Sitting here 2 days after dbl MX

Christine2000

I went off the pain meds (vicodin) because they were making me feel so wonky and I just wanted to NOT be drugged for awhile, so I am uncomfortable (not unbearable) --having a few sips of red wine! Feeling the roller coaster of RELIEF that it is over and also stunned that my 40 dds are gone and all there is on my chest is a big scar. My 10 year old cried when she saw me but now seems to be fine. She and my partner are out and I am alone for the first time and had a tiny melt down but it passed quickly. I hate these damn drains. 

Christine 

Marple

Hey Christine.  A meltdown is in order at any time with this darned business of b.c. but certainly post surgery for sure.  And the drains do suck......but they'll do their job and then you'll be done with them.  Take it easy........enjoy your sip of wine.  Gentle hugs.

Mantra

I found being alone = meltdown. I don't think that is such an unusual thing given all you've been through. I only had the drains for 5 days but definitely noticed an immediate relief once they were gone. I was prescribed Tramacet for pain and found it did the trick as long as I took the maximum every 4 hours.

hollyann

Hugs, Christine......Meltdowns of any size are definitely permitted now......Be gentle with yourself and remember you are very fragile mentally right now...You have been through a lot and need to just take time to adjust......

everyminute

drains suck, in my opinion, everything else was doable.  Fortunately the drains only last for a week or two for most people

39mom2babies

Hello Christine2000,  I am sitting on the couch now, 9 days out of my double mast.  I had tissue expanders put in with 150cc of saline in each.  I also still have two drains. If it werent for the expanders, I dont think I would be in any pain anymore.  The pain/discomfort seems to heal fast.  Are you going to do reconstruction?

Christine2000

Nope, I am not.  had a hard long think about it and decided it really wasn't for me.

anniebford

Hi Christine, It is a bit shocking to see the scar for the first time. I was not prepared at all to look down at 70 staples. There weren't pictures for me to see or anyone I knew who had been through it, so I was sort of surprised. I wrote in my journal that day how my surgeon must have been employed at a railroad previously, since it looked like he got confused and laid train tracks across my chest, lol now. But it wasn't so lol then to me. The good news is that healing happens and the drains come out and then it starts to be better. My 12 yr old son was horrified that I had to have my breasts "amputated" as he put it. We told the kids what was going on from the start but we were careful to give them only the facts as they could handle them. I had my meltdowns when no one was home and kept a brave face for the kids. Some people may not agree with that but I felt it was important that my bc not be the focal point of their childhood. I also could not think about recon then but now am.      

JustmeAlicia

Christine -

I hope you are feeling ok.  I am 6 days post op a double max with tissue expanders put in place.  I have been forgoing the vicodens as well.  Doing just tylenol it is ok ~  I have 4 freaking drains and am so sick of laying on my back when it is time to sleep.  I am a side sleeper.  I go see the PS today hopefully will get the drains out.  1 is still putting out quite a bit, but I will be thankful if I just have the one !  Christine what was your diagnosis?  Do you need chemo?  My 10 year old and 15 year old both looked a little shocked at my flat chested appearance I left a pair of D's in the OR.

Healing hugs,

Alicia

Christine2000

Hi Alicia and Annie!

I was diagnosed with stage IIIA  IDC last april, with 2 tumors, one 1.8 and the other 2.2, plus lymph involvement. My onc decided to do chemo first: 4 rounds A/c, then 12 rounds TX. I tolerated it very well and could feel the mass shrink! I also had a pair of double d's and even though I lost A LOT of weight during chemo (on purpose, through diet and exercise--almost 40 pounds!) the damn things didn't even go down a size! So chemo is behind me-- I had a "clean " pre-surgical MRI but as the surgeon points out its the pathology that matters and I am still waiting on that. I chose not to do any reconstruction-- I am ready to be flat chested and I simply cannot bear any more surgery. PLUS I have radiation to look forward to. My 10 year old also burst into tears when she saw me, but has since come around. Not sure what will happen when she sees my railroad track chest though....

mumito

Hi Cristine I am 1week post op starting to go bonkers with the drains.I quit the pain killers as well and have had a little red wine as well. Hang in there.

Christine2000

hey mumayan-- any idea when yours are coming OUT??

JustmeAlicia

Christine you sound like you are doing great !  The flat chested isn't that bad for me either... after having such a large annoying rack I do look much thinner minus the big diseased floppies.  (sorry if I am being so blunt ladies... sarcasm helps me deal)  Lol  I am not using the pain pills either, but cannot indulge in alcohol unfortunately...  I will have my pathology report on Thursday ~ when do you get yours Christine.  I will pray for great results for you !!!

Gentle Hugs

stlrepke

OMG the drains are the worst!!!!! I'm two weeks post op from a double mx and had immediate reconstruction. I had 4 drains total and had two on the left removed last Tuesday but still had quite a bit of drainage on the right. I go back today and hopefully the PS will pull these because I can't stand it anymore. I started taking pain meds again to sleep because of the irritation from the drains under my arm.

Good luck to you ladies and hang in there.

clariceak

Christine2000

Congats on the weight loss. That's awesome.  I'm stage 3 as well, and had my bilat last week.  Everything moved so quickly for me that I didn't really get a chance to think out the whole reconstruction decision.  I was leaning towards no reconstruction, but decided to leave my options open so I'm rocking some serious dog ears now.

 I had my surgery in Seattle and stayed for a week after so I went home in my camisole with "sea shell" inserts.  My 8 and 10 year girls haven't even noticed my surgery.  I'll be telling them soon since I have to leave again for 2 weeks to start chemo.  My ten year (almost 11) is starting to develop and I wonder how my situation might affect her body image.

I have 3 drains and had an anxious moment at airport security.  I thought they might want me to empty my bulging pant pockets.  It looks like I might get one out today. 

Hoping everyone with drains can get them out soon.

mumito

Hi Cristine not until my fluid is under 30cc'c from each tube for two days. One is almost ready but the other one is still producing about 50mls a day. AARRGG.Still don't have my recent pathology back yet. Still waiting.

Christine2000

Hey all-- wanted to let you know that I spoke to my NP at my oncologist's office about my pathology report--she said NOT to worry, it does not change anything – the worst case scenario I  may have a small area of residual cells – considering where I started that is a great outcome. (I started with a Big A** mass with 2 tumors in it that is now--according to the MRI--completely gone!) So--on to radiation!