Anyone have double mastecomy after having chemo

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georgia67
georgia67 Member Posts: 29
edited August 2017 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I am having surgery Sept. 1.  Doing a double mastectomy, my choice, instead of lumpectomy.  I am still very tired after doing chemo ( AC and Taxol)  especially after 12 Taxol treatments.  Legs and feet still swelling and some small breathing issues.  I don't know if this is because red blood cells still low or what.  I am a little worried about energy levels not being up and then being down again after surgery.  I am also concerned about leg and feet swelling.  My oncologist says it is the Taxol and given me some Lasix but it doesn't seem to help with my toes and ankles.  I can drop about 2-3 pounds after taking it.  I guess my big issue right now is energy and after trying to exercise, mop floors etc I get out of breath.  Is this normal?  Four weeks to go so I hope all of this gets better.  What was your experience?  I am 67 and usually pretty good at staying active and doing what I want.

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  • Trishyla
    Trishyla Member Posts: 1,005
    edited August 2017

    Georgia67,

    I did exactly the same regimen you're doing and was fine in time for my surgery. I'm a little younger (58) but I had immediate DIEP flap reconstruction, which is a 12 hour surgery. I was worried about the lingering effects of the chemo as well, but it didn't seem to slow my recovery at all.

    Hope all goes well for you. Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery.

    Trish

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  • Shellsatthebeach
    Shellsatthebeach Member Posts: 316
    edited August 2017

    As I was told by my oncologist, it is perfectly normal to be out of breathe when your red blood counts are low. Mine have been low throughout chemo. I become winded just going up and down stairs. She did say I could have a blood transfusion while going through treatment, but I decided I would wait it out and let them build up on their own now that I have had my last chemo treatment this Thursday. I am also going for surgery, but on August 30th. I have a feeling within a week my energy levels will be back.

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  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited August 2017

    When was your last chemo? It seems like they usually allow 4-6 weeks between chemo and surgery. Have they checked your blood recently? Do they know about the shortness of breath?

    My surgery was 5 weeks after my last chemo. I didn't really have any problems with the surgery or recovery. I was super tired for a while, though.


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  • georgia67
    georgia67 Member Posts: 29
    edited August 2017

    My last chemo was July 26th.  My counts were done last on 8/2 with red count 3.75.  The lab before that was 3.12 so it is coming up a little at a time.  Legs feel like I have run a marathon so I hope that gets better.  I have been bouncing on a trampoline to get leg strength but can only do a couple minutes.   

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  • georgia67
    georgia67 Member Posts: 29
    edited August 2017

    Trishyla did you have problems with leg and feet swelling from the Taxol?  My leg pain is getting better but still have swelling in feet and legs.

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  • sisterhasbc
    sisterhasbc Member Posts: 18
    edited August 2017

    Just make sure to let your oncologist know about the shortness of breath. My sister was having significant shortness of breath (even just walking short distances)and initially attributed it to being rundown from treatment and lack of exercise but turned out she had a RARE reaction to either taxol or herceptin which caused inflammation in her lungs, which has gotten much much better a few weeks after both have stopped. She had completed her taxol but her oncologist will be starting her on herceptin again shortly.

    Again, this is a rare reaction but don't be hesitant about mentioning your shortness of breath to your dr

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  • sisterhasbc
    sisterhasbc Member Posts: 18
    edited August 2017

    Also, she ended her chemo at end of June and had double mastectomy on August 2. She was feeling much better overall by then after a very tough time tolerating the taxol and she did fine with the surgery

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  • Trishyla
    Trishyla Member Posts: 1,005
    edited August 2017

    Sorry I didn't reply sooner, Georgia67. I actually did have awful swelling in my legs, ankles and feet. For about 4 weeks after finishing Taxol I felt like my legs were encased in concrete. I could barely put one foot in front of the other. It slowly improved to the point where I was walking about a mile a day before my surgery.

    Hope you are feeling better.

    Trish

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  • georgia67
    georgia67 Member Posts: 29
    edited August 2017

    Thanks for your replies.  I am still waiting on the ankle and foot swelling to go down.  Its not terrible but can't wear my normal shoes and they burn and itch after they swell and at night hurt.  My fingers also get tight at times so I know there is minor swelling there.  I take a 20 fluid pill but can't tell a huge difference in ankles.   I am still low on energy and get up in the morning as tired as when I went to bed.  Still have 3 weeks until surgery so hope it gets better by then.


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  • debiann
    debiann Member Posts: 1,200
    edited August 2017

    I had an mx with immediate DIEP recon, a 13 hour surgery, about a month after chemo. Basically all went well, but I did need a blood transfusion while in the hospital. Perhaps chemo contributed to this happening? I also had some nerve damage from the surgical boots and woke up with "drop foot". I think the nephropathy from chemo set me up to be susceptible for this. A couple months of physical therapy fixed me up.

    I was very fatigued after chemo. I actually appreciated having a good reason to stay in bed and heal for a few weeks.

    Good luck to you.


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  • Legomaster225
    Legomaster225 Member Posts: 672
    edited August 2017

    My BMX was 2 weeks after my last chemo. It was supposed to be 3 weeks but I had a delay on my second to last chemo. I was worried as well but it worked out fine. I did not have issues with swelling or shortness of breath though. I hope that is just a temporary thing for you but I so you i would definitly talksurgeon as well.

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