June 2020 Surgery Group
Comments
-
Morrigan- I felt fine about 3 weeks after the last TCHP. I also dropped the parjeta, so the herceptin is a breeze. I feel better than I did before I was diagnosed. I guess the energy loss was so gradual that I didn't put the pieces together. I also have a 2 year old, so I thought that was part of why I was so tired. I read somewhere else that someone thought surgery was easier than chemo because you could tell you were getting better everyday. Fingers crossed that I'll feel the same.
0 -
Hi all,
Can I join? I had a BMX with left sentinel node bx and TE on June 4. I had planned to stay one night in the hospital, but ended up staying 2.
Apparently I lost a lot of blood during surgery. My HGB is still low, as is my blood pressure. Saw my MO yesterday, and the plan is for me to start hormone therapy in a week, along with calcium, vitamin D, and iron supplements.
My mom flew in to help out during my recovery, but my husband's been doing most of the work with drain care, med schedules, etc. So far the safety pin/lanyard has been working for my drains, and I see my PS tomorrow.
My head's kind of all over the place right now...still. It'll be nice to have people to talk to!
Lynn
0 -
Hi to all the "Junies" ~ FINALLY am scheduled for my surgery on June 22nd. This is after being diagnosed in February and scheduled for surgery in April = canceled! Then scheduled again in May = canceled! Now.....I finally have a date....can we all cross fingers please that nothing gets in the way this time?!?! Needless to say, all the pre-op appointments are making for a busy calendar leading up to the big day. Am not even sure what I should be getting/preparing for ahead of time...it's all a blur.
Am rooting for success for all of those going ahead of me. Let's keep track of this team!
0 -
LMP - yep today is 21 days post final Chemo and I'm feeling pretty good. I'd say the almost normal feeling starting around Saturday (day 18). My appetite is back, food is mostly back (still have some issues but, hopefully that will come back in next 2 weeks). Energy level is back, which is great. I'd like to start walking again post surgery.
BlueFeltFedora - my HGB was low last week, I think it was 7.8 which was a new low for me. I'll see what my HGB is tomorrow when I go for HP treatment. My Dr says that if it goes lower they may give me an infusion before surgery to be safe.
Nana - I'm shocked that they pushed your surgery back 2 months. I know they pushed the reconstruction parts but, I had heard the BMX/MX usually went through.
For me, I bought a wedge pillow for sleeping, mastectomy tops (2), zip up front sports bras (2). One of the mastectomy tops came with the drain pouch/bag/belt so I can use that for shower or sleep. I probably don't really need it but, I just bought a small step stool, since I know you can't lift your arms over your head and my microwave is over the stove. I bought it because I can use it for my upstairs closets, instead of throwing my sweater/sweats on the top rack I can use the stool to make it nice and neat.
Next Thursday (night before surgery) I'm going to pull out my food, plates, pots/pans and just out them on the breakfront or dining room table. This way I have easy access to stuff I may need that I can't grab from the cabinets. I also started moving shirts and tops down to the bottom rack in my closet for easy access.
0 -
I had my surgery yesterday, double, flat closure. I was out of the hospital by lunch today which I thought was mighty quick, but we made it home. The car ride was pretty uncomfortable. I always have a tough time sleeping after anesthesia, so I didn't sleep at all last night, just dozed today. I'm hoping for good rest tonight!
Best of luck to LeVue and all the rest of you getting ready!!!!!!😘
0 -
Thanks for the helpful input, morrigan 2575, ~ good idea to move things to easily reachable spots. I already have that wedge pillow and button-front tops....and easy-to-pull-on shorts and bottoms. Think I will pop some of the soft ice packs in the freezer before I forget. I've both a few "comfort food" things and had thought about pre-planning some meals for DH, but maybe a quick trip to Costco for easy meals for him will do the trick.
I hated being scheduled and then canceled....emotional roller-coaster, for sure. All because of threat of Covid and then our state didn't allow "elective" surgeries (first I ever heard of cancer being "elective" !) When things began opening up, the breast surgery area had to schedule the most serious first.....so I guess I can find the silver lining that I wasn't first in line! At this point, I just want to get the show on the road and get this behind me.
heidE04 - glad you have your procedure behind you and here's to a very good sleep tonight....and that each day gets better than the one before. Sleep tight.
LaVue - by this time, you're all scrubbed up and anxious about tomorrow. We'll be waiting to hear from you when you feel up to it.
0 -
FREE,,, I have some pillows, large and small, drain aprons, a full body pillow, barely or never used, smoke free home message me if anybody is interested,, I will mail it to you!
0 -
Had my first post-op with my PS today. They removed my dressings, taught us how to strip the drains, and added 100cc of air to each side (my PS uses air in TEs instead of saline). He seemed happy with my healing rate and skin condition. I go back again next week for more air and hopefully drain removal.
On the way ty appointment this morning, my BS called with pathology from my surgery. They got the whole tumor, margins clear. However, there was evidence of cancer in the sentinel node. He'll be conferring with my MO today with a chemo plan. It's frustrating, because on Monday my MO was planning hormone therapy and no chemo. Granted, he didn't have the pathology report yet. My head is spinning.
Nana2-8: How did that constant cancelling and rescheduling not make you crazy? That would have driven me absolutely insane! Everything really does speed up once you're scheduled, though. The things I was most glad to have for surgery and recovery included LOTS of pillows, all shapes and sizes. I've pretty much built a nest here in my bed. I'm also so glad I bought stuff to wear 2 sizes larger than my regular size! My PS doesn't want me wearing bras, so I bought camis, jammies, leggings, and oversized shirts. It was hard to buy 2 sizes larger, but it's all so comfy and non-restrictive. I just wish I'd remembered to buy larger panties, too. Oy.
morrigan_2575: My low HGB was after and because of surgery. They were debating infusing a unit of blood, but decided not to. My MO is happy with the rate of increase on my numbers, but it's really affecting my energy levels.
HeidiE04: Good luck with your recovery!
LaVue: Thinking of you today!
0 -
LaVue, hoping all is well for you!! I've been in bed all day after getting home mid afternoon yesterday. I don't like the way the percocet makes me feel, but feel like I still need the pain relief.
Nana, so glad you're finally going in soon after so many delays! I got delayed some, I started with all this in March.
Morrigan, we'll be waiting with you and rooting for you too, and all the other women on here, my drug addled mind isn't letting me recall all of your names at the moment.
Time for another nap!
Lots of different pillows, a fan, ice chips and watermelon have been my friends so far!
0 -
@BlueFeltFedora - Glad they got all the cancer and that you had clear margins. Sorry to hear they found some cancer in the Sentinal Nodes. Will they go back and take more lymph nodes? My BS mentioned that as a possibility.
@Heidi - Glad to hear you're doing well 1 day out. I'm doing same day surgery so we're going to see how well I handle everything (my choice, I might be an idiot 😁). Percocet knocks me out, I've had it for a few surgeries (even wisdom teeth) and I just sleep and sleep and sleep with it.
@LaVue - Best of luck today!
0 -
Well I guess I will be joining this group. I saw my Breast Surgeon yesterday to firm up my my double mastectomy for Monday June 22. Have my pre-op with my Plastic Surgeon on Tuesday. Not exactly how I had planned to spend my summer. Thankfully I have a very supportive family. All things considered I am feeling pretty blessed. Looking forward to following each of you, my bosom buddies.
0 -
Ha! BlueFeltFedora: What makes you think I'm NOT crazy?? And....even more so today! As you all know once the surgery date is scheduled, the count-down begins and all the necessary appointments...lab work, EKG, bone scan, primary care clearance, TAG placement, now...covid test. Well....stop the presses! My blood pressure is sky high and I CANNOT be cleared to have the surgery until it is at an acceptable level! New drug....with hope that it does the trick by next Wednesday! YIKES! ~ I suggested putting me on Valium for a week.....and barring that......DRINKING!! I'm spitting nails! Nothing like "No pressure....but you have a week!" (But don't add any un-necessary stress......ya, sure, got it!)
At this point, seems I joined the April group, then the May group, and now with the June group.....and who knows.....maybe even the July group! I want to get off this train! CRAZY?? Who....MOI?
0 -
Welcome PainterLady and Nana2-8!
I totally agree with you PainterLady this is not how I want to spend my summer! Praying next summer we will get to do some traveling.
LaVue- Hope you are doing okay! Please let us posted.
HeidiE04 - Hope you are feeling okay as well.
Nana2-8 - So sorry for your blood pressure issues. I have been taking Zanax. It has been my friend through all of the craziness. Hopefully they will give you something and your pressure will be done next week!! Praying for you!
0 -
Hi All,
Continuing to recover from my double mastectomy on Monday. If I can answer any questions or anything for those of you with upcoming dates don't hesitate to ask! I was sooo nervous about mine and didn't see this group until right before my surgery.
Maggie007, I see you're on KY, I am too! So nice of you to offer to mail all those things, I hope someone can use them. (I already have them)
Nana, hope your blood pressure behaves! Is it because of nerves?
Painter Lady, welcome! We'r all deserve some nice travels after this BS!
LaVue, hope you're doing ok!!!
0 -
"lab work, EKG, bone scan, primary care clearance, TAG placement, now...covid test."
Well now I'm scared, no one has contacted me about any of this. Granted blood pressure, and blood work is done weekly my by MO. I had an Echo at the end of May because of Herceptin but, I don't know if that counts as the EKG.
Only thing I was told was that I'd need to get a COVID test the day before surgery and someone would call me to schedule it 😮
0 -
Morrigan, no worries. The only thing I had pre surgery was the Covid test.
0 -
Hello All.
I had my BMX on the 11th and I am back home recuperating. Several things that worked/ didn't work for me:1. If you could stay a day after the surgery do it. My doctors were set on sending me home the same day with oral painkillers because of Covid 19. I was not sure I was ready and insisted on being admitted. Thank goodness I did. I had a post op bleeding and I had to be brought in for an emergency surgery the same night at 9pm.
2. The pain management in the hospital was much better. I had pain meds injected directly in my IV. The Norco I was talking orally was too slow to act.
3. The recliner at home is a lifesaver. I slept on it the first night after coming home and at this point I don't know when I would move to a regular bed. I love it
4. Two days after the surgery I am off the pain meds and trying only over the counter medications to mage pain and help with constipation. So far nothing has helpedwith constipation and I have tried everything 😀
5. Moving around and walking helps I waked a mile around the neighborhood today it helped with the stiffness in my arms
Good luck to all of you who have their surgeries soon. Praying for all to go well.
0 -
I am wishing you all a consistently better recovery....that each passing day is better. I see that many of you are having mastectomy surgery - some with reconstruction. I am "only" having a lumpectomy - tho there is another, deeper area of calcifications. The surgeon has assured me that I will NOT wake up with a 'surprise' mastectomy. It is reassuring that you are recovering so well. Keep up the good work.....and remember to take care of yourselves so you don't go 2 steps forward and 1 step back.
0 -
One more week until my surgery and I am so glad to hear everyone is doing so well!! It makes the aniexty a little less.
Keep us posted on your recovery.
0 -
Got my blood counts today, officially 4 weeks post final Chemo.
Platelets went from 73 to 246
Hemoglobin went from 7.5 to 9.5
White Blood Count went from 3.8 to 3.9 not a big jump but my neutrophils were in the good range.
My MO says I'm good to go for surgery on Friday no transfusion needed.
0 -
Hope everyone is coming along nicely. Thank goodness, I just got cleared for surgery next Monday!! So I WILL be among the June surgeries! About to leave for TAG placement - COVID test Saturday morning. Things are ticking along on schedule.
0 -
I'm home relaxing after my DMX with expanders. I haven't taken any hard core pain meds since right after surgery. I'm taking Tylenol and such regularly. I'm not feeling much pain at all. I spent 1 night at the hospital.
0 -
Hi everyone, I just learned today that my mastectomy and node dissection are scheduled for Monday! Really in a rush to.prepare as it's such short notice (because of covid). I have 2 small kids that I need to hand off, but family is hours away....and because of covid, I can't be admitted for the night. Sorry about the rant but I feel you ladies are the only ones around me who really get it. Good to find others who are going are through this exactly at the same time as me.
Has anyone here been discharged the same day and did ok? After how much time should I expect to be able to walk around? Also, curious to know what kind of pain meds are usually prescribed?
Good luck to all!
0 -
"Has anyone here been discharged the same day and did ok? After how much time should I expect to be able to walk around? Also, curious to know what kind of pain meds are usually prescribed?"
I'm coming home same day on Friday. I'll let you know how I do
0 -
I went home the day of my BMX. I was prescribed “ratio-lenoltec #3” (30 mg) which I was told is basically Tylenol 3. Only used 8 tablets in total over the first 2 days, and those mostly because they urged that I take them before the pain got too bad.
Last week I had scar revision surgery, done by a plastic surgeon, to clean up ridges and dog ears left behind after the BMX. This time I was prescribed Tramadol which is an opiate. Only took a few of them because they sounded scary! But I think the pain was actually worse with this last surgery, although my range of movement is better and I can lift and press a lot more easily.
I wish you all good luck and good healing with no complications xx
0 -
I forgot to say, I had no reconstruction so that may have had an affect on the amount of pain I felt postBMX.
0 -
surgery pushed back 30 minutes tomorrow due to an emergency. Things are getting real 😁
0 -
Hey hey everyone. it's been a little over a week since my bilateral. I am feeling fine. Though it does seem I had more pain than the rest of you.
I was given Percocet Motrin and Tylenol. Was on a strict regimen to control the pain. I am off the pain medicine now.
I had two drains removed on Tuesday. Hopefully, the other two will get removed early next week.
The sentinel nodes are clear. I'll find out on Monday whether I am cancer-free or not.
0 -
congrats on the noses being clear. Hopefully the pathology comes back clean as well.
Good news about getting the drains out so quickly, they're the worst.
0 -
Dear morrigan_2575,
Good luck tomorrow with surgery. Keep us posted as you can.
The Mods
0
