Topic: October 2019 Surgery Support Group

Sep 8, 2019 08:18PM famousthecat wrote:

Hugs, lady, it sounds like you've been through a LOT this year! How are you feeling about the upcoming surgery?

My story: just got my date for my preventive bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction (October 3). I'm glad we have a date, but wow, less than a month away feels way too soon. I had microcalcifications show up at my mammogram in May (my second mammo ever - just turned 40), which led to biopsy and ADH, which led to a lumpectomy and DCIS, lowest grade, small area, without clear margins. So I had to decide if I wanted to treat the DCIS with another lumpectomy and hormone therapy, lots of monitoring and more biopsies, with a 50% lifetime chance of getting a more invasive cancer... Or just get rid of my breasts and be done with all of that. Actually, it wasn't much of a question at all!

But the reality of it still really sucks, and I've got two young boys for whom I'm the primary caretaker. I've got amazing help and support (seriously, AMAZING), and I'm so thankful for that. Hoping for speedy recoveries for all the October surgeries out there!

Oh, and in the middle of all of this, we moved to a new state where we didn't know anyone and my husband got a new job. 😂 But it's all working out beautifully, and I feel like we've landed in just the right place for us.

Sep 8, 2019 10:47PM - edited Sep 8, 2019 10:47PM by gibbos

Sep 11, 2019 10:25PM gibbos wrote:

famousthecat,

I’m having the same kind of reconstruction you are. I think you will be glad you decided to do reconstruction. When I went through the other breast 15 years ago, I really didn’t want an implant and thought about going flat. But I did a lat flap with an implant and I’m glad I did. They did a good job and after a while when I looked in the mirror all I saw was me, and I eventually just stop thinking about breast cancer

My surgery had now been moved to Sept 24- a week earlier and less than two weeks away. I have s lot to do!

Sep 20, 2019 04:17PM gibbos wrote:

Can’t believe there are no other October’s out there! There must be....

I also can’t believe my surgery is Tuesday. My bag is all packed and ready to go. I’m a little freaked out but I guess it will be over before I know it.( I hope. I’m still an honorary Oct..my bday is Oct 3!)

I’ll post updates after surgery so hopefully that will help you!

I keep telling myself… This will be over soon!

Sep 20, 2019 06:05PM chek2inGA wrote:

Hi Famousthecat and everyone else!

I am actually a July surgery (preventive double mastectomy with tissue expanders) and my exchange surgery with fat grafting is scheduled October 10th. This has been one crazy ride so far. I was off work for six weeks recovering from surgery #1. I went back to work on September 9th and am truly counting the days until surgery #2. My tissue expanders are now filled to 600cc. I am 5'4 and typically weigh 138 pounds. I'm weighing in at 146 currently due to the added weight of the tissue expanders (be warned... these things are HEAVY). I miss sleeping in my bed. I haven't been able to do that since the night before surgery #1. Everyone who has had this same journey has told me that the exchange surgery is much easier to recover from than the mastectomy. I'll be sure to let you all know if that is the case. In the meantime I will be praying for each of you precious ladies and hoping for the best for all.

Hugs-

Michelle

Sep 22, 2019 09:22AM Eigna wrote:

I’m joining this thread too. I have a lumpectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy scheduled for October 10th. I can’t wait to get it done even though I’m scared but the wait is way to long.

Mammogram was done end of May. Ultrasound in July and Biopsy in August. Diagnosed end of August so it’s about time i get this thing going. I have two young kids to take care of and I want to be there for them for a long while. I just hope I won’t need chemo but I have to wait for the Oncotype results after surgery. Wishing all of you good luck with your surgeries.

Sep 22, 2019 08:08PM Teslafied wrote:

Hello. I am new to the forum and my lumpectomy is scheduled for Oct. 3rd.  I’m having 4 Magseed placements and lymph node injections the day before (left breast only). I was hoping there is someone who can give their experience with these two procedures.  About how long do they take?  I have an Rx for Emla cream which is supposed to numb the nipple, but just want to know if the cream actually helps or do the injections still hurt really bad?  Thank you - I’m glad I found this group. 

Sep 22, 2019 11:15PM gibbos wrote:

Eigna- that's a long time to wait and worry. And even harder and more stressful with little kids.

Teslafied- I had a radioactive seed localization prior to my lumpectomy surgery in May. I think it's different than what you are having though. My procedure was more like the biopsy. It was a little uncomfortable but not painful. Good luck with it

Famous- i'm as ready as I'm going to be and yes I'm nervous. I have told my plastic surgeon absolutely no expanders. So I don't know what will happen if they can't go direct to implant. The possibility was never really mentioned. Thank goodness i have plenty to do to keep me busy tomorrow and hope to get some sleep tomorrow night. My surgery time is 7:30 Tuesday morning. I'll report in as soon as I'm able 🙂

Best of luck to all of you!

Sep 23, 2019 01:25PM gretchy wrote:

I just thought I would say hello. I'm expecting a double masectomy in mid October. I meet with the PS this Friday Sept 25th then I guess they will coordinate a surgery date with my BC. Grateful I'll have this forum to go to. Good luck everyone!

Sep 24, 2019 07:11AM famousthecat wrote:

Let's send all our good vibes and love to gibbos today! Hoping for the best for you. 💚💚

1. Teslafied, I can't speak to the lymph nodes at all, but the radioactive seed placement I had before my lumpectomy was a piece of cake physically. It was a little weird because I had a needle sticking out of my breast as they did mammogram after mammogram to make sure it was in the right place, but I told them how horrific my biopsy was and urged them to make this as non traumatic as possible. I did not feel a thing.

Sep 24, 2019 01:50PM rweeden wrote:

Hi Everyone! I have a tentative date for DMX on 10/16. I say tentative because I have an appt. this Friday for a second opinion, and still will do CT scan (bone and chest/lungs) prior. I brought my husband with me to the recent appointment where the surgeons reviewed my options, and I am so glad I did. Having him there and hearing it all firsthand was wonderful - I didn't have to recall everything for him, and he was able to ask some questions he had as well.

I was first diagnosed last month with papillary carcinoma, and a subsequent MRI showed more than half of my right breast was worrisome. Not to mention a lymph node that didn't look too great. Left breast was clear - but given my young (hah!) age of 42 and dense breasts, not to mention peace of mind, I think DMX is the right course of action. Still uncertain what will happen after surgery... I am realizing this whole cancer thing really is one step at a time! Wishing everyone well.

Sep 25, 2019 04:48PM famousthecat wrote:

Gibbos, so glad to hear from you and that you're doing well! 💚💚💚 Hoping your recovery is as smooth as can be.

Sep 25, 2019 06:56PM gibbos wrote:

Hi famous and everyone-

I’m doing pretty well. Op was about 3 1/2 hours. This just seems like a breeze compared to my shoulder injury/trauma in March. I can’t tell you what I look like bc I’m bandaged. I’m wearing the surgical support bra they put on me in the OR. the Percocet is working well but I don’t want to take it forever! My left breast is really sore, right side was the implant exchange and thst does feel too bad

Was up in a chair for about an hour, and went for a walk up and down the hall. I’ll be released tomorrow afternoon.

Let the healing begin 😍

Sep 26, 2019 07:49PM famousthecat wrote:

Naalehunet, I'm so scared they are going to find something more or different in my breast tissue after surgery! I really, really want this to be it - get rid of breasts, no more cancer risk (or very little anyway).

My other big worry is with reconstruction. I was so on the fence about going flat or reconstructing. It was definitely a tear inducing major stressor, trying to figure that one out.

My son's preschool teacher asked me this morning when my surgery was and realized it is a week from today. I'm... Scared and stressed and worried about everything and everyone, and I really just wish I didn't have to do this, even though I know it's the only decision I'd feel all right with. But dang...

Oct 1, 2019 11:02AM mallokg wrote:

As long as my genetic testing and all other tests come back negative, I will have a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on October 28. Praying that this little cancer is staying put and not trying to explore any other areas!