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January 2018 Surgery group! Please see updated list in thread!

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Comments

  • Judeshome
    Judeshome Member Posts: 138
    edited January 2018

    Hi everyone...I am resting comfortably at home after my surgery. We left at 10.30am for Riverbend, check in was at noon, surgery at 1 pm. Things were obviously running a bit late and finally got my IV in around 1.30 pm. The nurse gave me anti anxiety meds through the IV and I practised my guided imagery exercise while I waited another hour. The anesthetist came by and we chatted a bit, I am sure I was burbling a load of rubbish under the the influence of the anti anxiety meds! Dr Kollmorgen came and held my hand and spoke words of encouragement, she is awesome. Finally wheeled into the OT... next thing I remember was waking up in recovery where I remained for another hour. Post care info, drains etc and the application of the dreaded mastectomy compression bra....can someone please tell me how you are supposed to ice an area covered by thick dressings and the bra?? Anyway, arrived home about 6.45 pm, have had tea and soup followed by oxycodone and colace for dessert! Resting comfortably, very little pain (throat a bit sore from intubation) and surprised by range of arm motion. DH threatening to tie me to the recliner to make me rest lol. Very relieved to have this phase over, literally could not have done this without you all. We may not have met face to face but I feel like we are our own little community with concern and love for each other...thank you from the bottom of my heart.

    Blessings and Peace,

    Jude x

    Good luck with your surgery tomorrow sfrankie, thinking of you.

  • houmom
    houmom Member Posts: 102
    edited January 2018

    That’s great Jude! Thankful you’re doing so well tonight

  • jo6359
    jo6359 Member Posts: 1,993
    edited January 2018

    Jude-you are amazing. Listen to DH and dont overdo things. Glad everything went well.

  • Kyates
    Kyates Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2018

    Glad you are doing well Judeshome. Now. ..Rest! ☺

  • TWills
    TWills Member Posts: 509
    edited January 2018

    thanks houmom, sending healing thoughts to you. I feel I'm somewhat prepared since my DIEP is delayed and I've went through the drain experience with BMX and again with TE's. The no caffeine thing I'm sure is somewhat a precaution because of blood flow and arteries. Must not be too important or every Dr would warn against it. I'm not a big caffeine person but it's so confusing when there is such a wide range of "Dr's orders".

    Happy healing everyone!

  • MayDayMelK
    MayDayMelK Member Posts: 25
    edited January 2018

    Hello All. I had an appointment yesterday and have been tentatively scheduled for Jan 31st for a biopsy. I wasn't sure if that constituted as surgery for this forum however my PCM feels that we are leading up to a larger surgery with my family history and risk factors so I wanted to follow to learn as much as I can. I live in a very rural area so things are moving a little slower than most it seems, but I feel confident in my PCM.
    I have a dimple, discharge, pain, and an abnormal MG with only a BIRAD 3 so I'm not really sure what to make of all this. Thinking of you ladies <3

  • Judeshome
    Judeshome Member Posts: 138
    edited January 2018

    Hi MayDayMel, you are welcome to join our group, I think all of us have had various types of biopsy so maybe we can be helpful in sharing experiences. I will ad you to the list. Jud

  • Judeshome
    Judeshome Member Posts: 138
    edited January 2018

    Thinking of you sfrankie, you will do great, let us know how you are when you can. Jud

  • jo6359
    jo6359 Member Posts: 1,993
    edited January 2018

    Good Luck to all the surgery girls this week.

  • Judeshome
    Judeshome Member Posts: 138
    edited January 2018
    Hi HollyDolly,SherriBee and May07,thinking of you today and sending calming thoughts. I am a total wimp when it comes to pain and I also have an over active imagination which went nuts the day and night before surgery. Once I got to the hospital everything seemed to go quickly and before I knew it I was in recovery. If I can do it, anyone can! You’ll do great. Jude x
  • jo6359
    jo6359 Member Posts: 1,993
    edited January 2018

    Jude-is the pain manageable? I'm scared of an infection while I'm in the hospital. I have to stay 2 nights for my BMX. Several of the girls have said that the pain was bad but not as bad as our imagination conjured up. Im a wimp wgen ut comes to pain.

  • Judeshome
    Judeshome Member Posts: 138
    edited January 2018
    Quick update...had a pain free night, slept in the recliner and probably will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. DH slept on the sofa, bless him, just in case I needed him for help. I can get up just fine though and can get to the bathroom by myself. Emptied the drains last night and this morning with help,not as yucky as I thought it would be. I was glad for an extra hand to stabilize the drain where is goes under the dressing while I stripped the tube. I am getting up and walking around and will probably try the recumbent bike gently tomorrow.
    All in all feeling good and especially relieved that the surgery is over. Wondering what I will look like minus the girls, going for post op check up and drain removal hopefully on 24th, will get an idea then. Jude
  • MayDayMelK
    MayDayMelK Member Posts: 25
    edited January 2018

    Thanks Jude. We are having some rough winter weather so all the offices are closed, I'm worried that's going to push things back a bit but for now we're still looking at the 31st. Thanks for the welcome! I'm very much a "I wanna know everything" person so I'm researching just about every possible outcome I can think of.

  • Judeshome
    Judeshome Member Posts: 138
    edited January 2018
    Hi Jo, I am shocked that I have no real pain at all to date. Will keep my meds every 4 hours for the first couple of days and then just do ibuprofen. I didn’t have an SNB or any nodes removed maybe someone who did can chime in with info on that, but as far as a simple BMX with no recon goes....much, much easier than expected. I also wrote on my paperwork that I suffer from anxiety..I don’t really except under these circumstances, but they immediately offered Valium through the IV which helped a lot! The anxiety before surgery is the pits you will feel so relieved afterward...will be thinking of you. Jude x
  • Shadie
    Shadie Member Posts: 31
    edited January 2018

    Jude--Glad to hear you are home, and managing well!

    Jo--I was also scared re: potential pain. Honestly, not nearly as bad as what I feared. 24 hours in the hospital with a pain pump (which I did not need to use as often as I was allowed), 24 hours on Percocet, and since then, alternating ibuprofen (during the day) and Tylenol at night. The discomfort at night has been worse than during the day, but still manageable. It will be ok!!!

  • LoveCanada
    LoveCanada Member Posts: 87
    edited January 2018

    blessedmomma

    Thanks for the advice blessedmomma. I was starting to feel like I was taking too much pain medicine compared to everyone, but it was good to be reminded that everyone's experience is different!! I ended up trying the muscle relaxer again and side effects weren't bad like the first time. I had my one-week follow up appt today and PS added a new med and new med schedule that should manage the pain better. PS wasn't able to say for sure what is muscle spasm vs pain but said it doesn't really matter if it's bothering me because I shouldn't be this uncomfortable. I think the majority of pain is due to the TE so hoping to get it managed better since these will be with me for awhile. I think I've been too worried about taking too much pain meds so it was good to be reminded by the PS that I'm only a week out and it's okay for me to still need meds. I appreciate this space to get support from others and hear about your experiences. Even being at all different places, it's nice to hear from people who are going through similar situations. Glad to hear you're feeling well Jude!

  • D_1974
    D_1974 Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2018

    It’s been two weeks today since my surgery. I had my final drain removed today and I couldn’t be happier about it. The drains have been the worst part for me. I’ve been sleeping in a recliner since I got home a week and a half ago. I’m hoping with the drains out that I can finally sleep in my bed. Overall, the pain has not been to bad. I’m now able to have ibuprofen and have stopped taking the pain medication.


    I was also told no caffeine for three to four weeks because of the blood vessels contracting with caffeine. I had a headache for almost a week, but I’m over it now.


    So far, I have no regrets with my decision to have the DIEP flap. My biggest worry was the long surgery. I definitely had some anxiety about it, but my surgeon said “the operating table is the safest place to be “, so I had to trust him.


    I wish everyone going through or into surgery peace and prayers for an easy recovery.

  • jo6359
    jo6359 Member Posts: 1,993
    edited January 2018

    Im glad all of you are doing well. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us. It really helps to relieve our anxiety. I wish I didn't have to stay in the hospital for two nights but I will deal with it.

  • maggie2
    maggie2 Member Posts: 240
    edited January 2018

    I'd like to offer a huge thanks to all of you, especially to Pambc010417 from the 2017 DIEP surgery group!  I found this breastcancer.org site shortly after my breast cancer diagnosis, which is officially DCIS, but the biopsies "cannot definitely exclude invasive carcinoma". With having just recently relocated to our current town and not having any local support network, the information and helpful tips have been invaluable to me. Originally, the surgery would have included BMX and direct to DIEP reconstruction, but plans changed when the CT angiogram for the DIEP showed a 3 cm renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer).  We are now on Plan B: BMX January 30 with either direct to implants or tissue expanders, as PS says either is still an option.  After the kidney cancer surgery, as yet unscheduled, there is still the possibility of DIEP.  I need to let the PS know next week which route I want. Sorry for the full autobiography, but I wanted to give a bit of background in order to emphasize my gratitude to all of you.

  • Sfrankie
    Sfrankie Member Posts: 14
    edited January 2018

    I made it! It's definitely been an uphill battle. Lost paperwork, double booking, etc.. Surgery scheduled for 1:45, didn't get wheeled in to operating room until 5:07. Home at 9 to a roast I put in the crockpot. Couldn't eat much but it was nice to eat finally. Sticking with pain pills every 6 hours so far. Will meet with doctor next week. This whole process gives meaning to taking everything one hour and one day at a time.

  • houmom
    houmom Member Posts: 102
    edited January 2018

    Great to hear from you sfrankie!

  • maggie2
    maggie2 Member Posts: 240
    edited January 2018
    Sfrankie, after reading your post, I am feeling better about my upcoming surgery. I think I've spent too much time on other websites that dwell on the negative. Hope today at home goes well for you.


    Have any of you used those heart shaped underarm pillows? If so, did you find them that helpful?
  • RedJo40
    RedJo40 Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2018

    Hey Ladies,

    Glad to hear everyone is doing well. I have six more days until my surgery. I have been reading everyone's post but I've been enjoying time with my daughter before she heads back to college, two more days, so I haven't replied. For those who have had the DIEP bilateral what items have helped you the most, either at hospital or home? I had a left mastectomy July of last year and after two infections the TE came out. I have a new PS and she recommended a right prophylactic mastectomy, so I'm going that route. I never want to worry about BC again. For those who will have to take Tamoxifen my only side effect was some joint pain the first month. My PS didn't say anything about caffeine. They also don't give a recovery bra or girdle, do I need these? So ready to have this behind me.

  • Judeshome
    Judeshome Member Posts: 138
    edited January 2018

    DEC 29

    AnnieTater

    JAN 2

    over70

    Talley76

    JAN 3

    D1974

    1-Greenmom

    JAN 4

    Lovelife4

    Valntine

    JAN 5

    Hopfull2

    MoniThor

    brenbren1113

    JAN 8

    houmom

    nifer

    JAN 9

    Debcesq

    Boobolympics

    JAN10

    shadie

    blessedmomma

    Rockcity

    LoveCanada

    JAN 11

    Kyates

    JAN 12

    arkansasgal

    JAN 16

    rdeesides

    Dskvarla

    Judeshome

    JAN 17

    Sfrankie

    JAN18

    HollyDolly

    Sherribee

    May07

    JAN 22

    Kmajor

    Miranda2060

    JAN 23

    Savedbygrace197

    Philaflash

    JAN 24

    Marlena17

    Zoisite

    Dm39

    JAN 25

    RedJo40

    JAN 26

    Quiltingnut

    Veeder14

    JAN29

    jo6359

    JAN30

    Maggie2

    Spazcat

    JAN31

    MayDayMelK

    • Judeshome
      Judeshome Member Posts: 138
      edited January 2018

      Good morning everyone, I just updated the list again.

      Great to hear from you sfrankie, glad you finally got home, do you have someone to help you?

      Maggie, Welcome to the January sisters, we are here for you. Those of us who have gone through surgery may be able to help with any practical questions. The Pink Pepper pillow has been good for me, esp. for the long drive home from surgery. I like to sleep with it at night also. It is very soft and helps protect the tender areas. I also love the pink pockets which can be applied to any garment, I have them inside a zip up hoodie to hold my drains. A couple of lanyards or strips of ribbon are useful to hang the drains around your neck when they are being emptied. I will post the website for the pillow and pockets.

      Redjo, the time will go by very quickly you will be home recovering before you know it.

      Best wishes and empathy to those having surgery today and tomorrow.

      Had another good night, slept in the recliner which is very comfortable. Keeping pain under control with alternating ibuprofen and oxycodone. Made the mistake of drinking too much prune juice because I was concerned about constipation!!!

      . I do miss snuggling up to my DH though. The drains are not too bad, hoping I won’t have them more than 1 week, output is still about 35 cc daily but the color seems to be changing. How are the rest of you progressing with this issue?? Annie, you were the first to go through this, how are you doing?? ...and anyone else wh had surgery early on. Jud

    • Judeshome
      Judeshome Member Posts: 138
      edited January 2018

      The company that sells the pillow, pockets and tops(I have 3, donated by my friend Jessica) is www.pinkpepper.com. These things are made by a BC survivor. They all arrived very quickly

    • miranda2060
      miranda2060 Member Posts: 207
      edited January 2018

      SherriBee, I am thinking of you and hoping your recovery goes well.HeartHeart

      On the topic of second opinions, so many things on the Internet and in books plant seeds of doubt. The breast cancer psychologist at the hospital said you certainly can seek a 2nd opinion, at this hospital or another, and I began wondering again if that is something I might regret not doing. But the diagnosis and surgical plan are comprehensible to me -- two tumors in different quadrants, the second seen only on MRI make mastectomy the only option.

      Today I am awaiting the delivery of my "recovery recliner." More than we wanted to spend, but it will be a nice chair to have.

    • maggie2
      maggie2 Member Posts: 240
      edited January 2018

      Judeshome, thank you for the support and helpful suggestions. I just placed my order with pink pepper

    • houmom
      houmom Member Posts: 102
      edited January 2018

      I got 3 of my drains out this morning and feel like a new woman! I was joking that I would dance if I could! Hopefully the last one will come out next Tuesday.

      Most useful item for me was oversized night shirts. I haven’t worn underwear in a week ;) the night shirts made it much easier to go to the restroom unassisted and not have to fuss around with the drains.

      Initially I had not planned to use our recliner (it was on another floor and I didn’t want it moved) but it became a lifesaver for me. I am sleeping in my own adjustable base bed at night but it’s harder to get in and out of than the recliner is. The adjustable height hospital table I have by my bed is also very useful, I can have everything I need right in front of me. Shower chair has also been a massive help.

    • jo6359
      jo6359 Member Posts: 1,993
      edited January 2018

      Miranda2060. My situation is very similar to yours. One tumor was found on my ultrasound and the second tumor in a different quadrant same breast was found two weeks later with the MRI. Initially I was scheduled for a lumpectomy but because of the second tumor in a different quadrant it was switch to mastectomy. So I'm going to have a bilateral mastectomy. Im looking to purchase a power recliner rocker.Any recommendations

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