June 2017 Surgery Group
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My pathology is back and although I already know my stage and treatment plan, I am pleased to have clean margins confirmed. I was surprised to hear that a small amount of DCIS was found in the tissue and that only 3 of my 13 lymph nodes removed were positive, I thought it would be more.
I hope everyone else is recovering well
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Great that you have clean margins and less node involvement than you thought, Illimae!
I am having more pain at the incision site than I did before, not a ton, but can't tolerate some of the clothing I could previously wear. I am 2 and a half weeks out. Is it normal for pain to subside/rise at different stages of healing? I hope it's not because I removed the surgical glue as suggested by my surgeon.
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leatherette, if the incision site looks ok and not infected, is it possible that your pain is due to nerve regeneration? That's where I'm finding most of my pain, sudden/sharp and areas of the skin that feel like a sting or sunburn, which I understand is a good thing.
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2 weeks post op. Sleeping on back still hard. I also am trying semi-side sleeping on my side that didn't get mastectomy. It had a lift but I have less pain and good mobility.I also hold a pillow on my front to help any pressure on breast. I am just trying to use ibuprofen for pain.0
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night crawler surgery for endometriosis is a blessed relief. That stuff is painful. Sounds like you have a good situation
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Jenruns - I love your hair color pic! Such a fun idea .
I too noticed the punctuation - have had to go and edit posts
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nightcrawler- you can probably get approval to have the uterus removed too with the endometriosis diagnosis. Just totally negate the risk of anymore discomfort and bkeefung
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When did you start driving after surgery
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risteadman, I'm 3 weeks out and havent driven yet, I'm interested to hea what others are doing.
Who else is having issues with anything touching their underarm area from the node removal? I've tried cut up tshirts, but much prefer nothing touching me.
We met with the oncologist today and now he is ordering the oncotype test, so again we wait! It's all exhausting but for now I don't think I need chemo which is good. He's recommended Arimidex for hormone therapy. Anyone heard good or bad about it?
Love to all,
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Nighcrawler, I am happy for your news regarding the endometriosis. Seeing something good come from the bad is uplifting....happy for you!
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Rlsteadman, I drove at 2 weeks post-op... took myself to my appointment to get my drains out. I took my 16 year old daughter just in case.
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I drove in day 8 after surgery to dr's appt but I had two drains removed earlier that morning with only the left axillary remaining. The drain fit just fine between the lap and cross body belts and the pain meds seem weak to me.
JMBG, yes, anything touching my underarm is very uncomfortable, the skin is so sensitive, like being sunburned. I don't have a solution because I modified a shirt with inside pockets to hold the drains and have been dealing with it rather than alter other clothes.
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3 weeks out and drove myself today for my expander fill, which didn't hurt then but I'd annoying me now.
I haven't had any pain where my incision is, but I have experienced the sharp pains here and there. My main source of pain is actually my side near where the drain was. PS said it's probably the expander I'm fe
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Good news Nightcrawler and Illimae. The less nodes the better!!
I am not driving yet - 2 weeks out. I don't think I could make any quick maneuvers if I had too! I am having some issues with my right arm being very sore and tight. Right down to the inside of my elbow. Trying to stretch but damn it hurts.
I actually read my full path report today. My "clean" breast was found to have IDC and DCIS. I'm not sure what I was hearing when they called me but obviously one of us had it wrong. No lymph nodes were taken on that side as we didn't expect to find anything. It was supposed to be prophylactic.I have my BS follow up on Tuesday. We will see what he says. I might need some nodes tested and/or radiation on the left side as well. Not what I hoped for. My known cancer and one lymph node responded so well to chemo but this one is 100% ER and 73% PR. Does that not really respond well to chemo?
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I started driving 11 days post op, but I am right handed and only my left side had mx. Bmx may take longer
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Illimae you are the first person I've seen describe the post bmx underarm sensations the same as me.....stingy or bad sunburn like. I keep telling my friends and family who ask how I'm feeling that of all the strange sensations going on....that is the worst one. I can only stand it for so long and then I either have to take pain meds or stop and sit with my arms up so the arm skin isn't touching or rubbing the underarm or side boob areas.
It's hotter than a pistol here too....so being sweaty isn't helping. Burts bees powder has helped a tiny bit. But mostly just getting those arms up! I wonder if sunburn lidocaine gel or spray would help lol
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I'm with you guys on the underarm sunburn. Swelling doesn't help either. It might be getting just a smudge better. I almost dare not to say it out loud. In the scheme of things it is a small thing but like a pbble in your shoe
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susanga.....like a sharp pebble!😁
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For the sensitive underarm, it hurts more when I walk with the motion of my arm rubbing the fabric of my shirt and surgical bra, I've reduced my activity for now and kept to a pain meds schedule to stay ahead of the pain as best I can.
For those who may have chemo in the future, try icing your fingers and toes, if possible. I didn't and mine lifted, hurt and got infected. My fingers ended up ugly but ok, however, my two big toes were so damaged, I had to have them removed yesterday. I was not at all prepared for the pain and throbbing I had once the numbing wore off and I can barely walk today, it is $&4@?/$& brutal ;(
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Illimae -sorry to hear about the nails and the need to have them removed -that sounds so painful that you can barely walk! Hope the pain wears off quickly and that you are able to rest.
Legomaster -- sorry to hear the unexpected surprise on the prophylactic breast. It's disconcerting to hear so many ladies with unexpected findings on pathology that were not diagnosed preoperatively. Did you have a preop MRI by any chance? All this said, it doesnt mean that chemo didnt work --- chemo doesnt give a complete response in the breast --if chemo were guaranteed to do so , then surgery wouldnt be needed at all. At least that's the way my oncologist explained it to me . Probably worthwhile to reach out to your MO and set up MO follow up as well?
SBHK-- thinking of u, hope you are on your way to healing and doing well
Hugs to all
Tara
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I'm home! Did anyone else do their own drains ?
I only had left breast removed but am having intermittent sternum pain and am worried that's bad. I also have a calf cramp or pain so I'm worried.
I wish I felt relieved
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Thanks Tara. Yes. I had two MRIs. One pre chemo and one after. Both with contrast. Fist one showed enhanced areas but nothing definite. Follow up ultrasound was clear. Post chemo MRI showed no enhancement. My initial tumor in the other breast was weakly hormone positive 23/10%. It had great response to chemo. Surprise one was 100/73. I was just curious as to whether chemo was more effective on lower hormone tumors. Meeting with MO and BS next week. Plan was for Tamoxifin anyway so I don't think that changes. Just not sure about radiation on the second breast too or even node testing. Can't do sentinel testingas the breast is gone
Illimae I'm sorry about your toenails. I know how much you just want to focus on healing one area instead of multiple. It wears us down. Praying that we all heal quickly. I' keep trying to focus on positives but that gets hard. Stay strong girls. 💕
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SBKH - YOU MADE IT!! Started this group, followed us through our surgeries & now, finally are done & at home!! Hope you feel better soon.
lllimae - sorry about the toes. The effect of chemo on the feet is one of my concerns.
Still not driving, but should be soon. Ready to get the next few months of chemo & radiation over & get back to my life. Think I took everyday living for granted, but never again. Miss even the little things. Does anyone know if you can keep a mani-pedi during chemo? Sounds whiny, but no bath, no driving, no bad food, no boobs - please don't take my nails.
I also have the underarm pain. Doctor said it was the nerves trying to regenerate. Said so many nerves were cut in the breast/lymph nodes on that side and it will take awhile. Thought exercise would help, but no such luck.
Have a great day!
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SBKH--i totally second ouray17! You are amazing --you started this group, you prayed for us during our surgeries and followed us through , all while you had to cope with your own long waiting period and your own surgery. We are here rooting for you, ready to follow you through your recovery . YOU WILL MAKE IT THROUGH RECOVERY! I am sorry that you you have pain ---i had reconstruction so had lots of pain related to that ---so i cant offer a good perspective on the sternal pain . The calf pain --did you have compression devices on yoru legs to help with blod clot prevention ? I had those as well as so much fluid pumped into me that i had very swollen feet and calf pain. Do call your doctor and ask them about the pain
The relief will come --- no longer having to agonize over the wait, slowly moving on and getting back to your routine --the relief will quietly come to you. The drains are totally do-able on your own. Here is a video to a patient managing drains by herself
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/caring-your-jackson-pratt-drainage-system
Xoxo , hugs and prayers, glad you are safely home
Tar
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legomaster --all very important questions --discerning the node status on that side, deciding about any need for radiation. Woudl a PET scan help with assessing the nodes ? I dont know the answer to that , but maybe a question to ask your doctor. In hindsight was the MRI enhancement prchemo suggestive of the ultimate findings and the lack of enhancement post chemo indicative of response in that area. Regardless, you totally made the right decision and its out of your body ! Its good to know you made the right surgical decisions . Keep us informed of what your BS and MO say.
Ouray17 --i was told mani-pedi was ok but just not to cut cuticles. That said, i just didnt want to take any chances with infection , so i didnt go to the nail salon. Just used coconut oil liberally on my cuticles and nails and my nails were ok except at the end they got discolored and pretty ugly This is well disguised with nail paint --the cuticles remained healthy and i credit coconut oil for that. You can ask for icing of your hands and feet to protect your nails --it seemed like too much work and uncomortble to sit with freezing fingertips , so i didnt do that --but plenty of ladies on these boards have tolerated icing very well .
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Bless you Tara and Ouray! You knew just what I needed to hear today
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SBKH --- every mixed emotion is valid ---just say to your self, that "i honor and respect every emotion i feel. I am stronger than i think, i am more resilient that i think , i am braver than i beleive " . Deep inside, beyond the external layers of pain, worry, and bandages and dressing is the core of who you are, your values , your beliefs ---none of that has changed and in fact has become strengthened by what you have faced -and step by step , your inner core of values wisdom strength will carry you through . And we are here to surround you with positive thoughts, wishes
Here are two of my favorite quotes i woudl like to share with you from Mary ann radmacher
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow."
speak quietly to yourself & promise there will be better days. whisper gently to yourself and provide assurance that you really are extending your best effort. console your bruised and tender spirit with reminders of many other successes. offer comfort in practical and tangible ways - as if you were encouraging your dearest friend. recognize that on certain days the greatest grace is that the day is over and you get to close your eyes. tomorrow comes more brightly..."
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SBKH, You will do great! Just take it easy & give yourself time to recover. It's a day at a time. Don't get behind on the pain meds at least for a a few days. We are all here for you just like you were here for us!
Take care
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SBKH I am so glad that you are home now and the surgery is behind you. Please,please take very good care of yourself. I did not have sternal pain or leg cramps so I can't be of help but your surgeon has a nurse navigator who will help you assess any problems. There is no need to just endure when there is reassurance and even something to alleviate it. I think with a UMX you will have no trouble with the drains. As has been said you are our founder and have supported all of us so we are here for you. Prayers and gentle hugs for you.
Illimae what an awful,issue you had with your nails. That must be so painful. My heart goes out to you.
I had decidedly less pain today and I am so relieved. I really want to get back to driving and won't do it while on hydrocodone. My husband goes back to work on Sunday so I need to be back to normal and I have a million doctor appointments. Fingers crossed.
I hope you all have a restful, painfree weekend. Sending love and support.
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SBKH, I did my own drains a couple of times when my husband wasn't home, it was a little tricky since I couldn't see where they come out very well but still doable. If you see some chunks of tissue in the drain, that's normal, just try to work it through.I would definitely ask your docs about the other pain, if it continues for several days.
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