New to this whole thing. HELP!

Hey, all. I was just diagnosed w/breast cancer in my left breast yesterday and it's pretty clear that at least that breast is going even though we aren't through with the presurgery diagnostics.

So...wondering people's experiences with mastectomies and what the recovery process is like after. Also, specifically what on earth do you where for a "supportive bra" just after surgery?
I literally just turned 33 and have 4 kiddos:7yrs, 5yrs, 3yrs, one of whom I am still breastfeeding as she is 5 months old. So, at this point at least, my breasts are huge. How can I support my huge right breast (if they can't find any cancer there) and support my left at the same time. I can't wear normal sports bras cause I'm a 36G and breastfeeding.

Any help would be great.

Also, do you gals recommend reconstruction?

Comments

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    nice you found this site right away
    I didnt' look or come across this until about 2 yrs after the fact...so much info and support here

    I had lumpectomy-so I can't give any advice...just wanted to say I AM THINKING of you...

    I am sure you'll get much help here from others...

    Denise
  • Katmy
    Katmy Member Posts: 93
    similar experience
    I was diagnosed with breast cancer Nov 19th in my left breast at the age of 41. My kids are 11, 9, 5. I had a radical mastectomy and found it to be ok. It was an uneventful surgery. The drain in my side was a nuisance after a while. I had to keep it in several weeks after surgery because I kept draining.

    Bras, I can't help you with because I quit wearing them after the surgery. But consider your drain(s) and where they might be placed. They could get in the way of tubes. In addition, radiation across my chest kept me from finding a comfortable bra. You will be creative and find and answer.

    My heart goes to you. This journey is not easy on my young family. But I am fortunate to have support of good friends and great family. I have not elected for reconstruction.

    Hope all goes uneventfully for you and yours,
    Kat
  • canoegirl
    canoegirl Member Posts: 169
    Glad you found this site, but sorry you need it.
    So sorry that you need to go thru this. I had a right side mastectomy and it wasn't that bad. In the hospital for less than 24 hours post surgery. The drians are the worst part and as soon as they are out, you feel like you can move around better. I went home in a surgical bra and the drains attached to it. Afterwards you can wear any bra without underwires (which may be hard to find in your size) During rads, I didn't wear a bra, but I'm much smaller and older and could hide it pretty well.

    I just had a DIEP reconstruction which required 5 days in the hospital, but by the time I came home, I was feeling pretty good. If you do an implant there is less recovery time.

    My hospital had a breast cancer boutique which carried bras. You may want to look for someplace like that. Also JCPenny has mastectomy products. I found c catalog in the intimates department of my local store.

    Good luck! There seems to be a whirlwind of decisions to make when you are diagnosed. Do what is best for you and your family. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers. Sounds like you've got your hands full even without dealing with BC. Don't hesitate to accept help from family, friends and neighbors. You may be surprised at who steps forward to help you thru this.


    Hugs,
    Marcy
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    canoegirl said:

    Glad you found this site, but sorry you need it.
    So sorry that you need to go thru this. I had a right side mastectomy and it wasn't that bad. In the hospital for less than 24 hours post surgery. The drians are the worst part and as soon as they are out, you feel like you can move around better. I went home in a surgical bra and the drains attached to it. Afterwards you can wear any bra without underwires (which may be hard to find in your size) During rads, I didn't wear a bra, but I'm much smaller and older and could hide it pretty well.

    I just had a DIEP reconstruction which required 5 days in the hospital, but by the time I came home, I was feeling pretty good. If you do an implant there is less recovery time.

    My hospital had a breast cancer boutique which carried bras. You may want to look for someplace like that. Also JCPenny has mastectomy products. I found c catalog in the intimates department of my local store.

    Good luck! There seems to be a whirlwind of decisions to make when you are diagnosed. Do what is best for you and your family. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers. Sounds like you've got your hands full even without dealing with BC. Don't hesitate to accept help from family, friends and neighbors. You may be surprised at who steps forward to help you thru this.


    Hugs,
    Marcy

    I had lumpectomies, so don't have any personal experiences to share, but wanted to mention that I met a woman last year at the Making Strides walk who was also diagnosed while she was breastfeeding -- because her breasts were already so stretched out, she was able to have implants put in at the same time as her mastectomy, and didn't have to go through the whole expander process, which can be very long and uncomfortable.

    Once you get to the point of meeting with a plastic surgeon to make decisions, you may want to ask him/her if this might be an option for you.

    Traci
  • Cinkal
    Cinkal Member Posts: 161
    Welcome. I can not answer
    Welcome. I can not answer your mastectomy question. Fortunately I had a choice between lumpectomy and mastectomy, I chose lumpectomy. This is all new to me as well. I had surgery in February and start chemo at the end of the month. At the beginning, all of it seems overwhelming. Waiting for results and a plan can be nerve wracking. It sounds like you are busy with four children and one still breast feeding. I have two children and my biggest concern is how this is going to affect them. Accept all the help you can get from family and friends. I am sure there will be ladies on her to answer your questions. Good luck.
  • Brooklynchele
    Brooklynchele Member Posts: 123
    Didn't do mastectomy yet
    But I had looked into compression garments to help with lymphadema. I wasn't able to find one that fit properly because of my breast size 44DDD but Belisse is the manufacturer of the garment that had been recommended. If your local hospital has a garment shop try speaking with the ladies there for proper fit. If not, look for a shop that specializes in these kinds of garments because you want to be sure the fit is right for you. It's better to be sized in person than to try to order something.

    I was advised that if I did mastectomy, I would have to do both breasts due to my breast size because of potential isues with balance and my spine down the road. Obviously, I'm much larger than you but I know some other ladies had reductions in their other breast due to their breast sizes (just don't know where surgically they consider the balance point). You may wish to discuss this with your surgeon. It may not be an issue at all though.

    I think reconstruction is a very personal decision. If I do mastectomy I am opting not to do reconstruction because I don't want the additional surgeries and the risk of having to remove implants if the cancer ever returns. A lot of ladies here did do reconstruction and are very happy. And keep in mind there are a variety of ways reconstruction can be performed. So if this is something you are considering, you should investigate all of the options.

    Don't be afraid of asking questions of your medical providers. And of us.

    Best of luck with your treatment and your decisions.

    Michele
  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    Welcome, this is a terrific
    Welcome, this is a terrific site and the support is amazing.

    Now to the masectomy. I too was in and out in 24 hours. Not too much pain, most tender area was where the lymph nodes were excized. Was uncomfortable for a few weeks, but not a lot of actual pain.

    I was so small chested that I didn't have to worry about support! I chose reconstruction but dont know if I would if I was to do it again. Reconstruction is such a personal choice, at first I said no, then felt so much pressure from so many to do it because I was young.

    My prayers and good wishes are coming your way!
    Carol
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    camul said:

    Welcome, this is a terrific
    Welcome, this is a terrific site and the support is amazing.

    Now to the masectomy. I too was in and out in 24 hours. Not too much pain, most tender area was where the lymph nodes were excized. Was uncomfortable for a few weeks, but not a lot of actual pain.

    I was so small chested that I didn't have to worry about support! I chose reconstruction but dont know if I would if I was to do it again. Reconstruction is such a personal choice, at first I said no, then felt so much pressure from so many to do it because I was young.

    My prayers and good wishes are coming your way!
    Carol

    Welcome
    I also had a lumpectomy but my niece had a masectomy.She was diagnosed in one breast.Had the surgery then the next year her other breast was pre cancerous so had another masectomy. It has been 6 years since she was diagnosed at 30.She is fine now and happy with her new look. She did have problems at first but now she is pleased with the 2 masectomies.

    My oncologist is treating a patient that is 22 years old.She was also breastfeeding.If not for that I wonder if her cancer would have been found????

    You and your young family are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Lynn Smith
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    Certified Fitter is the way to do for fit
    I had a single mod. rad. mast. in Oct,'09. I left the hospital so taped down that I looked like a boy lol. Stayed taped down for a week til I saw the surgeon - he said to wear whatever was comfortable. So I went back to wearing my old underwire with a soft 'puff' the local ACS had sent me. I wore them and used it until late Jan 10 when I got my 'good' prosethsis and the first of my mast. bras. I am well pleased with thwe pros but the first 2 bras I go I was not at all - I listened to the Certified fitter and she insisted that underwire would be bad so I got what she suggested - I hate them. Have gotten some mast. underwires that I love - (yes they do make them and are all I will wear because they are comfy).

    Wait a while before getting fitted for the good pros - your body will do changes for a few months til it's how it'll stay.

    Susan
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
    Hi nice to meet you just
    Hi nice to meet you just sorry you have to be here.
    I had a bilateral mastectomy...even though the cancer was only in my right breast they said i was a high risk of getting it in my left breast later down the road and i did not want to have a repeat of it so they took both.
    After surgery they gave me a binder vest that i had to wear for about 3 months...i never wore a bra cuz i didnt have anything to put in them afterwards...lol! I did have reconstruction, the first phase was during the mastectomy. As im not too old yet and i kinda grew attached to my boobs and wanted them back but i got silicone boobs to replace them. Kinda gettin off track there...but after surgery i didnt feel a thing the first few days but thats when they took me off the morphine and then i felt it and it took awhile for me to do anything...but in one surgery i had both breast removed, expanders put in (part of the reconstruction) and all my lmyphnodes removed on one side. It was a long surgery and the drain tubes you have to wear for about an average of a week, maybe less, and sometimes more. Keep in mind that everyone is different and have different experiences.
    By the way im very happy that i had the reconstruction even thou im not finished yet and i still like going without a bra...so i dont wear one if i dont have to. I dont have any advice to your situation cuz i dont really know but your doctors should be able to help you too in that area...good luck!