May 2021 Surgeries
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carlsoda- I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow! I got a pedicure on Sunday with my daughters. I never treat myself to that. I thought I’d get a manicure after my surgery when I’m feeling up to it. Usually I’m cooking cleaning walking the dogs gardening and a manicure never looks nice. I like to knit too and do needle work too. Good luck tomorrow and check back in when you feel up to o
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My daughter, 48 has been diagnosed with ductal and lobular cancer in her right breast. She is awaiting surgery sometimes this month for a double mastectomy. She has not been sent for any scans following her pathology report. She is HER2 negative. According to her, she will just receive surgery. Is this normal? Following my diagnosis 9 years ago, I immediately received a PET scan from my oncologist. I know it has been almost a decade since my treatments, but I am concerned about why she won't receive any scans before surgery. Please advise me.
concerned mom
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Dulcea - I don't think you sound ungrateful, it's good to know our boundaries and stick with it. I think if we are people who are not used to being the center of attention, which most times women/caretakers are not, then it feels selfish, but really it's not. It's survival. I really believe in the mental health aspect of fighting this disease too.
Monarchandt… - I hope you enjoy your festivities - use it as an escape! I was diagnosed March 25th, which feels like eons ago...
CaNyInNjMi - I've checked out a lot of those threads and have tried to prepare. I kind of like having things to do and look into, gives me something to do other than think about cancer.
historygeek - the marathon is a good reminder!
Carlsoda - hope your surgery went well!
Is anyone questioning lifestyle choices, like eating/food, hair dye/color? I canceled my normal highlight and am just getting a cut so I can get some hair out of the way for surgery. I am not sure what to do going forward. I realize that cancer is multi-factorial and it could have been in my body for 40 years already, but I can't help wanting to make environmental changes. Yet I have a tendency to be intense with things like that, so I am trying to keep a healthy balance.
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Carlsoda, I can definitely relate to the allergy thing. Although none of them are life-threatening like your husband's, our daughter has several food sensitivities including dairy and gluten, we try to keep her low FODMAP, and I deal with family of origin pork allergy/sensitivity and oxalate issues so virtually no potatoes and several other foods are restricted.
One friend offered to bring a meal a few days ago already as things have been crazy even before I knew my surgery date (ended up in the hospital for 4 days for a kidney stone and have had several other specialist appointments) but I said I'd prefer to hold off till after surgery when we will most likely be more in need of the help. Fortunately as far as availability, my husband has been laid off for several months and is able to cook some things. He's trying to learn others. I'm far from a gourmet chef myself so our foods are pretty simple, especially in light of our different dietary restrictions. Meals from friends at church will likely require me to have them read packages to me, as, as you likely know for your husband's allergens, gluten especially but also dairy hides in all sorts of synonyms that those who don't live with the issues wouldn't recognize as problematic. We also don't have to deal with whatever level of cross-contamination risk you do if a friend brings a meal, as long as they don't stir the pot with the same spoon they stirred a non-special dish with or make similar errors I've made over the years.
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surgery day and all went well! Pathology report should hopefully be back on Friday! Just resting, light liquid supper and lots of ice water. Got to even take a small walk with the nurse and now sitting in a chair with a ice pack and pillows! Cannot complain!! Pain killers are doing a great job
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Great to hear Carlsoda! Sending many healing thoughts.
Had my first followup with the plastic surgeon today. He's concerned about a spot on my incision that he will check again in a week. Didn't expect how painful & exhausting a trip to the doc would be today. Hoping these muscle relaxers will help with some of spasms I've had.
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so so sorry! I hope things start healing at a quicker pace for u! Funny how I am content to just sit here with warm blankets, eyes closed and listening to my iv pump
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carlsoda- so glad you are on the other side of surgery!
Historygeek- sorry for read of your troubles. How many days post surgery are you
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My surgery was a week ago. I think my main problem has been muscle spasms in my back. Otherwise, everything is just sore unless I move the wrong way.
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Home sweet home
doing super well - just needing lots of Advil but not feeling bad enough to take the big boy narcotics! I even walked outside around our property - gotta keep any eye on my garden. I also only have 1 drain tube (yay!) I did ask if it was possible and it’s already slowing down.
Pathology reports came back fast. They changed the grade for 2 to 3 and added: angiolymphatic invasion - still trying to figure out what that means by all my axillary lymph nodes were clear. Also mentioned a gritty tumor - can not find any reference on that at all!Historygeek - did they have to take some muscle from your back for reconstruction? That was my only option since I radiation with the first tumor. I decided against it. I will go with prosthetics and my free knitted knockers!
Hugs to all our other May Surgery sisters!
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Carlsoda, I'm thrilled you are feeling so well,
I did not have any flap done. I had tissue expanders with the dermal sling placed. I've always been prone to muscle spasms so now I that I've started getting those under control I can focus on the drain irritation. I have 4 drains so hopefully they get out soon.
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historygeek - I hope you can get them out soon! I can’t imagine looking after 4 - 1 is enough as I keep getting the tubing caught up in something or another! 😄
Glad your back is doing better!!
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Hello May surgery buddies,
Well done those of you who have already got through your surgery and good luck in the recovery - thanks for being our trailblazers for the month! I'm glad to hear the pain meds worked well so far Carlsoda
I'm glad to find you. I've just had my lumpectomy and node removal scheduled for May 25th. I'm having a swell of anxiety because the surgeon didn't seem to want to discuss anything or read my new MRI results, just get me to sign consent. It would put my mind at rest to understood what my MRI means, whether the surgeon is taking that into account and why they are doing what they are doing. But I guess surgeon's aren't known for their people skills and I just need to find a way to not let this make me more anxious.
I'm a working single mom living just with 7yo and a new cat so the practicalities of where I need to be when and what I won't be able to do feel essential to know and plan for. It was useful when the BS said I won't need to stay in bed after surgery but shouldn't be doing more than brushing my hair and heating a cup of soup - no laundry or groceries for 7-10 days. I'm wondering if I need to ask a friend to come stay with me and help me/my kid (leaving her husband to juggle his business and the kids), and if so, for how long is this important? I'm currently assuming working I can walk my kid to school the next day, at least microwave meals for us and be at my desk job (working from home) for half a day the day after. Does that sound sensible? The surgeon didn't say anything about taking any time off work. It sounds like most other folks are having mastectomies, so your experience post surgery might be quite different from a lumpectomy/node removal, but I'd welcome any pointers anyone has to help me work out a sensible plan.
Thanks so much!
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I want to encourage you that I had the same surgery April 7th. I stuck with Tylenol only. Many lunches at home with friends. After drain removal at the end of week 2 I was resuming a simple routine. Week 4, some limited pain...not only the gardening pain, but a stretching-needed discomfort. I’m very comfortable with my decision, sports bra inserts, and my “knitted knocker!
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Hi. Bravo to you for your readiness to “carry on!” I’m retired with a spouse. I had surgery one month ago for a similar diagnosis. Day 2 I did a lot of sleeping. I had a unilateral mastectomy. Due to the stress, the anesthetic, and the medical interruption and uncertainties, I’d encourage you to make those microwave meals ahead, add an extra cat box, and ask someone to walk your child to school for a couple of days. If you can take time off of work, the sleep of the first couple of days after anesthetic will benefit your recovery time later. But you’re young, so you’ll have a faster recovery
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Hi Apple3 - you will want to take some time off work. I had 2 weeks off for my last lumpectomy. It’s not too bad of a surgery but you will be sore of course and need a little help for the first few days. Lymph node removal is pretty ouchy. Batch cook up some meals or buy lots of frozen dinners and having an extra litter box is a great idea! Maybe put a couple of bowls of water down and extra food so kitty is covered for a few days. Do laundry the day before surgery and stock up the fridge!
Have you thought of having a 2nd opinion? Seems weird he doesn’t want to talk about it or go over the MRI results.
Sending you lots of hugs!!!
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First night at home went pretty well. I borrowed a recliner from my FIL, and slept in it last night. Tonight I may try my bed with a wedge. I work up 8 hours after taking a dose of Advil and not feeling too bad at all. Using my left arm but nothing over my head and under 10 pounds. I did ask my surgeon if I could pick up my cat as a joke, since she is 10.5 lbs and definitely got a no - she’s so funny. Our local hospital really lucked out getting her. Most amazing surgeon out there!! She’s won a bunch of top doctor awards for our state
Today I can tackle a shower if I feel brave enough! I am tempted to wait one more day but we shall see!!
Hugs to everyone!!
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Glad to hear you both are on the mend Carlsoda and historygeek, albeit, slowly but surely. Hoping for the best for your pathology reports and recovery.
Apple3 - I feel like trying to plan for recovery is a big mystery because as "they" say, everyone is different. I have never had a surgery before, so I have no idea how I will respond and it's hard to plan. My surgery is Wednesday and I've taken off work the rest of the week. I have some flexibility and can see how I feel the following week and decide then. I will let you know how it goes for me, but again, I think it's so hard to predict. That said, I think you should def try to get some help! I don't think your friend necessarily needs to abandon her family to help you, but maybe she can make scheduled visits to help with child and cat, just make sure you're ok and help reheat meals. That would only be a few visits just for the first couple days until you are feeling better. I think probably best to plan on needing more help then if you don't, you won't be anxious about it.
Carlsoda, that's so funny about cat, because I asked my PS nurse the same thing when she said lifting limits...I asked like a gallon of milk or a 10 pound cat?! I have 2, one is about 9 lbs and the other pushing 11 lbs. I am a little concerned bcz they like to lay on me, esp my boy, he likes to sit on my lap and prop himself up with his paws across my chest (staring me in the face while I try to work on the computer...) I am just going to keep a pillow near me/around me to try to block them a bit.
Hope you all enjoy your Mother's Day weekend.
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Thank you for sharing your experiences Carlsoda and historygeek. I feel better going into this surgery having read your experiences. I am three days away. I am more concerned about the recovery than I am about having a DMX. I am very confident with my decision so I think that helps.
Apple3 - I have had a lumpectomy and re excision on the left and a lumpectomy with SN biopsy on the right. I took two days off from work for the first, one day for the second and one day for the third. I easily could have gone back to work the next day (education) with these lumpectomies. Of course, raising my arm was sore and I definitely didn't lift anything, but my recoveries from the lumpectomies were fast and easy in my opinion, with the first day or two being the worst of course. I took nothing more than tylenol. The only thing different I did was NOT walk my 100 lb german shepherd tasmanian devil puppy for a few weeks. I will tell you that my initial sterotactic biopsy was the worst recovery! It was so painful. Weeks after, I was still having shooting pain from that! So, yes, every one and every situation is different. Why not have some help if it is being offered though?
Best to everyone in the May surgery club!
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Apple3 I also meant to say that the nurses at my breast care center have been soooo helpful. I had questions about my pathology after it was posted to my portal, and even after the surgeon "explained" things to me (you know how that can go!). I called them and they really took the time and educated me so much more than the surgeon. They also provide some emotional support.
Have you received the MRI results yourself?
I love the new federal mandate where you get your results so much faster than even a month ago. I've been getting results the same day as tests, xrays, MRIs etc. through my portal.
Anyway, give the nurse/s a shot.
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ok ladies my surgery is Monday morning. Double mastectomy with tissue expanders. Dr said 4 hour surgery. I’m assuming a catheter will be placed. Anyone know if they can do that AFTER anesthesia. When I had my babies (all c sections) the catheter was the worst part after my 2nd. And for my third they did it after my epidural. Thanks.
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My catheter was placed while I was under anesthesia for the Mx. They removed it the next morning a few hours before I was discharged.
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TxLorelei- thank you. I hope that’s how they do mine
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Thank you for asking that question Monarchandthemilkweed. I was wondering about that too.
For Carlsoda and historygeek, or others, are you having visiting nurses? I'm wondering how important it is to have them in. I'd rather not have to organize my dog stupid dog around them coming into the house. It might cause more stress for me. And I'm SURE I'd have to go through my medication list and health history with yet another entity. What is everyone's thought on visiting nurses?
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dulcea - I guess it depends on what you are having done. I had a single mastectomy and lymph nodes removed and I am doing great with just hubs to help out. If I would have had reconstruction then it would have been a different story. Overall though I am doing great - even showered today and washed my hair. Now crocheting some dish clothes! Hardly any pain just keeping up with Tylenol and Advil and slept in my bed last night! It was weird when I looked at it today but I will get used to it.
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I can’t believe tomorrow is finally surgery day. Feeling nervous already. I really like my team and the hospital. Very anxious to be on the other side of this surgery.
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Good luck tomorrow!! Sending you lots of hugs and prayers! Hospitals do such a good job now keeping us calm! Mine even offered aromatherapy and of course I choose lavender!! Trust your team and just try to relax today - soon you will be on the other side recovering!!!
Hugs!!!
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thank you! Just watched lots of tv today. Did some errands before. Really just resting and trying to keep my mind occupied.
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Good luck tomorrow Monarch! Speedy healing wishes.
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I thought I'd chime in and add myself to the May Surgery group though I am a little further down the road. I had a BMX last July 2020 and swap from TE's to implants in December however there is an issue with symmetry. I have a revision and another fat grafting scheduled for May 20. It sounds odd to say but I'm looking forward to it and I'm hoping it's the last one that I will need for awhile.
I think having been through the BMX all other surgeries now seem like a breeze. They aren't necessarily...but in comparison! To Dulcea, I saw you'd asked about what to expect. For me the first couple of days were the worst. It's when I found out that sitting up from a wedge pillow isn't as easy as it sounds and I needed help to sit up. I could do everything else on my own though I admit that I called out to my SO to help my tug my under roos up a couple times the first day. I managed to shimmy them up to my hips but couldn't get over my rump! I could do everything else on my own.
For everyone who has had their surgeries I hope that all is healing well. To those coming up you'll get through it. It's not fun but like so many things in life we confront what is before us one step at a time. At least, that's my motto right now. Work on the most immediate problem, then move on to the next one.
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