August 2010 Mastectomy

lovesnature

Hello sisters. I'm 6 days out from my BMX w/TE surgery. I'm doing well, and just wanted to send the message to you ladies coming up. It's doable! 

I've have been reading, just not feeling really chatty.

lago

lovesnature: Thanks for checking in. If you are reading this then stop. You should be resting and not on the computer Glad to hear you're OK and doing well.

poppy12

Lovesnature glad you are doing ok, I am still waiting to get my drain out hopefully tomorrow and to all who have still to have their surgery yes it is doable, honestly it is not as bad as you think,hugs to everyone

Celia.x

LindaNZ

Iago Saw your post elsewhere re immediate implant. I have had this done 11 days ago - don't know where it is with respect to the pectoral muscle - will be asking! It all happened so fast that I didn't have time to ask the questions that I should have asked - was simply told that this was the best option for me. I think recovering from the surgery is pretty easy compared with most of the other girls here. The only problem I have is with the drain. Am off pain meds. Oh - and the shape of the new boob is upsetting me. I'm impressed with the women here who have opted for no reconstruction - I couldn't contemplate that. So it's good that there is "something" there. But that something is a misshapen bulging ball of a thing ..... and it hasn't changed at all over the last 11 days. Sigh.

Pathology report in a few hours. Am feeling pretty anxious.

Good wishes to all.

lago

Linda: Check with your PS but things take time. Things need to settle. 11 days is nothing after a surgery like this. I know that they say that your range of motion might not be back for 6-8 weeks or more.

There might be some "adjusting" that they do afterwards that isn't major surgery. Breast reconstruction is a several step process even if it's immediate implant.

RobinLM

Hi  - THanks for sharing that....I'm having the same as you on 31st. I was told by my PS that he would add liposucted fat later, as required to sculpt a nice shape, perhaps several lots, .... apparently 30% of the added fat is reabsorbed by the body.... I'm thinking it's kind of poetic to half bum fat in your boobs!!

lol Robin

lago

Robin: my PS also mentioned someting about fat grafting. I will be talking with him again on Wednesday. I've only met with him once and that was the initial consultation. At that time I was just wrapping my head around my diagnosis. Since I saw him things have changed… now doing BMX and also good chance of radiation. He did mention some of the issues though. Also asked me at the time if I was having radiation but I didn't know.

I always said I was built like the Barbie doll if you turned me upside down and backwards. Now it will be official once they use butt fat in my boobs.

taranebraska

Hi all, checking in now that I'm 13 days post-op, no reconstruction.  Drains were out on day 9, and today, I'm feeling normal!  The mornings have been much better than the afternoons, so I'm working up to feeling normal til 3 pm, then hopefully can hit feeling normal until 5-6 pm so I can retrurn to work next Monday.

The only pain I still have is right under my arms, particularly my right where 2 nodes were removed.  My left arm can reach above my head now and my right can go perpendicular, but I'm not pushing it.  Still working on very slow stretches.

You all are so cheerful and uplifting, it's great to keep reading your posts to cheer me up!

hunter15

Finally back home. I opted for the unilateral, felt it was the right choice for me. The SNB injection and mapping no problem, the surgery, not a cake walk but I am feeling okay. Does the pain get worse? I am now two days out and with a little pain killer relief, some great pillow support and my amazing famiy I am doing great, if it is only up from here then I can say the sun will be shining again soon for me! I should get my path results Mon. fingers crossed no suprises!!!! 

hunter15

Had the surgery and all went well.I needed a break from the forum before my surgery, time to clear my head, sorry that I did not respond sooner. I ended up with unilateral mx, lost my nipple (that is okay, I would rather be safe), waiting on my path report for my nodes, etc. two drains and all is going well. I was so scared looking at my breast for the first time, scared to have my husband see it, what an amazing man I have! He looked at it, looked at me and said it looks great and smiled the most sincere honest smile ever, he gives me so much strength. This has been such a tough experience, now that I am on the other side of the surgery I feel I am climbing out of this pit I call breast cancer. I am a survivor and I have and will continue to kick cancer's butt! My pain is manageable, if it does not getting any worse than this I feel lucky! Still trying how to figure the best way to get comfortable lying in bed, etc. I have propped every pillow in my house around me like a cream puff!

Pawprint

Sounds like you are doing well Hunter15. Just take it slow and easy. I hope your path report comes in with no extra worries. Your husband is very supportive. It is hard to get comfortable. Do you have a recliner? When you said you looked like a cream puff with all your pillows around you it made me laugh. Take good care. I hope your healing process moves along quickly and pain free.

Paula1231

hello to all

i am home.  my lap top was too heavy to post earlier but mDH set me up.  One drain removed today.  initially SNB was negative.  will get path on thursday.  not too much pain.  im typing one handed.  was told not to use left arm at all.  at eleventh hr changed my mind abt lat flap and went with expander.  will have it filled on thurs.  thanks for all the love & good wishes.  im glad this part is over,  still cry when i see my flat side.  good wishes to you all.

paula

Pawprint

taranebraska...you're doing amazing. you're funny about feeling normal in the mornings and need to work on feeling normal thru the afternoon so you can return to work Monday. i wish you had more time off work to ease yourself back more slowly. be gentle with yourself as your body heals. sending pain free fast recovery your way.

RobinLM

Lago...... thats funny

Well done Hunter 15, you are doing great. Sure you made the right decision re TE, you might have somewhere else hurting more if you had gone the flap way.

Taranebraska - WOW I'm hoping I recover as fast as you - you are a fantastic example!

LOL to all you ladies who are done and those of us whose surgery is coming up.

Robin xx

poppy12

Paula1231 and Hunter 15 glad to hear that you are doing ok good to be on this side of it. I got my drain out yesterday and it is much easier now that I dont have to carry it around all the time, think I might have a little stroll to the shop just down the road will have to face people sometime might as well get on with it, love to everyone and best wishes to all still waiting for their surgery,

Celia.x

Anne068

Paula and Hunter! Glad to hear all is well! Hang in there!  It's not so bad is it? Physically, I mean. The pain and recovery is not nearly as bad as I had envisioned it.  The emotional, well...  I think we all have good days and bad. I try to stay positive for the most part, when I'm not in denial about the whole thing, and just pretending everything is normal. But every once in a while, I break down.

 Sending healing and happy thoughts to everyone!!!

Nbb1032

Hi Everyone!

Haven't posted in a few days - Came home from my sister's in Baltimore on Sunday and with trying to get used to a new routine at home, friends stopping by, and trying to go back to work when I'm not even 3 weeks post op ---- Well, I overdid it and now am taking a day off to just rest.  I see I can now welcome home Celia, Paula and Hunter.  So happy to be able to put DONE! next to your names!  Hope you are all recovering nicely.  Good luck with everyone's pathology reports. 

And it seems a welcome is in order to DvinMsS (who shares a surgery date with me) and Carrol2.  Glad you have found us just in time!  We are a great support group and a bunch of very brave and courageous ladies.

It will be 21 days post op  tomorrow, and like Smurfie said - there are good days and bad days.  I need to work on my range of motion a little more.  Nobody gave me any excercises so I guess I have to look those up myself.  Still a lot of nerve pain under the arm and sometimes if feels like my chest is on fire (like I fell down and brushburned it)  Not sure what that is about.  Have been off pain meds for awhile and just taking 800mg of Advil every 4 hours.  Two of the drain holes do not seem to be closing very quickly (not leaking like Tara's though).  

Will be going down to Baltimore next Monday for my first fill.  I'll let you know how that goes!  Right now my foobs look like large wrinkly pancakes pasted onto my chest (They must have saved ALL the skin from my 34DD's!) There seems to be skin everywhere - tucked here and there!  Yuck! 

Well, I've rambled enough.  In case I forget,  Good luck to Mindy, Robin, Lago and Sunny who are having their surgeries next week!   We are almost there, girls!  It really is better on the "other side"!

Nancy   

Anne068

Welcome Back Nbb! I'm so glad you had a nice getaway! I'm a tad bit jealous!

 Okay, I have a question.. just to recap.. my drain stopped sucking on the left side about 3 days post op.. at my follow up (9 days post op) there was fluid buildup.  I was assured "this is normal and will re-absorb on its own".  Okaaaay. Well, it's been a week, and it is NOT re-absorbing.  In fact, it is getting larger! I am an A cup on that side, I'd guess. While my right side is flat and wrinkled, but yeah,  I know that is normal.

 It is to the point, I feel I should start "stuffing" on my right side, so that it is even with my fluid filled left side! I have called the PS, am waiting for a return call.

 I just thought I'd check with you ladies as well. Are any of you experiencing this???

Anne

smurfiep

Nice to have you back Nancy - I was thinking of you and hoping you were okay. Three weeks out feels pretty good. I am down to Tylenol as needed. I have hit a bit of a snafu...I have a small infection on my left side. This is my third day on antibiotics and it does look better (just FYII redness with heat on the skin may be indicative of infection). I met with my PS yesterday who looked at my foob and he is not overly concerned and asked me to check in tomorrow if it was not getting better. BTW I really like him and if anyone in the SF Bay Area needs a PS, I will gladly provide his info.

Anne- Yes, I am having this same problem on BOTH SIDES. This is called seroma and is VERY common according to both my PS and BS. They both said it is probably from me trying to do too much the first few weeks. I need to still get lots of rest and not do too much house work (my BS said "no making beds, putting away dishes, etc" :-) However, my PS did sayit is okay to get some mild  excercise like riding a stationary bike, etc. (no weight lifting). He too confirmed that the body will reabsorb the fluids. For those of us with TEs, he said it actually helps stretch the skin so it doesn't delay the expansion process. (BTW Nancy, I have not had any fills yet because of this minor infection).

Totally agree with Tara about only feeling 100% for part of the day. I woke at 6:00, made school lunches, DROVE the kids to school (woo hoo) and came home. Took a nap and then laid on the couch and watched a movie. I feel guilty but...Doctor's orders!!! By 4 or 5:00, I am ready for another nap. My point?? It takes everyone a different amount of time to restore energy. One friend told me that she had to take a nap (or at least rest) for 30 minutes each day, even well into her 4th month. But everyone is different.

 BTW, is anyone feeling weird about not wearing a bra? After wearing a bra since the age of 10, it feels SOOO weird to walk around without one. I feel "exposed"! But I can honestly say I don't miss it! LOL! 

Health and healing to all, Smurfie. 

Marly

I went back to work exactly two weeks post-op and I wish I'd waited another week. I was doing fine and then developed a seroma.... I know they're common, but this is...uncomfortable. I get to work at 9am and by 3pm I am stick-a-fork-in-me done, so I've been coming home early.

 hunter15, I am pleased for you that your husband reacted that way. My husband was very supportive right up until a week after surgery, but he hasn't looked at the incision and doesn't want to know about the seroma. He's always been squeamish, but it's starting to hurt my feelings a little bit. 

Anne068

Smurfie, yes.. that is what I have. And I have it on both sides too. I didn't notice the right side because it is not as obvious as the left. Until the nurse called me, and she told me to look in the mirror and touch it, and I was like "oh YEAH... it's sloshy too!!! But not as much! The left side looks like I'm growing a new boob!" She said to alternate hot and cold packs, and massage it. And to give it a month. As long as there is no "redness, hot to touch, or pain" and most definitely, if I run ANY FEVER, to call. And, of course... no housework.  I got yelled at for that.  I had just finished putting away the dishes, and sweeping the floor. Oops.

 So, otherwise. I will see the PS on 9/7.  She said he can also look at it. 

As far as not wearing a bra. Oh Yeah. That IS weird!!! My daughter had a friend stay over, and I walked in the kitchen in the morning, and immediately thought "Oh, I should go put a bra on" as I hunched my shoulders and turned around to walk back towards my bedroom. (I was a large D/smaller DD... and wearing a tank top braless is not really appropriate around my children's friends! LOL!) But as I was walking back to my bedroom, I glanced down (to make sure they weren't "Perky!")  and was like "OH!!! Where'd they go? Ohhhhh yea... right. Okay, I don't need to put a bra on! Hahahahaha!!!"

 And Like you...Not missin it!!  

Marly

Anne, didn't they tell you to put the compression bra back on to help with the slosh? My doctor told me to put that back on...nobody's said "do less," although I wish they would!

Anne068

No, they didn't tell me to put the compression bra back on. I'm not sure that's what they gave me? I just got a sports bra that you can buy at walmart... maybe I should put that back on ?

Damn. I'm getting tired of this B.S.   ....     May I please go back in time to before my annual pap and mammo? Please? Pretty Please?

Marly

I'm tired of it too. Going in, I was so upbeat and positive, and I'm glad all the bad/iffy cells are gone. I don't even mind my breast being gone. But I'm tired of the healing part. Thank God I got only DCIS and that it's been dealt with. But geeeeeez, I feel like a whiny-ass tired out cranky little kid.

In recovery I woke up with a sports bra shaped thing, but it's velcro everywhere. And pretty tight...and gets tighter as the day goes on because I accumulate fluid. When I told the dr about my slosh she said so long as I was wearing the compression bra and taking Keflex I was "doing everything right." I see the surgeon again in a week and I want him to tell me to go back to step 1 (after surgery) and do nothing. They told me to "lift nothing," and I thought that sounded silly. Who would lift a fork to my mouth?  I want him to keep me out of work for two months and I want him to tell my husband to do everything, but everything.

There. See? Just like a whiny 2-year-old. 

Anne068

Well, then I'm a whiny two year old too.  I should be happy.  They caught it. My ER/PRandHER2 are exactly the way they wanted them. I had the dbl mast, and dbl SNB.. they got all the cancer, clear margins, clear nodes. So WTH am I crying about?

 And I've broken down and cried several times today. I'm just tired, tired of hurting, tired of looking in the mirror, tired of being upbeat and positive all the F***ing time. Tired of reassuring everyone that I will be FINE! Tired of being strong...

I'm just tired. And I don't want to do this anymore.

CheriD

Hi everyone. I had my MX August 9th. Everything went great and I got a great report from the BS last Friday.  The only problem during recovery was 1 leaky pain of a drain. Got that removed Friday and they expected the other drain to pick up the slack, but it didn't and now I have a build up of fluid. I've noticed that everyone else on here who had a seroma was told it would just absorb. When I went to my PS yesterday about it he informed me that he would do surgery tomorrow morning to remove the fluid. I asked if it could just be aspirated but he doesn't want to chance puncturing the expander.

 I'm just starting to regain my strength and stamina and I hope the anesthesia won't knock me back to far. He said it will only take about 15 min so it shouldn't be too bad. He said he would probably fill the expander more while he's in there. I know the skin can handle it because the fluid is as big or bigger than he would fill it to this time anyway lol.

Wish me luck and you're all in my thoughts and prayers

smurfiep

Hi Anne, I can honestly relate to how you feel. We will all have bad and good days. Physically, we are healing and we will heal with each passing day. Emotionally, things will also get better but after such a huge life-changing experience you are allowed (and expected) to mourn the loss of your breast. I cried the other nite because all I wanted to do was sleep on my side but it was too painful. I cried again  the day my surgical tape came off and I saw my scars for the first time. But we are blessed and this too shall pass. (Funny how I can say this today but tomorrow may be a different story. LOL!) Your sisters are here to hold your hand and send you a (virtual) hug when you need. We understand!!!

Smurfie 

Carole66

Wow I am glad I am not the only one getting emotional lately. I have not shed a tear since my diagnosis March 5th. Chemo was a breeze but going through surgery and recovering at home mostly on my own has been tough and I have found myself crying a few times over the last few days. I have amazing friends here, great support from my family (even though they are ALL in Canada) but I am single and that part sucks right now as having a pair of strong arms around me would certainly help things feel a little better.

I have had my drains in almost 2 weeks and ready to rip those babies out. I have an appoitment tomorrow for a follow up with my PS and also to get my drains out but 2 of them are still putting out 40-50CC daily so not getting my hopes up.

Cheer up ladies. Hopefully things are looking up for all  of us. 

CherylQ

Getting ready to be a part of the August Mast group. Schedule for Aug. 26 L breast radical mast with L axillary nodal dissection.  Then chemo and rads followed by r mast and reconstruction.  Can relate to not crying until today.  But I am going to kick this cancer's ass.

 Peace and laughter is my life.

Cheryl

Marly

CherylQ, start out with that great attitude and you'll do well! 

I think the frustration for others of us comes from thinking it's all over and we're all fixed now and should be feeling just peachy keen fine and it takes longer than that. When people say "be gentle with yourself," believe it. It works.