Mastectomy April 25th

Options
barbsnewlife
barbsnewlife Member Posts: 5

I have been watched for the past 5 years , with my first biopsy in April of 2007, and a mamogram every 6 months until this year. I had another needle biopsy in February followed by a surgical biopsy in March, DCIS in 3 areas. I had my Left breast removed last week, spent 1 night in the hospital and was told " I " could remove my bandages in another day !! I have a drain in as well and am gratefull that I know a surgical nurse who was more than happy to remove my bandages. The horror of th surgical site is unbearable., an area seems to look like a deep hole, I am so scared....My surgeon apologized about telling me I should not need radiation so tomorrow I guess she will tell me I do need radiation ?  For how long ?   I just want to scream, trying to hold it together for my 16 year old daughter is really hard, I have my own business altering wedding dresses that I am currently unable to run. I am grateful for a friend that has come her from Montana to sew for me. I have to work to support my family  ! What am I supposed to do ? Everything has happened so fast, I am not a person that is used to just sitting !

Comments

  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited May 2012

    I just hope you will rest and let those friends (and your teenage daughter) take care of you!  All the rest will fall into place once you have time to heal.  So don't think about those cranky brides for now!  Now is all about you.  

  • crazypenguinsfan
    crazypenguinsfan Member Posts: 56
    edited May 2012

    I agree with Lastar, rest up and take care of yourself and let everyone who offers to help help you out. You will heal up if you give your body TLC it needs. You are only 1 week out from the surgery, this was the toughest part for me because of waiting for the pathology results from the mastectomy, plus looking at the surgery site, dealing with the drains etc. and wondering if I would ever be able to do anything again. But everyday, I felt a little bit better.I am 9 weeks out. 

    It sounds like you are having a follow up visit with your surgeon today? Then she can look at your incision and make sure it looks good and is healing like it should (you mention area with deep hole - definitely have that checked out!) and it sounds like she is giving you the biopsy results, too?

    Hugs to you!

    Steph

  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited May 2012

    What did your doctor say about radiation?

  • barbsnewlife
    barbsnewlife Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2012

    I saw my surgeon yesterday and she gave me a thumbs up ! Nodes are negative and she was able to get a clear Margin, so no chemo and no radiation. I am still seeing an Oncologist for a follow up. Drain tube also removed yesterday. Just still really tired, in a couple of weeks I will be fitted for a prosthetic, it all seems so strange to look down and nothing is there, seatbelt is a pain too, I am hoping to be strong enough to go back to work part time next week

  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited May 2012

    Great news!  I hope you heal quickly and beautifully.

  • cphealing
    cphealing Member Posts: 8
    edited May 2012

    A suggestion regarding the seat belt that I picked up from someone else on Breast Cancer.org was to put a stuffed animal between my chest and the seatbelt.   My daughter was more than happy to pick out the perfect sized bunny from her "stash" of stuffed animals and he just stays in the car now.  It came in handy after the masectomy and I just resurrected him again after my tissue expander exchange surgery a couple of weeks ago.  Good luck!

  • barbsnewlife
    barbsnewlife Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2012

    thank you for the great idea, I have been hugging pillows as a passenger and today my first time driving was really rough

Categories