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Posted 5/17/2007 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all

 

Iam starting to feel better but the last few days my abdomen on the left side has been getting larger and larger, it is very tight and sore. I had my weekly appointment with my PS today and he was concerned so he sent my to the hospital for more test. They did x-rays and a CT scan. When I was done the tech said that my Dr wanted to see me again. So I went back to his offic and his assistant met me at the counter with a consent form for surgery. After I pulled myself off the floor she explained that I had a seroma and that he would have to drain it and this was just a consent for that. He took over 100 cc of fluid off of it and said hopefully it wont come back. My abdomin instantly felt better and is much smaller already :)

 

So to make my long story shorter I think Im finally on the right track to recovery. Thanks for all of the encouragement youuuuu all have given me, I really appreciate it.

 

Love & hugs to all

Bernadette

Posted 5/17/2007 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
Bernadette:

 

Nothing like having to think on your feet.....or off them, as it were.

 

Sorry you had to go through the surprise.  surgical procedures like that should be introduced in more of a complete manner before you're handed the form.  That way you know what to expect rather than to just have to read "surgery"

 

I'm glad the pressure's off.  You again seem very positive about your recovery and there have been quite a few bumps.  Would get lots others down, but you're a tough one.

 

Now that I've said that, you may sit down, cry, and eat lots and lots of chocolate.  Fuzzy slippers wouldn't hurt either.  Be good to yourself and pat yourself on the back (ok, have someone else do that) for a recovery well-endured.

 

Keep posting and good luck

Posted 5/17/2007 5:20 PM (GMT 0)

I'm very relieved that they have finally found something to give you relief even though you had to endure another surgery. Here's to hoping you just continue to get stronger and stronger from now on. Good luck!! YOU ARE AWESOME!

Kim

Posted 5/17/2007 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
Ellen & Kim

Yes Iam feeling better even more so today, I still have a bit of a swollen abdomin but smaller than yesterday. I cant wait until it gets as small as it was before all of the fluid buildup. I have lost 15 lbs and alot off my breasts so I need to look into getting some new clothes. I want to loose another 30 so I wont go hog wild until I get more off.

L&H
Bernadette
Posted 5/18/2007 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
I had to have surgery for a seroma, too. My PS said that is the best way to get rid of the problem. A seroma is a sac filled with fluid and unless the sac is removed it will refill, according to him. I just re read your post and it sounds like it was only drained and not removed? I actually had to be re-opened and cleaned out. I hope all goes well with you and you can have that big shopping spree soon. Hugs MK
Posted 5/18/2007 4:00 PM (GMT 0)

I have a couple of little "hard lumps" along my abdominal incision. My PS said that they were little sacs of fat that got trapped in the incision. Is that the same thing as a seroma? They don't really hurt, just feel weird. I'm now waiting for my appointment for my "fine tuning". She said that she will just make a little slice right at the lump and take them out. She didn't sound like it was going to be a problem so maybe that isn't the same. She is taking the skin for my areola from my hip. Is that the normal site? Does anyone know? I'm so glad that you are sounding better Bernadette! It will be fun to go shopping for clothes for your new body. Have you been losing weight because of the chemo? Or are you done with that? Radiation? I can't remember what your total course of treatment was. I have pretty much gained back all the weight I lost during treatment. I only wanted to gain back about half, so now I need to get serious about what I eat. My "super flat" tummy from right after the tram is getting just a touch poochy but still is alot better than it was. Anyway, I am thrilled that you are on the mend. Let me know what your next chapter in this ordeal is.

Hugs, Kim 

Posted 5/19/2007 7:46 AM (GMT 0)
Kim

It sounds like what you have is scar tissue that your PS will remove when she does the fine tuning. The seroma is quite large, mine covered one whole side of my abdomin and most of the other side. It was more swollen on the left side and that is where they took the fluid out.

I don't actually know where they get the tissue for the nipple, I guess I never thought about it. I should tell him to take it off my butt and take alot extra while he is there LOL.

My weight during chemo went up just slightly but then I was diagnosed with a different disease and had to go on steroids, that is where I gained all of my weight from. I have put on 30 lbs.......15 down now and I would like to loose another 30. I finished my chemo over a year ago and my radiation too. You were one of the lucky ones who lost during your treatment huh?

Im feeling good again but I just wish my tummy would go down all of the way, when I first had the surgery it was so nice and flat and now it is puffy around the rib cage.

MK

My PS said that there is a chance that the seroma will come back but he said he can drain it again, I gues that is not something you can continue to do forever so hopefully I wont have to have surgery to remove the sack. was your tummy flat at first and then puffy after a few weeks? I dont understand why it has not gone down all of the way.

Did either of you have insomnia after the surgery?? I have had a tought ime for 2 weeks now, I got sleeping pills from him on Wednesday but they don;t even knock me out. Im starting to get grouchy and I dont like it one bit.

Oh by the way Im going back to work on Monday.......that is if I can stand up and drive myself. Im only going to work a few hours a day until I feel good again, Im going crazy sitting home and I think I would heal faster if I were up more. I just got 8 new work shirts that I had ordered before I left and they fit great, it shows off the perky boobs and small tummy quite nicely.

L&H
Bernadette
Posted 5/21/2007 4:26 PM (GMT 0)

Wow, I'm glad that you feel good enough to go back to work! I hope it went well today. I also hope you don't have any more bumps in the road. I went back to work 1/2 days after 6 weeks because I was going crazy at home too. But I didn't have the infections and stuff that you've had to endure since your surgery. It does really help to be doing something "constructive", even if you only do "some" of your normal workload. I have a desk job so nothing strenuous at all. I did have insomnia for a while after surgery. I think it's because you are asleep SO long during the surgery. I would've thought the sleeping pills would've helped though. My abdomin has puffed out a tiny bit below the incision. Around the ribcage was kind of swollen for a while but seems to be down now. A person just doesn't know what to expect so you just have to go with the flow. I'm still really happy with how I look though. How about you?

My "fine tuning" surgery is tentatively set for June 8th. Wish me luck! 

Kim

Posted 5/22/2007 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
Kim

 

Yes I went back to work today, I was going to work just 4 hours but we were busy so I stayed 5 hours. By the time I left I felt like I was going to fall over. I really needed to get out of the house so it was good to get back in there and see all of my (guys) I work with 20 guys. When I got ready to leave they wanted to go get my car and bring it around for me so I would not have to walk out to it :) they are soo sweet. Can you tell that I missed them??

 

I have not even had a chance to discuss the fine tuning surgery, and my PS is on vacation this week so no appointment. I still have a swollen abdomen and the spot where the seroma was is getting bigger again so Im not sure if I will have to have it drained again. If I do no big deal it did not hurt.

 

I hope you are feeling well and have healed up nicely, I really like my new tummy and perky boobs so it has all been worth it.

 

L&H

Bernadette

Posted 5/22/2007 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
Bernadette,

 

I am so glad you are able to go back to work.  I'm glad your 'guys' are watching out for you.  So, what is this 'fine tuning' surgery you are talking about???  I never had one!  BTW, my PS used the existing skin to create a nipple. 

Posted 5/22/2007 4:56 PM (GMT 0)

The "fine tuning" is the nipple reconstruction, taking out the tiny little lumps of scar tissue that developed along my abdomin incision (they don't hurt but they feel weird. There's 2 of them), and she may take out just a tiny bit of fat on the new booby. Also, my belly button kind of grew together more than it should've, so she will free that. Kathy, did you have your nipple done the same time as the tram? My PS said that she wanted the new breast to "settle down" before she did it so the symmetry was good. She will use the existing skin to make the "nub" and skin from my hip to make the areola. I don't know about tatooing. We'll see about that later. I'm feeling really good though. Just can't dance on the tables yet!

Kim

Posted 5/22/2007 4:58 PM (GMT 0)

Oh, I forgot to tell Bernadette that I'm so sorry the seroma is coming back! I hope you don't have an ongoing problem with it like I do with the lymphedema! It sucks.

Kim

Posted 5/22/2007 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Kim,

 

I had my nipple done about 8 months after the tram at the same time as my lift/reduction on the other side.  I agree, you should wait to see how the new booby looks after all the healing.  I haven't had any tatooing done and don't know if I will.  My arreola is not much different than the rest of my skin anyway, so it doesn't make much difference. 

 

I'm glad you are feeling good.  I'm having some issues with Femara, though.  I just started it in March. 

Posted 5/23/2007 7:56 PM (GMT 0)

I had my lift at the same time as the tram. I want to get the rest of it done before July 1st as that  is when my insurance starts over. That will be 4 months after the surgery. I think it is healing pretty good though. The funny part is that I can tell where my "old" belly button was on my new boob. tongue It's about at the place where the new nipple will be. My cancer is not the kind that you take any hormone medication for and so far, so good. I hope they get your issues with the Femara under control and they are not too bad until they do.  How are you feeling? Has it been about a year since you had your tram?

Kim

Posted 5/27/2007 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All

Im not really sure if my PS will have to do alot of fine tuning, I do have a spot on the side of my breast that is harder than the rest of it. It sticks out a little too, it is right below my underarm and does not bother me but he said he will look at it when we get to that point. I was told to massage this spot and one other that I had on the top part of my breast where the new skin was added. I have done so every day and the part on the top of my breast has gotten softer.

I guess I never looked into where the new nipple would come from but I still have yet to talk to the PS about it either. Im still having problems with the seroma it has gotten larger again. I spoke with the PS yesterday and he said he would drain it again next Wednesday at my appointment. He said if it continues he might have to put a drain back in. He also said that most of the time they dry up on their own, I hope that is the case.

I worked all week at 5 & 6 hours each day, by the end of it I was pretty worn out. Did either of you have a tightening in the ribcage area if you did too much. It feels like the skin has been stretched very tight and it is worse if I have done too much. The rest of the time I have very little pain in the rib area.

It has been 5 weeks and I finally feel like Im on track again, I just wish the seroma would go away.

Kathy I did not realize you had your reduction and lift 8 months later, I thought they were done at the same time. Im pleased with the match so far. The size is almost exact.

Have a great weekend!

L&H
Bernadette
Posted 6/3/2007 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Kim,

 

It's been a year and 1/2 almost since the TRAM.  I'm getting through the aches and pains, but will talk to my docs about it.  I see my general doc next Friday and my onc at the end of the month.

 

Bernadette,

 

I had tightening around the ribcage/stomach area for several months after the surgery.  I always described it as my skin hurting.  I hated it.  It eventually went away, but if I over-eat (which never happens - LOL), it hurts a little.  I never noticed it being affected by doing too much except eat!  LOL  I'm glad you made it thru work OK.  It takes time to recover and get over the tiredness.  You're doing great!

Posted 6/3/2007 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all

I had the seroma drained again on Wednesday and I think it is finally going away. It was extremly sore but now it is better and has gone down too. I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Kathy, I have worried myself sick over that tightening but the PS said it is nothing to worry about and now you have too. I guess it is nothing to worry about after all. It has been getting less and less this last week. I feel much better. I know what you mean about over eating, I have been eating very small amounts since the surgery because my tummy just wont allow large amount. Now that I feel better Im going to get out and get more exersize. I still have weight I would like to loose.

L&H
Bernadette
Posted 6/3/2007 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
I had the same thing and was hoping it would stay that way, but unfortunately, things do stretch.  I'm back to eating like I could before, which isn't good.  I have to get back on track again.  Maybe we should start a support group for that!  LOL
Posted 6/9/2007 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All

Just a quick update to tell everyone Im doing much better, still some tightness around my ribcage but overall good. I have been back to work for 3 weeks now and I still get tired by about 2 but otherwise good.

I have not been posting a whole lot lately but have not had alot to say. I finally feel good so Im trying to get out more. Financially we are STRAPPED I don't know about the rest of you but all of the treatments and surgeries have put a strain on our funds and our marriage. We have had a tough time since the last surgery. Im hoping that eventually we will get back to where we were. Has this happened to any of you? Sometimes I get depressed thinking about all that this disease has done to me physically and emotionally, it is hard to open up like I used to. Anyway enough feeling sorry for myself.

L&H
Bernadette
Posted 6/9/2007 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Bernadette...oh, how I remember the financially strapped part. I was on a "school year" contract, had very little sick time, as I had not been at that job for a year, even, and no vacation, because our "vacations" were built into the school year. I also hadn't been there long enough for FMLA, so we had to pay insurance premiums for the time I was off. Used credit cards to make up for the lost income, then had the credit card bills to pay when I was able to go back...so we used other credit cards to make up for what we were spending on the credit cards we had used. It was a very strained time for our marriage as well, not only dealing with the money, but the cancer, too. We had recently moved to OH and were waiting for our house to sell in MD, so we were paying for two houses at the time, as well.

It took us a couple of years (actually3 years and two months, I think), once we sold our old house, and sitting down and planning how to get out of the hole we had dug for ourselves. We had to budget, budget, budget, and we cut up all the credit cards, save one for dire emergencies, 'til we had them ALL paid off. We're on solid ground now, but I remember how difficult it was.

They say that the average American family is only two paychecks away from bankruptcy, and after our experience, I believe it.

As we hear so often...cancer is the gift that keeps on giving.

Love and hugs...
BEV
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