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February 2019 Surgery Discussion, Support Posts

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124

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  • bam320
    bam320 Member Posts: 84
    edited February 2019
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    Hello all,

    I had my surgery on Thursday Feb 21st which was a right mastectomy with immediate diep flap reconstruction. I was discharged from the hospital on Sunday Feb 24th. I had four drains in. Two for my abdomin and two for the breast. I had my post op plastic surgery visit yesterday and was able to have one of the drains removed and hope to have the others out next week. Overall I am feeling better every day. I have been going out for walks and have only taken Ibuprofen 600mg 3 x per day as well as Gabapentin 3x a day and an antibiotic each day since being home.

    I did go for my surgical oncology visit today and got the final pathology and it was not what I was expecting. Initially the doctors hoped I would only need hormone blockers after surgery but they found another tumor bringing the total to four with the largest still being only 1.3cm. They took a total of 33 axillary nodes and 8 showed cancer. They still consider this stage 1 by the new standards and I will meet with medical oncology next week to determine the plan which sounds like will involve chemo and possibly radiation too. This has thrown me for a loop. Last night I was searching information as to when I could get back to running, lifting and yoga and today I am searching info on chemo, etc.

    I am thankful to have this site to come to for support, guidance and information.

  • Fritzmylove
    Fritzmylove Member Posts: 262
    edited February 2019
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    bam, sorry your pathology was not what you were hoping for. Mine wasn’t either. I had neoadjuvunt chemo, and it was very doable. Not the scary thing it’s made out to be. Good luck

  • Sunocean
    Sunocean Member Posts: 121
    edited February 2019
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    fritz I'm really sorry to hear about your pathology report. Sending hugs your way. Dont give up. U got this!!

    Bam I agree with fritz. Chemo is hard but you can do it. It affects everyone differently. Worst part for me where the mouth sores and the lack of taste. Others never even get mouth sores so its hard to predict what will be your nuisance.

    I see my oncologist on Tuesday to discuss my pathology report. I'm nervous. But ready to hear the news. I know radiation is next regardless of the report since one of my nodes tested positive before chemo and it was grade 3 so RO suggested rads as an added measure.

  • Kanona7795
    Kanona7795 Member Posts: 29
    edited February 2019
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    Hey Everyone,

    Hope everyone that has had surgery this month is healing well. I wish I could say the same. I had my DIEP Flap surgery on Feb 1st. I stayed in the hospital for about 4 days and then was sent home with 6 drains. While I followed all the directions for wound care I still seemed to have a problem with necrosis on my tummy incision. At my first post op visit my PS said to apply betadine to incision 3xs a day, keep it covered and come back in 2 wks. I followed his directions religiously but it never seemed to get better. This past weekend I noticed a small hole open up. I got a little nervous but continued with the betadine. Every day it seemed to get bigger. I saw my PS on Tuesday and it was all hands on deck. I mean when the medical intern comes into the room first to look how I'm healing, leaves the room and 5 doctors come back you know it's bad. So the small hole that opened up is now 2-3 inches long and has to be packed with saline gauze 3xs a day and covered. I guess this is a wet to dry dressing in hopes of softening the dying tissue so it can be removed next week. I'm grateful to my husband for taking on the job of packing my wound. It's gross and I can't even look at it. The PS says it will get worse before it gets better. The sad part is I'm not that surprised it happened. I lost my nipple to the same thing after my mastectomy. I'm trying to stay positive but it's been 4 weeks since my surgery and I'm still just as limited as I was then. Has anyone else had to deal with this sort of complication?

  • eliza_246
    eliza_246 Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2019
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    Hi Sweet daisy and anyone else that had surgery today. Hope all went well.

    I am in that slightly surreal stage 6hrs post op - mmx and slnb - , dimmed hospital ward, visitors gone, peaceful, gorged on food after 18hrs starvation, (op was delayed 4 hrs) and all is well in the world :) so wanted to share it with you.

    1 x drain but no fluid in it! No pain, all numb, moving arm to keep blood flowing and stiffness at bay.

    Silly nurse went and did blood pressure on the mastectomy side arm by mistake when I first got to ward after op.... Grrrr.. A real no no apparently because of uneccesary pressure not good after lymph node removal, but only 1 x removed so hopefully no lasting effect. Except I keep imagining my fingers feel slightly tight, anyone else remember that 6 hrs post op?


    Other than that, all good, was a breeze, or is that the morphine talking!!!!

    All the best everyone.

    Eliza

  • Fritzmylove
    Fritzmylove Member Posts: 262
    edited February 2019
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    Kanona, I’m so sorry you’re dealing with all that!! I hope you heal quickly and never have to deal with anything like that again.

    Eliza, happy to hear surgery went well. I felt similar to you soon after my BMX. Though the first time they made me get up was hard. Lots of pain, and I threw up after a quick unsuccessful trip to the bathroom. I hope it all continues to go well for you

  • bam320
    bam320 Member Posts: 84
    edited March 2019
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    Thank you for the encouragement!

  • irishlove
    irishlove Member Posts: 478
    edited March 2019
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    Hi everyone. I had left mastectomy yesterday and am happy to be home in my bed. I wonder if anyone knows how long I need to keep this large, tight wrap around my breasts on? I didn't see any instructions on time range. It bothers my underarm on the nonsurgical site terribly. I'm not sure I'm ready to unwrap and see all of the surgical site area, either.. Thanks for reading and any input is appreciated.

  • alto
    alto Member Posts: 82
    edited March 2019
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    Did they send you home with any post-surgery info packets? This usually includes instructions for meds and things like when you can remove coverings or shower. If they didn’t give you that info, you should call your surgeon or nurse

  • Cin17
    Cin17 Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2019
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    bam320, sorry to hear your path report was not as hoped for. One of the hardest parts of this journey is that they keep switching the road signs.

    sunocean, keeping my fingers crossed for your Tuesday news.

    Kanona7795, sending healing thoughts your way. Keep us posted on your recovery.

    eliza_246, sounds like your surgery went well and you are recovering quickly.

    Irishlove, alto's advice is spot on. Call your surgeon's office. They should have given you an info/care packet when you left the hospital.

    My surgery is rescheduled for Thursday, March 14. And the first meeting with the oncologist for March 26. I spent the week in a funk with the strep fighting back, watching my original surgery date come and go, and the tumor pain stressing me out because it sets my imagination into high gear. Heading out to the movies to see one of my favorite actresses in The Favorite, was tickled to see she won an oscar. Hugs to all!

  • eliza_246
    eliza_246 Member Posts: 14
    edited March 2019
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    Hi Irishlove

    Glad all went well. Can't answer re the wrap you have. I have nothing like that, just a see through dressing with a strip barely half inch wide covering the 8 inch long scar.

    I made myself look as soon as I came around, and took photos so that I can gauge any change of colour etc.

    It looks OK, not as bad as you would imagine.

    I feel like I have been trod on by an elephant today 48hrs post op, no pain, all is numb, but very tight, assume that is normal??

    Eliza


  • eliza_246
    eliza_246 Member Posts: 14
    edited March 2019
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    Omg you poor thing, thinking of you.

  • BWH5
    BWH5 Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2019
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    eliza.

    The tight feeling is normal. I believe it is due to swelling. That feeling went away after 2 or so weeks.

    Hope it feels better for you soon.

  • eliza_246
    eliza_246 Member Posts: 14
    edited March 2019
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    Thanks, so glad there is no pain, so am happy to put up with it, and gives me an excuse for 2 weeks of netflix boxsets!

  • Sunocean
    Sunocean Member Posts: 121
    edited March 2019
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    cin17 glad you have a new surgery date. I'm sure it must have been so frustrating seeing your surgery come and go.

    Kanona I cant imagine having 6 drains!!! I got 2 of the 3 drains removed. Im hoping the last one comes off soon. Hoping you feel better soon!!!

    Eliza you are super lucky you only have one drain. You're strong to be able to see yourself so soon.

  • eliza_246
    eliza_246 Member Posts: 14
    edited March 2019
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    Surgeon said before surgery likely none or only one drain due to me only being a B cup size. The less tissue removal the less fluid collects apparently . It was removed 18 hrs after op as well which was good. I

    It is the length of the scar that surprised me, just off centre of chest right round to under arm about 8 inches long.

    Hope your recovery is going well good luck on Tuesday with the report.

    Take care

    Eliza

  • irishlove
    irishlove Member Posts: 478
    edited March 2019
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    Hi folks. I still have a drain in and was a size A cup. I'm measuring as per instructions and it runs about 2 ounces per 24 hr. period of time. I didn't locate any instructions as to wound care, so I called surgeons office yesterday. My DH helped me unwrap that ace bandage, change the dressing and put the specialty bra on supplied by pharmacy. It has a place for the drain bag, which helps alot. I haven't noticed any real swelling, but I do have pain under my underarm, half way between the arm pit and elbow. Any ideas?

  • Sunocean
    Sunocean Member Posts: 121
    edited March 2019
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    irishlove I read that is normal. I had lymph nodes removed and I'm feeling the same way.

    My incisions are very sensitive. is that normal ? They dont look infected at all. Seek to he healing but they are sensitive and I get a burning sensation if that makes sense. Anyone else feeling that?

  • Fritzmylove
    Fritzmylove Member Posts: 262
    edited March 2019
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    I had my drains out yesterday (THAT was a weird experience), and was allowed to shower 24 hours after they were removed. The shower was so physically and emotionally draining. My husband had to basically do everything while I hung onto the shower wall, and I eventually had to sit down. It feels good to have showered, but I am exhausted now. I have a bone density scan later this afternoon, but otherwise I am going to have to rest on the couch. Hope everyone is healing well.

    Sunocean, I can't feel my incisions at all. My underarms are the most sore out of everything. I think from the BS rooting around to take out some lymph nodes. I don't have a separate incision for the nodes, she went in through the mastectomy incision, so I imagine there was some pretty rough tugging and stretching in that area.

  • Sunocean
    Sunocean Member Posts: 121
    edited March 2019
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    fritz glad u got your drains out! Sorry to hear about your shower experience! Sounds like it was a lot of work! At least your hubby helped!! I was able to shower 2 days after surgery with 3 drains. Funny how different every surgeon is.

    My incisions are large mostly because I had no reconstruction. My surgeon did a good job of keeping the incisions symmetrical. I was supposed to see my oncologist today but he had to cancel. He emailed me and said excited about the news on the pathology report so I take that as good news. Cant wait to reschedule and ask him all my questions.

  • Cin17
    Cin17 Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2019
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    That sounds like great news, Sunocean! I'm so happy for you.

    Fritzmylove, glad to hear your drains are gone. Hope you're feeling stronger soon.

    I still haven't had my surgery (next Thursday, fingers crossed I don't come down with another infection between now and then) but wanted to drop in and say hi to everyone. Sending healing thoughts and hugs to all!

  • Fritzmylove
    Fritzmylove Member Posts: 262
    edited March 2019
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    Cin, praying for good health for you so that your surgery goes as planned on Thursday!

    Hope everyone is doing well! I’m wondering something: how is everyone doing with range of motion? I had BMX with 7 lymph nodes removed. I was instructed to keep my elbows down (t Rex arms) for 2 weeks. 2 days ago I was given clearance to start stretches to regain range of motion. As soon as my arms are fully mobile I can start Radiation, so I’m doing my stretches often. How long should I expect this to take? The area around my armpits are very tight

  • alto
    alto Member Posts: 82
    edited March 2019
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    I had an mx in January, just one side. My experience was that within 2 weeks of starting the stretches, I noticed a big improvement. Even within a week I noticed the tightness was reduced. By 4 weeks, I could do all the exercises. I still keep them up to keep the tightness away.

  • Sunocean
    Sunocean Member Posts: 121
    edited March 2019
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    cin, praying your surgery doesn't get delayed. I know how hard it must be to have your mind set on a day then it gets changed. Its almost here and it will be done with before you know it!

    My pathology report is in and I'm so happy. I have a PCR. Total of 25 lymph nodes removed. Very happy!!!

    Fritz I still have one darn drain so I can't begin exercises yet. Sucks. Its been 3 weeks since my surgery and I am scheduled to get it out on Monday. Cant wait so I can begin. My right arm feels so tight and I am getting that cording sensation. Good luck to you on exercising the arms and getting back to normal. I'm so tired of wearing button down shirts!!!

  • eliza_246
    eliza_246 Member Posts: 14
    edited March 2019
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    Hi all

    Hope you are all continuing to do well.

    I am day 10 after op now and all breast areafeels very fluidy /jelly like and large area under arm appears swollen, is this start of a seroma?

    All still very tight, doing excersizes, but dying want to make seroma worse, what is consensus on excersizes with seroma?

    Seeing BCN tomorrow, but windered what you all thought.

    Thanks

  • alto
    alto Member Posts: 82
    edited March 2019
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    It sounds like fluid buildup in the area.

    It wouldn't hurt to put off the exercises until after you speak with the BCN. It probably won't do any damage as long as you're not feeling pain, but you don't want to cause yourself more discomfort than necessary.

  • eliza_246
    eliza_246 Member Posts: 14
    edited March 2019
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    Hi

    All good, BCN said it was normal amount of fluid, and OK to keep excercizes up gently. My arm reach at Day 10 is looking good apparently. Phew!

    No dressing on now, feel slightly vulnerable without it, I'm sure I will get used to it.

    Thanks

    Eliza

  • Cin17
    Cin17 Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2019
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    sunocean, that's wonderful news! I'm so happy for you.

    eliza_246, glad to hear that your recovery is going well.

    Just wanted to say hi to all my February sisters and send healing thoughts!

  • Sunocean
    Sunocean Member Posts: 121
    edited March 2019
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    hi how is everyone doing?

    For those of you who had a Axillary node removal do u still feel numbness? My armpit and part of the arm near it still has the tingling sensation. but range of motion is way better. Just curious If others are still numb.

    Edited to add I am 4 weeks post op

  • Fritzmylove
    Fritzmylove Member Posts: 262
    edited March 2019
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    Yes I’m still numb, but I only ever notice it if I tough that area. I feel fantastic for having BMX only 3 weeks ago. My right arm is a night tight and I have some cording, but I started PT with a lymphedema specialist which has been awesome.

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