Surgery Date

nadca
nadca Member Posts: 14
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Well got a phone call this morning. Pre Op Aug 26th. Surgery date of Sept 3 6:30 am. Still unsure what the details are. Having a masectomy of left breast. All I know is grade 3 they don't know what stage until surgery. Expander will be done at time of surgery.
How long is the hospital stay?
I have never had a positive body image. Considering implant on healthy breast. If it's healthy!! Plastic surgeon wouldn't discuss it during consultation.
We were trying for a baby before we found out. Should I freeze my eggs? How long will I be off work? Is chemo a given or not for all?

Thanks for all the support. I am new on here and you all have been wonderful.
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Comments

  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #2
    Want to wish you good luck
    Want to wish you good luck with your surgery!
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #3
    nadca
    nadca,
    First welcome to this wonderful site filled with awesome women and men and caregivers.
    I had a double mastectomy with tissue expanders in at the same time on 2/2/09-I was home on 2/4/09. I took 4 wks off from work--which I felt really good so I could have gone back sooner but chose not to.

    I don't know about freezing your eggs because I don't know if you do have chemo it might put you into menopause and you would have to find someone to carry your eggs for you--I believe-not sure. This is something that you might want to ask your OB/GYN doc.

    Chemo is not always a given--you have to wait until the path report is completed and then meet with your surgeon and he/she may suggest that you meet with either a medical oncologist to discuss your plan or a radiation oncologist.

    Hope this helps out some.

    Hugs,
    Margo
  • Tux
    Tux Member Posts: 544
    #4
    Welcome to this discussion
    Welcome to this discussion board! Hope all goes well with your surgery. Let us know!
  • meena1
    meena1 Member Posts: 1,003
    #5
    I had a masectomy on
    I had a masectomy on November 10, 2008. The hospital stay was 2 days, i also had an expander put in the same day. The expander was uncomfortable. I was out of work 8 weeks. It was over the holidays and i did too much and split a couple stitches. So remember not to lift anything heavy, and take it easy. your oncologist should be able to tell you if you will need chemo or radiation. I needed both.
  • Calleen
    Calleen Member Posts: 411
    #6
    meena1 said:

    I had a masectomy on
    I had a masectomy on November 10, 2008. The hospital stay was 2 days, i also had an expander put in the same day. The expander was uncomfortable. I was out of work 8 weeks. It was over the holidays and i did too much and split a couple stitches. So remember not to lift anything heavy, and take it easy. your oncologist should be able to tell you if you will need chemo or radiation. I needed both.

    I don't understand
    Why the plastic surgeon wouldn't discuss the other breast??? I had a double masectomy with immediate reconstruction using my belly fat.. I was in intensisve care 2 days ONLY becasue of the tissue transfer.. but a total of 3 1/2 days.. your's isn't as involved so your stay should be alot shorter.. the worst part is the drains... I hated those drains!!! I would certinly ask more questions about harvesting your eggs...
  • Calleen
    Calleen Member Posts: 411
    #7
    Calleen said:

    I don't understand
    Why the plastic surgeon wouldn't discuss the other breast??? I had a double masectomy with immediate reconstruction using my belly fat.. I was in intensisve care 2 days ONLY becasue of the tissue transfer.. but a total of 3 1/2 days.. your's isn't as involved so your stay should be alot shorter.. the worst part is the drains... I hated those drains!!! I would certinly ask more questions about harvesting your eggs...

    PS
    I'm off work until Sept 14th.. I wanted off as long as possible since I'm not getting a vacation this year!!! I have a very stressful job so being away from there is NICE!!!
  • taleena
    taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
    #8
    Nadca.. I can't help you
    Nadca.. I can't help you with any of your questions. I just wanted to welcome you.. though I am sorry for the reason you are here, I am so glad that you found this site... you will find not only answers to your questions, but a wealth of support, and friendship! Again ... welcome..

    ♥ & Hugs,

    ~T
  • mlmjt1
    mlmjt1 Member Posts: 537 Member
    #9
    Hi Nadca
    I had bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders and was discharged the next day. I had 2 drains in and felt ok enough to manage at home. I was initially off work for 4 weeks due to lifting restrictions. My cancer was in the right breast and I developed a wound which required the expander to be removed on the right side in order to heal the wound faster. I was out of work another 2 weeks then took 2 wks vacation and started chemo. Now instead of working 50 hour weeks, I am working closer to 20 to 25 hours per week while I am on the chemo.

    Cant help you on the baby issue...you need to speak to your obgyn about that.

    Welcome by the way to the board...you really wont find a better more supportive group anywhere.

    Keep us posted
    Hugs
    Linda T
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #10
    Nadca
    Good luck with your surgery ♥ Pammy.
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #11
    Best wishes...
    For your upcoming surgery. Mine was quite different - others here have already shared their similar experiences. Post-surgery final pathology test results will determine your next steps.

    Regarding fertility concerns - would be best to discuss, openly and honestly, with both your oncology doctors and your ob/gyne.
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #12
    Christmas Girl said:

    Best wishes...
    For your upcoming surgery. Mine was quite different - others here have already shared their similar experiences. Post-surgery final pathology test results will determine your next steps.

    Regarding fertility concerns - would be best to discuss, openly and honestly, with both your oncology doctors and your ob/gyne.

    Just wishing you good luck
    Just wishing you good luck with your surgery Nadca!

    Hugs, Diane ♥
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #13
    Welcome, Nadca
    And good luck with your surgery in early September. You are taking steps to get and remain healthy. The fertility issue is a big one and needs a lot of thought and consultation. Chemo is very likely to put you into temporary menapause. Depending on your age, you may regain reproductive function or not. No one can tell you for sure. I know it's a lot to think about right now, given all the other stuff, but if you are certain you want to get pregnant later on, it's something to consider. I am going to recommend the site www.youngsurvival.org for questions and discussions about fertility. It's a site for women under 40 with breast cancer and this issue is an ever-present one.

    As for chemo, I'm afraid you must wait for the pathology results for that. However, given the grade of the tumor and your age (I am assuming, since fertility was an issue), it is likely that chemo will be recommended. But then again, I'm not a doctor. Don't worry, chemo is something you can handle. Right now, focus getting yourself the best possible care for surgery and recovery. Good luck.

    Mimi
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #14
    mimivac said:

    Welcome, Nadca
    And good luck with your surgery in early September. You are taking steps to get and remain healthy. The fertility issue is a big one and needs a lot of thought and consultation. Chemo is very likely to put you into temporary menapause. Depending on your age, you may regain reproductive function or not. No one can tell you for sure. I know it's a lot to think about right now, given all the other stuff, but if you are certain you want to get pregnant later on, it's something to consider. I am going to recommend the site www.youngsurvival.org for questions and discussions about fertility. It's a site for women under 40 with breast cancer and this issue is an ever-present one.

    As for chemo, I'm afraid you must wait for the pathology results for that. However, given the grade of the tumor and your age (I am assuming, since fertility was an issue), it is likely that chemo will be recommended. But then again, I'm not a doctor. Don't worry, chemo is something you can handle. Right now, focus getting yourself the best possible care for surgery and recovery. Good luck.

    Mimi

    Good luck Nadca! Let us
    Good luck Nadca! Let us know how you are doing when you can.

    ♠♣ Susie ♠♣
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #15
    susie09 said:

    Good luck Nadca! Let us
    Good luck Nadca! Let us know how you are doing when you can.

    ♠♣ Susie ♠♣

    Wishing you the best!

    Wishing you the best!
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #16
    Akiss4me said:

    Nadca
    Good luck with your surgery ♥ Pammy.

    Wishing you luck with your
    Wishing you luck with your surgery!
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #17
    survivorbc09 said:

    Wishing you the best!

    Wishing you the best!

    Welcome
    and i will be wishing you all the best. Keep us posted, we will be there for you.
    hugs, jackie
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #18
    rjjj said:

    Welcome
    and i will be wishing you all the best. Keep us posted, we will be there for you.
    hugs, jackie

    Welcome Nadca and good luck
    Welcome Nadca and good luck with your surgery! Keep us updated on you!

    Hugs,

    Leeza
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #19
    jnl said:

    Welcome Nadca and good luck
    Welcome Nadca and good luck with your surgery! Keep us updated on you!

    Hugs,

    Leeza

    Good luck Nadca! Keeping
    Good luck Nadca! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!

    Hugs, Diane ♥
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #20
    mimivac said:

    Welcome, Nadca
    And good luck with your surgery in early September. You are taking steps to get and remain healthy. The fertility issue is a big one and needs a lot of thought and consultation. Chemo is very likely to put you into temporary menapause. Depending on your age, you may regain reproductive function or not. No one can tell you for sure. I know it's a lot to think about right now, given all the other stuff, but if you are certain you want to get pregnant later on, it's something to consider. I am going to recommend the site www.youngsurvival.org for questions and discussions about fertility. It's a site for women under 40 with breast cancer and this issue is an ever-present one.

    As for chemo, I'm afraid you must wait for the pathology results for that. However, given the grade of the tumor and your age (I am assuming, since fertility was an issue), it is likely that chemo will be recommended. But then again, I'm not a doctor. Don't worry, chemo is something you can handle. Right now, focus getting yourself the best possible care for surgery and recovery. Good luck.

    Mimi

    Just wishing you good luck
    Just wishing you good luck with your surgery! Post and let us know how you do.
  • jikaras
    jikaras Member Posts: 58
    #21
    surgery
    I had a double mast. on Jan. 14th, with expanders. My hospital stay was suppose to be overnight, but the morphine wasn't working, so they had to switch. They kept me in another day until I was comfortable.

    The expanders are horrible, as are the drains (at least they were for me). Just remember that the expanders are temporary - and don't lift anything or raise your arms while the drains are in place.

    Good luck

    jill

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