Surgery on May 25

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sn75
sn75 Member Posts: 36
edited June 2018 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I head in for a double mastectomy with sentinel nose biopsy on cancer side, then reconstruction with expanders. I'm nervous as hell. I've read lots of good things on these pages - so helpful! Any advice for the first few days of recovery? I'm nervous about waking up and feeling and looking different. I feel guilty for putting friends and family through the stress of this. I am sad to leave my school (I'm a principal) the last three weeks of the year - though I have a great staff and they will do fine. I'm worried about how my boyfriend will react once he sees me even though he is utterly amazing and loves me no matter what. I'm just an emotional mess.

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  • TheBreastlight
    TheBreastlight Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2018

    Take good care of yourself.Go for treatment with confidence.Everything will fine.Talk to your loved ones and close friends about your feelings.The road to recovery can be a long one,but one day you will feel good.Get Well Soon!

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  • fishingal68
    fishingal68 Member Posts: 56
    edited May 2018

    sn75,

    Having a double mastectomy is scary! I had mine done in February, and I am so glad that part is over. (I am a high school teacher, and I had to miss several weeks while I healed, so I totally understand your angst). I had reconstruction done during my mastectomy, and all in all, I'm okay with my results. I knew going in that my chest would never look the same. My PS showed me pictures of his work (which is superb) and I researched on the internet so I had a good idea of what to expect.

    My mastectomy went better than I ever dreamed. I never had any complications, and I had drains removed at the end of my first week. I had little pain...it was more like pressure. Your new fake boobs will look nothing like what you had before, but just the joy of knowing you did all you could to keep the dreaded cancer monster from returning will make it worth it. I personally have no regrets. If you'd like to chat, shoot me a PM. I'm happy to walk you through this. Good luck, and let us know how everything goes.

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited May 2018

    The relief of having this behind you will get you through the recovery! Waiting and worrying are the WORST. My husband took great care of me afterward and we even felt closer afterward. Don't try to do too much, and don't worry about everyone else. It sounds like you have a great and supportive team. I read light books, watched funny movies, and called old friends in my down time and managed to enjoy the respite. It also helped to get up and moving a little at a time as soon as I could.

    One word of warning: I was 42 when I had my BMX and was not prepared for the major mood swings I experienced for about 8 months. Once I realized that this was normal recovery after removing a lot of hormone-soaked tissue, it was easier to understand and handle for me and my family.

    Best wishes for a smooth procedure during your nap tomorrow!

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  • SoCalgal61
    SoCalgal61 Member Posts: 4
    edited May 2018

    Last May, I was where you are now. I had a bilateral mastectomy (3 lymph nodes removed - all negative) with reconstruction using tissue expanders. I absolutely have no regrets and I am very happy with my results. The love and support of family and friends provides the best medicine. Be good to yourself, allow others to help, and follow doctor's orders. I wish you all the best tomorrow. Let us know how you're doing

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  • sn75
    sn75 Member Posts: 36
    edited May 2018

    Surgery went well. I'm home resting. Drains seem to be doing well. I do get these stabbing pains from the expanders and my skin itches like crazy! The expanders feel like bricks on my chest. Does this get any better

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  • SLL101984
    SLL101984 Member Posts: 222
    edited May 2018

    sn75....there is a may 2018 surgery group. I would share a link right to it but I’m not that good at figuring out how to do that yet! I had my surgery (BMX) on may 21 so that group is an awesome place to vent and ask questions as we are all going through surgery and recovery at the same time! Good luck, glad everything so far is going well

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  • SoCalgal61
    SoCalgal61 Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2018

    Yes, it does get better. For me, the stabbing pains would come and go, becoming less frequent and less intense as time passed. They didn’t go away completely until after my exchange surgery. After each fill, I had discomfort that would last a couple of days. It’s all so new for you right now. You’ll get through this

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