Surgery Tuesday 8-21, and scared stiff!

cassandra42

My lumpectomy is Tuesday and I can barely function. I get the necessities done, hygiene & all, but... Maybe what scares me most is that they will find more cancer and I'll have to go back for a mastectomy. My teaching semester starts this week and runs into December and I'm afraid of the time involved for surgery. Having been through one mastectomy, I dread the aftermath. Finally, I really want to keep this breast--after losing the other one, it's sort of become my "pal."

Well, I made it through this message so I guess that's something accomplished.

biondi

HI CASSANDRA, WELL, I KNOW THE WORRIED FEELING. HAD MY DOUBLE MAST A YEAR AGO, BUT IF YOU MADE IT THROUGH ONE ALREADY, YOU WILL BE FINE. ONE STEP AT A TIME. MY MOTTO, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT,UNTIL YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT. I WENT BACK TO WORK IN LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER MY MAST. AND I HAVE A VERY PHYSICAL JOB..SOMETIMES I MISS MY MINIE AND MO, BUT RATHER HAVE THEM GONE, AND NOT SO MUCH WORRY. I ONLY HAD CA IN LEFT BREAST, BUT DECIDED ON BILATERAL. I HAD ILC, AND ABOUT 30% OF THE TIME, IT GOES TO THE OTHER BREAST, SO I HAD THEM BOTH WACKED OFF! I'M USED TO FLAT CHEST NOW, DON'T WEAR ANY PHONEY BOOBIES,BUT THAT'S JUST ME.
HEY, AND IF YOU NEED THE MASTECTOMY, BEING "EVEN" CAN BE A GOOD THING, EASY TO WEAR CLOTHES, AND I DON'T LIST TO ONE SIDE! AS I SAID, YOU HAVE DONE THIS ONCE, SO YOU WILL SAIL THROUGH IT THIS TIME.. BIG HUGG, DON'T WORRY..

nash

Good luck tomorrow! Sorry to hear you're going through this again--knowing what could be ahead is in some ways harder than the unknown. Hoping for a successful lumpectomy for you--keep us posted.

NicRic

Hi Cassandra,

I had a lumpectomy last week, August 14th. You've been through the drill before; breathe deeply. Go for a massage. Go for a walk. I am having absolutely no problems from the lumpectomy; in fact, I'm not even sure I'll have a scar. I have a mammocite in place which is a little uncomfortable. I went for the first treatment this morning and it will be out by the end of the week!

I have been a whitewater canoeist since 1981. Through the years, I've come up with what I call whitewater paddling lessons. Through this breast cancer experience, I learned that these whitewater paddling lessons are really life lessons.

1. Look where you want to go. If you're looking at the big rock you want to miss, well, that's where you're going to go. So focus on the best possible outcome for the lumpectomy. Concentrate on it with your whole being.
2. Paddle, paddle, paddle. When you're in whitewater and you're scared, keep paddling. It helps you not freeze up, grab the gunnels and capsize. Stay alert and active (physically and mentally).
3. Never fall in love with a plan. Although you're paddling and you're looking at the clearest channel ahead, sometimes an unanticipated current or hidden rock can 'change your plan.' That's ok, the changed plan might just work out as well. I spoke to a preacher and he said 'Don't awfulize things.'

You go, girl. Sending the best thoughts your way.

Nicole

betsy43

Nicole,

What wonderful advise. I'm not a canoeist but these lessons can be used for life in general. Thanks for sharing, I'll keep them in mind.

Betsy43

cassandra42

Thank you all for your kind words. My lumpectomy results came back today, and it worked! Whew! My lymph nodes will come back tomorrow. But even if any are positive, I think the only treatment left is rads.

twink

Congratulations Cassandra. I'm glad to hear that your lumpectomy went well. Good luck with the nodes now.

TBTB62

Background: 2 types of cancer in same breast so unable to do a lumpectomy, so double mastectomy since have had other lumpectomy, and reconstruction insert of expanders. Nipple and skin saving procedure was an 8 hr surgery. Lymph nodes taken and tested showed clear margins.

8 hrs of fluid, open air and anesthesia.

econstruction progress

My left 80-50-50cc

My right 60-50-50cc

It has been 5 weeks and my gut is extended. Is this normal? Will it go away when I can work out or what do you suggest?

exbrnxgrl

TBTB62,

This thread has been inactive for over 10 years. You may get a better response if you start a new thread. Take care.

LW422

Hello TBTB62 and welcome. Sorry that you have to be here, but you're in good company. I had a single mastectomy with lymph nodes removed three and a half weeks ago and it seems to me that my abdomen is slightly swollen on the surgery side. I'm sure there's lots of fluid and swelling all around the wound but it's hard to say and I'm sure each of us is unique. Others have stated that their belly just looks larger with breast(s) removed so I'm sure that's part of it, too.

My best to you for easy recovery.

exbrnxgrl

Hmm… why are we reviving a thread that has been inactive for 14 years? What the new poster has mentioned was not the topic of this ancient thread so it’s likely she’ll get more responses by starting a new thread. Not chiding anyone butreopening an unrelated thread that has been inactive for 14 years doesn’t seem productive.