Mastectomy Next Week - I'm nervous |
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weekender09 
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Joined: Mar 29 2013 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 135 |
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 Topic: Mastectomy Next Week - I'm nervousPosted: Jul 02 2013 at 9:45pm |
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A week from tomorrow is my Double Mastectomy and Oophorectomy. I am starting to get very nervous as I feel like the only thing that I know is that I go into the hospital overnight and come out without my breasts and some drains. I have done the "what to expect" googleing so I have a bit of an indication. Everyone says the chemo is the worst part of this and I have had multiple surgeries before so I'm not sure why I am nervous. I really don't feel like losing my breasts will be as psychological for me as losing my hair was (and still is even 3 weeks post chemo).
Any advice for best practices when I get home to heal? I have my mom coming to stay for a week so I will have help thankfully. Thanks all. Barb
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02/12/13 DX TNBC, Grade III, Stage 3, 3.3cm tumor, IMN and 1 lymph Positive, Chemo A/C T complete 6/13
BRCA1-/BRCA2+ Variance, BIL 7/13, 33 RADS complete 10/13 Remssion :) |
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123Donna
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Joined: Aug 24 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Status: Offline Points: 13510 |
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Posted: Jul 02 2013 at 10:46pm |
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Barb,
There are lots of old threads on advice after surgery. Here is mine: 1. Put a recliner in your bedroom and plan on sleeping in it the first week or two. You want to avoid lifting yourself out of a chair or bed. When getting up out of a chair, cross your arms over your chest and rock yourself up and out. 2. Get big button down shirts to wear. I wore my husband's. 3. Don't lift anything heavier than a milk jug. My family would put out plates and cups on the counter so I didn't have to reach for anything. 4. My plastic surgeon said to think of your arms like a t-rex, where your arm is close to your side by the elbow. Only use your forearms to grab, lift. 5. Take your pain meds! They usually give you a step down method but initially you want to stay on top of them. Valium, muscle relaxer, is your friend. The different meds have different dosing so it's a good idea to keep a medicine log of when you took it and when the next dose is due. Some meds might be every 4, 6 or 8 hours so it's easy to get them confused. 6. Take collace or another stool softener. The pain meds cause constipation. 7. The drain tubes are just a big pain, period! I used a lanyard to safety pin the tubes when showering. 8. You'll want to measure the fluid from the drain tubes. We used a notebook and recorded the cc's drained from each tube a day. This will let the nurse/doctor know when a tube can be removed. 9. The first week is the hardest so it's good you will have your mother helping you. Rest and let others wait on you. Ask for help. Good luck and keep us posted. Donna |
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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15 |
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Grateful for today
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Joined: Sep 21 2011 Location: U.S.A. Status: Offline Points: 1835 |
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Posted: Jul 02 2013 at 11:24pm |
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Barb,
Try to remember to take those deep long breaths several times a day. It sounds so simiple...... but it can help at least a little for some people. There was an excellent prior thread that had many and good mastectomy tips http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/bmx-in-7-days-and-scared-to-death_topic10301.html Donna's above tips are also on this thread. You may find a few or many things helpful on that thread. I had posted some mastectomy considerations on: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/mastectomy-next-mondayadvices_topic10507_post107715.html?KW=#107715 There is also the thread from the TNBC News, Resources & Tips forum: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/the-after-surgery-tips_topic3104.html If you find mind body techniques helpful....and/or visualization and relaxation type CD'ss, would suggest you consider looking into: Peggy Huddleston's CD and book. Prepare for surgery: Heal Faster. http://www.healfaster.com/ If you plan to get either the book or the CD, I would suggest getting the CD. It's best to get both, but if you get only one, get the CD. The CD does suggest that one completes the page in Peggy’s book for: Healing statements for surgery (page 257) and to make copies to bring on surgery day. You may be able to borrow the book from a library and copy page 257. I used the book and CD. Found them very helpful. I figured if they didn't help at least they couldn't hurt. An interview with Peggy Huddleston is at: http://www.healfaster.com/mp3/Interview.mp3 NOTE: If for any reason, Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster does not feel right for you OR is not helping, obviously stop. Try the things that have helped you relax in the past. With positive and good healing thoughts, Grateful for today.............Judy Edited by Grateful for today - Jul 02 2013 at 11:25pm |
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JulieKCA2013
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Joined: Mar 12 2013 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 217 |
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Posted: Jul 06 2013 at 12:17am |
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Been thinking about you Barb. I will be praying for you Monday. Have an excellent weekend with your family and try to remember you conquered the nasty red devil, you will conquer surgery and move on to the next step to put this behind you.
Stay strong, Julie
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Dx 3-7-13 TNBC, 5cm pT2N1M0
3-19-13 ACx4, 5-14-13 Taxolx4 7-17-13 BMX ypT1N2M0(.9mm) 4/24 nodes. 10-8-13 completed Rads x 30 12-3-13 completed Eribulin Trial 10-18-13, 3-19-14 Bone/Ct Scan Clear |
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SagePatientAdvocates
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Posted: Jul 06 2013 at 12:52am |
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Dear Barb,
I know you have received, and will receive, excellent advice from the marvelous women here. I just want to wish you good luck for a smooth procedure and non-eventful recovery. warmly, Steve
Edited by steve - Jul 06 2013 at 6:59am |
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I am a BRCA1+ grandson, son and father of women affected by breast/oc-my daughter inherited mutation from me, and at 36, was dx 2004 TNBC I am a volunteer patient advocate with SAGE Patient Advocates
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SueCape
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Joined: Jul 02 2013 Location: Mass. Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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Posted: Jul 07 2013 at 2:46pm |
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I had a mastectomy on June 18. Feeling better each day. Drains are out and I am doing my arm exercises from my doctor. I too was a nervous wreck...to go thru this anyone would be. I just kept telling myself that the cancer would be gone and the healing would begin. STAY OFF THE INTERNET. This site has people supporting you not people scaring the crap out of you with misinformation. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. YOU WILL BE FINE.
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SagePatientAdvocates
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Posted: Jul 07 2013 at 2:55pm |
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Dear Sue,
What makes this site truly extraordinary are folks, like yourself, who have just had surgery or are going through chemo or radiation therapy, yet take the time to be supportive to someone else. There is a gentleness, a consideration, a kindness, a mutual respect that pervades our TNBC Foundation family. I never take this for-granted but posts like yours make me cherish it again. Thank you, Sue, and we all wish you a smooth non-eventful recovery. warmly, Steve
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I am a BRCA1+ grandson, son and father of women affected by breast/oc-my daughter inherited mutation from me, and at 36, was dx 2004 TNBC I am a volunteer patient advocate with SAGE Patient Advocates
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dawncoskren
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Joined: Jun 19 2013 Location: NH Status: Offline Points: 124 |
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Posted: Jul 07 2013 at 6:24pm |
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weekender09
I understand how you feel. I'm having mine a week from Tuesday. I have mixed feelings. I want to finally feel like I'm doing something to get this out of my body, but I'm getting implants and I hear they get a lot of infections. I'm afraid this is the beginning to a LONG road. My thoughts are with you. I'm going to add you as my buddy. Please let me know how you are doing when you feel up to it. I will be going in just when you start feeling like getting on the computer so as soon as I'm able I will check in with you. You will do Great. I'm sending positive thoughts your way
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DX 6/14/13 TNBC-IDC
7/15 BRCA 1 Positive 7/16 double mastectomy 7/23 Post surgery Pathology- Stage1,tumor 2cm nodes clr. 8/16/13 4 A/c and 4 Taxol 1/6/14 implants 3/13/14 ovaries and tubes removed |
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weekender09
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Posted: Jul 07 2013 at 6:36pm |
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Dawn:
Thanks for checking in. I just read your info on another post about surgery coming soon. I am not able to do reconstruction at the time of the surgery as I have to have radiation and my radiology oncologist insisted there not be anything in his way. :) I will take as long is it takes to win this fight and do it with the best results. So basically I should finish rads by September if all goes well. Then I will need to wait for 6 months till my skin heals and I am healthy before they do any reconstruction expanders or anything. Good luck and I will check in with you when I can. Good luck with your surgery too. May we both come through without complications. Barb |
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02/12/13 DX TNBC, Grade III, Stage 3, 3.3cm tumor, IMN and 1 lymph Positive, Chemo A/C T complete 6/13
BRCA1-/BRCA2+ Variance, BIL 7/13, 33 RADS complete 10/13 Remssion :) |
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dawncoskren
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Posted: Jul 07 2013 at 6:47pm |
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My surgeon said I didn't need radiation because of my choose. If you don't mind me asking for your details. I'm concerned they are saying I don't need radiation based on what you are doing.
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DX 6/14/13 TNBC-IDC
7/15 BRCA 1 Positive 7/16 double mastectomy 7/23 Post surgery Pathology- Stage1,tumor 2cm nodes clr. 8/16/13 4 A/c and 4 Taxol 1/6/14 implants 3/13/14 ovaries and tubes removed |
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weekender09
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Posted: Jul 07 2013 at 9:34pm |
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Dawn
My internal mammary node tested positive so radiation is protocol for that dx. The internal mammary node can not be removed during surgery so we need to radiate that area completely. Good luck and trust your doctors but if something doesn't feel right get that second opinion. Barb
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02/12/13 DX TNBC, Grade III, Stage 3, 3.3cm tumor, IMN and 1 lymph Positive, Chemo A/C T complete 6/13
BRCA1-/BRCA2+ Variance, BIL 7/13, 33 RADS complete 10/13 Remssion :) |
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dawncoskren
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Posted: Jul 07 2013 at 9:51pm |
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Thank you :)
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DX 6/14/13 TNBC-IDC
7/15 BRCA 1 Positive 7/16 double mastectomy 7/23 Post surgery Pathology- Stage1,tumor 2cm nodes clr. 8/16/13 4 A/c and 4 Taxol 1/6/14 implants 3/13/14 ovaries and tubes removed |
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Grateful for today
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Joined: Sep 21 2011 Location: U.S.A. Status: Offline Points: 1835 |
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Posted: Jul 07 2013 at 11:21pm |
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Barb,
Plenty of caring and positive thoughts for your upcoming surgery. Read your initial post of July 2 with one week from tomorrow...... thinking that would make your surgery date Wed. July 10 (unless there's been a change.) Grateful for today............Judy |
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calamityjane90
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Posted: Jul 08 2013 at 9:53pm |
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I'm newly diagnosed with TNBC Stage 1 Grade 3 IDC Left; Stage 0 Grade 3 DCIS Right & am in that horrific limbo stage of trying to get a crash course in what I need to know about breast cancer, yet having to work full time & plan ahead for an absence.
To make it worse, I've dealt with cancer being a part of my life for 23 years- since age 24 Hodgkins Lymphoma & age 31 recurrence. Chemo & radiation twice. Not a candidate for any further rads. Awaiting gene test results July 12th for next steps, but not substantial family history. Just wanted to let dawncoskren & weekender09 know that I'll be thinking of their upcoming surgeries & awaiting updates. And SueCape, glad yours went okay. This forum seems like it will be very informative & helpful; thank you all for being there! |
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weekender09
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Posted: Jul 08 2013 at 10:02pm |
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Judy - Yes Wednesday it is. I have had my 3rd cry since this all started in February. So got it out and am ready for the next phase.
Thanks for the positive healing energy. Barb
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02/12/13 DX TNBC, Grade III, Stage 3, 3.3cm tumor, IMN and 1 lymph Positive, Chemo A/C T complete 6/13
BRCA1-/BRCA2+ Variance, BIL 7/13, 33 RADS complete 10/13 Remssion :) |
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dawncoskren
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Posted: Jul 08 2013 at 10:03pm |
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You surely have been tested. No one person should have to go through all that you have.
I should have got my brca test back today but the lab hasn't completed it yet. I will keep you posted how my surgery goes. I'm most worried about infection from the spacers. I hear that is vefy common. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers 
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DX 6/14/13 TNBC-IDC
7/15 BRCA 1 Positive 7/16 double mastectomy 7/23 Post surgery Pathology- Stage1,tumor 2cm nodes clr. 8/16/13 4 A/c and 4 Taxol 1/6/14 implants 3/13/14 ovaries and tubes removed |
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calamityjane90
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Posted: Jul 08 2013 at 10:33pm |
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I certainly feel your pain. I've cried every single day since June 18th; you would think having been a two time cancer survivor already, I'd be stronger - but I feel like this is making me feel much weaker & certainly more vulnerable than ever before.
Since I will be doing a double mast. at some point, I'll be really paying attention to how you three are faring. Sending positive vibes! |
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Grateful for today
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Posted: Jul 09 2013 at 12:30am |
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Barb,
Wow. Does your body and mind "know" how to prepare for surgery. Emotional tears have special health benefits....which can only help one prepare for surgery. Emotional tears shed stress hormones and other toxins which accumulate during stress. Additional studies also suggest that crying stimulates the production of endorphins, our body’s natural pain killer and “feel-good” hormones.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/judith-orloff-md/emotional-wellness_b_653754.html Sending positive energy and healing thoughts your way, Grateful for today..........Judy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ calamityjane, Your body also knows what it needs.......the emotional tears to shed stress hormones and other toxins which accumulate during stress. When your body is ready, it will start to sense the stimulation of the endorphins, the body’s natural pain killer and “feel-good” hormones produced by crying. Right now can not begin to begin to imagine all you are experiencing and feeling...........somehow things do start to improve.......maybe ever so slowly and gradually. With caring and positive thoughts, Grateful for today.............Judy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dawn, Sorry that you did not get your BRCA test results back Monday as you expected. Hope you get them shortly. Sending caring and positive thoughts your way . Grateful for today...............Judy -------------------------------------------------------------------------- SueCape, Lots of good healing thoughts during your recovery from your June 18 surgery. Positive thoughts for (think you said) the Team Meeting July 11 regarding the rest of your treatment plan. Really liked the thought of your friend that you shared on another thread......and your thoughts...... and thanks for sharing.......................... " You are driving your own bus". Those words are with me each and every day...I am in charge!!!! I am driving my bus to good health...anyone need a lift?" With caring and positive thoughts, Grateful for today...........Judy |
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hopeful57
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Joined: Jun 24 2013 Location: Unites States Status: Offline Points: 63 |
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Posted: Jul 09 2013 at 8:29am |
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To: Weekender 09 Barb, you are in my thoughts for your surgery tomorrow. I am sending every positive thought I have your way. You seem like an amazing woman with strength and determination to get through this. May God bless you and keep you safe.
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weekender09
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Posted: Jul 09 2013 at 2:46pm |
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Thank you all my sisters and brothers. You help me every day not feel alone in this fight. Seems everyone else I know had the "easy" breast cancer. Not that any cancer is east but I would have preferred a lumpectomy with radiation any day. There is a reason for this diagnosis for all of us and I believe in doing everything possible to educate and share my story to help others.
Again thanks for the prayers for tomorrow. Barb
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02/12/13 DX TNBC, Grade III, Stage 3, 3.3cm tumor, IMN and 1 lymph Positive, Chemo A/C T complete 6/13
BRCA1-/BRCA2+ Variance, BIL 7/13, 33 RADS complete 10/13 Remssion :) |
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