Surgery next week - advice?

Teach76 · January 2016

Hello, friends

After 12 weeks post chemo I finally am headed to surgery next Thursday. I will be having an "extended lumpectomy" with a reduction of the unaffected breast at the same time. I have a lot of confidence in both my BS and PS, and not so much in myself. For the most part, I have been very private about my treatments, but I have family and friends who insist they "want to be there for me."

I have a wonderful husband, 2 adult daughters and 1 tween girl who will be there to do whatever is necessary. I am asking others not to come to the hospital (expected 1 day procedure), and not to come over for the first 48 hours as I expect that I will sleep a lot. I want to be fair to my immediate family. They are taking off from work/school to do what is needed - I don't need them to host company. Am I being fair?

I have read many posts about post surgery expectations, but I have not found anything about extended lumpectomy - I had tentacles that reached back to the pectoral muscle. I am not sure if BS will take all of the fascia or even take a piece of the muscle. If anyone had such an experience, I would be glad to hear about your immediate recovery. I think I have lots of things prepared - recliners in 2 rooms, pillows, pillows, pillows, Rx filled, etc. How many days should I plan to ask someone to be home with me? Which is better to do, sit and rest, or get myself moving?

Thanks - 6 days to go! Not looking forward to pain, but looking forward to hearing, "all clear margins."

Kathy

desertgirl947 · January 2016

My husband works less than a

My husband works less than a mile from our home. He has a great boss who said to him that if I needed my husband to come home, he could come. My sister, who lives about 200 miles from me, came for a week after I got home (on a TH) from my surgery. She homeschools her kids, and so they just packed up and all three came.

I was satisfied to just be left on my own, as I appreciated the quiet and the chance to just snooze whenever I wanted. I did not have to worry about household chores, including cooking, because my husband can do that. My sister, when she was here, made some entrees to freeze for us to use later. Also, people from my church brought supper by my first few days home, before my sister came. When I was doing chemo, they provided meals chemo week.

I live in a small town where so many of us know each other. I had not just my husband nearby, but also friends in my community.

I lived in my recliner for months, sleeping nights in it for about three months -- I had a double mastectomy. A friend of mine made me a neat pillow that fit so well under the arm of the side where I had the ost surgery. I also kept my phone nearby, water, and the tv remotes. I had other things to do that I kept within easy reach as well.

Hope this helps, even if just a little.

button2 · January 2016

Kathy you sound well prepared

That is wonderful that you have such a nice family to help you. Of course, it's fine for you to not want people to come over at first. They can call and chat on the phone. I think you sound very well prepared and at least for me, the pain was not too bad. I had had two cesareans in the past and I was expecting a similar recuperation process. I found it much easier than abdominal surgery though. It's nice when your lower body is unaffected and you can walk around freely. The drains were a real drag, but they are just a matter of days. I also liked the fact that I could order regular foods at the hospital and not a restricted diet like when you have abdominal surgeries. Maybe you could spend the next days preparing a few meals for the freezer to be eaten when you get back home? Good luck and get well soon....Anna

Teach76 · February 2016

Surgery postponed

No surgery for me on Thursday - just diagnosed with shingles. Rash is from the middle of my back straight into my surgical site. Now looking at March for a surgical date. PCP is not concerned about moving the surgery; feels chemo should have done its job. Wish I could feel that confident.

Just_lori6 · February 2016

Teach76 said:
Surgery postponed
No surgery for me on Thursday - just diagnosed with shingles. Rash is from the middle of my back straight into my surgical site. Now looking at March for a surgical date. PCP is not concerned about moving the surgery; feels chemo should have done its job. Wish I could feel that confident.

8)

Hi Kathy,

Sorry to hear your surgery has been postponed. It's hard to get psyched & prepared just to have it postponed.

I had a double mastectomy which kept getting postponed due to the two surgeons trying to be available at the same time. I was worried the cancer would become much worse by the time I got in. The surgeon said I had plenty of time but in the same breath he said my cancer was aggressive. What!? I hounded them daily. It all worked out so far. As you know from my past questions I'm just trying to get through chemo. Try not to think too much about it (I know that's not possible). I worried & called my doctor constantly & all it did was stress me out.

For your future surgery: My husband took 2 weeks off to help me after my surgery but he really didn't need to. I really only needed help for a few days & honestly the only reason I needed help is because we have a puppy & I couldn't have him jumping on me. I had my surgery about a week before Thanksgiving & I felt good enough to cook Thanksgiving dinner (he had to take the turkey out of the oven).

Best wishes~ Lori

Teach76 · February 2016

Just_lori6 said:
8)
Hi Kathy,

Sorry to hear your surgery has been postponed. It's hard to get psyched & prepared just to have it postponed.

I had a double mastectomy which kept getting postponed due to the two surgeons trying to be available at the same time. I was worried the cancer would become much worse by the time I got in. The surgeon said I had plenty of time but in the same breath he said my cancer was aggressive. What!? I hounded them daily. It all worked out so far. As you know from my past questions I'm just trying to get through chemo. Try not to think too much about it (I know that's not possible). I worried & called my doctor constantly & all it did was stress me out.

For your future surgery: My husband took 2 weeks off to help me after my surgery but he really didn't need to. I really only needed help for a few days & honestly the only reason I needed help is because we have a puppy & I couldn't have him jumping on me. I had my surgery about a week before Thanksgiving & I felt good enough to cook Thanksgiving dinner (he had to take the turkey out of the oven).

Best wishes~ Lori

Feeling better

hi, Lori

Thanks for the post op info. I do not know anyone who within the past 5 years had breast surgery, and I know recovery is a lot different now. I am hoping the shingles do not cause complications, but the surgery may actually help the long term effects of the shingles. I figure if nerves are going to be disrupted in surgery, maybe the pain of shingles will subside.

At the least, I am getting a "dry run" on recovery around the breast.

I hope your SE are manageable. I know with my taxotere the muscle fatigue was the worst. I also had leg and foot swelling for 2 months post chemo. I was sent to a cardiologist ( part of the reason my surgery has been delayed so long), and he even sent me for an ultrasound of my legs checking for bloodClots. Turns out it's just the taxotere.

Thanks,

Kathy

crselby · February 2016

Hi Kathy. I've had something close to what you're talking about. Six years ago I had a pretty simple lumpectomy to remove DCIS followed by 45 catheters through that breast for interstitial radiation that was completed in 2 rounds of radiation per each of 5 consecutive days. (My picture on the left here was taken on the last day, when the catheters had been removed.) I had a sore spot there for the next 6 years. When I had a recurrence this spring, just outside of the radiated area, the surgeon removed the fibrous, dead, irradiated tissue that was sore, and said it went down to the pectoral fascia. She said she took some of the fascia (in addition to the area with the microcalcifications -- I had DCIS both times). The plastic surgeon then reduced the breast size around the (this, second) lumpectomy excision. No radiation this time. So, 4 months later I had the other breast reduced to match. At that time, the Plastic Surgeon also had to redo 3 of the 4-part scar on the affected breast. So I had incisions under my breasts that extended from one underarm to the other and then up from the "fold" incisions to both of the nipples and around the nipples in a circle. I woke up in a soft thin stretchy "Dale" bra and was told not to shower for 48 hours or take off that bra. After each surgery I had a drain that encircled the breast tissue under my skin and poked out underneath my armpit, first in the affected breast, then 4 months later in the reduced-sized breast. Follow the directions to the letter with those drains and you will be fine. I was not instructed after either surgery (the first one that took some muscle fascia or the second one that took 2.3 pounds of breast tissue) to do any exercises, which I sort of expected to have to do to prevent stiffness or reduced range of motion. Now, at three months after the second (reduction) surgery I have no issues with either stiffness or range of motion.

~~Connie~~

Teach76 · February 2016

crselby said:
Hi Kathy. I've had something close to what you're talking about. Six years ago I had a pretty simple lumpectomy to remove DCIS followed by 45 catheters through that breast for interstitial radiation that was completed in 2 rounds of radiation per each of 5 consecutive days. (My picture on the left here was taken on the last day, when the catheters had been removed.) I had a sore spot there for the next 6 years. When I had a recurrence this spring, just outside of the radiated area, the surgeon removed the fibrous, dead, irradiated tissue that was sore, and said it went down to the pectoral fascia. She said she took some of the fascia (in addition to the area with the microcalcifications -- I had DCIS both times). The plastic surgeon then reduced the breast size around the (this, second) lumpectomy excision. No radiation this time. So, 4 months later I had the other breast reduced to match. At that time, the Plastic Surgeon also had to redo 3 of the 4-part scar on the affected breast. So I had incisions under my breasts that extended from one underarm to the other and then up from the "fold" incisions to both of the nipples and around the nipples in a circle. I woke up in a soft thin stretchy "Dale" bra and was told not to shower for 48 hours or take off that bra. After each surgery I had a drain that encircled the breast tissue under my skin and poked out underneath my armpit, first in the affected breast, then 4 months later in the reduced-sized breast. Follow the directions to the letter with those drains and you will be fine. I was not instructed after either surgery (the first one that took some muscle fascia or the second one that took 2.3 pounds of breast tissue) to do any exercises, which I sort of expected to have to do to prevent stiffness or reduced range of motion. Now, at three months after the second (reduction) surgery I have no issues with either stiffness or range of motion.

~~Connie~~

Sounds very similar

Thanks, Connie. The "anchor" incision is just what my PS described. My problem in preparing is that the BS does not yet know how much she will need to take of the muscle - I guess margins will be tested as she moves along. The reduction of the other breast will be done at the same time - after that, radiation after full recovery.

Right now I am concerned about my most recent setback - I have shingles from the middle of my back right around under the breast right where the incision will be. Now I have to wait another 4 weeks for surgery. I am glad that I had chemo first, and I am hoping it us still working. My last treatment was November 4th - surgery 4 months later is scary.

Glad to see your smile - it makes me feel that all of this talk of incisions, drains, and Percocet will result in good times ahead!

Peace and prayers,

Karhy

Surgery next week - advice?

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