Thank you. I'm quickly learning now much the yorkie talk members care about their other members and have been touched beyond words by the well wishes and actions of others.

I told another member I don't have a huge support system, so every person in my corner means the world to me. We will get through this. I just worry more about my dogs right now than I do losing both my breasts and my hair, as strange as that sounds.

YT is the best support group. I will keep you in my prayers. My DH is battling lung cancer and we are gone 3 x a week for 4-8 hours and the dogs adjusted. They are so happy to see me when I'm home now.

I will add you and your husband to my prayers as well. :)

You do have a huge support system! The members here at YT. :) We will pray you through this. God can move mountains! Your babies will adjust. They are going to be well taken care of. You are a strong woman and will get through this. (((Hugs)))

I was in the hospital three times last fall - once for a week, once for two weeks & once for four days. Tibbe fasted at first but after a couple of days of picking at his food, losing his potty training at my son's home, etc., my son said he came around & got back into a routines. He sensed something was very wrong & wouldn't leave my side when ill before the hopsitalizations so we knew he was upset already before I left yet he did adjust each time. Yorkies are pretty smart dogs & do seem to have remarkable ways of adjusting once they get the lay of the land as changes in their lives occur.

I've been wondering about your surgery as I'd thought I'd read you were to have it in May but am so glad you are getting it soon.

Please know I've been praying for a complete recovery for you since I read that you were getting the insurance & going to have the surgery. I was my mother's caregiver when she had a total mastectomy at age 71 in 1981 and was her PT coach IH & at home as she was convalescing. Her doctor told her that she had better motion in her shoulder than any of his other mastectomy patients near her age, attributing it to all the PT she did.

I pray your little Yorkies adjust well & that your surgery, recovery & all of the treatment will go as smoothly as possible. May the Lord bless & keep you in His Loving Arms throughout your journey back to health.

We were originally supposed to have it the beginning of June but had to push it back to July because of insurance (ridiculous stuff that we all need and are at the mercy of!!). We will be doing a lung biopsy at the same time, and just did genetic testing to see about BRCA genes, since I have siblings and kids. Waiting to hear back from those results so the family can have theirs done too. All the waiting is worse than anything.

I've had two breast surgeries myself (reductions) and the guideline they gave me was not to lift anything heavier than 5 lbs, or a gallon of milk.

Still sending up prayers for a quick recovery for you, and successful treatment:hands:

Did you have to have drains for those?

My dr has discussed exercises to do after the surgery to help with building up strength and maintaining range of motion. Luckily only Darby is over 5 pounds, and he doesnt like to be picked up so that won't be a problem.

Yes, I had drains both times. Honestly they weren't bad at all. Kind of gross when I had to empty them, and it was a relief to get them removed. It just felt less restrictive. I had to empty them into a measuring container and record the amount, and then when it fell below a certain amount per day, the surgeon removed them. You'll be glad that you have them when you see how much fluid actually accumulates, just imagine your poor body trying to re-absorb all that fluid! The swelling would be incredibly worse without them.

There is a website that really helped me so much when I went through my surgeries. It's mostly for reduction and implant patients, but you can get some great tips for dealing with recovery, from patients that have been there. It's Welcome to BreastHealthOnline - Bringing women better breast care through knowledge and support I used to work as a volunteer there but got kind of burnt out on talking about boobs all the time:laugh: The site owner is a wonderful, caring lady. I hope that you'll visit there, even if you don't join in the discussions, just to take in all the great info they have on surgical recovery. The "Healing Diet" really is wonderful too. Also the Lemon Tea (juice of one lemon in one cup of hot water, sweetened to taste) really helps with the swelling. Of course, you should ask your doctors if there are foods/beverages you should avoid while undergoing treatment later on, but otherwise this stuff is all time-tested and very safe and healthy:)

If you have any questions or concerns that you feel silly calling the surgeon about, you can always PM me and I'll do my best to help you out;) Hugs and continued prayers for you:love:!!!

we recommend that tea to pregnant moms at our birth center, for swelling! Also cantaloupe and honeydew melons. They help with exxcess fluid.

I'll check out the site. My surgeon is wonderful! He gave me his cell number and told me to call anytime I have questions. I have never used it, and I'm sure I never will but I feel better knowing he cares about his patients that much. We make lists and lists of questions to ask when we go in and we record appointments to we can listen to them later in case we don't remember an answer.

That sounds like one fantastic surgeon:)!!! It is kind of rare for a surgeon to have a caring manner, they are usually machines:laugh:I had my doc's cell number too, and I only used it once when I got sick from the anesthesia later that day and thought I'd busted my stitches:p (I was fine, and he talked to me for over an hour to make sure that all was well)

I love the idea of recording the visits, that is so smart! Seems that you are in extremely capable hands and I feel like you're going to come through this with flying colors:love:

Nothing to add but prayers for you and your loved ones as you go thru this difficult time. Prayers for healing and peace.

Praying for you Michelle.

I had a good scare back in Dec and had to be sent to the Cancer Center in Ann Arbor for surgery to remove the 3 large Tumors. I was there 4 days and then laid up several weeks.

My husband had to take over complete responsibility for the dogs. I had family come stay at my house while we were there for the 4 days. The dogs did "ok" but I have one who did not do to well and is a complete mess now when I just walk out the door. She has developed such a strong attachment to me now.

When I got home from the hospital I had to be walked in and no one could touch me, but my husband held her so she could see me and she literaly scream cried for like a 1/2 hr. Its funny how we don't really know how much they love us. She's the only one who had an issue with everthing and the others adjusted well.

I think your babies will miss you while they are being cared for by someone else but I think they will be fine :)

YOU take care of yourself...but I will tell you...they sure are little healers :) I don't know what I would have done without my babies getting me through my ordeal.

Breny,

Thank you. Just so you know, Westley is my little cuddle bug. He has to constantly be touching mom, regardless of what the others are doing, he wants treats, food, and toys right beside us at all times!! He makes me laugh because he will sit on my lap and hubby will blow on the back of his ears and he will roll over and bury his head in the pillows, then pop up and want more, it's a hilarious game they play every night while we watch tv. He's a dream!!

Aww Westley sounds like a wonderful pup. He will be by your side to help you in healing. Prayers & best wishes to you all.