me forget my list!! Decided to meditate for 6 min. It was all I could do today because I kind of suck st it but I do feel calmer and actually like I could go to sleep now!
Welcome to our new ladies. We hope you find peace and comfort here and as you can see my latest dilemma had many good ideas by my friends and I chose to meditate this time!
Hoping all our tough tens are doing well and looking forward to their check in st the bungalows! I think we have to eleven ladies now (what shall we call them) enchanted elevens?? Better ideas requested! Wishing you smooth sailing through surgery and over the blue waters to the bungalows where you'll have so many lovely friends waiting. You got this.
Much love sisters
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and thank you DsMom, I'll hope for that but also preparing myself that it just might be tomorrow. When I called at 3 they didn't have the reports and now it's after 5. I guess they could be coming via email and she could call this evening
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Jan 11 - RoseBowl16 - bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders
Jan 12 - DsMom - Mastectomy
Jan 13 - DCISinAZ - UMX/SNB with direct to implant on the right and lift/implant on the
not many girls later this week, but all have big big surgeries planned, so they need all of our best wishes on their journey. sending you 3 profound peace and calm leading up to your surgery days, rosebowl, dsmom, and dcisinaz. we are holding your hands, breathing with you, and floating alongside you. ill go pick some fragrant hibiscus and frangipani from the island to leave on your pillow when you wake up.
and I hope all the ladies we haven't heard from are all doing ok. if you don't feel like checking in, its ok, just know we think of you daily!! xx
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Fightgirl. I do not wait well either! That is truly the hardest part for me as well. I wish I had a magic formula to help. One thing that does help me are the grandkids. The baby guy is a little terrorist and keeps me hopping! ( 20 months and he tried to climb the cat tree yesterday) When any of them are here hours have pasted before I realize it. The coloring book are great to pass the time. I'm a list maker to ( I make list for my list!) I got one of those adult coloring books (sounds like porn, right? lol) and love it! It's another one of those...were did the time go?? Either way,,,sending you peace and positive vibes!
For all you tough tens, hope to hear from you gals soon! We are waiting with your drinks just past the crystal blue waters.
To the new ladies, you are safe here. That was so important to me. I can say what I feel I need to say, ask what I need to answers for someone is always willing to talk to you.
To the next group heading for surgery tomorrow...the bungalows will be ready check in anytime, we all will be waiting for you!
Much love to my new found friends. You ladies are what real women are made of!
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For those at the stage of getting your pathology reports, I found this to be a great resource:
http://www.breastcancer.org/cms_files/47/Breastcan...
Xox
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PugsMama, thank you!!! I just got a copy of my biopsy report today and this will help. Besides the fact there is so much I do not understand the print is so tiny I'm going to need mega glasses to read it!
I had to check in one more time before I head to bed .
Prayers for all! Good night
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Hey ALL!
I was just chiming in...The surgery went well along with my port insertion, now I'm on to recovery, its a slow process, but I move around, I nibble on stuff here and there, still not able to eat a full meal(6 days later and anesthesia still floating in my system, so I tend to get a lil nauseous). And my adopted children(drain pods) are starting to work my nerves...lol. But hey, I'm here! If anyone has or want to know about my experience, let me know and I'll try my best to answer.
~giving shuga~
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win-chimed! Sooooo good to hear from you! Aren't these drains fun? I call them my balls lol! How many do you have? I've got four...ugh! My PS is not a fan of taking them out too soon so I'm looking at weeks! Gotta have a sense of humor with this stuff, right?
Shuga to you too!
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hi Win chimed ,
I have heard a lot of people asking about you over the past few days since your surgery onthe 6th. Glad you are doing well . I know everyone will be glad you have resurfaced as a champion . Sounds like you are starting recover nicely . Thanks for checking in
Good healing vibes coming at ya👍
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yay win-chimed! I think now the only is Marimucho that we haven't heard back from. Let's all hope she's nicely recovering and will check in soon!
Of course continued prayers for our girls who went today and wishing calm to the brave elevens! May you reach the bungalow in no time.
For myself, I have given up on path results today. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. She specifically said 24-48 hours so you will hear from me by Monday or Tuesday. My husband tried the "no news is good news" and I gave him The Look!! Guess I'll try to watch some Netflix and go to bed and tomorrow is a new day, right?
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Win-Chimed: So glad to "see" you again. My oncology nurse friend said it's not uncommon to be nauseous for a while and just eat what you can (crackers, jello, ice cream sandwiches, and ginger ale were the go-to's she would give her patients. Are you able to manage your pain pretty well with the pain meds?
Yes, I guess I am the lone person on Friday the 13th. Gee. Lucky me. Thankfully I am not a superstitious type person. Just found out my dad is driving over from California Thursday night. Then staying here at our house. I am his only child so I'm sure he is really worried. That makes two of us!!
Best of luck, prayers, and virtual hugs to everyone going tomorrow xoxo!!
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Ooh, and I anyone else like "innauguration? What innauguration? I'm too busy fretting over my health!!" Amazing what stuff goes by the wayside when your health is on the line.
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yay, winchimed, you made it out the other side!!!! so so happy to hear from you!! take it slow girlfriend, and fingers crossed you can toss your adopted children out the window soon, lol!!!
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PugsMama - are you sleeping ok with the drains? I am going to take on of our recliners into our bedroom to sleep in. I heard that it really helpful.
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Hi all! As seems to be the overwhelming feeling here - I can't begin to say how thankful I am to have found this group. I was diagnosed almost two weeks ago and have surgery (lumpectomy) set for 1/17. I have learned SO MUCH from reading all of the posts here and it has helped me prepare for my upcoming surgery. Although my tumor is small, 1.5 cm, I tested triple neg. and I guess that worries me the most. I'm praying for clear nodes. I'll be following this thread daily and wishing all of you the very best! I'll also be thinking of water bungalows and hopefully a glass of wine once I'm through with surgery on the 17th. I/We can do this 💪
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Dfarm13,
Not a teacher, but believe it or not I'm doing my capstone project for my nursing MSN this semester - I'm trying to work ahead this week so I don't miss any deadlines with surgery next week!!!!
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Jinmo - surgery sisters!!! I'm the 17th also - we got this !!!!!
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Hi WinChimed - sounds like our recovery was very similar. I've yet to have my poop prayer answered 😳!
Figtngirl - hang in there! I'm praying you get positive results.
I went to my Breast surgeon today with hopes of getting my surgery pathology results. I did get some, my nodes were all clean however more results are needed. My left breast had more extensive cancer than first thought. She wants more results before she says much more. So here I am waiting again. I am happy my nodes are clean and the right breast appears clean as well. My doctoris wonderful. She assured me she would call me as soon as she has more pathology.
Also went to plastic surgeon today. He said reconstruction looks good. One nipple is still very blue but he thinks It will come around. He said I my loose a layer of skin off this nipple. I was very big breasted. He did what he called a reduction pattern on me. I guess I really didn't understand how they did this procedure. He explained that he tucked my extra skin in around my nipples and underneath. It's quite fascinating really. I do have tissue expanders placed under my muscle as well. If all goes well I should have some pretty normal looking boobs! 😁
The real bummer of the day is no shower for me yet! Breast surgeon said sure and plastic surgeon says no way. He said you can have a back shower? I cannot get my sutures wet he said 😳
My twins ( drain tubes) are with me until they produce less than 30 mil in 24 hours! So ladies there's the lucky number you're waiting for!
Rosebowl16, DSMom, DCISinAz - you are all in my prayers. Please find peace before your surgery. I'll be there holding your hand as well as all these other amazing women. You will never be alone. 🏖🌈
My fruity drink is calling my name.....🍹
Xoxoxo
Lisa
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Dcisinaz: I'm sleeping ok. they had 2 pinned on each side side of the bra but after the "dried blood on the bra" incident which I'm sure was a drain bulb leak, I pinned them all in the front so they stay put on my midriff. I have one of those sleep number beds & am able to elevate it so I don't need a recliner. Neither the PS nor BS said I needed to be elevated when I sleep...but it's more comfortable for me. Tylenol PM helps too!
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Leftcoastie: so happy to hear your positive results!
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Elem, I hope you're less scared today. It sounds like you had one tumor with both DCIS cells and invasive cells in it. That doesn't mean the invasive cells went anywhere, just that they had the potential to if they hadn't been removed. But you got clean margins which means they did get it all. The sentinel node biopsy is just a precaution to make sure it didn't sneak into your lymph nodes, but with a small tumor, there's no reason to expect any problems.
Dsmom, I didn't find that being young helped with chemo, everyone reacts differently to each drug. I did really well on the most toxic cocktail and had a really hard time with another that's supposed to be "easier". Exercise on the other hand really helps with the fatigue and the side effects. I went to the gym as often as I could even if I only did short workouts, chemo scarf and all.
Suezie23, It's a hard decision, but I say go for it. Because 1) being BRCA positive, it's worth having the BMX to NOT have to go through the actual cancer, chemo, etc. and 2) the diep flap reconstruction looks really great, very natural, it's your own tissue and you get a tummy tuck thrown in.
Fightingirl, thinking of you while you wait -- waiting is horrible. Keep in mind, you do know that no news ISN'T bad news. Until and unless they tell you there is something to worry about, there isn't. I hope you hear tomorrow morning.
As for me, I have nipples!!! Real, flesh and blood nipples! They look totally real in spite of the scars and stitches. I am VERY pleased. There is hope for us!
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welcome GT1965 - you are joining a club none of us want to be in but are thankful to find these amazing gals. Goodnight to all and dreams of long lives and cancer free bodies.
Today I felt normal for about three hours. It was a good day 😊
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Hello All,
I have 3 pods and I know they're going to be around for a while. I did receive my pathology report. 16 nodes and only 1 cancerous, still trying to decode other info even with the help of a cheat sheet. Now as for sleeping, whoo lawd! I have a recliner and a body pillow, I don't like a lot of pillows. Im praying for ALL of you...those who had their surgery and those that have upcoming surgery! You ladies rock!
~giving shuga~
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thank you Maya15 for this information . I was less scared once I digested this new confusing information . Of course , like others , I feel overwhelmed by it all with each phase. Four days out , I started to get a cold which quickly developed into a cough with phlegm and what not . So getting bronchitis is scary because it lingers and my SNB is scheduled under general anesthesia on the 26th . So yes, I worry about that and being well . I have been taking mucinex 12 hr. And umcka lozenges. It does seem to lessen the the severity.
Glad you have nipples and that they are looking good . I bet when they heal, you will be very happy with them . Any positive changes are such a great feeling on this difficult journey.
Fightingirl .. today is the day. I hope you hear early so you can rest and relax . The waiting is absolutely nerve wracking. This process is not easy and involves so much waiting and anxiety. I am glad we can reach out on this site and connect with others who truly know and understand.
Good luck to everyone today . Prayers and healing vibes to all my ladies🌈🐠🐬🐳🏄🏻♀️
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Good Morning Everyone! I've started posts at least 3 or 4 times and haven't submitted them for one reason or another. I'm glad everyone is doing well post-op. Win-chimed, it's good to hear from you, now just pending Marimucho to check in for the January 6's to be accounted for! I've been home since Sunday afternoon, and my sister made it in to Fort Lauderdale Airport without incident, although my other sister who picked her up had a hard time because security was sooo tight!
It's been crazy goings on here at my house since I've gotten home though! We have a lovely stomach bug going around (vomiting and the big D). Started with my daughter Sunday morning, but she was able to make the 7 hour drive back to Tallahassee (sophomore at FSU) after my husband hooked her up to an IV here at home. Middle son drove back to University of Alabama Sunday as well and by the next day was knocked out with the bug. His girlfriend had to take him to the ER in Tuscaloosa for IV's as well. Monday my husband and sister (the one who flew in) got sick. Oldest son started vomiting last night. Ugh!! I've managed to stay healthy so far. This morning everyone seems better.
I had a home health nurse come to the house to check my incisions on Monday, was told they look fine. No one came by yesterday though. My PS and BS did not want me to wear any type of compression bra, just a couple of 4x4's on the incisions with one piece of tape and gauze/tape on the Jackson-Pratt drains' exit sites. PS stressed NO PRESSURE on the incisions! Still managing the pain with just Tylenol and Ibuprofen thank the lord. I have a little "holster" on my waist to hold the drain bulbs (ordered it on Amazon, $12.95 prime) and it has be a godsend. All 4 bulbs along with the excess tubing fit in it well and are hidden under my clothes. Sleeping in my recliner quarantined from the rest of the household, lol!
I got some awful news on Monday. My younger sister had a breast biopsy on Thursday (day before my BMX) in a abundance of caution because of my diagnosis. It was just a small calcification, no palpable lump. It came back positive - DCIS grade 2. She doesn't have her receptor results yet, but the consensus seems so far that she will be treated with a lumpectomy and rads. Youngest sister has had an "area" on her last 2 mammograms that her Gyn has been watching and now she is freaking out. She made an appointment to see my Oncologist next week. Oldest sister (there are 4 of us) hasn't had a mastectomy in 10 years, but has one scheduled this coming Monday.
The strangest thing is that my MO had been saying all along that I didn't need to get genetic testing done because there were no first-degree relatives with BC in my family, although both my parents each have a first cousin with the disease. The day of my last chemo a month ago I asked again about the genetic testing and it just so happened that the representative from the COLOR test was visiting and I was able to have the test done that day. It is a saliva test where you spit into a tube and it's mailed off to be tested for about 11 different types of genetic cancers (breast, ovarian, colon, pancreatic, etc.). This only costs $298 opposed to a couple of thousand for the blood test. I got those results back on Monday and I came up negative for all the cancers. Now I'm doubting the reliability of the test and will be seeking out a genetic counselor. Whew, and I thought 2016 was bad!!
Anyway, sorry for the long rant. All my prayers go to those who had surgery in the past few days, Rosebowl16 today and the rest of you scheduled next week. God Bless you all!
Angie
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Good morning all! Win-chimed, nice to hear from you, glad you're getting through this.
And hello to all the new ladies. Welcome to the best place to hang out, on the island no one ever wanted to visit.
Did-not-see-this-coming, we are surgery sisters, and we've got three more too. Today is my pre-op admit appointment.
Let's see, I did my pre-surgery stuff order on Amazon: wedge pillow, shower chair, little holder doodad for the shower head so it can be down on the wall where I can get to it (it's already a handheld but sits way up the wall in a normal shower position), recovery yoga video, and one of those horseshoe-shaped neck pillows.
The freezer is stocked with pre made meals. Going to Sam's Club this week to stock up on heavy pantry items so I don't have to buy and lift them after surgery. Peanut butter, for instance. Can't have a day without peanut butter. Also, some smoked salmon. Not because it's heavy, just because I want it! Fresh food shopping for veggies, etc. is the beginning of next week.
Anyone who hasn't had a chance or noticed that it's there, you might want to check out the https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics/699896?page=16#idx_451, for a good shopping list. It's all summarized right there in the first post, with things you might want to buy or to gather up from around your house so you are ready for hospital and post-surgery.
Oh, one last thing I thought of: if any of you are Amazon Prime members, there are free meditation/relaxation recordings available for streaming. I listened to one night before last, very calming.
RoseBowl16, thinking of you today!
jinmo
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docMama
good to hear you are not down with the bug that swept the household. That would be such a setback in an otherwise smooth recovery.
Also happy to hear that the thoracic epidural made it possible ,post op , thus far , to only need ibuprofen and tylenol. This sounds like a fantastic breakthrough in medicine.
Welcome to all the new girls . I think you will find this community to be a positive place to visit anytime you need to vent or just talk to a friend dayvor night. It's always open and the people are wonderful .
Have a beautiful day 🏄🏻♀️See you at the beach
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