Double Mastectomy
Thanks motherof4boys
Comments
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Hello
Sorry to hear about your cancer. I know it is scary and all the information thrown at you is overwhelming. You are lucky that you do not have to get rad's or chemo!
I had a double mastectomy with No reconstruction. I had invasive ductual carcinoma
in situ in both. Right breast had a 4.5cm, left had 1.5cm. No lymph nodes involved. I just finished with chemo in nov...I am feeling very good. I want to tell you, not be afraid of the surgery...that was not so bad. I was also very scared but it went well...was in the hospital for one night. Now as far as the drains...they are pain in the neck but they are usually in you about 10 days. Good luck and keep posting. We are always here to answer any questions or if you have concerns we are here 24/7.
Best wishes,
Annette0 -
Hi,
I had a double
Hi,
I had a double mastectomy in July of 2010. I had invasive ductal carcinoma in my right breast with no lymph nodes involved. I also had expanders placed at the time of surgery to begin reconstruction. The surgery istelf was not as bad as I had imagined. I had c sections with both of my daughters & the pain & recovery from those were MUCH worse. I stayed 2 nights in the hospital. I got nauseous the first time i stood up after the surgery, but after sitting for a minute it went away. I had 4 drain tubes put in, 2 were removed before I went home. I had to keep track of the amount of fluid coming out - this was really easy to do once the nurses explained how to empty them. I think I had the other 2 removed within 10 days of surgery. The worst part for me was being wrapped in the bandages so tightly after surgery - in fact it hurt so much for me to breathe that the nurses had to call my Dr. to make sure it was ok to loosen them a little. They also had to switch my anti nausea meds because I just felt sick to my stomach alot & what they had me on wasn't working. I was on a morphine pump but after the first day I had to switch to Norco pills because the morphine gave me a terrible headache. I guess my point of this part is make sure you tell your nurses if something isn't working for you - they can switch things around to make you more comfortable!
I didn't freak out upon seeing my chest after surgery. I made peace with my body the night before surgery & said goodbye to my boobs, literally. After surgery I peeked as much as I could & wasn't grossed out or sad or anything once I had my bandages removed. I slept on the couch the first few days - my bed is a big high off the floor & it was really difficult for me to sit up out of bed, in fact i couldn't do it by myself. After the first 10 days things got easier & much less painful.
That's good you don't have to have chemo - that was MUCH harder on my body than the surgery was. Best of luck to you, please post after your surgery when you're feeling up to it & let us know how you're doing
*hugs*
Heather0 -
Double Masectomy
I had a double mastectomy last December. The surgery went well and my recovery too. The drains you will have are very annoying... but I have a suggestion. I went to a local store called Women's Health Boutique which sells all kinds of breast cancer "supplies". I bought a camisole there which has special pockets that hold the drains- keeping them out of your way during the day and night! If you don't have a store nearby you could look on the internet for these camisoles- they are so comfortable and help with the drains. I didn't have reconstruction- and the camisole came with "fluffies" to give me some shape too!
Good luck!! You are SO blessed not to need chemo!!0 -
Double Mastectomy
I had a double mastectomy with expanders placed on October 27, 2010. I also was scared to death but it was not nearly as bad as I had thought. Like the other ladies have said, the drains are the worst part. I was only out of work about 2 weeks! Congrats on no chemo - that is truly a blessing!
Good luck,
Dayna0 -
I just wanted to wish you
I just wanted to wish you the best in your upcoming surgery and glad you don't have to do chemo or rads.
hugs
jan0 -
Motherof4boys,phoenixrising said:I just wanted to wish you
I just wanted to wish you the best in your upcoming surgery and glad you don't have to do chemo or rads.
hugs
jan
Just wanted
Motherof4boys,
Just wanted to wish you all the best, as well. Although it is 7 months for me... (yeah) I can remember it clearly. I had a double mast. in May 2010. Make sure you have tops/shirts with buttons or zippers. You won't want to put anything over your head. I even found a zipper front sports bra.. * small pillows were helpful, too.
Take care,
Merry (Sally5)
** Heather... your picture looks great. Glad you are doing well.0 -
I too
had bilateral mastectomy in June 2010. Surgery went well and I recovered quickly. I had no lymph node involvement and the 2 drains were removed 10 days later. I had no reconstruction. I had Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. I bought camisole that held drains and it worked out well. Finished chemo in Dec and start rads tomorrow. My surgeon didn't think I would need either but oncologist and radiologist thought otherwise. I'm the 5th in my family with bc on both maternal and paternal. Tested negative for BRCA. Results said my gene hasn't been discovered yet. I had 6 rounds of Taxotere/Cytoxan and will have 5 weeks of radiation. My tumor was large and near the chest wall and pectoral muscle. Saw onc yesterday and he's putting me on Arimidex for 5 years. I am 12 years post menopausal. Wishing you the best with your surgery.
{{hugs}} Char0 -
Welcome, motherof4boys, to
Welcome, motherof4boys, to this amazing group of warriors. I, too, had a bilateral mastectomy in August 2010 and had expanders placed at the time of surgery. I had my exchange surgery in November 2010 and am now waiting to complete the final phase of reconstruction that is the aerola and nipples. The biggest pain for me was also the drains, I had 2. I didn't have the camisole that some ladies have talked about, so I pinned the drains to the waistband of my pants. You will definately want blouses that button in the front as reaching over your head will not be advised. Also, make sure to put your everyday items at countertop level. As you receive offers of support from friends and family, take them up on it. You are very fortunate to have caught your cancer early and therefore do not have to add chemo and radiation to your treatment plan. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. Take care.0 -
Thank You so much for yourAnnette 11 said:Hello
Sorry to hear about your cancer. I know it is scary and all the information thrown at you is overwhelming. You are lucky that you do not have to get rad's or chemo!
I had a double mastectomy with No reconstruction. I had invasive ductual carcinoma
in situ in both. Right breast had a 4.5cm, left had 1.5cm. No lymph nodes involved. I just finished with chemo in nov...I am feeling very good. I want to tell you, not be afraid of the surgery...that was not so bad. I was also very scared but it went well...was in the hospital for one night. Now as far as the drains...they are pain in the neck but they are usually in you about 10 days. Good luck and keep posting. We are always here to answer any questions or if you have concerns we are here 24/7.
Best wishes,
Annette
Thank You so much for your input it really makes me feel more at ease and that I am not alone during this time. Congrats on finishing your your Chemo. My sister had to go through Chemo in 2007 and I know how hard that can be but she did awesome. We use to have Chemo parties and would sit with her while she received her Chemo so that she would not feel alone and we made her laugh and she would even have some lunch with us. I'm so glad that part is behind you. I am still very nervous just about the whole operation etc but it's nice to know that you have a place to go that people understand what you are going through. My sister is great to talk too but she also gets very emotional because it upsets her so much that I have to go through this but like you said God blessed me and that I am thankful for.
Take Care
Motherof4boys0 -
Thanks girls also for theMyTurnNow said:Welcome, motherof4boys, to
Welcome, motherof4boys, to this amazing group of warriors. I, too, had a bilateral mastectomy in August 2010 and had expanders placed at the time of surgery. I had my exchange surgery in November 2010 and am now waiting to complete the final phase of reconstruction that is the aerola and nipples. The biggest pain for me was also the drains, I had 2. I didn't have the camisole that some ladies have talked about, so I pinned the drains to the waistband of my pants. You will definately want blouses that button in the front as reaching over your head will not be advised. Also, make sure to put your everyday items at countertop level. As you receive offers of support from friends and family, take them up on it. You are very fortunate to have caught your cancer early and therefore do not have to add chemo and radiation to your treatment plan. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. Take care.
Thanks girls also for the information about the cami's I will look into getting one of those for sure. I have read what a pain the neck they are. A question I have also is how did you all wash your hair and blow dry it? How long did it take before you could do that? I wish all of you the best and my prayers are with you who still have to do chemo and the rads I know it's a long journey and my heart goes out to all of you. Thanks again for your warm wishes and welomes.
Motherof4boys0 -
Good Luck
I had a bilateral in Nov. 2010 with expanders. I used the pain meds they prescribed and was okay for the most part. The expanders did cause me a lot of discomfort but I learned on this site that what was bothering me a great deal was chest muscle spasms and I talked to my plastic surgeon and they gave me a muscle relaxer which really helped me. Button up shirts and soft or silky type sleepwear helps to move around better. I had to have help lying down for a few days and used pillows under my arms and legs at night. The drains are a hassle because they pull etc. I had 4 total-two came out in two weeks and the other two came out at 4 weeks. My doctor was not one to rush having them out and I did what he said. My husband had to wash my hair in the kitchen sink once I could bend over it enough. I wasn't allowed to truly shower until the drains were out
but I managed. It will be all behind you soon. 0 -
Double Mastectomymotherof4boys said:Thanks girls also for the
Thanks girls also for the information about the cami's I will look into getting one of those for sure. I have read what a pain the neck they are. A question I have also is how did you all wash your hair and blow dry it? How long did it take before you could do that? I wish all of you the best and my prayers are with you who still have to do chemo and the rads I know it's a long journey and my heart goes out to all of you. Thanks again for your warm wishes and welomes.
Motherof4boys
I had a double mastectomy, Infiltrating Lobular in both. Estrogen receptive did not have cancer gene. No node problems. Chemo but no radiation. Everything went well really, the node mapping injection was not pleasant but is over in seconds. Like most mention the drains are a nuisance, had mine for two weeks both times. Had mastectomy last June and the other a month later. I have had little side effects and hope the same for you. Keep strong and keep in touch.
Has any one out there had Infiltrating Lobular like me, haven't seen it mentioned.0 -
They gave me one of themotherof4boys said:Thanks girls also for the
Thanks girls also for the information about the cami's I will look into getting one of those for sure. I have read what a pain the neck they are. A question I have also is how did you all wash your hair and blow dry it? How long did it take before you could do that? I wish all of you the best and my prayers are with you who still have to do chemo and the rads I know it's a long journey and my heart goes out to all of you. Thanks again for your warm wishes and welomes.
Motherof4boys
They gave me one of the camis at the hospital before i went home, and honestly, i never even wore it. My surgery was in the summer & I just wore cotton sundresses and/or night gowns and pinned the drains to the insides of my dress. The cami just wasn't comfortable for me. I gave mine to my mom when she had her lumpectomy because she had drain tubes in (had 12 nodes removed) and she really liked it.
I had no loss of range of motion in either arm or shoulder, so I was able to wash my hair on my own in the sink i think the day after i came home (2 days in the hosp). My mom, though, after having lumpectomy & node removal, had to have help with washing her hair for a week, until she could take a shower. I got my hair cut pretty short before my surgery, and then cut really REALLY short again once I started chemo, because i had long hair at my diagnosis, never had short hair, and needed to cut it in steps to get used to it, before getting the shock of losing it all. So I didn't need to blow dry my hair!
** Merry thank you for your sweet compliment! My hair is even thicker & darker than in that pic now - although i told my parents yesterday that with my hair this short, when i don't have any makeup on, i look JUST like my younger brother lol.
*hugs*
Heather0 -
motherof4boysmotherof4boys said:Thanks girls also for the
Thanks girls also for the information about the cami's I will look into getting one of those for sure. I have read what a pain the neck they are. A question I have also is how did you all wash your hair and blow dry it? How long did it take before you could do that? I wish all of you the best and my prayers are with you who still have to do chemo and the rads I know it's a long journey and my heart goes out to all of you. Thanks again for your warm wishes and welomes.
Motherof4boys
I think I could shower pretty soon after my surgery- even with the drains... I just held them with one hand and washed with the other! They removed many lymph nodes from both sides and one problem I had after the surgery was having the the strength to close the trunk door of my car. Everything is fine now.. no weakness. Since I had the lymph nodes removed on both sides, I don't have nurses take my blood pressure in my arms.... I bring a wrist monitor - which I bought in Walmart- to all dr. appts. and I use that!!0 -
Good Luck
on your upcoming surgery - you'll do just fine. I just had a single masectomy without reconstruction and had little or no pain. Without a doubt the drain was the worst part of the whole thing - I was happy to get it out a week later. In the shower which I did the day after surgery,I sort of tied the drain up with a cotton belt around my waist. Worked pretty well. They should give you exercises for your range of motion. I did these faithfully and have had no problems with either range or lymphedema (had 4 neg nodes removed). I liked the camisole and I think they have more styles now. Also pillows all around you in bed are helpful for support. I also would have liked one of those study pillows (the ones with arms) for the bed. However I had my surgery in March almost three years ago and there were none to be found in the stores at that time. Should have probably looked on the internet for one but never thought of that! Anyway, I bought one in the summer when they were available with all the back to school stuff just in case I ever wanted one again! Button type blouses and sweaters are definitely the way to go. Really can't help with hair washing as I did have the one side available to wash and blow dry.
Hugs, Sally0 -
Motherof4boysMiss Murphy said:Good Luck
on your upcoming surgery - you'll do just fine. I just had a single masectomy without reconstruction and had little or no pain. Without a doubt the drain was the worst part of the whole thing - I was happy to get it out a week later. In the shower which I did the day after surgery,I sort of tied the drain up with a cotton belt around my waist. Worked pretty well. They should give you exercises for your range of motion. I did these faithfully and have had no problems with either range or lymphedema (had 4 neg nodes removed). I liked the camisole and I think they have more styles now. Also pillows all around you in bed are helpful for support. I also would have liked one of those study pillows (the ones with arms) for the bed. However I had my surgery in March almost three years ago and there were none to be found in the stores at that time. Should have probably looked on the internet for one but never thought of that! Anyway, I bought one in the summer when they were available with all the back to school stuff just in case I ever wanted one again! Button type blouses and sweaters are definitely the way to go. Really can't help with hair washing as I did have the one side available to wash and blow dry.
Hugs, Sally
Motherof4boys,
Sounds like you have a great attitude about this all. This is important. You have received many great suggestions already.
You asked about the shower and drying your hair........ I had 4 drains and my doc would not let me shower until they all came out. A friend of mine, on the way home from the hospital, suggested we go to Supercuts.... and let them wash and dry my hair. (It cost more than a haircut....) BUT it felt great. I physically couldn't do it.
My sister offered to wash it, but I didn't know how to manage it without hurting. Later, I was able to do it, with a handheld shower head. I already had one, but that might be worth getting, if you don't.
I did get one of those pillows with the arms... (someone suggested earlier) it helps to sleep and/or nap.
Best wishes... Sorry we have this in common but we are here for you....
Merry (Sally5)0 -
I had a lumpectomy, but,Annette 11 said:Hello
Sorry to hear about your cancer. I know it is scary and all the information thrown at you is overwhelming. You are lucky that you do not have to get rad's or chemo!
I had a double mastectomy with No reconstruction. I had invasive ductual carcinoma
in situ in both. Right breast had a 4.5cm, left had 1.5cm. No lymph nodes involved. I just finished with chemo in nov...I am feeling very good. I want to tell you, not be afraid of the surgery...that was not so bad. I was also very scared but it went well...was in the hospital for one night. Now as far as the drains...they are pain in the neck but they are usually in you about 10 days. Good luck and keep posting. We are always here to answer any questions or if you have concerns we are here 24/7.
Best wishes,
Annette
I had a lumpectomy, but, wanted to wish you the best of luck with your surgery.
Leeza0 -
Double Mastectomy
In 2009 I had double mastectomy and few lymph node that had cancer removed (on left side where cancer was). I had implants put in right after the surgrey. I removed right breast for precaution.Tested negative for BRCA. I had drain tubes and my husband was my care taker. He would get up and do my drains , fix me breakfast and then go off to work and repeat when got home. I had about a year of 4 different chemo and then radiation after that. I did not get sick at all with the chemo or radiation but i did lose my hair. I got tried easily. I did not have any serve muscle spasm until about 2015, 2016. They would be so serve around implants and side and thru back that it felt like i had broken ribs, and could not get comfortable and then they would disapear as quick as they would start.I had been given muscle relaxers but i get tired when i take them. A few months ago i had one of implants spring leak. So I had the plastic surgeon remove both of them and check for scare tissue. I was hoping this would relieve the spasm. I dont notice having spasm in front but i still have them on side under my arms and sides. I have been taking letrozole since 2010 it is hormone blocker. If anyone has any suggestion on the spasm please let me know!
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pain in underarms and sidesmakers said:Double Mastectomy
In 2009 I had double mastectomy and few lymph node that had cancer removed (on left side where cancer was). I had implants put in right after the surgrey. I removed right breast for precaution.Tested negative for BRCA. I had drain tubes and my husband was my care taker. He would get up and do my drains , fix me breakfast and then go off to work and repeat when got home. I had about a year of 4 different chemo and then radiation after that. I did not get sick at all with the chemo or radiation but i did lose my hair. I got tried easily. I did not have any serve muscle spasm until about 2015, 2016. They would be so serve around implants and side and thru back that it felt like i had broken ribs, and could not get comfortable and then they would disapear as quick as they would start.I had been given muscle relaxers but i get tired when i take them. A few months ago i had one of implants spring leak. So I had the plastic surgeon remove both of them and check for scare tissue. I was hoping this would relieve the spasm. I dont notice having spasm in front but i still have them on side under my arms and sides. I have been taking letrozole since 2010 it is hormone blocker. If anyone has any suggestion on the spasm please let me know!
I had a bilateral along with chemo, no rad. I have pain in sides and under arms, sides and neck. Turns out I have a busted disc in my back and it is pressing on nerves. I aslo have lymphedema in both arms. So the combo is a mess. No meds for it and I refuse anymore intrusive surgery unless I absolutly have to. So I went to PT and they have taught me massages and small exercise to releive it.
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Double Mastectomy
Recent double mastectomy on Feb 2, 2017, no lymph involvement, had DCIS and invasive ductal carcinoma, ER+, PR+, HER2+(the triple positive). Taking Letrozole. No chemo or radiation. At the time of surgery I did not have the expanders put in; however, six (6) months after double mastectomy (sometime near August 2017) ... reconstruction is to take place.
Has anyone out there taken this route to have the reconstruction done? Any pros and cons to this method?
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