Surgery done

EveningStar2
EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Last Friday I had the lumpectomy done with guide wires put in first. I had no anesthesia for the wires and we will *never* do that again. I cried through the entire thing. The surgery went as planned as far as I know--my post op visit is thursday. The surgeon talked with my husband but didn't say anything about margins. She did not do nodes--didn't plan on it. I was diagnoses with DCIS. 8 days from diagnosis to surgery.

I was surprised that she, the surgeon, cut along the areola because I knew the lesion was about an inch "north" of there. I'm not bouncing back as fast as I thought I would and taking more vicodin than I thought I would. And I'm now waiting for the bills to some in--I'm unemployed. I guess I'm having a pity party.

Maureen

Comments

  • zahalene
    zahalene Member Posts: 670
    #2
    3 days!
    Give yourself a break, hun. It takes me more than 3 days to get over a hangnail! I mean I recently cut my finger a TINY bit on a tuna can and wore a band aid for a WEEK.
    You are gonna be fine and besides, pity parties are ALLOWED here. But we try to make them brief and turn them into huge celebrations at the slightest provocation. I mean, getting a new nail file to fix that hangnail is cause for paper hats and horns here. LOL
    Here's to lots and lots of hats and horns in your life....cheers!
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #3
    Don't Rush....
    Absolutely~ I second Zah's sentiments...give it time! We have regular Pity Parties here~ I have finally relinquished the crown, as I was the Queen of Pity!

    The bills? They can't undo your surgery, can they??? Thankfully there is no debtors prison. I am not at all making light of yur situation...I hope you can avail yourself of financial aid which is hopefully available to you in your area.

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • survivor51
    survivor51 Member Posts: 276
    #4
    I agree with the others and do take this time to heal and rest. You have been through so much trauma so don't allow "tomorrow" to get in your way. The bills will come but not for a bit. If you need assistance call the ACS at 1-800-227-2345 also the Y-Me site at 1-800-221-2141. They can give you guidance both with finance and are 24-7. I've even called at 3AM and someone is there to answer. If they don't know the answer, they give the question to a "real" nurse and they call you back. This is at no cost and they don't flood you with junk mail or calls. It is a total support place. Keep us up to date and we are here. Angela
  • Chellebug
    Chellebug Member Posts: 133
    #5
    Arerola
    They use the edge of the areola that so that when it heals up, there isn't much of a scar. Continue to take your pain medicine and you will feel better in time. If you try to be a hero and go without your pain medicine, then you're recovery may take longer.
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #6
    Yeah, Surgery done!
    Maureen, Just take it step by step. And throw as many pity parties as you need to. We'll all be there with you. It's a scary and painful time. Don't be afraid to take care of yourself and especially don't be afraid to let others take care of you! Lynn
  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #7
    lynn1950 said:

    Yeah, Surgery done!
    Maureen, Just take it step by step. And throw as many pity parties as you need to. We'll all be there with you. It's a scary and painful time. Don't be afraid to take care of yourself and especially don't be afraid to let others take care of you! Lynn

    Thanks to all. I'm female,
    Thanks to all. I'm female, a nurse, and a mom. I don't do well with being "sick". I'm sure you've never heard *that* before. ;-) I'm taking my pain meds and giving my hubby jobs and not hearing him grumble. He has his own issues with mobility but like I said this afternoon, I just can't.

    You'all keep talking and I'll keep listening.

    Maureen
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #8
    Maureen: Now, being a nurse
    Maureen: Now, being a nurse you know it takes time to heal. LOL. I guess we moms want to feel great as soon as we wake up from surgery. Give yourself some time. Though your scar may be small, they did a lot of digging inside and that will take some time to heal. Keep us posted. Hugs, Lili
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #9
    Feel better
    All the best for a speedy recovery. Everyone has already said it, but put your feet up and only do what you can. You need the rest so you can get back on your feet sooner. Your surgery is over and they have taken out the cancer, so hallelujah for that. As for the bills, you will handle it when the time comes. If you can handle the cancer and surgery, there is nothing you can't.

    Mimi
  • GreeneyedGirl
    GreeneyedGirl Member Posts: 1,077
    #10
    mimivac said:

    Feel better
    All the best for a speedy recovery. Everyone has already said it, but put your feet up and only do what you can. You need the rest so you can get back on your feet sooner. Your surgery is over and they have taken out the cancer, so hallelujah for that. As for the bills, you will handle it when the time comes. If you can handle the cancer and surgery, there is nothing you can't.

    Mimi

    Girl you're tough!
    I was numb during my wire location, and had to sing "hymns" to keep my mind in another place...whew! It is behind you, and that is good. Lay low, if ever there was a time to be "pampered" it is now! Stick that remote in your hand and be queen of the tv.
    Melanie
  • sausageroll
    sausageroll Member Posts: 415
    #11
    GreeneyedGirl said:

    Girl you're tough!
    I was numb during my wire location, and had to sing "hymns" to keep my mind in another place...whew! It is behind you, and that is good. Lay low, if ever there was a time to be "pampered" it is now! Stick that remote in your hand and be queen of the tv.
    Melanie

    Take care
    Maureen. Take care of yourself and I hope you heal soon. This is such a sensitive time for you, especially as you are out of work. We have had trouble with the bills, but myhusband just says to forget it and we will sort it out when this is all over.
    Thinking of you.
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #12
    sausageroll said:

    Take care
    Maureen. Take care of yourself and I hope you heal soon. This is such a sensitive time for you, especially as you are out of work. We have had trouble with the bills, but myhusband just says to forget it and we will sort it out when this is all over.
    Thinking of you.

    hospital bill
    What we did for the hospital bill that we owed, I called their billing department and set up a payment plan. Our insurance paid for most. We made payments on the rest. For some reason the insurance wouldn't pay totally for the radiation, we had to pay 20% plus deductables and it was billed through the hospital also so it was a sizable amount. We did this for my husband's gall bladder operation also which was at a different hospital in a different state.
  • Mikes Sunshine
    Mikes Sunshine Member Posts: 129
    #13
    Marcia527 said:

    hospital bill
    What we did for the hospital bill that we owed, I called their billing department and set up a payment plan. Our insurance paid for most. We made payments on the rest. For some reason the insurance wouldn't pay totally for the radiation, we had to pay 20% plus deductables and it was billed through the hospital also so it was a sizable amount. We did this for my husband's gall bladder operation also which was at a different hospital in a different state.

    Maureen, I hope you will be feeling much better soon.I say take all the time you need. I am still recovering from my second surgery. I've had to in a month. First the Lumpectomy and sentinal node and second was to remove lymph nodes (13) . The 13 came back clean :) so that was great news. I am always taking care of eeryone and decided to let them take care of me for a change, it has been very nice. My fiance and the kids have been wonderful to me. Try and get some rest you will be much better sooner than you think. Nancy
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #14
    Maureen,

    You are right on schedule these things take time and there's no rushing healing. Actually if we rush it we tend to have set backs. Remember the 3 R's....REST, RELAX and REPEAT. You need time to heal and it will get better.

    Sending great big (((((HUGS)))))

    RE
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #15
    RE said:

    Maureen,

    You are right on schedule these things take time and there's no rushing healing. Actually if we rush it we tend to have set backs. Remember the 3 R's....REST, RELAX and REPEAT. You need time to heal and it will get better.

    Sending great big (((((HUGS)))))

    RE

    I agree with RE....
    Oh, and 3 "L's": LAUGH, LIVE, LOVE (yourself)>

    Hugs, Kathi
  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #16
    Just an update: I saw the

    Just an update: I saw the surgeon yesterday, things look good. The margins were clean, the cancer is estrogen & progesterone positive. Next up is radiation and tamoxifen or equivalent.
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #17
    EveningStar2 said:

    Just an update: I saw the

    Just an update: I saw the surgeon yesterday, things look good. The margins were clean, the cancer is estrogen & progesterone positive. Next up is radiation and tamoxifen or equivalent.

    So glad the surgery went well.
    So glad the surgery went well. That is such good news. Hope radiation will be a snap. Make sure they give you good lotion and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #18
    EveningStar2 said:

    Just an update: I saw the

    Just an update: I saw the surgeon yesterday, things look good. The margins were clean, the cancer is estrogen & progesterone positive. Next up is radiation and tamoxifen or equivalent.

    Glad everything went well
    Glad everything went well and that you're spared the chemo. Radiation should be easier, remember to drink lots of water, and moisturize. Hugs, Lili

Discussion Boards