January 2018 Surgery group! Please see updated list in thread!
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Flushable moist toilet paper (I don’t know the correct name for it).
The radioactive dye was painful going in, but the pain is over once it’s in. I took long deep breaths to get through it. They didn’t do the blue dye until I was already sedated.
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I just got up thinking of Philaflash. We have the same doc’s and same hospitalTomorrow it’s my turn. I am not scared for the surgery,it’s the living after. I HAD a sentinel node biopsy in 2012. She did it prior to my BMX that I NEVER had done bc I got sick the week before my surgery,then got divorced and lost my insurance so we have been “watching” ever since. Now,my latest greatest biopsy showed lot’s of LCIS. BMX day is almost here again. I was mentally ready but not physically,now I am physically ready but not mentally. Instead of focusing on the positive I am hearing clients talk about rejection of expanders,matronly looking breasts,pain and tightness around their chest. I am worried .
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Just got SNB injections. Used EMLA and they used freezing spray. Seven out of the eight injections were painless. Eighth stung a few seconds. You can do this, Marlena17! Off to surgery in a few. Best to all.
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Hang in there Marlena, you are going to be fine. Millions of women get this done, you're only hearing about the bad ones! You're young and healthy in every other way, you have every chance of a great outcome. I swear!
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Ty houmom. Listen,it’s AMAZING! I have a 100 Lb BEAUTIFUL longhaired Weimaraner. This summer,he had a HORRIFIC,GORY,HARD TO LOOK AT FREAK accident. I’d post a pic but don’t think it’s permitted OR anyone could look at. He was “galloping” happily around my backyard when he ran under our trampoline. One of the U bolts was sticking out and caught his fur and TORE his whole side of his skin off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was unbelievable that he did not disembow himself. The skin,flesh and tissue was HANGING there!! I was so calm. I made a tourniquet out of an old towel and belted it on with belt. My poor fur child went through 6 surgeries,necrotic skin,hundreds of stitches and open wound care pain meds and antibiotics. He has healed beautifully and thank you Jesus that all worked out. He has 2 tiny bald spots where the fur never grew back. I just can’t understand how I managed that ordeal but can’t get a handle on this. I am ranting I know. Deep down I know that I am in a sense “lucky” I won’t have to have any other invasive treatments and for that I feel blessed but as a single mom with no siblings I rely on my friends/clients who are WONDERFUL but I am just not as brave as you guys when it comes to me. I worry for the “what if ‘s” I do hair but am pretty consertive so after this surgery is over how will I feel/look/perform as a stylist,mom of 2 boys,dog walker,roller coaster rider,trampoline jumping,girlfriend,crazy,old,young woman? I can’t wait until this is over and I can reassure the next group that all was great! Ty for letting go off. I am still in cleaning mode. Irrational cleaning mode lol. My meal train friends have to see that even though I am crazy I don’t live that way 😀 Have a good day al
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Thanks Jude I will add lozenges and pillow to my list. How are you feeling?
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Im not brave but like the rest I want the surgery over with. Sorry to hear about your dogs freak accident. Its good to vent. I live alone. My friends will help out in the evening. Modtly caring for my 7 dogs and 3 cats. Soon you will be on the trampoline jumping with the kids.
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I have a question regarding a recliner. Mine is manual. Am i going to be able to pull the handle on it after surgery or will i have to have someone else do it for me? If that’s the case was wondering what i would do at night if i have to get up.
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Quiltingnut, my recliner is also manual. From reading the others' comments, I have assumed that I won't be able to use the handle on my own. I bought a Brookstone 4in1 Bed Wedge from Bed Bath Beyond with their 20% off coupons. I'll see next week how it works. Has anyone else tried this, instead of buying an automatic recliner?
I've been wondering about preop testing, such as EKG, bloodwork, etc. I thought these were standard requirements before any surgery. When I asked the care navigator if I should be getting these scheduled, she said it's no longer done. My preop consult with the BS assistant is tomorrow , so I will obviously get confirmation then. Are these tests no longer routinely done?
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I am starting to get anxious about my Feb 1st surgery date. I’m most anxious for my lymph node status and the final staging of my cancer. Of course I am also anxious about healing and how my reconstruction will go as well. I must say this is the first time I have truly felt anxious in this process. I am also anxious regarding my family as my dad isn’t handling this well at all. We lost my mother (his wife of 43 years) suddenly last June. I never thought I would be dealing with cancer at 33. How did you ladies stay positive before surgery?
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maggie2
I had blood work, chest X-ray and ekg done Last week. They told me it had to be done before surgery. I’m sure they will order them for you too
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Maggie- I'm scheduled for BMX surgery January 29th. I had to do all the pre-op testing blood work EKG chest x-ray Etc. All of my tests had to be completed within 30 days of my surgery. My MO also ordered an echocardiogram to determine if my heart is healthy enough for chemo. I live in Miami.
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jo6359, I am also having BMX, SNB, and immediate reconstruction on January 29. I was hoping it would be the first surgery of the day, but it's at 2:30PM. It will be a long morning sitting at the house waiting until it's time to go to the hospital.
As for the preop testing, I'll find out tomorrow why my BS and PS no longer order them or I'll find out that they should have been ordered and now need to play catch-up. The biopsies could not rule out IDC, but my MO is using the DCIS as the diagnosis, until the pathology gives the definitive answer. I know that may impact whether chemo is needed, but I can't imagine it has any correlation with preop tests.
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It was my BS who requested lung X-ray, echocardiogram and cbc blood test. I’m going for that as part of my pre-op this Thursday,a week before surgery I’m in Canada and I think it is standard prior to surgery here, when possible of course.
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ToughCookie, I too, am getting more anxious the closer it gets to surgery. The ladies that have already gone through this step in the process have said that the waiting is so stressful. I saw on an earlier post that you had concerns as to how long the wait from diagnosis to surgery had become. It looks as if you and I have similar timelines. I've been taking the advice of others here, as to what preparations and clothing, etc are going to be helpful for coming home post surgery and getting the house organized. This site has been such a godsend for me with the support and advice that everyone offers.
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Hi everyone,
I have surgery schedule for Friday for lumpectomy and also get tubes removed. Long story I had the surgery for my tubes planned months ago and was just diagnosed so said they can kill 2 birds with one stone I have DCIS on my right breast and according to ultrasound only 8mm. They said they will not know about radiation or estrogen theraphy until they remove the tissue and can have a better look at it. How does everyone know their grade. I never saw my path report. It all happened so quick. I had an mri, ultrasound and biopsy all in the same day about 2 weeks ago. I am not to concerned about surgery but should be. Will be thinking of everyone this week
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I also had to have blood work, chest x-ray and a ekg yesterday for part of the pre-op process for froday
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I didn’t have blood work, X-ray, etc. before surgery.
Quiltingnut- my recliner isn’t electric but I just have to pull up the handle to release it, rather than one of the long handles that has to be pulled back (not sure how to describe it). But for the first few days, I left it up as much as possible and sat down and scooted back into it, or used my legs to push it down and get up, instead of my arms. I didn’t need help to get in and out of the recliner, it just took longer at first.
Maggie2- my surgery wasn’t until 11:30 and I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t first thing, but it gave me time to have coffee and take a long shower and make sure I had everything. I realize yours is later but that morning went by quickly. Hope yours does too
Haven77- my grade was on my pathology report, which my surgeon gave me. He couldn’t tell me the stage for sure until after surgery though. I asked and he said it was 1 at that time but would change if it was larger or nodes were involved, and it ended up being stage 2.
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Haven, yes, as LoveCanada said, staging is determined after surgery. You may find this page helpful to understanding what you'll learn in your pathology report, post surgery. Stages of breast cancer
Thinking of you all this week
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ToughCookie...I'm very sorry to hear about your mother. It's understandable that your father is worried about you after losing his wife. Hopefully, he will see that your bc is very treatable. As far as reconstruction, I had a good outcome on my left side last year , but during the expander process, I had many doubts and fears. Suppose I'll go through the same fears and uncertainty regarding my right TE and the outcome.
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Wow, how could I get my surgery date mixed up?? Maybe I'm just trying to speed up this endless waiting:) Especially to Jo6359, mine is not the same day as yours. I'm scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 30.
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I am having a MX on the Right and a SNB this Friday January 26th-- with immediate reconstruction. My biggest fear--is it in my lymph nodes?? Of course then there is more waiting on the pathological report. Or can the docs tell at the time of surgery? I am thankful that I found this thread of January surgeries! I have only been diagnosed for a month and this has all been a whirlwind. XO
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I just got home from preop. This is my first surgery, I’ve had 7 in the last 16 months, that I had an ekg, chest x-ray, and blood type crossed and matched. I was told it’s because the surgery is 8-10 hours. I find meditation helps with the nerves and anxiety. Keeping busy has helped the time go by faster. The lab tech got a vein on the first try! Praying it’s the same for Thursday, my veins don’t like needles. So frustrating that they won’t use my port.
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Hi ClaireBear, it felt like a whirlwind for me too! My surgeon told me before surgery that he could tell me right away about the lymph nodes. Right after surgery he did tell me they looked clear but he had to wait on the pathology to confirm (which I hadn't realized was going to happen for lymph nodes). I did feel better and it worked out for me, but sounds like he couldn't be sure at that time. It is scary though. Good luck!!
Courtney
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Maggie2, it does seem our timelines are similar! Sending you positive vibes.
Over70, glad to hear you are happy with the recon outcome! I was given the option of direct to implant but opted for expanders due to a bit less risk. On the plus side, I’m gonna upsize. I hope the TEs aren’t that bad.
ClaireBear, my surgeon told me that he can’t tell me for sure about my nodes until the full pathology report is back 2-3 weeks after surgery. He said that if there are micro mets they often can’t see them and want the full pathology to be sure. None of my nodes currently look enlarged on the MRI at least, that is a good sign but certainly nothing concrete.I have a post-op appt booked for Feb 22, three weeks after my surgery to get my full pathology and staging.
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Hi everyone, just a quick check in....it is a week today since my BMX...
Not in pain really, just a bit sore underarms with the occasional owie if I reach a little too far, taking 4-600mg ibuprofen every 6 hours. Feeling like I am wearing an iron bra with all the dressings which I guess will come off tomorrow. Dying for a shower and to wash my hair, sponge baths don’t really cut it.
My drainage has gone down steadily changing from red to now a straw color and only about 15 ml every 24hrs. I could have had the drains out yesterday but am seeing my BS tomorrow anyway for post op check and the nurse said it is ok to wait as we live far from town. My pathology came back with nothing invasive but DCIS all over L. Breast and some also in right breast which wasn’t seen before.....phew!
Inactivity is hard to bear and this time of year is a bit depressing in the Pac NW with lots of rain, cold and grey etc., I would normally be busy in my studio. The cat is keeping me company and I am glad for all the crockpot soups I made before surgery and froze....I am not really interested in food but know it is important to keep nourished and hydrated. My DH is being very supportive he has helped me with drains and sponge baths. We talk about the way I will look after I am healed as I am not having reconstruction, we have been married 35 years.
I am originally from England, went to Hawaii on vacation for a week, met my DH who was living on Maui, fell in love and got married three weeks later!
I spend a lot of time on this site, reading all your posts and feeling that connection which makes us an exclusive club that no one would ever want to join. I am thankful for the support I have received here and hope to be a help to those who come after. Jude x0 -
just had BMX and more biopsy. Made it to recovery. Waiting for a room. Sentinel Node frozen section negative. Woo woo!!! More
tomorrow, ladies. Doing ok on meds. Off to lala land!
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DEC 22
Madre9295.
DEC 29
AnnieTater
JAN 2
LittleLori.
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
Dipaquette
Savedbygrace197
Philaflash
JAN 24
Marlena17
Zoisite
Dm39
JAN 25
RedJo40
StrongJess
JAN 26
Haven77.
ClaireBear47.
Trinitymon2
Veeder14
Quiltingnut
JAN29
jo6359
JAN30
Maggie2
Spazcat
JAN31
MayDayMel
FEB1
ToughCookie
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Philaflash- you are tough. Enjoy LaLa land. Speedy recovery. Maggie- let's hope we're like Philaflash and texting while we're in recovery. LOL. Jude- always nice to hear your updates.
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Jude- if necessary will I be able to do my own bandage change at home?
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