BRCA 2 gene

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Jobro
Jobro Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

I could really use some help here! I am 50 years old and because of family history my obyn did the genetic testing on me last month. My life has been nothing but doc appt and worry since. I had my hysterectomy Monday and am home doing pretty good. But they have my double masectomy scheduled fo the 24th of this month. I am scared to death. As of last Sunday I was perfectly healthy and it just seems crazy to go through all this pain! Although I sure dont want cancer either! My breast surgeon And plastic surgeon just act like it's a walk in the park! Out off the hospital in a day or two..... Could really use some feedback from people that have gone through this, especially on what to expect for pain and getting back to a normal life. Thanks so much!

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  • canarychick
    canarychick Member Posts: 14
    edited August 2011

    HI Jobro,

    I have the exact situation. I am 55 and was diagnosed this spring. July 5 I had a double mastectomy. July 11th had implants. July 29th, had implants removed due to infection. Now I am breastless until at least January. Seriously thinking of having the DIEP surgery next time where they use fat from your stomache. I also get depressed and think I am going through a nightmare. I will eventually schedule the hysterectomy. I live in Florida and go to MD Anderson in Orlando. Dr. Klein is known for performing the DIEP.

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  • Jobro
    Jobro Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2011

    Thanks for your reply canary chick. I am sorry to hear about the infection. I hear that a lot. A friend of mine who has breast cancer just removed her expanders because of infection. Now she is going to have to start all over in november. I am feeling pretty good today . The hysterectomy was not that bad. I have had a few hot spells but nothing that lasted very long. Its been about a week and other than lifting and I tire easy I feel pretty good. How was the pain with the masectomy ? I think that scares me the worst... What am I in for??? I see the plastic surgeon in the morning . But I think they are doing the nipple sparing with tissue expanders . I have been told there is a lot more healing and pain taking stomach fat. But hey you can have a free tummy tuck!,

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  • StaceyLynn
    StaceyLynn Member Posts: 84
    edited August 2011

    Jobro, I had a BMX in May and had very little pain from mastectomy. The pain i had was from the drains. I chose no recon. Wishing you the best.

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  • Jobro
    Jobro Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2011

    Thanks Staceylynn. I was just talking about that with my husband. I hear the pain is mostly related to the reconstruction. I am still deciding if I want them reconstructed . I will decide after meeting with the ps in the morning. I sure appreciate you responding.



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  • canarychick
    canarychick Member Posts: 14
    edited August 2011

    Jobro, the pain from the mastectomy is actually not that bad. I was so scared also, but it really is not that bad. I had drains continuously for a month and they were not painful for me, just annoying. I had nipple and skin sparing also and would recommend it.

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  • Jobro
    Jobro Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2011

    Thanks canarychick i woke up this morning a little antsy . Yesterday I did just fine ! But also chatted with another women that had gone throough this also . I am so impressed with the younger women that are so brave doing this at such a young age. What courage! My plastic surgeon told me yesterday that ithe pain shouldn't be any worse than my hysterectomy and from what I'm hearing from you guys he sounds right. Our minds can take us to such dark and scary places if we let it! Going to try to keep my focus on Christ and barrel right through so I can get back to normal as much as possible. I know this is a blessing after all I am not facing cancer!

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  • Soccermom4force
    Soccermom4force Member Posts: 631
    edited August 2011

    Please check your "private messages" at the top of the page!

    Hugs, M

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  • Lifeafter
    Lifeafter Member Posts: 690
    edited August 2011

    Hi Jobro, I had a double mastectomy on 6/20.  I had alot of pain the first couple days after coming home from the hospital.  That was felt when getting up, its amazing how much you use your chest muscles for and don't realize it.  I was in the hospital for four days.  The first night was the worst, they had a lot of trouble controlling the pain.  I know this is different from what the other ladies have said. I don't want to scare you.  I'm not sure if the pain was because I had immediate reconstruction.  I know they do more stuff in your chest to ready it for tissue expanders, so that could be why.  I had four drains and they were in for about three weeks.  Once they were out, I had new life!  I was free!  I did develop an infection in my right side and had to go back in for surgery to be cleaned out and have the expander removed.  I will be going back in in October to have it replaced.

    Four weeks post op I started physical therapy and woring out with my trainer.  It was interrupted for a week and a half due to going back in for surgery.  But I got back to it.  I almost have full range of motion in my arms back.

    I just sent my dna off this morning to the lab to be tested for BRCA 1/2.  I just turned 40, have family history and have two teenage daughters.

    Wish you the best and will be looking for updates on your progress! 

    Michelle

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  • Calico1
    Calico1 Member Posts: 34
    edited August 2011

    I'm sorry you're going thru all of this too. I am 3 weeks out from a Mx and am feeling really, really good. I was in the hospital 2 nights. Pain for several days that was extremely well managed by the meds. I took Percoset for the first week home and then went to Advil and by 3 weeks just some minimal discomfort/tenderness. I rested and slept the first few days home and after that I was so bored. I was up and around doing light things around the house-the best PT as far as I'm concerned! I have 3 littles ages 7, 5, and 2, so I had lots of help with them for the first 2.5 weeks. By 2 weeks, I was so bored, I started going in to work for a few hours. This is very do-able. You won't be having a Node biopsy, so even better, that's been the most of my discomfort under my arm. Good luck to you!

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  • Jobro
    Jobro Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2011

    I just want to thank everyone for sharing their story and pointing me to the force website. I am from a small town in KS and you just don't hear about this proactive treatment! It's just nice to find others in the same situation that have made it through what I am about to enter. I guess in the back of my mind I thought I might be facing breast cancer due to my family history. But I sure never thought I would be facing this! Healthy but this is what you need to do! Sounds crazy! I know this treatment is a blessing it just is so scary!

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  • Soccermom4force
    Soccermom4force Member Posts: 631
    edited August 2011

    Best wishes to you Jobro! BTW, I am Soccermom on the FORCE message boards Wink

    Marcia

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