2 weeks post-op mastectomy - Help

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Meagan
Meagan Member Posts: 22
edited June 2014 in Young With Breast Cancer

Hello all, I'm a 32 year old newly dx breast cancer patient. I had bilateral mastectomy for a 2.2cm ductal invasive tumor in the right breast. I opted for the left too, kinda regretting it. Had tissue expanders put in and I am so uncomfortable. It's not really the pain more the feeling of pins and needles on my chest and armpits, I can barely have cotton resting on my chest. Any advice? Will this go away? I am a nurse and feel like I will never get back to work because I can't lift my arms overhead. I also feel like I can feel the expanders in my body, it's very awkward. I start chemo in a month and cannot imagine being able to handle it all. Feeling pretty down at this point......

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  • mandyjayne
    mandyjayne Member Posts: 28
    edited June 2007
    Hey Meagan,
    Can't give you much advice about the expanders. But I too had a bi-lat Mastectomy 5/06. The surgeon tried to talk me out of it, but I was determined. So glad I did. I had genetic testing done this spring and I came back BRCA 1+. So the other boobie would have had to go anyway.
    Just remember, you will never have to face that mammography machine again. You won't have to search that other breast, wondering if it's a lump. You are free!
    As for feeling overwhelmed. I think we are all experts in that. I did chemo first, then surgery, but just getting the cehmo started made me feel better. Like I had a plan of action, it's starting and we are kicking this cancer's ass.
    But at my down moments when I was initially diagnosed, I had to escape to getting the cancer stuff out of my head. Go to funny movies. Surround yourself with positive, upbeat people who get it. Get some funny books. Get a massage. Anything to flee the thoughts for a while.
    Oh yeah, and a nice yummy sleep aid worked wonders for me.
    I am giving you a big hug from the San Francisco Bay Area!
    You can do this. You will do this. And you will feel good again. And this is coming from the girl who just had bi-lat TRAM breast reconstruction a week and a half ago. What a wild ride...........
    Mandy
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  • Meagan
    Meagan Member Posts: 22
    edited June 2007

    Mandyjayne, Thanks for the positive words, i needed it and felt it way across the country in Boston!

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  • mplscello
    mplscello Member Posts: 50
    edited June 2007
    Hi Meagan -
    First of all, give yourself a break, it's only been 2 weeks! It definitely will get better. I had an initial mast when my cancer was discovered, then after living with 1 boob for about 6 months, had a prophylactic mast on that side. I don't regret it at all, even though now I am pregnant and would love to be able to breastfeed... but for me the peace of mind was definitely worth it.

    The expanders can be uncomfortable, but it's a temporary bump in the road (no pun intended). Just keep gently doing your stretching exercises for your arm mobility -- the crawling up the wall one is great -- and it gets better.

    You can get through this!! Good luck to you, and keep coming to the boards for support. There are so many women here to help you every step of the way.

    LeeAnn
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  • BoobsinaBox
    BoobsinaBox Member Posts: 550
    edited June 2007
    Dear Meagan,
    The pins and needles feeling you describe sounds like the nerve damage I had following my bilateral last year. It makes the exercises much harder to do. I finally went for physical therapy, which took me three months, but it got my nerves working better, and I am now mostly past that feeling. I wouldn't have made it without an excellent PT, but I am now is good shape. I did NOT have recon, so that might make a difference in PT options, but I want you to know that the nerves will eventually heal and begin feeling appropriately eventually. Hang in there!
    Dawn
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  • amylou
    amylou Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2007
    Dear Meagan,
    Sorry to hear about your pain and discomfort. I am a nurse as well (went to BC, by the way) and I think it must be harder for us to be on the other side when we are so used to taking care of others. I have not had my mast. yet (will see the surgeon next week) but have been getting chemo for over 3mos. There were times when I was so down and would drive around crying or rock my one year old to sleep while sobbing but it does some how get better. I find you will go in and out of the stages of grief in no particular order. Once you get through one, you may go back to it again (remember learning all of that in nursing school?) I will say, after 5 mos. since learning I have metastatic cancer I am dertermined to get through it.

    I'll pray for your pain to go away and and I'm sure once it does you'll love those new, perky, cancer free breasts!!
    Amy
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  • thomcat
    thomcat Member Posts: 356
    edited June 2007
    Dear Meagan:

    I had a left mastectomy with immediate reconstruction 09/06. I, too, experienced a lot of discomfort which was a result of stretching the chest muscle to accommodate the expander. It was slow going for me to get my left arm back into commission and by the time I went to my surgeon for the first post op visit, I was proud of myself for being able to lift my arm. Well, it wasn't good enough for the surgeon so she recommended PT. It was exactly what I needed.

    It will take time to get past this but do try to exercise it as much as possible and talk to your doctor if you are having trouble.

    Good luck.

    Cathy
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  • sdstarfish
    sdstarfish Member Posts: 544
    edited June 2007
    Hi, Meagan:

    I am really glad that you posted. I am new to this whole thing, too. I have not had my bilateral yet - I am getting chemo first - starting Monday 6/25, YIKES! (I already had a lumpectomy, but that was not enough because I have a 'myfocal tumor'.) Anyway, I am trying to envision how it will be from a real perspective from real women. So you've blessed me by asking this question
    WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS!
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  • BePositive
    BePositive Member Posts: 14
    edited June 2007
    Hi Meagan,

    I had invasive ductal carcinoma in my right breast and multiple tumors with the largest being 3.8 cm. I had a right mastectomy last month but did not have an expander put in. Like thomcat, I thought I was doing pretty well with the post-op exercises, until the first post-op appt with my surgeon. She was not satisfied with how high I could lift my arm and referred me to a PT. I've started going to the PT 2 weeks ago and having massages as part of physio. I've found that it helps a lot with the range of movements.

    It has only been 2 weeks since your surgery. Don't be too tough on yourself. Sometimes we have to give ourselves a break too. The natural instinct is to not move the arms too much because we feel pain but do be persistent and keep doing your arm exercises. And be positive.

    Breast cancer is beatable!!

    Good luck,
    Jo
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  • purplemb
    purplemb Member Posts: 1,542
    edited June 2007
    Dear MEagan.

    I found a great yoga instructor/massage therapist that gave me excercises to do...they helped greatly
    good luck and remember to listen to your body don't over do..
    MB
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  • JellicleCat
    JellicleCat Member Posts: 25
    edited June 2007
    Quote:

    You can do this. You will do this. And you will feel good again. And this is coming from the girl who just had bi-lat TRAM breast reconstruction a week and a half ago. What a wild ride..Mandy



    Mandy,
    Just wanted to say "THANK YOU"... I'm day two after rb mast. and your energy means so much right now...
    Hugs & Love from the Northwest,
    Michelle
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  • maz
    maz Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2007

    Hi i have just 2 weeks tommorrow had left mast and reconstruction and lumpectomy in r/b.... Can some one please advise as to whether they experienced all over body pain .... Iam coping with my exercises just !!!! but the back ache ..hip etc walking moving oh my just general moving I am usual an active person so this is really hard for me ......Please share xxxxxxxx Maz UK

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