Topic: December 2020 Surgery Group

Jan 6, 2021 12:28PM Positivelyhalffull wrote:

I wish I had said something about my IV for surgery. It was immediately painful when she put it in, but she was rushing like we were late and I'd never had one in that location before so I thought maybe it was just a sensitive location. Also, she never asked me if it felt ok like they normally do.

This photo is six days out. I normally have no bruise after an IV. My lesson to speak up for myself.

Jan 7, 2021 08:39AM Blue1002 wrote:

Positively, my wrist hurts just looking at that photo! I'm sorry that happened to you, ouch. I've had some bruising from IVs before but never that bad.

Hopeful, I know a few posts back you were feeling discouraged about not being "tough" and I'm going to throw the advice you gave me earlier right back at ya: You ARE tough. You are fighting cancer. If you feel down, or discouraged, or in pain, that is just part of the fight. You will get through this. You're not only a tough person, you're a tough person who takes the time and energy to support and encourage others. So I hope you feel that support when it's your turn to get lifted up.

As for me, I'm still struggling with a lot of nerve pain -- I feel like a bore talking about it. I have to remind myself to tell my husband that I'm in pain because otherwise he doesn't know (duh, why can't he just read my mind?). I think it's getting a little better? The progress is so incremental I feel like I can't see it but the Occupational Therapist came yesterday and said I'd made a lot of progress in range of motion from last week so that's nice, to have that perspective. It gives me hope that maybe I am getting better.

I got my first fill on Monday and it was not at all painful, so that was a nice surprise. 60 ccs. And my breasts look a little more like actual breasts, though kind of square spaped. Spongebob SquareBoobs. Also I sort of stood up to the plastic surgeon when she said my "discomfort" was something I might have to get used to. ("It's not discomfort, it's PAIN.") And she prescribed me something stronger. I haven't tried it yet but I'm glad I have the option. And I'm proud of myself because it's not always easy for me to speak up to authority figures/doctors.

Saw the oncologist on Tuesday and another pleasant surprise, she was very... human, which is not a trait she'd really shown before. Tentatively scheduled to start chemo (AC+T) on Jan. 20, so I'm just focusing on trying to heal/get stronger before then. Also I'm going to see another oncologist Friday for a second opinion, just in case he recommends something wildly different for treatment.

Jan 7, 2021 12:37PM ToadNae wrote:

Twinkle, my lumpectomy was on 12/30. By 1/4, I mostly had some achiness which was easily managed with ibuprofen. I also started to get stabbing/tingly pains. I spoke with my nurse navigator and she reassured me that is completely normal. Surgery severs and injures a lot of nerves, and the nerves complain as they heal. She said "basically, you're going to have nerves throwing temper tantrums for the next 6 weeks or so." She advised tylenol for the nerve pain, as it seems to work better than ibuprofen. Today, it's mostly just weird and distracting. I experienced very similar pain after my wrist surgery in 2015, but I'd forgotten about it. I'm taking comfort in that this is actually a sign of the nerves healing.

What may drive me absolutely mad is the hives/rash/skin reaction from the antiseptic! I have very sensitive skin. I've been struggling with eczema for about 5 years since my allergies worsened, so I was already worried about my skin from the pre-surgery showers. Fortunately, my surgeon used surgical glue, so I didn't have to worry about any tape reactions. In hindsight, I should have wiped off the antiseptic as soon as I got home from the surgery center. I was way too dopey with anesthesia hangover to think of it.

Has anyone else had a skin reaction to the antiseptic like this? I'm trying to decide how worried to be.

Jan 7, 2021 05:24PM rmh2744 wrote:

ToadNae- I had it but thought it was a reaction to antibiotics. My NP thought it was eczema. It was blistery and scaly and painful. I still have it and it’s hard not to rub it.

Jan 7, 2021 06:59PM Iamloved wrote:

hopeful23...Thank you for your radiation experience. I am glad to hear you had little fatigue and the creams worked. Great tip to put it on immediately after treatment.

Jan 8, 2021 08:47AM Twinkle-09 wrote:

Melbo - Yes, my incision has been ugly! I had surgery on 12/30, and I was certain it was infected after about 4 days. I sent pictures to my nurse and surgeon and they said it looked great. I cannot imagine what an infected/non healing incision would look like. It finally started to look a little better and start to get smaller about 7 days after surgery.

Jan 8, 2021 01:21PM AB45 wrote:

StaceyG6368

I can relate, I had a lumpectomy and SNL biopsy but it turned into axillary disection. They did not see any positive lymph nodes in any of my scans but detected it with the radioactive scan during surgery. Very scary when things go unexpected

Jan 10, 2021 04:36PM Veronika2021 wrote:

Thank you for the radiation information, I was told before surgery that I had two options; lumpectomy + radiation or mastectomy, after mastectomy I’m told that the margins are too small, so I need radiation, also because the node they biopsy was damaged by previos SAVI radiation, thanks to your info, I know what questions I need to ask. Thanks again

Jan 10, 2021 08:06PM Twinkle-09 wrote:

Veronica - I’m sorry you’ll need radiation after your mastectomy. Praying for you

Jan 10, 2021 10:43PM Moderators wrote:

Hi Veronica, We're sorry you need to get radiation . As for getting your ovaries removed, it really depends on a great number of factors. You may want to read here for more information (https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/pro..._/. Do you know if you have a genetic mutation? So many factors to consider! We're here for you in this decision-making time.

Warmly,

The Mods

Jan 12, 2021 10:36PM mtspacekace wrote:

positivelyhalffull: I will be doing rads at a different facility, it is 2 hours away... I live in a small town and the place I go is basically a satellite of the hospital in the larger town. I got my chemo there, and blood draws, and my oncologist comes down once a month for appointments. I love my nurses, when I had surgery at the main hospital I wish I could have taken them with me. I will find out tomorrow what the plan is going forward for therapy, as I had residual disease left after chemo...I’m thinking it will be kadcyla, and I hope I don’t have to get it while doing rads at the other clinic...I will most likely be staying with a cousin while doing radiation, and coming home on weekends...I just love my infusion nurses at home

Jan 13, 2021 10:08AM AB45 wrote:

Hi All

I wanted to give an update after my lumpectony surgery. After my surgical pathology report, I had a surprise, welcome to breast cancer. My pathology showed positive lymph nodes that no scans detected or saw. My stage 1 went to a stage 3. I am not trying to scare anyone but only posting to prepare others, it can and does happen. This journey is unpredictable and truly no one knows what turn is next. Buckle up for the journey and try to take one day at a time.

Sending positive vibes for healing to everyone!

Jan 13, 2021 11:21AM AB45 wrote:

I can relate, my original plans were surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy. Due to positive nodes, I now have chemo, radiation, and hormone therapy. I am freaking out about chemo to be honest. The port surgery and then side effects of chemo, it all has me so anxious. The jump of stages also rocked my world

Wishing u the best

Jan 13, 2021 02:35PM mtspacekace wrote:

AB45: lots of positive vibes sent your way! Chemo isn’t fun...but it’s not as bad as the movies make it. They have so many great drugs to help it not suck as bad. And some people tolerate it very very well! My neighbor is going thru chemo right now, and I’m extremely jealous of her as she has not had any loss of taste, nausea, diarrhea, nothing like I have had...and we were on a lot of the same chemo drugs!

Met with my oncologist today, I will be doing kadcyla for 14 cycles. On one hand I’m glad they have this drug, and I pray I will tolerate it well...on the other hand, I was looking forward to being done with herceptin in August. With any luck I will finish kadcyla, radiation, and reconstruction this year. 2021 will be spent kicking what they found in 2020’s ass!

Also got to see my nurses today, I don’t know what I would do with a different one each time, they’ve become truly good friends. I told them about the struggles the nurses at the other place had with my port. I will be having my first kadcyla infusion at the different place and my nurse here said I could come and have her access the port, (since I plan on coming home once per week during rads, as long as the weather is good, I’ll just plan my trip so that she can access it the day before infusion).

All the talk of staging, and I don’t even know. I’m sure I could dig around and find it...but I know right now it’s not 4, so I’m just going to keep running on the hamster 🐹 wheel of cancer as someone put it in another thread.

Also, found out I get to have the rona shot tomorrow!!!! Happy dance! Very excited to have that weight off my shoulders.

Jan 15, 2021 06:06PM LittleGrammieTre wrote:

Hi All and much love and healing!

So....It has been an exhausting and frustrating time dealing with health issues, insurance...finances, loneliness, covid..(like us all!) imaginations, fears,...I need not go on.

We are in a time of uncertainty. It has been difficult from our most precious new humans to our oldest.. Most of us have loved and for of us.. recently lost those close to us. Many are in the midst of dealing with some nasty health situations themselves or live in the fear of "what next"? (Dont get stuck in the WHAT IF'S)!)

Many have not been able to go to a restaurant or go shopping for more than a year. It at times feels like more than a prison term on house arrest...some out of fear...others because the necessity of health protection .Many cannot go out to hug families or give a kind word to a stranger.

If its not bad enough attempting to make life decisions and heal due to comorbidities ( I HATE THAT WORD)...choices before, during and after any surgery..then add ANY complications.....I know how it feels to have a life threating illness and spend almost 3 months ALONE in a hospital room. Feeling like a plague...when no one calls or attempts to contact you. You are invisible.....During this time of the pandemic there are so many people who have become invisible. I endured that sensation years ago. All out hearts must hold them up despite our personal situations.

WE endure, get stronger, wiser and OVERCOME! Sometimes it is those who think they are the weakest can give the greatest strength to someone in need. There is such a need now for all of us to speak up...not in protest but in love! It is hard enough to endure any form of illness. Cancer sucks! Illness sucks...Covid sucks....sometimes life just does!

I find when I am pressed....and pressed....and PRESSED beyond my perceived or believed capabilities....other qualities come out. Fine wine comes from the hardest pressed berries!

2020 was hard for us all...some more than others! Remember we gain strength AS we look outward and lend a helping hand to others!

.This fragmented appearance of the world will not go on forever! Link arms and we will find we are not alone...even though it sure feels like we are separate......LOVE does not separate it knits us together!!!... Love can conquer or divide...it is our choice! Many have been alone for far too long and desire the need to be together!

Reach out and I GUARENTEE there will be someone so unexpected to touch your heart! Send a card...flower or note....anything. There is nothing worse than being alone when you wonder if your life is gone......I DO know that with faith and support....hmmmm....YES...there is life and LOVE beyond ANY present situation!

T.