New to This and Recoving from Surgery

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marykatek
marykatek Member Posts: 5
edited March 2015 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hello all,

I am glad I found this website.  I was diagnosed with stage 0 DCIS in January and just underwent a mastectomy on 02/26/15.  I had a biopsy done on my left breast but the pre-operative MRI showed more tumors on my left and suspicious stuff on my right as well.  Got the pathology report back after the surgery and there was cancer in the right side as well so I am glad I went with having both breasts removed after all.  Everything seems to be healing well but kind of frustrated that I can't sleep on my side yet but I saw from other posts that it is fairly common so I'll keep hoping that eventually I will.  The biggest thing I have noticed is the sensitivity to my chest, underarm pain and tightness and the tiredness.  I go for short walks but nothing big and I feel like I should have more energy by now.  I did loose a considerable amount of blood during surgery and had to stay in an extra day to make sure I didn't need a blood transfusion which thankfully I didn't.  I have been trying to eat lots of iron rich foods but sleeping on my back probably isn't helping the tiredness situation :) 

As for the sensitivity to the chest, does this go away after a while?  I have been wearing my husband's large button down shirts to try to see if it is better but when I wear the surgical bra they gave me at the hospital it really bothers me.  I haven't worn the bra in 2 days and have ordered a mastectomy camisole instead, I am hoping that the fabric will be light enough to help.  It doesn't feel good without the bra but it is better than the hyper sensitivity to the skin on my chest.  Also, I feel kind of depressed and I know I should be happy since it had not spread to my lymph nodes yet.  I am trying to be thankful but just feel so tired from this whole process.  The first abnormal mammogram came up last Dec and it took this long to get the surgery done because of HMO.  I just feel kind of alone with it.  My husband is super supportive and has been a wonderful nurse but I don't know anyone that has had this and I just need to feel like someone else understands.  I am also concerned that I may be at risk of ovarian cancer now and not sure if there is anything I can do.  I haven't had the gene testing done yet as my HMO will not pay for it but I want to know how high my risk is since I am only 48 and have no children.

Sorry to blather on - I would appreciate any feedback :)

Mary Kate

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  • gypsyjo
    gypsyjo Member Posts: 304
    edited March 2015

    Mary Kate, Be kind to yourself. Your body has been through a lot. Do what you can and be patient in making progress. It just matters that you get there, not how fast.  Allow yourself to grieve, we have all lost something while going through this. You are a survivor and are doing well in fighting this disease. It does get tiresome. Maybe your MO can offer some insight on future risks. Above all, know that you are not along and there are those here to support you.


     

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  • trailrose
    trailrose Member Posts: 219
    edited March 2015

    Mary Kate- I'm sorry that you have gone through all of this. I'm approximately one month ahead of you with my BMX being on Jan. 20th. I still can't sleep on my sides because of the TE. Sleeping on my back only is no fun but remember it's temporary! You aren't quite one month from your surgery and you'll be surprised how different your energy levels will be in just another couple of weeks. The sensitivity you are feeling in your chest is to be expected. I have had to try different front clasp or zip bras to get to the most comfortable one. And the most comfortable one can change day to day for me. Give it time. Go slow and as gypsyjo said be kind to yourself. This was a MAJOR surgery you just went through. What you are feeling is normal and no one can understand unless they've been through this themselves. You have come to the right place to talk about what you are feeling and have tremendous support here at BCO.

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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited March 2015

    Hi Mary Kate! My surgery was 2/24/15 and I'm feeling much the same as you are. I finally have my drains out, but have been afraid to sleep on my side yet due to fluid. I have tightness and swelling under my arms and and it's driving me crazy!! I'm mostly sleeping in the recliner...its more comfortable than the bed for me.

    Soon we'll turn the corner towards feeling better ...I'm ready for that day!! We'll get there!! :)

    Hugs!!

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  • scvmom65
    scvmom65 Member Posts: 88
    edited March 2015

    Hi Mary Kate,


    Sorry for your DX. I am almost 5 years out and felt very much the same as you do after my surgery. The sensitivity issue gets better with time, but then for me, came back with each expansion. I will say though after I had my exchange, it only got better every week to the point that I had no sensitivity. I did not like the feeling of going braless but also did not like the feeling of wearing a tight bra during expansion. So I found a bra that gave me the support without the tightness. The one I got was from Walmart and came in a 2 pack, it was a Danskin seamless sports bra, 100 percent cotton and had a cross type back which gave me great support and also had a wide not tight band at the bottom so it didn't irritate me.

    As for energy, I found that it took awhile. I was very physically active before so I was shocked how much I was set back. I made baby steps in energy from week 1-5, then got a jolt of energy back at the 5-6 week mark. Then I made huge steps forward every week after that, I would say from weeks 6-8 my energy doubled every week. By 8 weeks I was back to feeling normal except for my 1 hr daily gym sessions, by 12 weeks I was back to those too.

    Hope this helps!

    Anna

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2015

    Oh, Mary Kate. I am sorry you didn't find this site and post until now but I hope we can be here to help you. I haven't had surgery yet so I won't comment on that but I hope you can get some relief. Of course feeling tired is normal and it doesn't mean you are not thankful. You are being way to hard on yourself. Please don't let the depression go. Ask for some help if you need it…either physically or emotionally. Do you have a social worker?

    I don't know when they assign them to surgery patients because I am doing chemo first. But I am seeing a therapist. For me exercise has always been my depression ward off strategy and I can't really do much of it now. Obviously you can't either. Please talk to your doctor about the depression.

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  • marykatek
    marykatek Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2015

    Thank you very much all- I feel much better hearing that I should be feeling much better and be able to be more active in a few weeks. The lack of a therapist and not being able to exercise has made my anxiety rough. I did get a velcro opening camisole and it feels much better and would recommend it for anyone having the same sensitivity issues. I got it through the american cancer society's website. I did speak with my doctor about the depression and he said to wait and start taking Lexapro rather than talk to a therapist :( but I can't take anything until after my next oncologists appt because they may put me on tamoxafin and I can't take that and the Lexapro. This lesson has taught me that I really hate HMO's. Take care to all of you - you are all in my thoughts and prayers-

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