Done with surgeries!!!

anet

Sorry I haven't written in a while. I have been taken my mom to 5 endoscopies during summer because her esophagus decided to close!!! I just wanted to update you... I had my expanders replaced last month and I think I am done with surgeries. The next surgery would have been the nipple reconstruction, but I have decided to just keep my aureola without them. For those of you who have gone through mastectomy and reconstruction, does the pain ever go completly away????
I also wanted to thank all of you for listening and being so caring. This site and the people in it have made a big difference to me during this journey.
Hugs for everybody!

chenheart

WHOOO-HOOO!! ~ happy dance ~~ for being done with surgeries. And a special hug to your mom. Having ones esophagus shut down doesn't sound like fun at all!
I had a lumpectomy with node removal, and 4+ years later I still have pain, sorry to tell you. Well, perhaps pain isn't the correct word. More of an "awareness", if that makes any sense. I feel as if I don't have enough skin and am stretched to my limit. It doesn't hinder me, per se, but is a gentle reminder that I had surgery!
On the other hand, I got an email today that said if we don't have aches and pains, maybe we're not alive! So , On With The Discomfort! :-)
hugs,
Claudia

KathiM

YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA!!!

NAKED HAPPY DANCE...LET THE TRUE HEALING BEGIN!

Hugs, kathi

Unknown

Hi anet.
It has been 21 years since I lost my right breast and over 18 since I lost the left one. I chose to have no reconstruction.
You asked if the pain ever goes away. Obviously I can not speak to the physical pain of reconstruction but I certainly know the physical AND emotional pain of mastectomies.
Although I still have some numbness and adema after all these years it is not something that keeps me from doing what I need or want to do...though I do pay for it later sometimes...lol
And as to the emotional pain....well, I have had other issues in my life that were harder than cancer (though at the time I did not think that was possible), and I have just learned to accept my 'new normal' and get on with it. And I can even be glad that once in awhile I can help or encourage someone else who is going through similar circumstances, and that has to be a good thing, right? Give yourself time...you are stronger and more adaptable than you think. :-)

ireneingeorgia

For me it's been 1 1/2 years. I still have pains and like my cousin Chen there, my skin is stretched so tight on the right, it feels like it's too tight elastic so I am always aware of it. I had a Latissimus Flap done from back muscle to cover an area on the breast that had died. So it pulls from the back all the way to the front. But you know what, I live with it. I'd sooner live with this than ever have to go through it again!
Irene

Susan956

YIPEE..... Hope all goes well...

Susan