after surgery questions

sgishelly · Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 4:00 pm Post subject: after surgery questions

Hello everyone,

I had my surgery on Thursday and came home yesterday. The biggest problem I have is sleeping. I normally sleep on my side or my stomach and that just isn't possible right now. I did ok in the hospital but the bed was shaped kind of like a recliner. Last night was my first night at home and I really had trouble sleeping. I'm thinking the flat bed was the problem. My husband is moving a recliner in tonight in case I need it. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I'm really not having too much trouble with pain...just that stinging sensation every now and then. I don't like taking pain meds but I'm thinking I might take them at night so I can hopefully sleep.

Anyway, I'm doing really well. Didn't even shed a tear after surgery. I was worried about how I would feel afterwards, but all I felt was relief. My husband was wonderful and my kids are handling everything well. I have to go back on the 20th for a post op check and to see an oncologist. I'm hoping they will wait til after Christmas for chemo. I can't imagine them starting it that soon after surgery.

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!!!

Shelly

ann hollis vail · Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 4:47 pm Post subject: Re: after surgery questions

Welcome home Shelly ! I had to take sleeping pills for a couple of weeks, and then stopped so I wouldn't get dependent on them. You need your rest during the night so see what your doctor suggests. I am not a big pill taker, but since I got bc I have had to take a fews things to help me through the journey. I am so glad you don't have much pain. The surgery has now done 75% of the work by removing the tumor and lymph glands. I hope they wait on chemo until after Christmas too. I can't imagine that a few days will make that much difference and it seems like you will need to heal and get your strength back. Before you fall asleep at night do deep breathing a mediate for about 5 minutes. This helps me relax and my sleep is much better. Love, Hollis

sgishelly · Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:36 pm Post subject: Re: after surgery questions

Hey Hollis,

Thanks for the advice. I'm glad to see you here!! I'll probably see you tomorrow. Maybe...I may decide to just hang out here at the house. You are welcome to stop by here if you want.

Shelly

ann hollis vail · Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: after surgery questions

Are you up for company? It would be great to see you at the office, getting around, but I want you to rest. You have big stuff coming up. You had at least 75 phone calls at the office. Everyone was checking on you and praying for your surgery to go well. Our prayers were answered.
I am getting good information on the site, and thank you for getting me on it. I have tried to put my condition out of mind, but I do have some big decisions to make. I am leaning more toward the chemo. I am trying to build up now and will probably start in late February. You will have been in to yours several months. Love, Hollis

leo · Contributor Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1575

Hello

I am glad you are not having pain. Feeling uncomfortable may last for a while, but that goes away. Anyway, about chemo usually we wait for about 2 months to start it. Your surgery site has to heal well before getting all these medications.

best regards,
Leo
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Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

sgishelly · Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 10:21 pm Post subject: Re: after surgery questions

Leo,

Thanks!! It makes me feel a bit better that chemo may not start til later. But, I would have dealt with whatever came my way. I just want to get this cancer gone...and find the cure so that no one ever has to deal with it again. Tonight, I'd just settle for a good night's sleep.

Shelly

sgishelly · Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 10:25 pm Post subject: Re: after surgery questions

Hollis,

I'm going to try to get by the office tomorrow but if I don't, feel free to stop by for a visit. I really don't feel that bad. But I don't want to be stuck at home...so I'll get out for a bit if possible. On the other hand...I don't want to overdo, But I doubt there's any danger of that..Jeff and the kids have been extremely helpful.

Shelly

JM · Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:07 pm Post subject: Re: after surgery questions

Hi Shelly,

Glad to hear you are feeling so well after surgery. Good for you. As far as when chemo begins I can only tell you of my experience, I had bilateral MRM on Oct 20, 2004, had surgical port inserted Nov. 18th, (that area is still sore when I move certain ways), and started chemo on Monday Nov. 22. I have chemo every other Monday. So, for me, chemo started about 1 month post op. Not sure what kind of surgery you had but mine was pretty extensive so I needed the 4 weeks to recoup, actually would have preferred more time between the surgery and the port insertion as that area was and still is very bruised. I can't imagine that you would start chemo before January.
I hope this was helpful,
Jan
_________________
JM Age 44
DX9/04 Lobular
10/04 Dbl MRM 9 cm tumor & 16 pos nodes on right side & 12 cm tumor & 18 pos on left
Stage 3C ER+/PR+ HER2-
11/04 AC-T
3/05 -6/05 Rads under arms,sides & chest, collarbones to last ribs. 3rd degree burns,lost 5 layers skin
4/05 Tamoxifen-Is it hot in here or is it just me?

Minnlady13 · Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:00 pm Post subject: Re: after surgery questions

Hi, Shelley, glad the surgery is over and you are not in a lot of discomfort. I agree with Hollis. If you need a little something to help you sleep for a few days, take it. You might try propping pillows around yourself in bed to get comfortable. Or, use that recliner. My DH has allegies that bother him in the fall, and occasionally sacks out in our reclinder because the sinus drainage does not bother him as much. The bottom line is do what you have to do to be comfortable while you mend. Have a good week. Gentle hugs, Lauri
_________________
Diagnosed 4/11/1996
Lumpectomy, 6 mm tumor
Neg. nodes
ER/PR+
33 rads
Tamoxifen, 5 yrs.
NED

Marion · Experienced user Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 60

Hi Shelley: I had the same problem as you. Like to sleep on my side and wasn't able to do that easily. I found that if I laid on my other side and hugged a pillow so that it was between my arm and breast, it cushioned the breast and lymph node incisions. On occasion I also took 1/2 pain killer just to take the edge off. You need to do what you have to do to get rest. It will make all the difference in your recovery. I've just completed my 2nd chemo treatment of A/C with virtually no nausea and only headache -- felt like pre-flu symptoms. Able to go back to work after two days. If not for the hair loss, would really not know too much difference. But I believe the key is at least 8 hours good rest each night to let your body start to heal. so do what you need to do to relax.

Marion

sgishelly · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 6:28 pm Post subject: Re: after surgery questions

Marion,

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I got a double whammy...MRM on the right and simple mastectomy on the left. SO it really has been impossible to sleep. I am getting to where I can do a bit more with the left arm so I may be able to start sleeping on that side. I'm afraid I'll lay on the drain though. I'll be glad when those come out.

Shelly

Lorie Brady · New User Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Michigan

Hey Shelley,

I'm happy to see you posting and you did so well after the surgery. Sleeping was the toughest thing for me; I had 4 drains which made sleeping almost sporadic. I did however; pretty much sleep (if you can call it that) in a recliner for about 2 weeks. I just could not get comfortable at all. After I got those blasted draoins out- I managed to sleep better in BED mind you-but then I had those dang "footballs" in my chest!

You deserve alot of pampering--take good care of yourself. Also, my oncologist said 8 weeks after surgery is the timeline (or was it 6???) for strating chemo (I declined therapy).

If you have any further questions, please feel free to pm me. Happy Holidays!

Lorie

Muttsmom · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:49 pm Post subject: Re: after surgery questions

Hi Leo,
I saw my oncologist 3 weeks after my MRM and node disection. I started chemo the next week, which would have only been 4 weeks after surgery. Am I at any risk for lingering problems since I didn't wait the 2 months? It will be 3 years Valentine's Day since my dx. Would a problem have happened by now if it was going to?
Thanks
Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

leo · Contributor Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1575

Nancy

The timing is not strict. If you're healing well enough you'll be fine.

regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

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