just had bilateral mascectomy |
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mainsailset 
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Joined: Jul 27 2008 Location: Washington State Status: Offline Points: 5004 |
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 Topic: just had bilateral mascectomyPosted: May 09 2009 at 5:54am |
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And what I learned is how differently doctors and surgeons handle the logistics of the surgery and after care.
My sister had a dbl last Nov and in her case she went to an outpatient clinic and came home same day with her care achieved by Visiting Nurses coming by 1x a day for 7 days. The clinic only does surgeries so has a low count of MRSA and it was terrific to come home sooner rather than later. The nurses were great, but her bandages didn't come off for 9 days and that became problematic as the tape and gauze aged. She was also told not to shower or bathe for 10 days.
My surgery was done in a hospital where they kept me overnight. I also had my port out so the surgery extended longer than normal but not much. The after care was interesting, they went out of their way to keep my super hydrated which importantly to note means that my girlfriend's presence all night to help me on my frequent trips to the John made a success out of the care. God bless great friends like her!!!
I only took one Celebrex for pain, the first evening. Lasted all night vs my sister taking meds every 4 hours. AM before drive home one more Celebrex.
Surgeon removed the bandages in AM, lots and lots of discussion of how he expected me to care for myself, nurse came in and put a new bandage on and I was set free to go home. Instructions included taking bandages off myself the following am and taking a shower! What a difference from Sister's directions!
It's now day 2 after surgery, still very little pain (except for nerve ending shocks that make me yelp but are almost avoidable) and I'm taking 1/4 of a Percaset pill in am.
I'm fairly convinced that the super hydration the hospital did made a big difference in how I'm handling the procedure but I have no proof only a girl's opinion.
Anyway, the point of the post is that it's a good idea to find out your surgeon's plan for you, there are big differences. Maybe others would like to join in with experiences as well. As I'm still a newbie after surgery my experiences are limited in time, and I have no idea what to expect, but for today all is well.
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Jessie
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Joined: Aug 07 2007 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 515 |
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Posted: May 09 2009 at 10:38am |
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Mainy,
I'm so glad you're feeling well enough to "talk" to us this soon after surgery ! You're doing GREAT !!
I too was surprised at the little pain after surgery. The only real discomfort I felt involved the drains. Boy, when one of those was moved, it was intense !
By the way, you didn't mention drains --- I'm assuming you were sent home with drains to handle, and your sister as well --- correct ?
Since I now have a prospective that hospitals are dangerous places with MRSA in the air, I'm in favor of "drive thru" mastectomies !! I do like the idea of going home as soon as practical with nurses on call and checking in. Assuming one has a good caretaker there, home is a much safer place to be.
The difference in yours and your sister's experiences is very interesting. I'm thrilled to find out some hospitals are exploring ways to balance the care, comfort, and safety of surgical aftercare.
Be good to yourself. I'm hoping your recovery is very BORING !
 Hugs and more hugs Mainy, Jessie
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IDC,Stage I,Grade 3,dx 4/06
dbl mast 5/06, systemic MRSA post surgery septic shock, heart attack triple bypass 1/07 no chemo due to infections and heart issues so far NED! |
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mainsailset
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Posted: May 09 2009 at 3:21pm |
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Thanks Jessie, I am truly intrigued by the difference in care. My sister's experience appealed so much to me because of MRSA and well, just getting home asap but she was so uncomfortable with her bandage and not being able to shower for such a long time that kind of made me more open to another way.
I have no caretaker and so am home alone with .... oh I have to tell you and please no one take offense at this.... the nurse who came in at 4 am made a comment, "Yes, we're sending you home with 3 balls and no breasts." My girlfriend and I roared with laughter and the nurse was intensely embarassed as she hadn't meant it to come out quite that way.
My drains are on very long tubes which poses a challenge for my wardrobe choices. My sister's were quite short and attached to her bandage which would have made it problematic for her to manage the drains herself but she had a great caretaker as well as the visiting nurses.
I'm am amazed at how little pain there is. With the exception of the sudden jabs of the compromised nerves, all I feel is tightness. Of course I'm terrified of pulling a stitch so I'm a slow mover.
A last little aside, it occured to me in the discussions we've all had about pre or post chemo to have the surgery, it sure is easier to manage a shower with no hair while I'm juggling my 'balls'. The doctor suggested I just tie a string around my neck and hang my 'balls' from that for a shower. Good idea.
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ChrissieD
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Joined: Dec 30 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 131 |
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Posted: May 09 2009 at 3:40pm |
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I had a bilateral mastectomy and was in the hospital less than 24 hours. I had no bandges - some clear tape like thing that I don't remember the name of. I had some velcro "things" that were on my belly to hold my drains. They were great because I did not have to worry about the drains at all. My PS took them off 5 days after surgery when the drains came out. I was also able to shower right away because of the "stuff" they used instead of the bandages. I am surprised how little pain I had following surgery. Very manageable.
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39 from MA, Mom(8.5 and 6),
Lumpectomy IDC 1.5cm Stage I, Grade 3 ACx4 Taxolx4 dose dense started 11/17; Bi-lateral Mastectomy with expanders scheduled for 3/24/09 God is carrying me through ! |
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Nancy
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Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
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Posted: May 09 2009 at 3:46pm |
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Hey Mainy, Someone had tied a pearl necklace to their "balls' while showering and I happen to think that is the way to go! Beauty plus comfortability!
 I am so glad to hear that you are doing so well., and I loved the nurses comments and ...that is one for the book of "great things to say to someone who just had a double mastectomy"!!
 Hugs,
Nancy Edited by Nancy - May 10 2009 at 1:04pm |
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Nancy
DD Lori dx TNBC June 13,2007 Lumpectomy due to incorrect dx of a cyst mastectomy July 6 2007 chemo ACT all 3 every 3 weeks 6 tx Aug-Nov 28 rads ended Jan 2008 |
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mainsailset
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Joined: Jul 27 2008 Location: Washington State Status: Offline Points: 5004 |
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Posted: May 10 2009 at 6:16am |
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Nancy, great idea about the Pearls! With all the stress and trauma we all go through with this beast it is always to me a welcome release to find moments of laughter, beauty and dare I say success.
Last night I swoll up like a balloon and couldn't sleep. Don't know what that is all about but not liking it. I guess it's always something but today is bright and sunny here and I'm thinking about all the great moms on this site and hoping their day is filled with family joy and sunshine as well.
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JudyB.
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Joined: Jan 15 2009 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1 |
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Posted: May 10 2009 at 11:07am |
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When I had my bilat in January, I had to wear a very tight tube top with a velcro closure for about 6 days. It was so uncomfortable. I think it was to keep the swelling down. Didn't have much pain at all. Drains were out in about 7 days, but I think that was too soon. They weren't draining anything anymore, but then I had fluid buildup for a few weeks after they were removed.
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mainsailset
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Joined: Jul 27 2008 Location: Washington State Status: Offline Points: 5004 |
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Posted: May 10 2009 at 1:54pm |
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Judy, that's very interesting about the tube top. The drains are a challenge eh? I was thinking of naming them after several blind dates I had in college...
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Galina2
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Joined: Nov 01 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 250 |
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Posted: May 18 2009 at 7:25pm |
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I got a fabulous advice from my friend I would like to share with you "doubles". My friend advice me to start exersizing right away, in order to be able to move my arms up and beyond. I have started late, at about 4 weeks after surgery (I could not move for about 2 weeks, too much pain) and very slowly increased the range of motions. The physio also helped. Good luck!!!
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Believing is 50%!Dx 7/10/07, Lumpectomy 8/24/07, double mast/no recont. 10/01/07, IDC, 3 cm, Grade 3, 0/4 nodes, Stage IIA, ER-/PR- HER2- Age 48, chemo 11/23/07 lung spots 3/08
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Jessie
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Joined: Aug 07 2007 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 515 |
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Posted: May 19 2009 at 5:17am |
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Mainy,
Don't know why, but I just this morning read the latest posts on this topic --- where have I been?
 Love the 3 balls and no breasts line !
 Also the naming after blind dates ! I could almost include ex-husbands too ! I bet you're doing great now -- free of the "balls" and all. Do get some easy exercise with the arms. The best exercise I found was standing facing a wall and crawling up the wall, starting about waist level, with my fingers, going up as high as possible until I felt a little pain. Every day I could go up a little higher.
Another tip that helped me a lot was resting my "node removal" arm on the top of my head. Any time my arm would feel achy, I'd just put that wrist on my head for 15 min or so --- the arm would stop aching almost immediately. I was told it helped the lymphatic fluids find different routes. It really worked. Excellent position to prevent or help lymphademia. It's surprisingly restful too.
Something I found amusing for several weeks was that at times one of my NIPPLES would itch something terrible !! Try scratching a nipple that isn't there !
Galina too, hope you're sleeping, eating, and feeling better --- balls gone and moving more easily. You're not Wonder Woman yet, so keep pampering yourself. Healing takes a while.
Hugs,
Jessie Edited by Jessie - May 19 2009 at 5:22am |
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IDC,Stage I,Grade 3,dx 4/06
dbl mast 5/06, systemic MRSA post surgery septic shock, heart attack triple bypass 1/07 no chemo due to infections and heart issues so far NED! |
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