double mastectomy no reconst

shirleysangels22

In July 2011 I had a double mastectomy. We decided not to do reconst surgery. I'm 68 yrs old.

What would be the point. To much pain for me. The double was enough. I had cancer in the left breast ( 2cm ).  I have had some real pain under the armpit on the left side. I also have had real pain across my chest. It's like I have a tight tight rope or 10 ace bandages pulling it tight. Has anybody had this before? If so what did you do to relieve the pain. It's been almost 5 months. I sure would like any help that's out there.

Moderators

Hi shirleysangels22,

We're sure there'll be some helpful posts soon from others experiencing what you are. In the meantime, you may find it informative to check out the main Breastcancer.org site and the Treatments for Pain section, along with the Pain as a Side Effect page.

Hope this helps!

--The Mods

shirleysangels22

Thank you so much for the Breastcancer.org site. I will check it out. I thought I could handle this alone but, I found out I need support from women that have been there. I can't stop crying even with all support from my family and friends. I guess I'm not as strong as I thought I was.

crystalphm

I have this same "tightness" too...I do stretching every single day, especially walking my hands up a wall as far ad they can go, and back down again. I am 20 months out, and the tightness is still quite a thing for me...recently I began scar massage with the help of a therapist, and that is helping the most, just a gentle moving the scar every day...

You are amazingly strong!!! Look what you have done to save your own life Shirley!!! So we cry, hey, that is a part of all of this. I have great family and freind too, but the support here is unlike any other, because you are now talking to women who understand every aspect of coping with all the things involved with breast cancer.

d

jenn3

When I had my double masectomy I too had a lot of tightness. First check with your dr to make sure you don't have lymphema or cording.  If all is well (which I'm sure it is) do the excercises they gave you as often as possible.  Do them while you're watching television, laying in bed, taking a walk.  The more you excercise the muscles the better it will feel.  I know it's hard when the muscles in your arms and or chest hurt, but it does help.  Stretch, stretch, stretch. 

I hope you feel better soon.  (((hugs))) Jenn

shirleysangels22

Thank you so very much for your reply. I wasn't sure anyone was out there. I have been streching and massaging all along. I guess when you think about it> It's a small price to pay for your life>

I need so bad to have other lady's that are going through the same thing let me know I'm not crazy or just being a big baby. I'll keep on streching. Who knows maybe I'll grow a inch.

shirleysangels22

Man, you lady's are fantastic. I sure wish I had found this site a few months ago. I have been doing the streching things all along. I will keep it up. Nice hot showers seem to help me. Thank you, Thank you for your support. You have no idea how much I needed this. God bless you.

Moderators

shirleysangels22, another forum that you may find helpful is Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy.

Judith and the Mods

msphil

Hello shirleysangels22, I am a long time survivor(Praise the Lord)but I still remember the pain after the L mastectomy, I too walked my arm up and down the wall it did help alot, I did it everyday to loosen up.I had mastectomy with reconstruction but my body rejected the implant and it was very very painful, i wished I had just went with the mast and wear a prothesis like I have done for 17 yrs, Yes I am cancer free and SURVIVOR for17 yr, Thank God, so do the arm streches and you will feel the difference, God Bless Us ALL. msphil

shirleysangels22

Hi my Sisters in Pink,

What a difference a month and a half makes. I am feeling so much better. It will be 6 months the 28th of this month since my surgery.  I still have the tightness acrossed the chest but, I can handle it. My Oncologist told me the first of this month that I have the bones of a 85 year women.( I'm 68 yrs old ) He wants me to see a Endocinolgist. I called my PCP and was told that they're are very few here in Phoenix-Scottsdale area and there is a 6 months wait for a appointment. Why Not!!!!!!!!!!!. I'll just have to stay off ladders and watch where I'm walking and sit down more like a lady. LOL.

Prayers to all my Sisters in Pink.

God bless,

Shirley

Karen3

Hi Shirley

I was searching the boards and your post struck a chord with me. I am really struggling at the moment with the tight feeling across the chest that you explain. I had my bilataral mastecomy on 8th Dec 2011. It still feels like there is a plank of wood attached to the front of my chest and someone is stood on it! I feel the tightness all the time. The top of my arms feel as if they are on fire and I am numb right the way round my back. I had radiation on my right side two years ago when I had my first encounter with BC and it seems that there is a build of immobile scar tissue on that side. I am currently going to physiotherapy at hospital and and it's working well. The above ladies are right - gentle stretching is the key. I am also massaging around the scar tissue and it is beginning to feel more 'mobile'. They told me that all this is very typical when women have both their breasts removed together - there is no 'good side' to compensate. I am not sure what I expected but the healing seems to be taking a while. So, hang on Shirley and it will get better I am sure. 

Karen X

shirleysangels22

Hi Karen3,

I had no idea it's been this long since i have been on this wonderful site. So much has happen from Dec-2011 and August 2012. I quit Tamoxifen in Feb 2012. Have fired two Oncol.( I know there is one out there that has a PULSE.)One who cares about the person and not the almighty $$$$$$$$$$$$$ Saw a bone Dr. that wanted to do a yearly shot for my Osto. The side effects were unreal. No thanks. I have been taking myself off of Extra Strength Tylenol little by little. I was taking 6 to 8 pills a day for the pain. I don't take any now. I take 2 Aleve around 6PM. Don't get me wrong I still have pain that goes all the way around my chest but, I don't need Liver trouble on top of Cancer either. I still have pitty party's even though it's been almost 13 months since my surgery. I'm so happy for this forum. My dear sweet husdand,daughter and friend's as much as they try " JUST DON'T GET IT. " Thank you all so much for letting me vent. Stay strong

Love to all my Sisters in Pink, Shirley