Mastectomy Next Week - I'm nervous

Barb,

Wanted to leave some good and healing post surgery thoughts for you.
Continue to listen to your body ......and your gut feelings....for what you need to heal best.


With lots of caring thoughts,
Grateful for today...............Judy

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Sue W,

Great to hear "mri results after chemotherapy. Had good news tumor is just about gone .........
(Surgeon) leaning towards a lumpectomy the oncologist is leaning towards a mastectomy but he has not seen the mri results yet"
Initially you posted "my oncologist is leaning towards a mastectomy because of the size and location of the tumor".       Just a thought..........maybe consider asking both surgeon and oncologist the pros and cons
of both procedures (lumpectomy vs mastectomy)in YOUR situation.     If you need more information,
maybe consider a second opinion re: the surgery.


With caring and positive thoughts,
Grateful for today...........Judy

Sue,

Hey all it's Barb!!  I started this post 10 days ago and today I am on the other side of surgery.  All went well.  Sentinel node was clear (which we expected as my internal mammary node was the positive one).  I am moving around great.  My surgeon wants me utilizing motion as much as I can so I am putting arms over my head already and doing great.  Monday is the pathology report with the oncologist.  The surgeon is betting on a full response to the chemo.  

Hi barb really good to hear. 3 days for me. Can't wait to get rid of them. Thats not to say I'm scared sh*tless cause I am. Where did you find those shirts. I would love to get some.

weekender09 wrote: Cafe Press online has the funniest shirts. :)

ordered two thank you

Barb,

Great to hear your "I am on the other side of surgery. All went well. I am moving around great."
Hope your drains come out soon.

You mentioned how your surgeon wants you utilizing motion as much as you can........
and you are putting your arms over your head.   
From what I have heard and read, everyone seems to be in ageement for gentle, easy movement.    

Things may have changed since I had a mastectomy/ALND with a drain over 2 years ago......
back then activity allowed varied with different surgeons.   Some surgeons advised range-of-motion
at the shoulder should be limited to 90 degrees until the drains have been removed.
(Limited to 90 degress: your arm should not go above the level of your shoulder.)
Maybe consider confirming with your surgeon about using your arm above the level of your shoulder
while drains still in.
Barb, am not telling you what to do or not to do. Your activity instructions are the ones your surgeon
gave you.   Just suggesting confirming about the arm going above the level of the shoulder as it
seems different surgeons have different post op instructions regarding activity allowed when drains
still in.   Some postop instructions are more specific than others regarding what activites the surgeon
allows and does not allow.


With positive thoughts for continued healing and post op recovery,
Grateful for today............Judy

So tomorrow it the BIG day. I will have this cancer out of me. Glad I made the decision I did. Found out today I'm BRCA 1 positive.

Good luck tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you. Will be eager to hear how you're doing. I'll be right behind you with my double mastectomy scheduled for next week.

Thank you all. We will all do great and beat this!!

Dawn,

How wise to have spent the day with your daughter.....including food and shopping.

Sending lots of positive and healing thoughts your way.


With all good thoughts for your surgery and post-op healing,
Grateful for today........Judy