August 2017 Surgery Group
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so update... 4th day.. So much better my second day home i was so sick. The pain meds were too much for me. i got off the meds and just taking Tylenol when needed. Today the pain is just tightness. All the other days i had one spot that hurt so bad. It was the drainage tube.. Not sure why it's not hurting today... But other then feeling weak and iffy stomach. As well slept through the night last woot.
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pink victory, thank you so much for your post, I loved it, and it made me feel better
I'm on day 2 at home, getting adjusted and feeling mostly comfortable but certainly not normal. I've been laying around a lot and have a sore bum! When the tightness starts creeping in, i know to get on the pain meds right away, learned that the hard way. I had a hard time sleeping last night, hopefully tonight will be better. Miralax and colase have done their job and finally had a BM this morning - woo hoo!!! That was relief
Best wishes to all going in tomorrow! You will do awesome
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Hi all... had surgery Aug 7th, had some breathing issues but otherwise all went as planned. The path came back completely negative!! But now they arent sure if I need radiation or not, guess they don't know with a TN?? Still having quite a bit of swelling/pain, even three weeks out, anybody else? I've been only taking tylenol and it doesn't seem to help.. any suggestions?
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Bella76 I m so excited for you! Yay!!
PInkVictory thank you for sharing- you are very inspiring!
26 days out from surgery and I am doing good- would love to get off pain meds but the expanding process has been painful... Now I'm just waiting on my oncotype test results- hopefully will have them at my appointment on 09/05.
Still praying for all those getting ready for surgery this weekend and for those till healing.
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Thanks SweatPea - oh Prune Guru! Too late tho, took too much OTC and an explosion happened.(TMI?) That's why I had to do the laundry. who else would come over at 3 in the morning? I thought getting out and walking would help the healing process. but if Its better to lay low - I'm all for it.
I'm trying NOT to think about Chemo. I'm refusing to make a decision until I know yea or Nah on HER2.
How are all of you cleaning your wound sites by yourselfs? I can't see mine, so I can't tell if I'm getting the job done or if there is an infection, I guess when the RN comes tomorrow - she will let me know.
Yes, everyone is different and diff opinions. One of my PT said to do my excercises 5 times a day - the other said only 3 so I guess I'll do 4.
I just want to sleep. SO very Tired. Still not hungry. and still have "barbwire" wrapped around me - especially in the mornings, and after naps. Stretching does help.
Is there anyone else Here that is not having Reconstruction?
Take care everyone! Best of luck tomorrow Tannme, LSunshine and Sweet_Pea.
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MrsWinnie - I hear you about the Pain Meds - hard to get the right amount. Too much and upset Stomach, not enough and you can't get ahead of the pain. My stomach has been upset since surgery. I can't find anything to eat that sounds soothing.
Day 6th. Still hurts but recovery is much faster. Its just a quick sharp barbwire sticking in side pain, then goes away.
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Had my surgery on Friday, Aug. 25th; mastectomy on left with reconstruction, sentinel node biopsy, and right breast reduction for symmetry. Surgery went really well... so well actually that I didn't even stay overnight. Doc gave me the option of staying or going home so I decided to go home. *I would estimate my hospital stay at approx. 9 hours.
Yesterday, I felt pretty good and did a lot more than I should have. Today, I woke up regretting that for sure... really sore today. Mostly just feels bruised and I can feel the cuts. Hope everyone else is doing well.
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Hello, best wishes to all who are having surgery this week. I Hope your operations go well and you recover well.
Spikar, yes, I agree, general anesthesia is scary. I found my anestheologist really supportive and I found the process easier than I had feared.
Lsunshine, I wore the same clothes home I had worn to the hospital. I didn't need slippers since they gave me socks to wear. Also cough drops helped since I had a sore throat after surgery.
MrsWinnie, pain meds were a problem for me. I got a prescription for tramadol. I found I could only take it during the day since it gave me nightmares at night! I stopped taking it a week ago when it gave me hives! Tylenol is ok for me.
Bellkat, I am almost 4 weeks out. My armpit is still sore. I still get phantom pains and some twitches. I started the exercises and am going to physical therapy. But compared to how uncomfortable I was the first week, I am encouraged.
Sending healing wishes to all my August friends! The month is almost over
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rljessu: I am not having reconstruction. I guess that's why the doc estimates my surgery on Monday will take an hour and 45 minutes. I'm having a unilateral even though there is a possibility I'll need another one down the road. My right side was biopsied when my left side was, and the results came back benign--for now. I just like the idea of having one good arm while dealing with one bad arm, also the idea of dealing with only 1-2 drains at a time. Of course I don't work anymore so missing work isn't an issue for me if I do return to the operating table later on.
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Thank you rljusse! ... still awake but going to try to sleep a bit tonight. Surely will be even more nervous in the morning, and it helps to read input from everyone who has just been through it. Hope to hear from LSunshine and Sweat_Pea later this week, too.
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i had a BMX and immediate reconstruction on Aug 7, 3 weeks ago. It seemed a bit drastic as radiation after the lumpectomy was recommended by one group...But another hospital did a second opinion on my lumpectomy biopsy slides and found a teeny bit of invasive. And there is significant breast cancer history although no BRCA.the invasive was also fast growing triple negative. Anyway, the final biopsy from the BMX found additional dcis in the problem breast that was missed in the lumpectomy and atypical hyperplasia (pre-cancer) in the other breast... So I chose the right thing. The nodes were negative and so were the nipples so they were able to save the nipples. I amazed that there is no black and blue..And really only a little discomfort. The drains are awkward and gross..And sometimes pull and hurt a bit..But the worst is the expander..Not horrible but it stings and feels tight. I have noticed that the fluid in the last drain is starting to look more yellowish and smells funkY..So.. there you go.. Something new to worry about and research.
The worst part of all of this is I had an allergic reaction to the oral antibiotics that was prescribed to take home...I was one big rash and hives all over. Now THAT was painful! Maybe that's why the rest seemed so much less painful than I thought.
The other bad part was the constipation... So bad! And now it seems to have gone the other direction. I've tried EVERYTHING and the only thing that did it was that magnesium citrate drink. I'm eating loads of fiber and drowning in water.
Anyway.the PS made s pocket if Alloderm and installed the expander over the muscle.. that is supposed to be more comfortable. I am small of course but there are two breasts of similar shape and with my nipples..Can't see scars... I'm pleased. I just want to take s real shower!
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got my hair washed yestersay can you say heaven lol. Ok TMI time. My armpit stinks soo bad. Washed and washed the best i can and still stinks so bad ugh. 5th day and down to 1 Tylenol for pain meds no complaints there. But i wish who ever is holding that rope going around my chest would let go... Todays goal is to get my stretchs done. See if i can get this rope feeling to go away. I cant recall who asked but no reconstruction for this girl. Staying flat. I did tho receive some knitted knockers if i want to use them. They are awesome. Google them if you like. Trying not to focus on the results... When i find out will deal with that then. Thinking about all you. Hugs
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MrsWinnie,
lol. Personally can say the tightness gets better as time goes on. Im about 3weeks out. Initially thought the tightness would never leave.
Who knew armpit hair could grow so fast. Boy was I thrilled when I could shave them.
MaryMac, Sorry to hear about the drain issue. Did you call the PS? you would not want an infection.
BellKat: almost 3 weeks out and my armpits are still sore. Was at PS office today and said its to be expected. We all heal at our own rates I guess. Where are you noticing the swelling?
Wellwishes: Glad you are doing well
Alice: Hope all went well today!
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hi August peeps
I am trying to cope after my August 10th. It was not that bad after all. The drains were taken out in one week and I have been discharged from dressings. The nurse and doctor said I am healing well. I pray that surgery have taken care of everything and I need no more treatment.
I have two concerns. My left arms hurts as well as my right shoulder.
blessings to all my peeps and pray for a speedy recovery for all.0 -
MrsWinnie, I'll have to google knitted knockers. I'm holding out for an awesome tattoo since no reconstruction/ Have you tried Dial Antibiotic soap? and the Dr gave me some surgical scrub that makes me feel squeaky clean. I had to run to the Dr's office today - the tube that ends in the shoulder (I had no idea what it was) was trying to pop out of my skin. OUCH! It was protruding outwards and you could see the outline. Hurt a lot. Gave me the heebie jeebies. (Dr said I had very thin skin and put a patch on it, said drains will probably come out sooner than the 12 days) Yeah!
AliceAgnes, I'm just the opposite, I had both breast removed same time, I just wanted to get it over with. The Cancer is in my left, and my right arm doesn't hardly hurt. I can use it easily. I have to keep reminding myself not to over do it/ like reaching for things. The drains are just an annoyance. I forget I have them except when I roll over on my side and squish one open. yuck.
Constipation a problem again. Have to look up that concoction with the prune juice and Marilax? Colace isn't working and no way I'm taking Ducalax again.
BellKat - dr told me to take Aleve after drains were out to reduce inflammation.
Still not hungry and iffy tummy. Its Day 7. Best to all
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Hi all, 1st post in this group, I found the page after the surgery and I've been rooting for all of you
On Aug 15 I had a unilateral mast. with 3 sentinel lodes biopsied. Pathology is back and good, and my drain was removed last wed at 8 days post surgery.
I now seem to have more swelling in my underarm, well the area about 1/4 inch out of my underarm and my mobility in that arm is lessening. I can't put my arm to my side and now I can't reach as high up as I could last week. I swear my it feels like I'm toting a porcupine covered pork chop around.
No fever, redness or finger tingling so I don't think it is lymphedema. Does anyone know if this is normal. The pain isn't too bad i take maybe 2 doses of ibuprofen per day but I'm aware of any stretching.
Thanks
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welcome jljco. Wish i could answer your question. Nurse popped in today said drains come out wednesday... Want them gone but scared same time. Mine too are looking like they will pop through the skin. Very painful. Then one morning i woke up and the pain was gone. No idea why but soo happy. Now its just the tightness. Was bad girl today didnt do much stretching. Bed time here. Night folks
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Hello jljCO, welcome to the August group!
Your description of the pork chop and porcupine sounds familiar to me too! Mine felt like there was a clenched fist in my armpit some days.
I didn't get my drain removed until day 18. At that visit the nurse gave me a pamphlet with exercises to start right away. I asked for a prescription for physical therapy and started the following week. The physical therapist is giving me arm massages to help stretching. I read a suggestion to spend some time squeezing a small rubber ball once a day.
Today starts my week 4 since surgery. My arm feels better but my range of motion is not back and I cannot reach anything on a high shelf without a tugging feeling.
Good luck to you
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Carol, fingers crossed no more treatment for you.
Jlj, I like the pork chop/porcupine reference. I feel like Im carrying a purse under my armpit. It has gotten better. Now I notice some awful thick scar tissue underneath the left armpit where I had a sentinel node biopsy. My right one is pretty good. I'm getting grossed out just by thinking about having to massage it to hopefully break some of it up.
3 weeks out today. Going back to work tomorrow. Only work 2hrs in a school so it's doable and I need some routine back in my life.
Glad to hear everyone is on the mends!
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hi everyone
It sounds like we are all slowly healing. Praying for you all! Today was three weeks. I got my pathogy report - clear nodes and no sign of remaining cancer. So no chemo - yay! The tumor review board did not agree on radiation. I had a close margin and am young, but my surgeon said my cancer just happened to go to the edge of my breast. We'll see when I meet with the RO. I meet with the MO on Friday to discuss tamoxifen - I'm in the grey area for that, too. So there are still some decisions to make. I have painful cording in my left arm and a seroma that cannot be drained because of the location on my chest wall. So I start physical therapy next week for those issues - wish it was sooner but the specialist is on vacation. I love the porcupine pork chop description - so true! I have the weird underarm tightness, too, but the stretches are helping. I started back to work part time, and boy do I get tired!
If you are still struggling with constipation, coconut water is a secret weapon - but don't drink too much - it can work pretty quickly!
Wishing you all a restful and healing week!
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MrsWhinnie you mentioned your getting your drains out WednesdayThis Wednesday? or Next? good for you! How many days will it of been since surgery to Wednesday. Were your Drainage going down rapidly for them to say that? I was told I had to be under 30 (?) in a 48 hour period before they could come out. My non cancer side is on track for Wed Sept 6th. Unfortunately, its the cancer side that the drainage tube is protruding and painful and not near the 30 (?) required to remove.
Beach2beach - what is this massage therapy? Is it after the drains are out or during? Yes, I feel massive scar tissue under the cancer side where they removed the nodes. Its numb. Except for the Long poking stitches and the drain tube ready to pop out of my skin. I know PT is extremely important but It hurts too much to do them with the tube ready to pop. Day 8 - having to stuff pads everywhere in between skin and binder. Have little under arm pillows that help - not much.
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tomorrow will be three weeks since surgery. I couldn't get my drains out today as planned because I'm still producing too much fluid. I think my PS said under 40 for two consecutive days before removal. Had a small fill last week to help "push out some of that fluid"......Gave me more of a chest bump, but still plenty of fluid. This week, they gave me a tube top binder that has much more compression and another fill. Hopefully this does the trick. Apparently if they took out drains today, too much fluid build up in body can produce infection, but if drains are in too long that can open me up to infection as well...ugh! Either way, they said next week they have to go no matter what. Yesterday I was more active, therefore produced more fluid....so they told me to take it easy. I really have been doing a whole lot of nothing for weeks...so I could heal. I am told that everything is healing quite nicely, but I am confused how some of you are doing so well and strong enough to go back to work...wow! I am feeling better all the time, but feel far from normal. I still move at a snails pace...I can't imagine trying to get thru a work day right now. Maybe next week I will be ready to run laps😉
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Yes, slowly healing is a good description! Day 5 after surgery, I saw my PS today and had 2 of the 4 drains removed, so that was nice. I'll likely have the other 2 in for another week. My nipples are dark, one more than the other, so keeping with the nitro cream. She was optimistic that the end product would not be affected, so let's hope that is true. Colace and Miralax were key for getting the bowels moving, now I have more of an appetite. Down to one percocet morning and night, Tylenol in between. When the tightness comes on, it's like someone is sitting on my chest, and I sweat all over. Fun!
Hope those that went this week already are resting and recovering nicely, we are thinking of you!
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I just had a lumpectomy yesterday. The bad news is that literally just before surgery, my surgeon explained that the radiologist who put in my radioactive seed preop saw a 1 inch shadow. The surgeon explained this meant instead of removing a .6mm tumor, the surgical area would be larger. I still don't know what a shadow is, but evidently it isn't good! The good news is they found my one sentinel node and it "looked good".
It is 1:30 am and I am up icing and taking Tylenol. Dr. doesn't like to give out pain prescriptions, but I don't think the pain is bad enough to warrant anything stronger than Tylenol anyway. Fingers crossed that this is the worst of it.
I am wishing for a quick recovery for everyone who has been posting (and those who aren't posting too).Time to start waiting again for pathology.
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Hi all. Took a little break from this site while getting kiddos ready for back to school and all that. Glad to see all the updates. I've been thinking about you all daily and praying for successful recoveries and surgeries for all of you!
For those going flat, definitely check out knitted knockers. Mine actually arrived last week. Also, consider joining the private "Flat and Fabulous" group on Facebook.
Regarding lumpectomy (I can't find who asked the question now), I had one in 2009 and didn't notice a difference in my breast size/shape at all. It probably depends on the size of the tumor though.
I've been doing well. Drains came out on day 8 post surgery and I've been back to the gym ever since. My pathology report unfortunately didn't come back clean, but only 3mm of cancer remaining and nothing in the lymph nodes, so I'll take it! I'm still a little sore in the arm and underarm area on both sides (more so in the cancer side though), and the underarm where lymph nodes were taken is numb in spots, but my surgeon assures me it's all normal. I'm doing my stretches and my range of motion is almost 100%. I was supposed to be moving to Houston this weekend to start radiation next week, but that's been delayed for obvious reasons. I'm grateful I wasn't there when the storm hit. So sad :'-(
Sending positive healing thoughts to you all!
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well i lied lol drains out tomorrow. Nurse didnt come today. My surgery was the 23rd. My out put was never much to begin with. So 8th day. No complaints here. Im happy with my range of motion without much effort. I do find tho i have to think all the time *drop the shoulders* im all tensed up lol. And like my mother hounded me about... Shoulders back!!! Lol. I love my knitted knockers too. I applied to flat and fab but wasn't accepted. Think its because i share my facebook with my husband.
Edit. I did get accepted to flat and fab.
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Hi, everybody. Thanks for all the good wishes and prayers. I have kept all of you in thought and prayer, too.
I had my surgery on Monday at noon and was released from the hospital by noon the following day. My lucky three-in-one package was a sentinel node biopsy, unilateral mastectomy, and axillary node dissection. The surgeon told me she could not find the cancerous node that was clipped back in March. Lots of things can happen with clips between March and August. I have had her for surgery twice before--for my thyroid and my gall bladder--and got good results so my trust in her now remains unshaken.
I have slept well both nights since surgery and have had no trouble doing the follow-up exercises the doctor recommended. I have also managed to avoid painkillers since coming home. I had my last one the one night I stayed in the hospital after surgery. I hate the side effects of hydrocodone! They're like being on chemo again, UGH.
One thing I kept forgetting to ask about was sleep positioning after going home. In the hospital my bed was in a slightly upright position. I googled my options and learned that sleeping on a recliner might be good or else sleeping in bed as usual, but on the side that was not affected by surgery. So I started the night in a recliner and got a couple of hours of good sleep, woke up and went to the bathroom, then decided, what the heck, I'm returning to my bed. I am habitually a side sleeper. Then I slept soundly until 9:30 this morning. I think I'll just use my bed tonight.
Everyone who said surgery was easier than chemo was right! At least that has been true for me so far.
And, oh, by the way! I had time this morning to re-read the radiology report on a suspicious area in my right breast, the one I still have. The diagnosis back in March was CCC (Columnar Cell Change), a benign cell condition. I know I have to keep getting an annual mammogram, but according to one source I read online, full-blown cancer is unlikely to result from this condition. This is the web page where I got this info: http://breast-cancer.ca/clmncellesions/
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pinkvictory - you are doing awesome- heal at your own pace! If I had drains I would not go back to work! I'm in admin and just walk around, use the computer and set my own pace. After 4 hours, I am beat and come home to nap! Next week is supposed to be full days - we'll see!
MommyErin- welcome back! I was wondering how you are doing - sounds like you are healing great! Back 2 school has been crazy around here, too. I just got my awesome breast forms (like knitted knockers) with a sweet handwritten note - I was so touched! I'm a member of flat and fabulous, too. Those women are so encouraging! I hope your radiation works out soon for you!
Hang in there those who have drains - you will feel like new women when they are out!
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Hi, Beachmama. I hope you have a quick recovery from your mastectomy. You must be strong physically and spiritually, having had two lumpectomy only a few months ago. I had my lumpectomy on Aug. 10. The pathology appeared good, but a biopsy clip missed in the removed tissue. I had two biopsy clips, one marked ADH site, one marked cancer IDC site. The cancer site clip is missing. One of the six margins of the tumor site has ADH and ALH. And the tissues removed from the ADH site did not have ADH. My surgeon said he is not concerned and will not do a second surgery. I don't know what to do. I am concerned and could not sleep well. It looks like we have similar dx, IDC, small tumor, clean lymph nodes. I would like to know how did you and your doctor decide on you three surgeries. What factors made your second lumpctomy and now mastectomy. I can not thinking straight.
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Hi, Beachmama, do you have the same surgeon for your three surgeries? I am no sure if I should consult a second surgeon for missing biopsy clip and ADH lesion. My lumpctomy surgeon is not care of the missing clip or ADH.
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