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Surgery finally scheduled!

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Posted 2/17/2007 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All

I finally have a daye for the mastectomy and delay procedure, March 6th and then the tram will be 2 weeks later. The Dr said he wants to wait for all the path reports to come back before doing the tram. Im so happy to get this going finally. I will keep everyone posted. They say that I will be able to go back to work after the mast and that it is not aspainful as it would seem??? I would love to hear from any of you that have had a mast for some answers.

L&H

Bernadette

Posted 2/17/2007 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
I know you are so happy for this finally. I hope everything goes well.

Posted 2/17/2007 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
I am so relieved you finally have this scheduled.  I can imagine how you feel.  It's true, the mast was much easier than the lumpectomy for me.  But then, I had lymph nodes removed at the same time as the lumpectomy, so that was the thing that was most painful.  I don't know about going back to work in between, though.  I tried to go back to work a week after my reduction/lift and nipple reconstruction and that was a mistake.  I worked for 2 1/2 days and had to go home and take the rest of the week off.  My PS told me I should have taken 2 weeks. 

 

I hope everything goes well and you are home recovering soon after the TRAM.  How long will you be staying in the hospital for the TRAM?  I will be thinking about you!

Posted 2/18/2007 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kathy & Kathy......

My Dr says that for the mast I will be staying just one day in the hospital and for the tram 3-4 days. I don't look forward to that at all. I was hoping to work some in between the 2 surgeries so that Im not off for too long. He says that I should be off 6 weeks for the tram. I have to try and remember to not lift anything that will be the hardest part of the recovery. I also don't know how I will walk the dogs either. I have to have them on leashes when they go out and I know I won't be able to hold them back. My hubby will take a week off for the tram and a couple days for the mast so that will help. Im looking forward to getting this done and out of the way. Has anyone heard from Happy Hanna????? I know she had her tram but I have not seen her post. Hopefully she is doing okay.

L&H
Bernadette
Posted 2/20/2007 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
OK, first of all, THERE WILL BE NO WALKING OF THE DOGS FOR YOU!  Seriously, you won't be able to even walk for a couple of weeks.  As for lifting, don't worry because it will be the farthest thing from your mind.  I recommend getting someone else to help with the dog walking for at least a couple of weeks.  When I ventured out for my first attempt at walking (probably after 2 weeks), I could barely last 5 min.  I walked for 15, but was worried I wouldn't make it back home. 

 

I've been worried about not hearing from Happyhanna, too.  I hope everything is alright.

 

 

Posted 2/20/2007 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
Bernadette,

So glad that you have your day for surgery scheduled. This has to be such a relief to you to know things are moving forward and time to start healing will be very soon.

Best of luck to you. Make sure that you keep us informed. WE CARE!

Hugs,
Deb
Posted 2/21/2007 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, thanks for your replies Iam relieved to finally have a date set. Now it is less than 2 weeks until I have the first part. Kathy I hate to say this but I have a very high pain threshold and I tend to get myself in trouble after surgery. I dont feel the pain like I should so I over do it. When I had my c-section I was back playing softball 10 days later. When I had my hysterectomy I was doing laps around the surgery ward the same day. My Drs have a hard time with me because I dont stay down as long as I should. I do know that I wont be able to walk the dogs but Im not sure what I will do with them after hubby goes back to work. I might have to take them out without a leash for awhile. I will have to figure it out.

L&H
Bernadette
Posted 2/22/2007 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
OK, but you have to be careful that you don't pull on the abdomen.  I'm envious of your pain tolerance.  I'll be interested to hear how you handle everything.
Posted 2/22/2007 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Kathy

Thanks for all of your encouragement, I just want this to get going so I can get it behind me. I woke up to a very sore breast, it feels like it may be infected or something. It feels swollen and very tender, I will call the Dr later to see if it is anything to worry about.

I still don't know what I will do with my dogs, we live in a condo and the rules are to have them on a leash. I don't worry about them running off but I don't want to get fined either. I guess I will have to wear a big sign that says "just had surgery can't use a leash" for awhile.

How soon do you think I will be able to go back to work after the mast? I want to try and get a few days in. I just can't see me staying home for the 2 weeks in between the 2 surgeries. I have heard that the mast is not too painful??? It sure seems like it would be, that is a very large insision.

Well off to work.
L&H
Bernadette
Posted 2/28/2007 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry I didn't reply sooner.  I was gone for the weekend.  My mast surgery was pretty easy.  I guess it depends on how you handle the anesthesia and how long the drains are in.  I know some ladies have said they went back to work with drains, but I can't imagine that.  How physical is your job?  That makes a difference.  If it's a desk job, you might be able to go back between.  I took advantage of having my doctors keep me off work.
Posted 2/28/2007 7:07 PM (GMT 0)

Sure am glad that they finally have you scheduled for your surgeries Bernadette. It is a really scary thing to think about but once it is behind you, you will be glad. I don't know about going back to work between the two either, but it would depend on the type of job you have. Just don't rush it as your body will certainly let you know if you are "misbehaving". You guys are all so sweet to have worried about me. Sorry that I didn't post to you right away. Everything went great for me. I hope you have great success with yours too.

Hugs,

Kim

Posted 3/1/2007 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kathy and Kim

My job is not physical as far as lifting or that sort of thing, but Iam constantly on the run. I sit down to do some paperwork and then have to get up and help people in between. I help about 150 people a day....so Iam always on a run. Our shop is pretty long and I go from one end to the other lots too. I will have to see how I feel after the mast and how soon they will get to the tram as to weather I will go back to work in between.

Kim, so happy you are feeling goog.

L&H
Bernadette
Posted 3/6/2007 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Bernadette,

I just wanted to wish you luck tomorrow for your surgery.   I will be with you in thought and prayer.

God Bless,

Debbie

 

Posted 3/6/2007 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
Debbie

Thank you so much for the encouragement and support, I have to admit Im getting VERY nervous about the surgery. I kept very busy at work today trying to get as much done as possible before leaving. I still don't know if I will be able to go back to work in between the 2 surgeries, it just depend on the pain.

Thanks again.

Bernadette
Posted 3/9/2007 3:55 PM (GMT 0)

Bernadette,

I hope your surgery went well and you are feeling okay. My thoughts are there with you. It is a hard road but you will do great. It is just a big relief to have that nasty cancer out of your body. Don't push yourself one little bit. Take it easy and heal.

Hugs, Kim

Posted 3/10/2007 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone

 

Just wanted to check in with my latest update. Im 3 days post surgery and I feel great, the only real pain I had was the insisions in the pelvic area. My chest and arm never had much pain at all and now Im up and doing everything for myself. I won't go back to work until they take the drain out which will be next Wednesday. Im amazed at how little pain there is on the chest considering how long the insision is. I wont have a surgery date for the tram until next Wednesday when I have my follow up with the PS. Im looking forward to the next part of this (well kindof) not the pain though. I want to get it done and get going on the healing.

 

Thanks for all the prayers and support

 

L&H

Bernadette

 

PS

Kim how are you doing??? is the pain under control?

Posted 3/10/2007 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Bernadette,i havent been on here for awhile and i just read your posts.Im glad everything went well.I had a double mastectomy and chose not to have reconstruction at this time.My insurance will pay whenever im ready to do it.Are you having the reconstruction where they take the muscle from your stomach and give you a free tummy Tuck?I will follow your posts and maybe i will have reconstruction.I will admit though that its nice not having Boobs when its Hot.   Tammy
Posted 3/10/2007 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Gee Bernadette you sound really good for being so soon after surgery. Please rest and let your body heal and don't do too much even though you feel so good. Healing takes a lot out of you as does the anesthesia. You need good rest for your body to recover. The tram will take a little more out of you so take your time and be sure you are physically ready for it. We are here thinking about you and supporting you in whatever you do. I know I haven't posted much lately. I am just having trouble finding words these days. I do read and follow what is going on. Hugs MK
Posted 3/10/2007 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
Tammy & MK

Great to hear from the two of you, yes Tammy I will be having the tram flap in about 2 weeks. Im excited to get it behind me and get onto the healing process. The pain level in this is so small that Im amazed, I expected alot more pain. I know the tram is a much different surgery though. I know my pain level will be alot different. When I had my hysterectomy I remember the worst part was not being able to sit up. This is alot like that because of the insions in the pubic area and I cant use my right arm because of the mastectomy. I started doing stomach exercises about a month before the mast but I could have used even stronger muscles.

Tammy there are 2 other women that have had the tram done in the last year that can also give you advice on the surgery (Babyseester & happyhannah). I decided that this is what I wanted and have never looked back. I have what I call my pouch from child bearing and being overweight, this will be gone after the tram. Im looking forward to being able to put pants on and not have to acomadate the "pouch" Im trying to loose some weight too. I put about 25-30 lbs on during all of my sterid use and Im still trying to get all of it back off. Ill keep you posted.

L&H
Bernadette
Posted 3/17/2007 6:33 PM (GMT 0)

Bernadette,

I'm doing great. Thanks for asking and caring! I am going back to work on Monday. Just under 6 weeks out. Only 1/2 days for now but I am feeling really good. I can certainly feel it when I do more than I should but realize it right away so that it doesn't get too bad. I have had lots less pain than I was expecting so feel very lucky. Good luck with the next phase of your journey!! What were the incisions in your pelvic area for? I didn't have any with my mast. Just two drains under the armpit area in the chest. There were three with the tram...two in the abdomen and one in the breast area.

L&H Kim

Posted 3/18/2007 6:58 AM (GMT 0)
Kim

I can't believe it has been 6 weeks already, that sure went fast! Im glad that you are feeling so good, was it really easier than you thought? I really dread the fact that I will be layed up for so long. Im a very busy person and it drives me nuts to slow down. My insisions in the pelvic area are called a delay procedure, they cut the blood vessels going into the abdomen area. It make the blood vessels from the chest are work harder and it gives the tram flap a better chance of survival. Did you have alot of trouble with the drains? That has been the worst part of this, it is just such a pain. Ill keep you posted, and Im glad you are doind so well.

L&H
Bernadette
Posted 3/18/2007 6:32 PM (GMT 0)

Bernadette,

Yes, it was truely easier than I thought although by no means "easy". I was just expecting so much more pain and trouble getting up and walking around. The doc said that she was surprised at how well I was doing though, so I might not be the norm. The drains are a pain and kind of gross but maybe having to deal with them keeps the mind off all the other pains.VIEW IMAGE I hadn't heard of the delay procedure with the blood vessels, but in my case, I wasn't getting any reconstruction for a long time (if at all), so they probably didn't have to think about that. Makes sense though. The blood supply is a very important part of the success of the tram. I had some trouble with infection a few months after my mast which was took more out of me than the actual mast surgery. I know what you mean about being an active person and having to stay "down". It's been really hard for me to do that too but your body sure lets you know when you've done too much. That's why I want to get back to my desk job....otherwise I will break down and try to do some yard work. The weather has been so nice here and I am just itching to get to it. I'm going to have to hire someone to do some of it for me this year. Just remember that the tram is a very long surgery so the affects from the anesthesia are a little weird. Just make sure to do the little breathing exerciser thingie that they bring you after the surgery to get your lungs cleared out. You will have to stay in a inclined position for quite a while but it's not too bad. I had to get used to sleeping on my back cuz I am usually a side sleeper. Just use lots of pillows or a wedge when you get home. I found it much easier to get up out of my own bed than the hospital bed too so don't be afraid if you have a little trouble getting out of that at first. Once you are up, it's pretty nice. Well, I have babbled on long enough. Let us know when your surgery is for sure so that we can be thinking and praying for you. Where do you live? Just curious. I live in Idaho.

L&H, Kim

Posted 3/19/2007 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Kim

I did not know anything about the delay procedure until one of the other ladies had talked about it (babyseester) she had a tram a year ago and has been my inspiration to do this. Iam a side sleeper too and I know it will be tough getting good sleep without being on my side. We have recliners that recline flat so that helps. My biggest worry again is trying to keep the dogs off of my insisions. I had 2 pillows on me at all times after this last surgery, they like to run up and jump on me.

I like to do some gardening too but we live in a condo so I have lots of plants on my deck instead, we just bought some more for me to repot. I did not get all of it done while I was home but I will.

I live in the Seattle area, Bothell to be exact what part of Idaho do you live in. We are neighbors.

Have a great day and Ill talk to you soon.

L&H

Bernadette
Posted 3/23/2007 1:41 PM (GMT 0)

I live in Boise. Did you go back to work? How is that going?

Kim

Posted 3/25/2007 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Bernadette,

 

Wow, thanks for the compliment!  I didn't know I was your inspiration.  I don't know what to say.  I'm sorry you are having such a time with the drains.  They are the worst part.  After my TRAM, I had 2 drains just above the pelvic area and I tell you what - those were painful!  You have to be very careful how you move.  I was lucky to have mine removed at no more than 1 1/2 weeks, I think.  Maybe 2.  The mind is gone!  LOL 

 

Kim,

 

I'm so glad you have had less pain than anticipated and you are well enough to go back to work.  Keep taking good care of yourself.

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