Diary of a bilateral mastectomy

bumping again... sending good vibes and {{hugs}} to all

bump  :-) 

I guess this is my diary of sorts.

I have decided to draw the line, I had my BMX with recon on May 11 2010.  Everything was great until I got an infection on the tumor side.  Left side no issues TE still in today uncomfortable at times. Took the right expander out had my chemo since my tumor was 5.5 cm and 5/10 had cancer 1 of the 5 metastasized next to tumor.  Last chemo Oct 1st yea, was scheduled to try to redo the TE in right side before Rads, Nov 9th was very uncomfortable during Thanksgiving. Returned to work on Nov 30th and found seepage on incision call PS got in found I had cellulitist and incision not healing.  On Dec 9th found a whole in the skin got bigger and had to take TE out again.  Start Rads on Monday so happy to get that started after lingthly delay.  Talk to BS on 1/12 about deconstruction and what to expect.  Talk to PS on 1/14 to give him my decision.  I plan on talking out TE on left side and smoothing out skin, whatever it takes.  Please Please do extensive research prior to your surgery.  I have problems with circulation and I know that was a contributing factor to my rejection of TE and I am not doing an LD Flap even though there are good success stories out there.  I know my PS will not be please with my decision since he has worked so hard on my recon.  What is important is your health and quality of life.  I thought it was a process, diagnosis, see Breast Surgeon (BS) about options (she felt I was a good candidate of BMX with recon) get tests done, had 2nd MRI with biopsy on left side due to some concerns, See PS.  Had surgery, did not see Onco until after surgery to remove first TE. Did not talk to the radiation onco until after my 2nd surgery decision  etc, my story is not positive or successful right now since I am still in the middle of it but it will work out in the end.  I work through most of this as well.  I have kept positive though it all (except this last surgery), and sometimes you have to go though pain to see your strength.  Trust God, listen to your DH (husband) and listen to your instincts.  Take lots of notes and research.  I did not do enough and I am working through it. You can let cancer be your curse or a blessing.  I choose blessing because it has made me stronger in my relationships with my savior, my family and my friends and made some awesome new friends that have gone on this journey before me.  Onward and upward.  God Bless all of you and sending positive vibes to each and everyone of you who are just starting your journey.

mjbmiller- It is your decision. Do not worry about "hurting" anyone's feelings. It sounds like you have been through hell and back on top of the BC. The circulation issue is huge and very important for us all to know. My PS will not do my exhange until six weeks out from my having quit smoking completely for that very reason. It has been a concern of his since day one. Which is why I could not have my nipples spared althought here was no indication of cancer-he said that is what will "fail" the most easily due to your smoking history. I think the dangers are either minimized or blown up- just like everything with this damn disease. Sometimes it seems the disease itself is conquered but the cure kicks us in the ass.

If you choose to go "smooth" there are plenty of women who have done the same thing. There are photo forums with pictures and discussion. I think if you contact timtam she can let you know how to access it.

BIG NEW YEARS HUG TO MY FELLOW TEXAN! (and everyone else everywhere!)

Bump (to keep thread active).

{{ bump }}

Ladies, I'm having my BMX next month and want to know about what I should get to prepare for dressing!  I'm having a skin sparing BMX for later reconstruction.  Do I need a bra/camisole?  What type?  Do you start with boob inserts right away, or wait for swelling/healing to go down?

Survivor - have qtips, 4x4 gauses and safety pins. I got post surgical cammies from the TLC web sit the American Cancer Society puts out. For my surgeries the hospital put on me stretchy/Velcro top that I was able to attach the drains with the pins on. Also, if you are able to take showers, get string to tie to the drains to and tie around your neck. PM me if you have further questions.

coni I had two drains removed after bmx and it was uncomfortable but not painful. 

The actual length of the drains surprised me, but they came out fairly easily.

Make sure your doc OPENS THE PLUGS on the drain bulbs to release the suction.

I did take a pain pill before the appt.  Good luck and gentle {{hugs}}

Slight pain but big relief after. Take a deep breath right before they take it out.

{{coni}} I am a known weenie when it comes to pain, and for me it was OK. 

I was so relieved to have the doggone things out, it outweighed any temporary discomfort. 

coni - yay for drains coming out and double yay to no pain!

I did not have staples so maybe someone else can answer that question.

Just want to say remember you are healing on the inside so take it very easy on yourself.

IDK if this is accurate, but the way I thought of it was that the inside (the stuff I couldn't see) was healing apace with the outside (the stuff I could see). 

If you're like me, your chest may be hyper-sensitive for a while.  What helped me was to gently place my hands on my chest.  The touch and the very light pressure relieved a lot of that prickly feeling.  That subsided after a few weeks. Could not wear anything but natural fabrics against my skin for a few months so bought some silk camis at Winter Silks outlet for not a lot, and wore them under everything.  All-cotton was good too but no polyester or synthethics at all.

Glad you're OK - gentle {{hugs}}

I didn't wear the poofies either, I had gotten a couple of the Softee two camis to deal with drains, and wore those for the first two weeks.  Got the silk camis when I went back to work two weeks later. 

Didn't do much of anything for the first week except sleep and take meds on schedule to stay ahead of the pain.  Stay hydrated and take a stool softener because pain pills will back you up.  Sorry that's yucky but you need to know that! 

Started gentle movement week two but still not much lifting or stretching.  I was surprised by how many everyday movements use chest muscles.  Didn't use warm compresses though.