Surgery June 11

Normal
I think that being scared to death is a normal reaction. Try to fake your way thru the next 8 days. Meditate, read, hot baths, whatever helps you. I'm sorry you are having these feelings. What do you usually do for pain control? Have you tried acupuncture or hypnosis?

Maureen

Butterfly12 said:

Pain Control
If it's bad enough, I take the morphine and puke my guts out Otherwise my doc has tried, darvocet, and that wasn't too bad.

I am sorry to hear you are
I am sorry to hear you are so scared. I had the double mastectomy and was only on the morphine 24hours and did not take anything other than extra strentgh Tylenol because the pain killers make me sick. I was in pain but it wasn't to bad and over before you know it. I thought I would mind being breastless also but it did not bother me as much as I thought it would. My tissue expanders were filled weekly so there was something there quickly. I got a mastectomy tank top that held the drains after surgery and also came with padding on each side that you could take out and put in as you need and also could make smaller or bigger by taking out the isides or adding more. I am deflated now on the right side and use the padding inside a sports bra so I am symmetrical. Maybe you could get one of those tank tops to help until you are filled.

Butterfly12 said:

Lili
Yes I actually had Flexerall when I sprained my back last summer. I will talk to my surgeon about that and thanks for the hugs, right back at ya

Just wanting to wish you
Just wanting to wish you good luck Butterfly! I hope your anxiety eases and you feel better soon.

Please find this book "Living Through Breast Cancer"
I had breast surgery last May, and went through all the treatments (Chemo, radiation), then I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer on Nov. I had thyroid surgery on Dec. I went through another radiation for my thyroid treatment this Feb. I have two kids (8 and 13 year old). I cry a lot before, but now I am getting better.

The book “Living through Breast Cancer” is really helpful, I just found that at our local library last week. The author Dr. Kaelin is a top breast surgeon and a breast cancer survivor. You will get lots of useful information there. I wish I read this book earlier.

Best Regards and you will be fine!

tommaseena said:

Morphine
Maybe you are actually allergic to Morphine. When I had morphine for thyroid surgery the doctor gave me morphine in the hospital and I didn't just puke --mine was projectile vomit--sorry for being so graphic( thank god I have not figured out how to do those picture inserts. I have it marked in all of my medical charts not to give me morphine.

I can't comment about the flap surgery. I had a double mastectomy with tissue expanders inserted at the time of surgery.

Best of luck,
Margo

Not that much pain
Sherry I too was scared of the lat flap, but I had very little discomfort. That was last Oct. I am having the expander removed tomorrow and a saline implant put in~final stages for me. I am excited, and I encourage you to express to your doctor your pain management for after the surgery. I took mine regularly but really did not need it, so only took it at night to ensure good rest. And you get a morphine pump in the hospital, so you are well taken care of. I am going to be out for several days due to surgery so won't be able to get back to you if you have other q's??? for me.
I wish you the best, and let the tears flow, cuz it feels good afterwards (chemically it does something to us
Melanie

Butterfly12 said:

Melanie
Thank you for putting my mind at ease. Did you have to have chemo after your surgery?

Sherry

Buterfly
I have nothing to add, Just came in to wish you the best of luck, least of pain and deliver a huge hug.....we'll all be with you. Jxxxxxx

Sherry, Butterfly12
Of course fear, stress and anxiety increase as the surgery date gets closer. When you feel like crying, just cry. It's OK.

Please don't be afraid of too much pain before it even happens. Have a thorough discussion with your doctor(s) about pain management, and your past reactions to certain drugs, etc. There are many, many options available. If one doesn't work, you'll try another.

Take a few deep breaths, TRY to relax - though I know it's difficult. June 11 isn't that far away; yet, it's several days from now. You'll make it. And we'll be here for you.

Kind regards, Susan

Sherry, I didn't have
Sherry, I didn't have reconstruction but I have had a mastectomy and it was not half as painful as I had thought it would be. They gave me Tylenol #3's for the pain and other than constipation, they worked fine. Your emotional state is SO normal. I actually had a melt down on the operating table. Just totally lost it! Still couldn't believe it was happening.
But anyways, here I am, on the other side (finally) and telling you that you'll be alright.
Yes, it is quite an adjustment and mourning the lost of your breast is normal as well, but you like the rest of us will get through it and come out on the other side. We do wish you well. Keep in touch.
hugs
jan

phoenixrising said:

Sherry, I didn't have
Sherry, I didn't have reconstruction but I have had a mastectomy and it was not half as painful as I had thought it would be. They gave me Tylenol #3's for the pain and other than constipation, they worked fine. Your emotional state is SO normal. I actually had a melt down on the operating table. Just totally lost it! Still couldn't believe it was happening.
But anyways, here I am, on the other side (finally) and telling you that you'll be alright.
Yes, it is quite an adjustment and mourning the lost of your breast is normal as well, but you like the rest of us will get through it and come out on the other side. We do wish you well. Keep in touch.
hugs
jan

Good Luck
Good Luck with your surgery tomorrow. Hope all goes well.
Kim