Topic: December 2020 Surgery Group

Dec 20, 2020 06:26AM typhoon wrote:

I'm so glad to see all the ladies making it through surgery, and getting home quickly! I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, hopeful23 - praying for the skilled hands of your doctors, an uncomplicated and successful surgery, and your quick return home to recover in comfort.

One thing that a friend (who had a bilateral mastectomy in October, and who generously advised and supported me throughout my experience) and my doctors warned me of: sometime around the 4th day after surgery, I might find myself unaccountably depressed and overly emotional. This did indeed happen. The euphoria of getting through the surgery, clearing all the anesthesia and surgery drugs out of my system, and finding that I wasn't really in any pain, all wore off. I woke up that Sunday morning clear-eyed and as morose as I've ever been. I was uncomfortable, everything was still swollen, nerves in my chest were starting to twinge, the implants felt heavy and alien on my chest, the drains and the power device powering my VAC dressings were a hassle for showering and moving around, I felt housebound, generally miserable, unable to see any clear end to all this awfulness, and ready to cry at anything and everything. It really helped me to remember the words of my friend and doctors: this kind of reaction - and the timing of it - is normal for many women. I decided to just roll with it; I huddled in comfy clothes next to the fire, watched stupid sad movies, cried at Christmas ads, ate comfort food, and wallowed in my misery. Sure enough, two days later my VAC dressings were removed, I was healing really well, got my first real look at what had happened to my chest, was able to move around much more easily, and the world seemed to be a much brighter and more hopeful place.

None of this is to say that everyone will have the same experience that I did. But if you do find yourself unusually depressed a few days after surgery, please remember that it's normal. You've been through a major physical trauma, you're dealing with cancer, and there are all kinds of physical, psychological, and emotional reactions that both of these circumstances create. Be super kind to yourself; if you can, let the people around you pamper you; and, remind yourself that you, your doctors, and your support network are all doing the very best you can to get through and manage this life-altering situation.

Dec 20, 2020 12:37PM Bennette wrote:

and typhoon: I just now read your post. That is exactly how I feel. I am crying so much I dind't read all of the posts before I wrote mine. Thank you

Dec 20, 2020 08:06PM hopeful23 wrote:

mtspacekace, so glad you are home! Sounds like you are recovering well after the nausea resolved. I’m sending wishes that your speedy recovery continues for you. 400cc. Wow. I was told 50cc. I’ll have a ways to go! My daughter bought me a pillow. I will try it right away. Please keep checking in!

Typhoon, thank you for your post and for thinking of me and sending your prayers. I had a recurrence of DCIS from five years ago. I went for my five year screening mammogram with such confidence, and so happy I would be able to go off arimidex. Then I was told I needed a biopsy, and then a mastectomy. For the past few weeks, I feel like I have been putting one foot in front of the other and trying not to think about it. I know it will hit me at some point. It is such a comfort to know others experience that, too, and that you do get past it. I cried reading your post because you truly echoed my feelings. This is tough. It really is.

Bennette, as typhoon said, be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself. This is a difficult time, but you will get past it. Please continue to let us know how you are doing. We are thinking of you!

Melbo, best wishes for your surgery tomorrow! You are in my thoughts!

Dec 20, 2020 09:49PM mtspacekace wrote:

hopeful 23: I had a skin sparing mastectomy, and probably at least D cups before surgery, maybe that is why I was able to be filled to 400 cc. I slept well in my recliner last night, with the mastectomy pillow (it’s got u-shapes cut out for your arms) I got a shower this morning after stripping and emptying drains. It was nice, I needed a little help from my husband to wash my back and get dried off. A neighbor lady gave me a Brobe that she used when she had her mastectomy, which I put on after the shower. Boy does it make handling the drains much easier. Before I just had them hanging on lanyard around my neck...but 4 of them got kind of heavy. The brobe has nice pockets to hold them, and it’s a nice soft fabric. Very comfortable. I kept up on pain meds and napped in between walks around the house. Very manageable first day home! You can do this!

Dec 20, 2020 10:19PM Bennette wrote:

Melbo and hopeful23 - best wishes for your surgeries tomorrow.

Positivelyh - I had the radioactive seed implanted the day before, like you will. It's not a big deal - the main thing for me was that it took them a bit to find the right place. The good news/bad news for me was that it's a small area; but hard to find. They did the implantation via mammogram but sometimes will do it with ultrasound (my biopsy was ultrasound guided). My husband waited in the parking lot. Covid is raging here (I'm in California) and he is at risk so I was fine with him waiting there. Even the day of the surgery, I had him drop me off and go home for a few hours. Initially I was uncomfortable with this, but I basically checked into nuclear medicine, they do their thing with injecting the dye and then take me up to surgery. There was NO where to sit in the waiting room for radiology and I was just as glad he wasn't there - again, prefer he not get exposed. He went home and then came back a few hours later and waited outside the hospital until they called him and I was ready to go.

It sucks that Covid is added to the mix for us. But, for me, it allowed me to just worry about me. I brought a book and there wasn't much time even for that once things got rolling. If you have other questions, let me know.

And. Many thanks for those here. It was a rough day for me emotionally, 2 days post surgery. I echo others' comments that the pain is pretty manageable. I've been taking ibuprofen mainly.

I would recommend getting a supportive front closing bra or two. Somehow, that didn't sink in for me and I only had the contraption they sent me home in which was gross after 2 days. Nothing like going to Kohl's on the Sunday before Christmas to try and find something, that I couldn't try on anyway. It was nuts there. I bought 3 bras and none work since the incision for the lymph nodes hit right at the wrong placed on the ones I bought I'm in a sports bra that I had around. It isn't quite as supportive as I'd like, but has to do. The bra that I got from the hospital will be dry tomorrow and I can use that again if needed.

Dec 22, 2020 11:39PM mtspacekace wrote:

Best wishes for a successful surgery tomorrow Annc2019!

Melbo and hopeful: hope your recovery is going well!

Positive thoughts to the rest of you having surgeries coming up!

Dec 23, 2020 02:02PM hopeful23 wrote:

AnnC2019 - I hope your surgery went well today and you are comfortable and recovering! Many thoughts!

Umma777 - I will be thinking of you tomorrow and wishing you the best with your surgery!

Bennette - I hope you are feeling better - I have been thinking of you!

Melbo - happy to hear your surgery went well and that your husband is so helpful as you recover. I hope your pain is getting under better control with your medicines. I sure understand wanting to get rid of the drains 🥴

I had unilateral mastectomy with tissue expander Monday morning and came home yesterday afternoon. Surgery went great and I have been recovering pretty comfortably. The drains are definitely the hurdle for me. They are a bit uncomfortable at rest, and can be more than uncomfortable with movement. I rest a lot lol. My arm not on the mastectomy side can get me out of bed, eat, move, etc without discomfort or worrying about the drains - I am in amazement for the many women who undergo bilateral mastectomy. They were able to fill the expander to 150cc which was a pleasant surprise (they had told me 50cc prior to surgery). Hopefully that will get me where I need to be earlier. The expander is very bumpy, hard, and just weird in many places. Hoping that improves with fills. I am happy with my recovery so far. It hasn’t been overwhelming for sure and pain, which is more discomfort, is manageable. I think recovery will be slower and longer than I anticipated due to the limitation of the drains though. I’m not scheduled for a post-op appt until the 31st. They said I could shower today, which sounds good, but I’m a bit apprehensive. I’m going to try tomorrow.

I hope everyone is doing well!

Dec 24, 2020 02:20PM - edited Dec 24, 2020 02:23PM by AnnC2019

I was a prescribed a 7 day regiment of Cipro post TE exchange. I just got over a 2nd round of C Difficile in October and I'm worried now about starting another course of antibiotics. I didn't get a chance to discuss this with my surgeon and I don't want to bother him during the holiday. Has everyone been given post surgery antibiotics

Dec 24, 2020 04:33PM Melbo wrote:

arb95f — I ended up with a reduction as part of my lumpectomy and my plastic surgeon made it sound like reductions were a fairly common choice. In my case the reduction on my right side was only to make the right side match my left side after the cancerous tissue was removed from the left, but if you want to go smaller I don’t see why it would be an issue.

Dec 24, 2020 06:11PM StaceyG6368 wrote:

it will be a week on Christmas that I had my mastectomy and reconstruction. I'm thankful I got word that my pathology was all clear but I'm struggling with what my scars look like I can barely look at them. I know it takes time but wow my mastectomy breast took a hit. My left breast they did a reduction on so that one is not too bad but wow that first look took the wind out of me. Looking forward to the drain come out that's for sure. Trying to trust the process. Pain is minimal. More just discomfort than pain. Hope everyone is doing ok, reading your posts we all seem to be experiencing the same little things. Stay strong ladies!!

Dec 25, 2020 12:42PM AnnC2019 wrote:

Thanks hopeful23. I was going to hold off taking them but noticed today a red line going from the IV spot up to the middle of my arm. kind of looks like it might be be infected, so I am taking the Cipro. Took off my bandages from the implant site and it started to bleed in one spot. the sutures are on the inside this time so there was no glue holding everything together. Hoping it all heals

Dec 25, 2020 08:58PM Moderators wrote:

StaceyG636, glad you found us here, and welcome. We appreciate you sharing. Keep us posted.

Dec 26, 2020 12:55AM - edited Dec 26, 2020 04:55AM by LittleGrammieTre

Dec 26, 2020 11:15AM mtspacekace wrote:

LittleGrammieTre: you can search the forums and find one that pertain to your question...this one is just about having surgery in December. I did a quick search and found this forum, maybe ask your questions there, as you are more likely to get better answers. https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/137/topics/768020?page=6#post_4348111

I am one week out from surgery and feeling so good today! Then again, it may be the oxy talking... I slept for 8 hours last night without taking any pain meds. I have been waking up after 4, to take an oxy, or I would be so sore when I wake I couldn’t get out of my chair. I took my Tylenol and oxy and went to sleep, and woke up 8 hours later, and the pain was good! This must mean I’m getting better. I have been showering every other day, and today was shower day. It felt good, I have good range with my arms! We are going to my mil for late Christmas celebration today, and I found a zip up hoodie that had pockets on the inside. My drains fit in them well and I was able to coil the tubing up. This is the first time I’ve been dressed comfy, and feel comfy! The brobes I have been wearing are nice, but it feels good to be “dressed”. I put on a little makeup. My scars and breasts had been a little bumpy (which plastics said was normal part of healing) today they seem to be smoother, and looking more like breasts. I feel pretty. Not scarred. My spirits are high. It’s a beautiful day out. I am so blessed.

For those of you getting ready for surgery, sometimes we get scared it’s going to be absolutely miserable...I know I was scared reading accounts of post surgery, and being absolutely helpless for weeks. I can’t do everything, but I can do more than what I figured I would be able to. I need my husband to help me dry off, put my pants and socks on, and lift heavy things over 5#, and reach high items. I’m sure I could get dressed completely and shower without him...but his help just speeds up the process a lot. Just know it can be bad...but it might not be! A positive attitude is really helping me I think.

I will be finished with my script for oxy today. I am only taking about half. And then will move onto the script for tramadol. I hope it works as well.

Hoping and praying that the rest of you are feeling as well as I do, and recovery is going well. ❤️❤️

Dec 26, 2020 03:48PM morningstardust wrote:

Hi blue! I did chemo before surgery (ACT) and it was completely ok. The first two months of AC were more difficult physically but even those two months were not as bad as I had been led to believe. All nausea was controlled with medication and I just felt heavy and tired for a few days post infusion. By one week post infusion (I did dose dense every two weeks) I would be totally fine. I had steroid related anxiety every infusion and that was really the only thing. Taxol was a breeze and because it's weekly it goes by super fast. I did start to get upset about week 6 of taxol just feeling like it was forever but then it was over and my hair grew back at light speed. Everyone is different and some people have much harder experiences but it might not be as bad as you think. I certainly hope it goes as easy as possible for you. I'm sure that's a horrible feeling to have your expectations changed so much but the only way out is through and you will get there!! It feels so long in the day to day but it really does go quickly. Be well and I hope your pain eases up.