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June 2017 Surgery Group

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Comments

  • legomaster225
    legomaster225 Member Posts: 356
    edited July 2017

    Thanks Jen. I did chemo first and I don't think the underarm hair had been coming back too quick but I can't really raise my arm to see much. Lol. I am getting lashes and brows again and my head is growing back pretty quick though. My right arm had lymph nodes removed so it looks like we are similar in range of motion. Im 17 days out from surgery. I'm getting treatment atTroy Beaumont. How about you?

    SBKH. I used a small fanny pack to hold my drains and stuffed the excess tubes in also. It was much easier to move around that way. The drains weighed down my light summer shirts too much. Maybe something likethat would help you. Hang in there. This roller coaster of emotions is hard for everyone you are not alone.

  • JenRuns
    JenRuns Member Posts: 299
    edited July 2017

    legomaster, I'm being treated at Royal Oak :) (I work for the health system, and my office is at RO. I'm hoping that makes treatment a little easier!

  • mucki1991
    mucki1991 Member Posts: 77
    edited July 2017

    Hey everyone I've been silently lurking and sending good thoughts your way. So today I started shopping for my essentials for my surgery next Friday and it really urks me that people charge so much for drains belts the brorobe ect. While they are great it seems like insult to injury that people want to make so much profit off of our situation. So I'm making my own drain belt today . Rant over...

    I did buy comfy PJ's with front openings and a few button up shirts. Guess I have been putting it all off to avoid reality but I'm here now at least for the moment. Dropping my scripts off today too. Trying to get my deep cleaning done but it seems I've come down with my first cold in 7 years so def not feeling it. If I don't force myself to stay focused I will slip back into doing nothing. I have stopped worrying about possible node involvement and possible treatment options. Seems like things can change with each new appt est ect so I'm learning to just let it be whatever it is It takes too much energy and stress to fight the universe. I should know, I have been doing it for the last few months. I just wanted to check in and let you all know I appreciate all of you for sharing thoughts, feelings and advice it really makes a difference.

    Thanks again,

    Reebs

  • JenRuns
    JenRuns Member Posts: 299
    edited July 2017

    hey Mucki... hope you're feeling better soon! Is your surgery this coming Friday?

    For the drains .... I always pinned them to my bra. Never needed anything fancy. In the shower, I attached them to a necklace of IV tubing the nurse made for me when I was discharged. I did have a lanyard and Home Depot nail belt just in case, but never needed them.

  • JMBG
    JMBG Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2017
    As I sit here with my arm outstretched and the thousand tiny minions under and around my arm continually pinch (my description of node removal) I am in awe and inspired at the rawness and courageous spirit of each of you. Keep posting, keep writing, it's therapeutic to all. I'm at that frustrated stage where in my mind I think I can do whatever I want, but my body then screams oh hell no, slow down. I hate that this is our normal but I'm also looking ahead to a time when all of this will be a memory and others can look to us for wisdom. Keep your heads up ladies, we can do this.
  • Leatherette
    Leatherette Member Posts: 272
    edited July 2017

    Tomorrow it will be three weeks out from my umx. Drain gone, can drive, can't reach my arm straight up, but close. I had my port placed Friday, which was painful and movement-limiting the first day, but nothing today(just two nasty bruises. I have been able to put t-shirts on for about four days. Carefully. So today I am wearing a t-shirt with my newly arrived knitted knocker in it, and my shirt covers the port bruises, so I look like my old self again, which is nice.

    Sucks that I can't just enjoy it for a while. I do have two weeks until I start chemo, but I'm doing things to prepare for it or cleaning to take my mind off it. I'm scared. I don't want to potentially feel like shit until November or longer.

    I am going to meet with a wig stylist for a free consultation on Tuesday, which may actually be a little fun.

    Thanks everyone for your updates, encouraging words for everyone, and sharing your fears and anger. Things are just kind of all over the place, and it's great to have an anchor here

  • susanga
    susanga Member Posts: 66
    edited July 2017

    SBKH glad to see you posting again. Before logging on I had just finished telling my husband that I was sick of all this. So your post really hit home. No matter where we are in the process that mood can come along. That's when it is time to acknowledge how tough this can be. Yes we are facing this, yes we are amazing but sick and tired has a right to be there too. Hang in there.

    Wishing all of you courage and profound healing this week.

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,739
    edited July 2017

    Mucki, I put my sewing machine to use creating inside pj pockets for my drains, it was very helpful for me.

    Also, if you happen to live alone, I would bring down stuff you might need on high shelves before surgery, you may not be able to reach it after.

    image

  • tara17
    tara17 Member Posts: 150
    edited July 2017

    http://bfflco.com/product/elizabeth-surgical-bra/

    HI this above bra was recommended to me and i used it while i had the drains --if you click the link you can see the drain bulbs sit just below the bra. After the drains were out, i removed the plastic rings for the drains and use it as a comfortable bra while i have the tissue expander. Its not cheap, but it has been very useful for the drains. Sorry am unable to copy and past the image, but clicking the link will give you an idea

    I totally second Illamae's suggestion about preparing ahead of time to not be able to raise hand over your head. Illamae ---i love your bitmojis! What app do you use to create them?


  • legomaster225
    legomaster225 Member Posts: 356
    edited July 2017

    I'm not allowed to wear a bra for a month. I'm not sure if that is because of the nipple/skin sparing or the pre pectoral implants. The fanny pack running belt I usedworked well.

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,739
    edited July 2017

    Tara17, I use an app called Bitmoji (screen shot below). When creating it you have two options, the top is cartoony and the bottom is a bit more realistic. Enjoy!

    image

  • mucki1991
    mucki1991 Member Posts: 77
    edited July 2017

    thanks for the great tips ladies!

  • tara17
    tara17 Member Posts: 150
    edited July 2017

    thanks Illimae! I will check out this ap

  • Leatherette
    Leatherette Member Posts: 272
    edited July 2017

    OMG Illimae, that app made my day.

    Here's me, ready to fight the big C In a few weeks

    image

    Or:

    image

    Or:

    image


    Depending on my mood.

  • susanga
    susanga Member Posts: 66
    edited July 2017

    love the avatars. Ready to kick cancers butt

  • SBKH
    SBKH Member Posts: 104
    edited July 2017

    thanks for the drain advice ladies! June is long gone and July is almost half over- and we still have miles to go. Love the emojis! If we had a theme what would it be

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,739
    edited July 2017

    I knew I wasn't the only one who would find the Bitmoji so entertaining and yeah, we're bad ass alright!

  • ouray17
    ouray17 Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2017

    SBKH - know how you feel. Met with the MO today. Will start have a port in and start taxol a week from Friday. I'm a teacher and summer is what we do, but now school is looking better & better. Told the doc today - you've taken my boobs, still have 2 drains so no bath, hair is going in 2 to 3 weeks and now you tell me to take off my fake nails. Gee, then love the list of side effects. So today was a gripy day for me. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

    Toughie - so sorry about your mom. Both of my parents passed away from cancer, but at least not during this. Hang in there.

    Shocked - guess some of us will be chemo buddies. We can do this!

    Pixie - hate the new clothes part. I got a definite boob reduction, but now I realize I have a stomach that sticks out. Yuck.

    Everyone - are you keeping up with mileage & receipts? A friend & survivor told me you can even take off the new clothes due to the mx. I've maxed out on my insurance for the year so I'm getting as much taken care of as I can. Also, my sister-in-law said their insurance company continues to pay on an existing condition without meeting the new year deductible & meeting a new maximum out of pocket. Has anyone else heard this?

    My plan: taxol (12 weekly treatments), ac (4 treatments every 2 weeks), then 30 radiation treatments. Hoping to be finished by Valentine's Day!!


  • JenRuns
    JenRuns Member Posts: 299
    edited July 2017

    ouray- I've been tracking mileage and saving receipts. I read that you can deduct expenses > 10% of your total income. Not sure we will hit that, but it's easy enough to save everything. (I've not heard of the insurance thing. Would be nice though! I'm fortunate to have a relatively low annual out-of-pocket maximum ($3k) but still have to pay copays even when I hit that. Those $30 payments each week I have chemo will suck.)

    Had my fourth fill yesterday and damn, woke up this morning feeling post-op-ish. Muscle spasms and all. I start chemo tomorrow, so I'm hesitant to take much. (So came here to whine!

  • vl22
    vl22 Member Posts: 471
    edited July 2017

    ouray17 - your plan is just like mine, except I'm doing AC first. Found out the plan last Thursday and too call it a bad day would be putting it mildly. I start 7/24 and in an odd way I'm looking forward to it - this waiting stage is scary to me.


  • Pixiegirl23
    Pixiegirl23 Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2017

    Thanks Tara17 for you post on drain removal. I've been very nervous over all of this. Probably because I'm so sore in those areas. I go on Friday and I'm hoping they will be removed. They are also starting to fill the tissue expanders then. I'm excited to continue moving forward with all of this. Waiting around for things to happen is awful. I know I have a long road ahead of me but I just want everything over with. I go through so many emotions lately. I think right now anger is what I'm dealing with now. Thank you all for being here listening, helping and giving advice. It is all move helpful than any of you will ever know. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  • RRusso23
    RRusso23 Member Posts: 25
    edited July 2017

    ladies with the AC T chemo plan. I've been through it already and you can do it! The AC hit me a bit harder. I lost my appetite but tried hard to eat, even if it had no taste sometimes. The chemo nurses recommend small snacks throughout the day that were high in protein to keep my energy up. But feel free to ask anything.. I'll try to help as best I ca

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,739
    edited July 2017

    Drain question: Did/Do any of you get meat/tissue in the drain? I have and it seems to have caused a backup and leak a few times. If you've dealt with this too, do you have any tips for clearing the drain?

  • tara17
    tara17 Member Posts: 150
    edited July 2017

    Hi Illimae --i regularly had tissue in the drains -- just mailed the drain three times at a time --held an alcohol wipe and used that to "sweep down" or "milk' the drain -the alcohol wipe helps the hand slide down the drain and repeated this three times twice a day

    I havent had any leaking though --so definitely ask yoru doctor about that


    Hope it all goes well for you!

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,739
    edited July 2017

    My husband milks the same way and frequency, I've also been back twice and emailed pics of the drain and leaks, BS confirms it happens and isn't unusual, i just wish it would stop now.

    Thanks for the reply and suggestion.

  • JenRuns
    JenRuns Member Posts: 299
    edited July 2017

    illimae, I had tons of "stuff" in my drains. I found that if I left the bulb "open" and milked it, I got a lot of that stuff to move a little faster. (That's how the nurse in the PS office did it.)


  • legomaster225
    legomaster225 Member Posts: 356
    edited July 2017

    JenRuns, that would have been helpful to know. Why don't all the nurses tell us these tips ?? I only had small pieces of debris so no clogging but I could not milk the drains very well. Nothing really seemed to move down. Hope yours slows down soon Illimae do you can get it out

  • JenRuns
    JenRuns Member Posts: 299
    edited July 2017

    totally agree, legomaster... I freaked out at first and was convinced something horrible was happening!!

  • susanga
    susanga Member Posts: 66
    edited July 2017

    good morning to all. Special thoughts and hugs to all who are having chemo. I won't know until next week

    . I returned to surgeon and they confirmed via ultrasound that the seroma had returned but since it was already drained once and the risk of infection is so high we decided to watch it. It does hurt but bearable. She said it would take a few months for my body to absorb it. I also have a large lymph pocket next to beginning of my armpit. I'll see the lymph therapist soon as well. As much as a pain those drains are you want them in there to get this stuff out. Mine came out in 7 days and with activity the fluid built back up.

    Hang in there ladies. We always knew this would be a fairly long fight.

    I can't find bitmoji at the Apple App Store. Is it just for other platforms? I really love it and would enjoy the fun

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,739
    edited July 2017

    Susan, I got it from the apple app store and just checked again and found it. Try typing in bit using the search feature, it came right up. Good luck :)

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