After the Mastectomy

IE_Hope
IE_Hope Member Posts: 43

July 5th I will have a mastectomy on my left breast.  I was wondering what did others feel? or how did they cope with this?

de

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Comments

  • Doe1504
    Doe1504 Member Posts: 94
    De, I had a bilateral on

    De, I had a bilateral on 5-15-13 and did well. I am 50 yr old. I was on a morphine drip for the 24 hrs I was in the hosp., came home and did fine. Did not need any more pain meds, no pain. My chest has numb spots and feels "full" due to the expanders, but no pain. I felt that my breast being gone was good, I would have new perkier ones, lol. Seriously I did/do not miss them! You will do great. Do you need chemo? I just have my first of 16 treatments last Thurs. and so far, so good.  Will keep you in my prayers. Good luck :)

    Dolores

  • IE_Hope
    IE_Hope Member Posts: 43
    Doe1504 said:

    De, I had a bilateral on

    De, I had a bilateral on 5-15-13 and did well. I am 50 yr old. I was on a morphine drip for the 24 hrs I was in the hosp., came home and did fine. Did not need any more pain meds, no pain. My chest has numb spots and feels "full" due to the expanders, but no pain. I felt that my breast being gone was good, I would have new perkier ones, lol. Seriously I did/do not miss them! You will do great. Do you need chemo? I just have my first of 16 treatments last Thurs. and so far, so good.  Will keep you in my prayers. Good luck :)

    Dolores

    Mastectomy

    Good Morning Dolores,

     

    When I saw you name I thought to myself, huh I always sign my name de.  My name is also Dolores and spelled the same way Smile  Do not know about Chemo yet.  Drs say they will see after the surgery.

    How did you do with your first treatment?  

     

    Sending lots of prayers and hugs

    de

  • Doe1504
    Doe1504 Member Posts: 94
    IE_Hope said:

    Mastectomy

    Good Morning Dolores,

     

    When I saw you name I thought to myself, huh I always sign my name de.  My name is also Dolores and spelled the same way Smile  Do not know about Chemo yet.  Drs say they will see after the surgery.

    How did you do with your first treatment?  

     

    Sending lots of prayers and hugs

    de

    So far so good. had it last

    So far so good. had it last Thurs. and was filled with nausea meds before and have not been sick yet. Thank God! I got the neulasta shot on Fri. it stimulates the bone marrow to make more white cells and they say it can make your bones hurt. The dr. put me on claritan for 3 days and the only bone pain so far is a little in my left hip joint. I felt a little "strange" or "different" yesterday, but seem ok today. No hair or taste loss as of yet. If all the treatments go this well maybe I will be fine. I am drinking LOTS! Hydration is apparently the key. They want you to wash out your system after chemo. Thanks for the prayers and hugs and please keep me posted :)

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    Hi.

    I had a bi-lateral 2/21/12.  I had no ill effects from the surgery, as I do remember eating at least a hamburger afterwards.  Yes, there was soreness, but that was manageable.  I think I had Percoset or something. 

    My pathology reports were such that I ended up doing chemo (eight times, every other week; adriamycin/cytoxin the first half and taxol the second).  My hair began to "flee" the week I had my second infusion.  I chose to get a buzz cut because (1) I did not like  how I was shedding; and (2) I thought it would just be easier to lose bristles than clumps of hair.  My anti-puke meds worked, and I only dealt with maybe 2-3 days of queasiness the weeks I had chemo, just during the A/C segment.  I had a few challenges, but manageable, when I was on the taxol; I did get some relief with allergy meds (like Clariton). 

    My numbers were good, and so I stayed on schedule the entire time I was doing chemo.  I did not have to get my final neulasta shot.  About 10 days after I finished chemo, my husband and I went on a four-day vacation.  I did well.

    About three weeks after I finished chemo, I did radiation therapy.  I had a little problem with burns, but it was manageable and did not get me off schedule.  I did heal quickly from that.

    To make a long story short, I did a part-time work schedule when school started last year (because I will still doing rads); by mid-October, I was back to work full time. 

    By the end of September, I decided I had enough hair back that I gave up wearing hats/hair pieces when I was out of the house.  Because I wear my hair somewhat short, it did not take things long for it to be back to normal length.  The texture is softer and straighter, which is all right with me.

    I will say, though, that not everyone has the same reaction to chemo and to rads.  We can share our experiences and know that it does help give people like you an idea of what to expect.  I think I was very fortunate in a lot of ways with how chemo and rads went for me.  In comparing my experience with that of others, some of whom I know, I think that my experience did not match any of theirs; HOWEVER, what they shared with me helped me know what I could maybe expect, which was helpful.

    Hope this helps.

    e

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    I don't know if you have had

    I don't know if you have had other surgeries?  This is not one of the more painful ones, but most need pain meds for a few days.  Don't let your pain get out of control because pain meds work better on mild to moderate pain and you will be taking more with less effect if you wait too long.

    If you need something for nausea, be sure and ask your nurse.  If there is nothing ordered, they can call oncall doc and get you something quickly.

    Pain meds make you constipated, so if you know what works for you, have it on hand (prunes, stool softener, etc).

    You will probably have two drains for a week or two.  Everyone wants them out because they are awkward, but remember that whatever they are draining will accumulate in your chest if pulled too soon.  Don't be in a rush.

    Having said that, after one drain was removed, I did have a reaccumulation and had to have my chest tapped.  It sounds scary and they use a big syringe with a needle, but, if that happens, don't worry because it doesn't hurt.  Apparently, swelling keeps you from feeling it.

    I would plan on being out of work (if you work) for  about 2-3 weeks.  Everyone heals differently so this is hard to predict.

    3 out of 4 of my sisters have had breast cancer and the unaffected sister just had a bilateral preventive mastectomy on June 18th.  She had the last of her drains removed today.  She thought she would be back to work, but I have a feeling she will probably go back next week as she still has pain if she sits too long.

    Hope some of this helps!  Good luck and hope it goes well and you have a speedy recovery.

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member

    I don't know if you have had

    I don't know if you have had other surgeries?  This is not one of the more painful ones, but most need pain meds for a few days.  Don't let your pain get out of control because pain meds work better on mild to moderate pain and you will be taking more with less effect if you wait too long.

    If you need something for nausea, be sure and ask your nurse.  If there is nothing ordered, they can call oncall doc and get you something quickly.

    Pain meds make you constipated, so if you know what works for you, have it on hand (prunes, stool softener, etc).

    You will probably have two drains for a week or two.  Everyone wants them out because they are awkward, but remember that whatever they are draining will accumulate in your chest if pulled too soon.  Don't be in a rush.

    Having said that, after one drain was removed, I did have a reaccumulation and had to have my chest tapped.  It sounds scary and they use a big syringe with a needle, but, if that happens, don't worry because it doesn't hurt.  Apparently, swelling keeps you from feeling it.

    I would plan on being out of work (if you work) for  about 2-3 weeks.  Everyone heals differently so this is hard to predict.

    3 out of 4 of my sisters have had breast cancer and the unaffected sister just had a bilateral preventive mastectomy on June 18th.  She had the last of her drains removed today.  She thought she would be back to work, but I have a feeling she will probably go back next week as she still has pain if she sits too long.

    Hope some of this helps!  Good luck and hope it goes well and you have a speedy recovery.

    P.S. My sister has a stronger

    P.S. My sister has a stronger stomach than me and so she had her daughter get her a milkshake after surgery.  That really set her back and she ended up having to get a couple of nausea meds before she stopped vomiting.  I do NOT recommend a hamburger.  Start with ice chips, progress to clear fluids and then to food as tolerated. 

  • IE_Hope
    IE_Hope Member Posts: 43
    Thank you everyone

    Thank you everyone for your input,  they really do help.  I went today for my the pre-op, sign papers all that good stuff.  Was hoping I would be in and out the same day, guess that was a joke.  They said I would be there about 3 days, hope they give me some good stuff for pain lol

    It did hit me hard today. Guess I have been trying to keep it out of my mind but today made me realize this is real.   

    Again thanks for your info you shared with me.

    hugs,

    de

  • andi44
    andi44 Member Posts: 196 Member
    IE_Hope said:

    Thank you everyone

    Thank you everyone for your input,  they really do help.  I went today for my the pre-op, sign papers all that good stuff.  Was hoping I would be in and out the same day, guess that was a joke.  They said I would be there about 3 days, hope they give me some good stuff for pain lol

    It did hit me hard today. Guess I have been trying to keep it out of my mind but today made me realize this is real.   

    Again thanks for your info you shared with me.

    hugs,

    de

    mastectomy...

    Hey there,

    I had a left breast mastectomy.  The surgery went well - though I did have an expander put in - so that took additional time for the doctors. I was in the hospital only for one night.  I was thinking I could do this procedure on a Thursday and be back to work the following Monday - I was wrong.  I also had to have a 2nd surgery two weeks later because they didn't get 'clear margins'. So, they had to 'pump' up my expander as far as the doctor could to stretch my skin for more tissue & skin removal - that is what hurt. The original mastectomy itself was not too painful.  However, you will have to deal with a drainage tube for a week or more.  I do wish you luck with your procedure...

     

    Andi

     

  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    Thinking of you...

    I did not have a matectomy but I want to wish you good luck tomorrow. I will pray for a smooth surgery, with no complications and quick healing. Most importantly, I will pray for clear margins. Remember to keep positive and have faith. We'll be thinking of you tomorrow. You will do great. Believe it.

    Hugs to you.

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    Sending hugs and prayers,

    Sending hugs and prayers, hoping it all goes well today!! 

  • Doe1504
    Doe1504 Member Posts: 94
    Mastectomy

    De, wondering how your mastectomy went yesterday. Hope all is well and you feel better than you thought. Update as soon as you can. Prayers for you.

  • andi44
    andi44 Member Posts: 196 Member
    surgery...

    Wondering how your surgery went...hope all went well.

  • Kobias
    Kobias Member Posts: 115
    andi44 said:

    surgery...

    Wondering how your surgery went...hope all went well.

    Thinking of you too and

    Thinking of you too and hoping your surgery went well for you.

    Kathy

  • Lynne P
    Lynne P Member Posts: 165
    Kobias said:

    Thinking of you too and

    Thinking of you too and hoping your surgery went well for you.

    Kathy

    Post an update on how you are

    Post an update on how you are when you can.

    Lynne

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    I have no advice-since I have

    I have no advice-since I have had two lumpectomies (same side) but just wanted to say "thinking of you" and I know you will get many comments/advice from others.

     

    Denise

  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    Doe1504 said:

    Mastectomy

    De, wondering how your mastectomy went yesterday. Hope all is well and you feel better than you thought. Update as soon as you can. Prayers for you.

    De, hoping you're doing

    De, hoping you're doing well.  Praying for you!

  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member

    Sending hugs and prayers,

    Sending hugs and prayers, hoping it all goes well today!! 

    Lots of prayers and gentle

    Lots of prayers and gentle hugs!

    Leeza

  • Jobi
    Jobi Member Posts: 211
    Feelings

    I was 38 when I had my mastectomy.  No matter what age, it was a loss for me.  To handle it, I had my mother, sister, and then husband surrounding me when I looked at my new body.  I couldn't have done that alone.  They talked me through it and I am forever grateful.  The first weeks will be tough, but as time moves on, it will really become your new normal with good days and bad. 

    Prayers your way. 

  • Lynne P
    Lynne P Member Posts: 165
    Jobi said:

    Feelings

    I was 38 when I had my mastectomy.  No matter what age, it was a loss for me.  To handle it, I had my mother, sister, and then husband surrounding me when I looked at my new body.  I couldn't have done that alone.  They talked me through it and I am forever grateful.  The first weeks will be tough, but as time moves on, it will really become your new normal with good days and bad. 

    Prayers your way. 

    Just checking for any update

    Just checking for any update that you might have posted.  I hope you post soon to tell us how you are doing.

  • jen dw
    jen dw Member Posts: 1
    Hi De, I hope you are

    Hi De, I hope you are recovering well. i had my double mastectomy in January. I am almost done with the reconstructions, which are a peice of cake after the double mx. I like my new breasts, they are really nice looking and feel very real. The expanders, what you might typically have in the meantime immediately post surgery, are kind of hard and a little uncomfortable, but don't despair, the mor permanent implants are much softer and more real feeling. I'm struggling now (6 months later) with some anxiety, etc. that I think I blocked out during the whole process and now it is finally bubbling up for me. Just hoping to keep working at it and get some support from my peers here on the network. Any one else have a lot of anxiety post surgeries, once things started settling donw?

     

    Keep feeling better every day De!

     

    Thank you!

     

    Jen DW