How did you handle the first look after the bandages come off?

rallendorfer
rallendorfer Member Posts: 244
in Breast Cancer #1
I have to take them off today and see my "new normal" for the first time. Am I going to need an Ativan? I am still in pain, but taking the Percoset. I guess it all can be forgotten with bandages snugly in the bra, but it will be a reality soon, so I am trying to prepare myself.

How did you all face the first look?

Comments

  • Pinky68
    Pinky68 Member Posts: 206 Member
    #2
    So sorry you need to do this.
    I'm no help because I had 3 partial mastectomies, and most recently the ovaries are history. I remember MissRenee posting about this a week or so ago. Maybe you can locate that post and/or PM her also. She will probably be a great comfort to you. I'll also look for her post.

    You're going to do great and your fiery/fun sense of humor will have us all in stitches again soon!!

    Easy does it,
    Joyce
  • Jean 0609
    Jean 0609 Member Posts: 2,462
    #3
    Not too bad!
    I was really aprehensive. However, it really wasn't as bad as I thought. I had a uni-lateral mastectomy and a reduction of the other breast. The breast that was reduced actually looked worse than the mastectomy. I had immediate reconstruction with a tissue expander and a fill, so I wasn't completely "flat".

    Hope you pain goes away. I didn't have a lot of pain. The drain was the worst part for me.

    xoxo
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #4
    Not sure exactly what you
    Not sure exactly what you had done...I Had lumpectomy and still took me weeks to look (good look). That is just me...I have a very wozzzzzy-stomach.

    Maybe a glance to start with then after time (few days) try again ...to LOOK...

    I am sure others will give better advice then me-but dont' be hard on yourself & do what works for you!

    Denise
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #5
    Pinky68 said:

    So sorry you need to do this.
    I'm no help because I had 3 partial mastectomies, and most recently the ovaries are history. I remember MissRenee posting about this a week or so ago. Maybe you can locate that post and/or PM her also. She will probably be a great comfort to you. I'll also look for her post.

    You're going to do great and your fiery/fun sense of humor will have us all in stitches again soon!!

    Easy does it,
    Joyce

    Joyce:
    what is differnce
    Joyce:

    what is differnce between Partial mast. vs lumpectomy?

    I never heard of that?

    Denise

    If you dont' mind me asking
  • salls41
    salls41 Member Posts: 340
    #6
    It was hard
    I still find it difficult to look some days. But I have tried to view the scars I have as battles won. O the other hand, sometimes I find total humor when I realize I look like my 3 yr old granddaughter climbing out of the tub..flat chested, hairless private area, big belly. I almost want to run through the house naked like she does!
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #7
    salls41 said:

    It was hard
    I still find it difficult to look some days. But I have tried to view the scars I have as battles won. O the other hand, sometimes I find total humor when I realize I look like my 3 yr old granddaughter climbing out of the tub..flat chested, hairless private area, big belly. I almost want to run through the house naked like she does!

    Salls41:
    YOU gave me a good
    Salls41:

    YOU gave me a good laugh...I needed one ....

    thanks..

    Denise
  • ksf56
    ksf56 Member Posts: 202
    #8
    From your previous posts it looked like you had a lumpectomy - me too. I took off the bandages as instructed and actually, I couldn't wait to see what was under there. It didn't look bad at all - the swelling made my breast look like the size it was before surgery. I hardly even had a bruise. The incision healed very well after both surgeries. After a few months now my breast looks to be about the same size as prior to surgery. The incision line is still quite pink but my husband and I are the only ones to see it other than Drs of course.

    I hope you do wonderfully and heal well!

    Karen
  • Pinky68
    Pinky68 Member Posts: 206 Member
    #9
    disneyfan2008 said:

    Joyce:
    what is differnce
    Joyce:

    what is differnce between Partial mast. vs lumpectomy?

    I never heard of that?

    Denise

    If you dont' mind me asking

    I pulled out my 3 pathology reports: disneyfan2008
    The first one says: Breast,Right,Excisional Biopsy

    The second one says: Breast,Right,Partial Mastectomy with Pectoralis,Fascia andlymphnodes

    The third one says: Breast,Right,Partial Mastectomy,Lymphnodes,Lesion Surgical Margins

    Maybe it was called a partial because of pectoralis and Fascia(connective tissue) involvement?

    I don't know, that's a good question and no, I don't mind you asking! Maybe CypressCynthia and the other Pinks can shed some light.

    I'm curious now too!LOL
    Joyce
  • rallendorfer
    rallendorfer Member Posts: 244
    #10
    It was not as bad as I expected.
    I went ahead and took the shower because it has been 48 hours now since the lumpectomy. It is just that the doctor had to remove 3 tumors and I was borderline mastectomy that I figured there would not be much left of the breast. It is swollen and bruised of course, but I was pleasantly surprised at the results.

    A BIG BIG THANKS to everyone who suggested a front closure sports bra...I have one on now with no bandages and it is soft and easy to get on with the needed gentle support after surgery.

    So now I wait to hear if the doctor got clear margins then on to radiation. So, you all know I will be pestering you with those questions soon. What a comfort you all have been to me. Thank you very much.

    love,
    Rebecca
  • rallendorfer
    rallendorfer Member Posts: 244
    #11
    disneyfan2008 said:

    Salls41:
    YOU gave me a good
    Salls41:

    YOU gave me a good laugh...I needed one ....

    thanks..

    Denise

    Me too!
    LOL
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #12
    I had a bmx with no
    I had a bmx with no reconstruction. Luckily, my guy had to take care of my chest from day 1 and kept telling me it didn't look that bad. So I had that thought in my head when I finally looked at my chest. And to be honest, I don't even remember when I first looked at.
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #13
    Hugs
    Happy to read it was not as you may have expected and that you are doing well, you continue in my prayers!

    RE
  • Frankie Shannon
    Frankie Shannon Member Posts: 457
    #14
    What did you have done that
    What did you have done that you had bandages did you have reconstruction done.Take the meds they give you until the pain subsides.
    Hugs Frankie
  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    #15
    I had a bi-lateral
    I had a bi-lateral mastectomy. It took me a bit before I was ready to take a good look at things. I did all right when I did.

    At this point in time, I have had different things that I have just had to work through in my own timing. One was being all right with wearing a hat or wig when I was out and about, after I lost my hair. Now I am at the opposite end -- I had to decide when I was ready to go wigless/hatless.

    Realizing that certain things come with battling the disease, it's just a matter of not doing something until you are ready. There were times that I told myself -- and I have had chemo and rads -- was "just deal with it." And I did. These are things that weren't going to just go away.
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #16
    Pinky68 said:

    I pulled out my 3 pathology reports: disneyfan2008
    The first one says: Breast,Right,Excisional Biopsy

    The second one says: Breast,Right,Partial Mastectomy with Pectoralis,Fascia andlymphnodes

    The third one says: Breast,Right,Partial Mastectomy,Lymphnodes,Lesion Surgical Margins

    Maybe it was called a partial because of pectoralis and Fascia(connective tissue) involvement?

    I don't know, that's a good question and no, I don't mind you asking! Maybe CypressCynthia and the other Pinks can shed some light.

    I'm curious now too!LOL
    Joyce

    Thanks for info..(I have
    Thanks for info..(I have never seen or heard report for myself)

    MY dr just say all tests good...(blood, mammo etc)


    Denise
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #17
    salls41 said:

    It was hard
    I still find it difficult to look some days. But I have tried to view the scars I have as battles won. O the other hand, sometimes I find total humor when I realize I look like my 3 yr old granddaughter climbing out of the tub..flat chested, hairless private area, big belly. I almost want to run through the house naked like she does!

    gave me a GOOD
    gave me a GOOD chuckle

    Denise
  • kacee999
    kacee999 Member Posts: 110
    #18
    Partial
    I had a partial (the first time) and I basically noticed NOTHING when I took off the bandages. My breast was the same size and shape, but with the incision scar and the incision scar for the lymph node up towards my underarm. That surgery was NO BIGGIE as far as the physical status afterwards. 30 days later I had a bi-lateral (lymph node was positive) and now I look like two volley balls that have been sitting in the back yard for a year...deflated and sunk in. Can't do reconstruction until 1 year after rads, but I am getting used to them.

Discussion Boards