Mastectomy done!

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Jbird0614
Jbird0614 Member Posts: 1
edited April 2017 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hey sisters,

I was wandering around the Internet because I feel like I've had these drains forever and I thought it was unusual. But I found some conversations on here that made me feel better about having these dang things still producing like crazy. So I've joined.

From being just diagnosed or fresh outta surgery, this site seems to be very helpful.

I had a bilateral mastecomy with nipple sparing and placement of expanders on the 25th of Jan. Great results so far (well relatively speaking because they look weird!) anyone else do nipple sparing? Or want to just complain about these stupid drains? I'm always game for that! Am I doing too much? I don't know what's wrong with me, but after three weeks I'm still pumping out some fluid! I feel like a dang garden hose.

I'm all over the place! I'm just happy to have some place to go with people that understand. This has been quite a journey I will say. I thought I was a strong person, until I had surgery. Chemo was a breeze when compared to surgery. But I'm healing beautifully and very happy with my choices.

PS, I hated it when people told me "it'll get better". But, from one warrior to another ... it does get better.

Love - J

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2017

    Welcome, Jbird! Thank you for sharing your experiences and perspective with us. We hope you find this community to be a source of support when you need it. Best of luck with your continued healing!

    The Mods

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2017

    Jbird - welcome even though we're sorry you had to join. You might find the best fit at a February Surgery thread right now. Are you going to have rads? When you get a chance, do go fill in your information at My Profile so others will be able to respond in kind.

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  • Freya244117
    Freya244117 Member Posts: 603
    edited February 2017

    Hi and welcome Jbird. Happy for you that your surgery has gone well. The drains will soon be a distant memory, although it seems like forever at the time.

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  • Reina_de_los_changos
    Reina_de_los_changos Member Posts: 27
    edited February 2017

    Drains! UGH! I hated them! They seemed to take forever to come out and I was constantly complaining about them. I had surgery first, then chemo. I actually think the chemo has been harder. I guess it's different for everyone. Good luck! :

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  • Bravenurse13
    Bravenurse13 Member Posts: 39
    edited March 2017

    Hello all!

    Had my double mastectomy last Friday 2/24/17.  My left was prophylactic simple mastectomy, and right was modified radical, with expanders in both.

    I am trying to wean off my pain meds, presently.  I am so dependent on my poor husband. It is getting better each day.  I have 2 drains presently and are 

    both draining at 45ml on each side.  Cannot take out until they are down to less than 30 ml for over two consecutive days.  I had a good pathology report, 

    No cancer cells present.  The 8 weeks of chemo worked!  Not to mention the Herceptin and Arimdex.

    This has not been an easy journey, but after this reconstruction phase and radiation I will feel closer to the end.  

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited March 2017

    Jbird, I had chemo, then BMX and I thought chemo was a breeze as compared to the BMX. It wasn't the actual surgery that was so bad (it wasn't all that painful), but my recovery was fraught with complications. It took a total of 16 weeks to heal the massive area of tissue necrosis and the 6" seroma. Don't even get me started on the damn drains!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited March 2017

    BraveNurse - congrats on the good path report. Healing will come, it just takes time. Try not to push it too much.

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  • Bravenurse13
    Bravenurse13 Member Posts: 39
    edited March 2017

    Thanks MT,

    I have turned into a couch potato so far!  It is getting better by the day though... 

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  • Bravenurse13
    Bravenurse13 Member Posts: 39
    edited April 2017

    Wondering how Jbird016 is doing?

    Hopefully you are doing better these days.  Just a followup...

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