Surgery August 2018
Comments
-
Thanks Piksie I’ll look into that
0 -
I have a good bit of underarm pain/numbness/weirdness too. Don’t call your plastic surgeon, they didn’t do your mastectomy or node removal, your surgical oncologist did. I would try them if the PS is unhelpful. I’m 5 weeks out and I am slightly concerned about Lymphedema. I mentioned it to my plastic surgeons office and they said they don’t understand why the SO doesn’t do a 4-6 week post surgical follow up for these types of concerns, but that they would refer me to the LE specialist. I haven’t gone yet. I don’t have an incision under my arm but I know they had to dig around under there to get all of my nodes. It’s a lot of work navigating this process
0 -
I’m having to go Monday for an Axillary node dissection which is where, I believe, they take a chunk of my remaining nodes. What is the pain level like after this type of surgery? I’m trying to gauge what I will be capable of doing the following morning . . .
0 -
Kiso20, as Piksie said, it could be nerve damage if it's a stinging or burning pain. Even if they got the nodes through your mastectomy incision, there was still cutting inside your armpit, so that could make it hurt. If you don't have signs of infection then it could be surgery pain that will take some time to settle down. If you are still concerned about it, I hope you can get a doctor to look at it so you will feel reassured about it. I really hope you feel better soon!
0 -
Sadlynew...sorry about more surgery. I am feeling better each day but I found out that one node has cells in it, so I will get chemo. Still waiting on oncotype score...more waiting. Hope your surgery goes well.
0 -
My lymph nodes hurt the first 5 weeks and then got better. My right arm pit hurt more because they took more lymph nodes out that side.
0 -
Kiso, I had quite bad stinging, burning, numbness just behind my right armpit for the first two or three weeks, along with stabbing pains in the armpit. Couldn't bear putting my arm down either. Just noticing in the last few days that it has eased up and just a little numbness now. Hope you see some improvement soon. x
0 -
(((Hugs))) Sadlynew. Light and love.
0 -
Hello Ladies, well it is a month now since my surgery and what begin as a prophylactic BMX turn out to a treatment as it showed that I had BC and didn’t know it until the pathology report. Fortunately it was caught early and I will not have to get chemo or radiation. I have experienced practically everything that has been mentioned on previous posts. Unfortunately, I have to go back to surgery on Tuesday, as one of fake boob is not healing well due to radiation I had in 2010 . After they removed the last drain it continued to drain from the wound so they put a loose stitch and I literally have to milk the fluid out three times a day to keep it from becoming infected. Plus if I don’t then it becomes engorged like it did when I was nursing. What surprises me the most is that my stomach always feels bloated and the lack of energy I have it doesn’t take much for me to get winded. I will let you know how everything goes next week. Welcome to all the new ladies that have joined us!0
-
Thank you ladies for the reassurance. It feels like the expanders are getting in the way and running under my arm. But it also feels numb so it could be from the nerve damage. The pain subsides with Ibuprofen so I’ll just keep at it until I see my PS Tuesday and then surgonc on Wednesday. I am going back to work on the 17th so I’m hoping this discomfort will improve by then.
Btw do you ladies know when we can start exercising the arm? My doctor told me I can do anything other than lifting but am I allowed to elevate my arm above my shoulder? Pain started after I did that
0 -
I was told that I could start range of motion (stretching) exercises 2 weeks post op, and strength training 4 weeks post op.
Sadlynew, how are you doing? You were on my mind this morning.
0 -
hi crawfish!
Thank you so much your thoughts. Oddly coincidence, I am getting ready this morning to have my ALND this afternoon. I am hoping it’s the end to my diagnostic journey. I am hoping and praying for all clear nodes. The PET scan was clear so I feel a little ok with that end of things. This whole cancer thing is just earth shattering. It’s been 31 days since my diagnosis and I feel like my whole perspective on life’s has changed. I appreciate things more. My kids. My husband. My family. Even our dogs! Lol. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. My shock had wore off. Now it’s just sadness. Not really for me, but for all the women struggling with this and for the newly diagnosed. May we continue to kick butt and overcome this terrible monster. Ok, off my soapbox. How are you doing today, crawfish?0 -
Hey Ladies,
Today marks two weeks since my surgery. I am still having pain and again, I only have about 7 pain pills left. I got my drains taken out last Wednesday and was told to not do any arm exercises for two weeks. My left arm hurts but is not swollen. I call it my dead arm.
Is anyone having rib cage pain? Right above my incision on my left has a strange dimple that is painful. I have not been wearing my bra bc of the pain.
The expanders feel huge and I swear they have sharp edges that poke out in spots. My foobs, fake boobs, are not shaped like a breast and I swear the I can feel the sutures underneath my skin.
I don't want to sound like a whimp but the pain meds do not take all the pain away.
Sadlynew...good luck today. My perspective on things has changed drastically too. I try to enjoy being outside and watching the birds but the only place I am most comfortable is in my bed laying on a ton of pillows. I am home alone today so I am staying in bed. It's depressing.
My expanders are under my chest muscle and they are still in spasm. I am out of the valium so I guess I just deal with it. My foobs look like manly, muscly pecs, except my nipples are facing downward. I guess this will take time. It looks strange. I try not to look.
This is all so sad. I worry about chemo and going back to work bald. I worry about driving. I was diagnosed on August 3rd and I feel like my last month of summer was taken from me. I lose track of what day it is and weekends are long and boring.
This sucks. Everyone says that I am doing so well yet the pain still lingers. It's almost like torture. I just want a break from the pain. I want my old little boobs back. Cancer has taken so much from so many. I am just feeling like I am waiting for more bad news.
0 -
Sadlynew, how did the procedure go today? I guess you'll have to wait for pathology? Great news on the PET scan!
WonderWoman, my expanders seem full of sharp edges too. I don't know that my pain meds ever take ALL of the pain away, but it definitely does help and allow me to move around a bit. Lately I've been trying to wean myself off of the narcotics during the day and I end up hunched over with pillows under my arms. I wonder if the doc will refill my pain meds. I guess I'll find out Wednesday!
0 -
Hi Ladies, I am 3 weeks post BMX today. Had the drains removed early last week which was such a relief, but still pretty sore and tight especially in the outer boobs (expander) and armpits. The tumor was in the left breast but it's my right arm that I can't raise up very high yet, just too tight. Still sleeping on a wedge with lots of pillows. The right incision decided to start leaking last night, i am seeing PS tomorrow anyway so I'mnot too worried.
WonderWoman, I can relate to much of what you said. My foobs also look like manly pecs, the fullest part is up high and the lower part is more square than round. And I do have rib cage pain too, they feel bruised.
Ashley, sorry I never responded, I kept meaning to get on the forum but haven't until now. Hope you are doing okay.
0 -
Thanks ladies. I got out of bed, ate some yogurt and took a walk around the block.
Hubby came home and rubbed me down with epsom salt in the tub and washed my hair. I sat in the shower with the water running on my sore back. Feel so much better now.
I think I just get stuck feeling sorry for myself and it's depressing. I am trying to be more positive. Chatting with all of you helps. I get excited when I see a reply. One day at a time. Love and hugs to all my gals on here. Thanks for the assurance. I will keep fighting.
0 -
Wonderwoman, that is awesome! Just keep moving forward. That’s what I keep telling myself. Each time we have surgery or a bad moment, we just need to keep moving forward. I had my ALND this afternoon. Recovery is going well so far. They injected me with a pain block (?) during the surgery so I’m riding this pain free time until it ends. Ugh. I’m hoping and praying for negative nodes although my gut tells me there are some in there. Praying for negative nodes and trying to stay positive. Keep up the awesome, strong attitude. It’s contagious on this website. Let’s all keep kicking butt!0
-
crawfish, went well I think. I’m awake and about. I am praying hard for good path results. I don’t have a good feeling but trying to stay positive. I agree with your comment on the tissue expanders. It feels like a square they tried to put into a round space! They removed the stitches and that oddly seemed to help. Sending many recovery wishes your way! Hang in there.0
-
Louisa Gordon is a vlogger on youtube that I watched when I was newly diagnosed. She was very helpful for me when I was coming to terms with diagnosis. No one should tell you to have a positive attitude but encouraging words help.
0 -
Were you under during the surgery, or was local anesthesia used, Sadlynew?
Did anyone in our group have a stereotactic breast biopsy? That was super fun (it was horrible).
WonderWoman, I have manly pecs too, lol. I never thought those particular words would apply to me!
Allieben, will you start getting expanded tomorrow? My first fill is Wednesday.
0 -
Hi Crawfish, I had two stereotactic biopsies - one in each breast. Not much fun! One breast was bruised black, in fact there was still bruising when I went in for the BMX six weeks later.
Anybody who had BMX with no reconstruction - how is your range of motion? Getting much better for me, drove for the first time at 3 and a half weeks post BMX with no trouble.
Thinking of you all and sending healing vibes xx
0 -
crawfish, yeah, they put me under. The anesthesiologist asked if I wanted “verset”(?) and said I would be able to go home quicker if I didn’t. So I didn’t. Lol. They were also able to remove my bmx drains. Apparently they had to cut one of them out because my skin was growing around it? WTH. My SO suggested I go ahead and get a port this surgery but honestly, I’m just not ready for that yet. So postponing. I decided to let the MO handle it. Meeting set for oct 1 with MO. Sounds like a October chemo board may be in my future. Trying to mentally prepare myself.
Rachel Carter, I am going to check her out!0 -
Hi everyone! Just checking to see how everyone is sleeping? I struggle with getting comfortable and then have funny pain near elbow.(has nothing to do with my surgery) I’m 10 days out of bilateral mastectomy surgery.
0 -
Kjelftr - I slept propped up with a wedge pillow for the first few weeks. Not usually a back sleeper but with the wedge and pillows either side (to prevent rolling to my side in my sleep) I managed pretty well. Hope you find a way to get comfortable!
Dale
0 -
Kjelftr...
Sleeping at night was difficult. I am two weeks post op today and still can only lay on my back. I found putting two regular pillows and two body pillows next to me keeps me propped up enough.
My left arm has horrible nerve pain so it prop it up under my left body pillow. Putting a regular pillow under my armpit helps when sitting up. But I cannot lay down flat yet.
Anyone else needing pain meds after two weeks? I feel like I will need more but I cannot drive to my doctor to pick up the prescription. I only have three left and I am concerned about running out after today. I wonder why they don't give any refills. I know the laws are pretty strict but 40 pills at a time only lasted me a week. Just wondering...
0 -
I am exactly 2 weeks post bmx today. Feel good and healing well. I took pain meds the first week but was able to get off them after that. I had a ALND yesterday which went well (the procedure, not sure on the results yet). I’m so scared of the results because they found a 8mm tumor/mass in one of my sentinel nodes. Ugh. Knowing the extent of node involvement will apparently allow them to properly stage me? Who knows. But all in all, everything seems to be healing well. I go for my first fill Monday. Will be a nice change. Hoping everyone else is doing well. Sending hugs to all (())0
-
WonderWoman, I was only given 20 OxyNorm to take home from hospital and I ended up in a lot of pain from trying to ration them. I ended up going to a new GP after a week and getting more for 4 or 5 weeks. People vary but it's not unusual to still need pain meds after 2 weeks. Is there any way of having a doctor visit your home? Or could someone drive you to a doctor? I hope you can get more very soon and that you heal well and feel better.
0 -
Sadlynew I hope your results are good!
Wonderwoman I’m not sure if you’ve ever been in touch with American Cancer Society but they offer free Lyft or sometimes a volunteer ride for any breast cancer patient who does not have a ride to MD appts.
I finally got one of my drains out today! My PS put me back on antibiotics because I got a blister near my incision. I hope it doesn’t get any worse than this. My SurgOnc appointment was postponed by another week because they don’t have my pathology report yet. It’s been 11 days already, does it usually take this long for the results to come back?
Praying for all negatives for us all!!
0 -
Update: Surgery is over, skin graft was successful, however I came home with another drain, And they took the graft is painful! I cannot shower for at least a week and have to sponge bathe for the next week ugh! Has anyone used that dry shampoo? Is it good? I shower daily and sometimes twice a day because it helps me relax. At least I can sleep in my own bed tonight. I hope everyone is doing ok and recovering well
0 -
Good morning! Thinking of you guys this morning.
Welcome home, Elijahgirl, congrats on a successful surgery. Not being able to shower really sucks. My wife was able to help me wash my hair with a hand held shower head. I have used the dry shampoo in the past and it's surprisingly effective. It doesn't substitute the satisfaction of a "clean rinsed" feeling, but does alleviate the discomfort of feeling dirty. When I was unable to shower for the first week after surgery I used alcohol on cotton balls to clean under my arms. That works better than simply using a wash cloth, as it kills some of the bacteria and helps with BO. It doesn't substitute for a shower, but it's better than nothing!
Hey WonderWoman, that was a good suggestion from Kiso! Please let us know if you are able to find some help with transportation.
Sadlynew, thinking of you today. Figure you will probably hear something today?
Kjelftr, I'm a stomach sleeper and can so relate to the difficulties getting comfortable. Prior to my surgery I purchased a wedge bed set from Brookstone and it has been a godsend. Its available on Amazon Prime.
https://www.amazon.com/Brookstone-Build-Bed-Custom...I mainly only use the largest wedge under my pillow and one of the smaller wedges under my knees. I sometimes use one of the smaller pieces to support my arms, but usually use pillows instead. I've been able to sleep quite well with these wedges and an assortment of smaller pillows. I don't know if I'll ever be able to sleep on my stomach again, so I'm relieved and happy to have found something that works.
akmom, congrats on driving again! I know I'm a little late to the congrats party but better late than never! How are you doing? I kind of wish I had given more consideration to going forward without reconstruction, but maybe that's the pain talking.
I actually like the "flat" profile, and have always envied women with smaller breasts. I was overly "blessed" lol.Is any of our group in the path of Florence? Looks like she's shifted towards SC now.
0
