Surgery Moved.. Too Soon?

Edited by mindy555 - Feb 14 2012 at 3:16pm

Thanks Janet.. I will.

I hope you're doing well!!!!!
Mindy

Hi Mindy,

I am so with you and feeling the heavy heart today. So very, very sad. Lately it seemes like I am just perking up and something else hits and brings me right back down...and this darn gloomy, Midwest winter weather doesn't help much!

Regarding surgery... What I was told is that they like to look at a 3-6 week window after finishing chemo. You are barely scratching at that 3 week mark. I think it becomes a balancing act of trying to get enough chemo out of your system that you get healing, but not too far out where you risk growth returning.

Having work projects coming to a head surely doesn't help your stress level at all. Any way you can break it into bite-sized pieces so it doesn't seem so overwhelming? Nothing more satisfying that crossing things off a list! That added onto the stress of not anticipating a pCR, coordinating your various docs, travelling out of state, AND being the one doing it ALL... your plate is very full.

I would say delegate where you can, even if it is just the dishes, let go of what you are willing, and try to do something that is just for you each and every day. Take a deep breath (or two)and stay strong sister!

Deb

Dearest  Janet, Linda, Deb and Christina - Thank you, thank you  for your very helpful & sound advice.  Frankly just being here for me means more than anything.  I know you all understand the ups, downs, frustrations, fears and our recent sadness.   I admire you all- I'm extremely grateful for each of you.

Feeling better already.. My first meeting is a few hours. Now I can at least get the ball rolling.  I think  just knowing I have deadlines coming up and not having all the information I need..(as I call "hurry up and wait" mode) is the hard part of work.. like wasting precious time. Everything else will fall into place as I do a lot of praying.   While overwhelming at times, work keeps my mind off of the health crazies while being productive and I love what I do.

Thank you all for your beautiful support!  Linda, thanks for thinking of me on the 5th.

Love to all you incredible women and friends.  Your support means SO much!
Mindy

Dear Mindy, a little trick I use when one of these roller coaster rides grabs my life like this one is grabbing yours...here it is. It takes focus and a quiet place but for me it works.

Actually Mainy, your idea doesn't sound bizarre to me at all.  In fact, I've used a variation of your two girl technique.. Seriously!

Again, thanks for all of your good wishes and support.  Next week I'll be burning some high speed rubber.  But hey!  I finished the majority of work project #1 at around 10 PM tonight. 

A major benefit of doing 'the home office thing' since 2004 is I can work through some odd hours.  Hmmm.  Come to think of it, I did that when I didn't home office, but here I can finagle my time differently and don't have the responsibility of 17 employees.  

Next week I'll be out a lot on production shoots.  Trying to avoid crowds with this 3 week flu crud infesting our area.  Nasty stuff.

My sincere love to all,
Mindy 

Dear Mindy,
Best of luck on all your work, surgery and all that is coming at you right now.

The 3 week crud is for real. I went to the doctor yesterday, after fighting it for almost 3 weeks. I'm now on amoxicillin and some good cough syrup w/codeine. Us girls who've had TNBC get a bit antsy when the cough begins to control our lives.
Stay healthy Mindy and God Bless,
Lillie

Mindy,

No small achievement to finish the final and 6th round of FEC. You did it.

I had my surgery (unilateral mastectomy) 4 weeks after my last chemo dose......
so it wasn't 3 weeks but close to 3 weeks.

Some thoughts on surgery...............
Pick and choose what seems helpful. Disregard the rest.
    Call your surgeon's office about how to get a both arm measurement before surgery.
        Some places use a tape measure. Some use a perometer. Some physical therapy departments
        and some vascular departments do the arm measurements.
        Maybe...hopefully your surgeon's office already has a plan for this.
        Reason for pre-surgery arm measurements:
                   Baseline to have in case there is a question of swelling/lymphedema in the future.
                         (of course, you will not get lymphedema, but good to have as a baseline)
        Many do not have this done.......so if not possible to do, don't worry.....but worth asking
               about.......either locally or surgery facility.
    Think about your "healing cave".   When you get home, where will you spend time?
        Do you have a recliner?    If not, is it possible you can borrow one?
        Some people have suggested that a "recliner" is almost a must for s/p double mastectomy.
        If not a recliner, can you adapt a chair with pillows etc for easing getting into and out of?
        Plan on what to have nearby in advance.....helpful things as well as "healing" things.
    Accept ALL help offered esp. the first week. One can manage by oneself if that is the only
       option. Any help makes the recovery so much easier.
       Also you can always cancel any planned help...........you are in charge of your recovery plan.   
    Make list of what you will bring to hospital on surgery day.   Pack bag before last minute.
                 Pack chap stick for dry lips.
    Get Bath wipes (optional but a big help) from drug store.
               (Not baby or hand wipes....personal bath wipes)
               May be helpful the first few days instead of washcloth/towel/soap.
    Food in house that you think you would like after surgery.
              Have some bland, easy to digest things (just in case).   Have favorite beverages.
    Check that you will be able to get things safely at home after surgery.
             Question put the frequently used things lower. So, when your help leaves, you are all set.
             You may get your arm range of motion back quickly but until the drains are out, many
                      have some restrictions regarding reaching overhead.                           
     Check with your surgeon's nurse re; best way they recommend to manage the drains after
                  mastectomy.   Some places have a belt with pockets.   Some places advise a camisole
                  with drain pockets.
                  Just in case you have a rich relative or friend or are due for a special gift from yourself
                          consider.......the Jacki (jacket) costs around $124 plus postage.
                          Link:   http://www.thejacki.com/index.htm
                          NOTE: Doubt if any cancer center or hospitals provide this "free" to patients but
                                       would suggest one checks before getting one.
                         I did not get one. Appears those who do, find the Jacki helpful.
                 Your surgeon or on your pre-op visit, it will be explained about the drains connected
                    with a mastectomy......care for them.....time varies how long they are in....... etc.
                 If no one has mentioned post op drains, don't be concerned. You will be given all the
                          info you need.
    If you find mind body techniques helpful....and/or visualization and relaxation type CD'ss,
          would suggest you look 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 gets 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.
See the TNBC thread: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/the-after-surgery-tips_topic3104.html

Please post if you have any questions on anything I have said.

With caring and positive thoughts,

Grateful for today.........Judy

      

Keep as busy as possible until the 5th!  We are all here for you and will be hovering over you on the day of surgery, even if only in thoughts and spirit. 

Hey Judy!  I hadn't gotten around to posting here due to working long hours.  On the SS forum tonight I think someone needed to duct tape my mouth however.  Hey, just making up for lost time.  I'll have some time tomorrow and probably do have questions.  My surgeon is very TN savvy, so I'm confident in her skill and what to look for with TN and metaplasia,  the answers she's given me to my multitude of questions and the accuracy of pathology at MDA.  

But, the experience of those who have been through it is most valuable of all.  Thank you for hanging with me through this and will write with any questions tomorrow or the weekend since I'm taking my computer.   I leave for MDA Tuesday to make my first early AM Wednesday appointment.  I'll have a bunch of pre-op tests Wed-Fri, a free weekend besides picking up my daughter and son from the airport,  then surgery  Monday the 5th. 

Thanks again Judy.  You're always extremely helpful and I appreciate you so much!

Hugs,
Mindy