Support for Breast Cancer

angelofdeath02

I just recently had a mastectomy of my left breast in August. I seem to be handling it fine but people tell me I am just in denial. I have nightmares and freak out when anything comes near my chest. I just want to find people that I can talk to

LovesPrimes

@angelofdeath02 You've come to a great place here. You can vent, rant, ask questions, or just "pass the weather". We're here for you!

My (double) mastectomy was May 2023 and I was also incredibly sensitive about my chest. Even just the way some fabric would lay, I couldn't tolerate it. It was months after that surgery before I could handle a seat belt without a pillow in between my chest and the belt. I'm sure you will hear from others that can empathize as well.

angelofdeath02

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1717949#Comment_1717949

How long did it take you to heal? Did you have issues with lymphedema? My left hand is constantly swollen. I have a lot of tightness in my chest where it was removed worst part is my arm pit if that would heal I’d be happy

LovesPrimes

Hi @angelofdeath02 ! Sorry I haven't been on in a while. I'm (finally) back to full-time work and I have little energy for anything else. I know it won't always be this way; it can be discouraging when you see progress only month over month, not week over week. Recovery is NOT linear!

You asked how long it took to heal and I know that seems like a straightforward question but it is hard for me to answer. I had tissue expanders placed with my double mastectomy and had a couple small areas that wouldn't close for a very long time. But even when they finally closed, would I say I was fully healed? No. It was several weeks, maybe a few months before I had range of motion back for my arms and, still more than a year later, I'm working on getting some strength and stamina back.

Please keep us updated and make sure your care team knows about ANY swelling!

dolphine

dolphin-I've recently had a bilateral mastectomy on the right. this is a recurrence after 20 years. my first experience i had a lumpectomy with 6 weeks of radiation. i also took tamoxifen for 5 years. My body was thrown in early menopause which was very difficult to deal with. I really don't feel much about the mastectomy except i did want reconstruction surgery. How long does it take to complete the reconstruction surgery.

Disney girl

I am new to this site. Original 2008 dx with unilateral mastectoy. With chemo and tamo... With a new breast cancer 2020. Now with bilateral mastectomy. Now aromisin. Much harder for me second time around. And libo is totally gone