November 2024 Surgery Support Thread
Please gather here to get and give support. Feel free to share your type of surgery, date, and let us know how you're preparing and how you're doing post-surgery. We're all here for you!
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I had lumpectomy on right breast. Mastopexy on left breast. November 4. I honestly was completely passed out from the very beginning. And when I came to, no one really tell me anything what happened. LOL.
I just got an idea of what happened to me by reading my chart notes. Like they took 13 breast tissues. 3 or 4 from my left breast which is surprising to me. No idea about the SAVI scout. I will ask my surgeon about that on my next appointment. Also I read that the tissue is malignant neoplasm not sure if I got that right. But the her 2 status is unknown. Before surgery the biopsy result is er+ pr- her2+ I opted for neoadjuvant chemo.
I do know it seems the her2 status seem to change between biopsy and actual pathology of the removed tumor. So for now I still don't know the pathology result. My husband did ask my surgeon when we can know the result she said about 5 days. so still waiting…
As for how my breast feels. Fortunately pain is not that terrible. They just suggested to take tylenol for pain but there's a note not to take tylenol if you have liver damage. So well, I won't take tylenol then since I am very concerned with my HIGH ALT and AST test on my last blood test. So for pain, I just ice my boobies which does help. I also ice my boobies from day 1 since on my post surgery notes they do suggest to ice them for pain and swelling.
I also preferred to follow my breast surgeon's suggestion to not shower for 3 days. And today is actually my shower day and I am scared to death to see my boobies for the first time.
I have a dried blood on my left breast. When I let my plastic surgeon know about it, her nurse said a little blood is fine. So, OK, I guess.
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I am scheduled for a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction (spacer) on 11/26/24. I'm honestly worried more about the results of the tests after the surgery than the surgery itself. But, I'm sure as I get closer to the surgery date, I'm anticipating fear. Kind of like when I was pregnant… I was fine until I actually went into labor and freaked out!
I ordered 4 post mastectomy pillows on Amazon, so I'm going to analyze them all over the weekend, and then do some returns. At first glance, they all look pretty much the same.
When do you find out about HER 2? After the surgery?
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I found out about my her 2 status when they did the biopsy. And then my her 2 status is back to unknown after my surgery. I was not surprised about it. Because they are still waiting for pathology result on the tissue/tumor.
I honestly just sleep with my bed propped up a bit. Fortunately we have the bed that folds up and down. There's even a button labeled zero gravity.
I hope you have it easy like mine. I passed out on my way to my OR. No idea at all what happened during my surgery which is what I wanted and the best scenario for me.
I wish you well.
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Hoping your pathology reports are positive. Waiting is so hard!! Thank you for your good thoughts!
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I just want to mention another SE from surgery. This comes from intubation. I unfortunately had to be intubated. Like I said I was very fortunate that I was unconscious the whole time I was in the OR. I also was definitely told several times by both surgeon and anesthesiologist about having sore throat and/or hoarseness after surgery.
In my case it's the sore throat that comes and goes. Usually every morning. So today I search for treatment for it for the specific cause which is intubation. They mention arnica. I searched about it and hope I won't need to buy it. I prefer natural remedy so if the other suggested natural treatment which is salt water gargle does not work, I guess I am going to resort to this arnica treatment.
This arnica treatment also mentions about pain and swelling and bruising treatment. Also anti inflammatory. So it really peak my interest but only if things get worse.
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Hi! I worked in the herbal medicine industry for over a decade, so I know about arnica as a topical treatment, but no idea about internal use. It is incredible for external swelling and bruising, but I would be hesitant to try it on a surgical site. More like when you twist an ankle. Again, I would be a little reluctant to take it internally.
I would really recommend trying raw honey for your throat. Just put it in your mouth and let it melt. It has such incredible anti-bacterial and healing properties. I used to know a guy who had bees and he would sell the honey by the quart jar. It was divine. Great for when you feel a cold coming on! I've read that you should use a wooden spoon for honey vs. a metal spoon. Can't remember exactly why, but it made sense to me! I'll try to find more info.
There is a great product from MediHerb (an Australian herbal medicine company) called Herbal Throat Spray. You can get it from health care practitioners but they don't sell it on Amazon.
Another one that I might suggest trying is by Herb Pharm. Soothing Throat Spray. They are a very reputable company backed by science and their ingredients are organic.
But really, raw honey is the way to go!! Great in tea! A tea that you might want to check out is Throat Coat by Traditional Medicinals (available in most grocery stores).
Knowing your SE's, I'm going to grab a bottle of the HerbPharm Soothing Throat Spray for myself! And get some raw honey from one of the local farms near me.
I do hope you will be feeling better soon! Let me know how it goes!
Amanda
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Wow. Cool. Oh ya you better stock up on your throat spray. LOL. I was told that I might be intubated in one of my breast surgeon appointments and was definitely told about the intubation on my anesthesia dept. appointment, since you will have mastectomy with recon, I am sure you will be intubated. It sucks that, that is how they put you to sleep during surgery, via intubation, like it adds another SE/risk from an already full of SE/risk major surgery, oh well.
I actually am kinda feeling like I will have lymphedema. Do you think this arnica cream will help with lymphedema? or do you know any natural lymphedema remedy? I hope I am wrong but I am feeling some pain on the arm today that they took sentinel node.
I hope your surgery will be as successful and painless as mine.
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