Surgery agony

Wborn

I've read so many posts on various threads, and I feel like I need to share my experience and hopefully gain some insight. I had a double mastectomy with lattimaus dorsi flap reconstruction on February 24th. From the second I woke up from surgery, I've had problem after problem and continue to live in agony four weeks out. I feel like I was misled about this process as far as pain levels and quality of life. I still have 4 drains, and all of them are growing incressingly sore. The two in my back can be seen through the skin, and now cause so much pain and discomfort that I can't even sleep sitting up with pillows. My PS was excited at surgery that he could get 250 ccs on each side, but I suffered so much pressure and restricted feeling that he drained all of it out last week. It took two tries and hurt like hell. Now I have 2 flattened pancakes on my chest that I can feel uncomfortably 24/7. I'm really thin, so I can feel and see every implement that is foreign to my body. On top of all of that, I'm just miserable and truly feel I made the wrong decision with this surgery. The feeling of having on a bra ten sizes too small never goes away. I just want to sleep and feel normal. Unfortunately, most of the posts I've read make this sound so much easier and I'm beginning to think that I'm a big baby. I just want to hear other people's experience, strength and hope. I'm starting to become depressed and need some reassurance. I have chemo looming in the future, and I need to gain some positivity back in my life. Thank you!

Moderators

Welcome Wborn,

We're so sorry you're having these difficulties. Such a shame to have to deal with these complications along with a breast cancer diagnosis! Please know you've come to the best place for support and advice -- you're sure to get some great, helpful responses soon from our ever-helpful members, who have been through similar experiences.

We are sending healing thoughts your way and hope it gets better soon!

(((Gentle Hugs)))

--The Mods

Bravenurse13

Wborn,

I feel for you.  I do know everyone is an individual, pain is totally subjective, nobody knows but you.

Are you still using pain medication?  I no longer use narcotics and I am 4 weeks out ( 2/24 also!) double mast. with immediate reconstruction with TE.  My right side had the lymph nodes taken out and I can feel the trauma on the right side vs the left side which was only a simple mastectomy. 

It is so important to feel comfortable with your PS some do not have the greatest bedside manners.

The drains in your back sound totally uncomfortable how many cc per 24 hour are you draining in each one?

Did the PS tell you how long the drains had to stay in? I only had 2 my 1st taken out after 10 days the other 16 days with less than 30 for 2 days. 

Did you also have lymph nodes out too?   I guess if you are having chemo your pathology report came back positive???

I believe you surgery was more involved than mine, so hard to compare the two.

I hope you feel better soon, there has to be light at the end of the tunnel.