Choices

I am so sad for SadieJ, AKA Patricia, she has been on my mind quite often and thinking that this is what we all have to look forward to. Thank you for her daughter's post. It's nice to know that she is safe and out of pain.

On another note, neuropathy in fingers and toes, yes, acupuncture does help but the effects are not long-lasting.

Completed all of my treatments, chemo, surgery and radiation since the end of May. Just trying to get back to my life, not my cancer life for now. Had an MRI of both breasts the other day and will follow up with the surgeon in a week. Take care all….

I'm still here. I have to say when I saw Sadie's daughter's message, I had to close my laptop and just cry and pray for a while. I'm so very thankful for her presence here and I believe continuing this thread honors her memory and, like @claoh said, her dreams. I hope we continue to come here and share our experiences, help others when we can, and keep fighting this fight together.

I am scheduled for revision surgery but less than a month before my husband and I plan to finally celebrate our 35th anniversary (11 months late!) on a week-long cruise. I'm on a waitlist to get an earlier surgery date, hopefully in October. We scheduled this after my diagnosis and before my first surgery (mastectomy), more than 18 months in advance assuming I would be done with all the surgeries and just on AI meds. I am reminded, pretty much all the time, how little control I have over, well, much of anything.

@claoh I know you know everyone's experience is unique, pretty much in everything, but here talking about mastectomy. And I'm curious how order of treatment affects recovery from mastectomy. I have heard of one woman who went home and vacuumed the day after surgery (though she says she wouldn't recommend it!) and another who went boating with family the weekend after, refusing to miss out, but holding her arms crossed over her chest the whole time. For me, mastectomy was my first "treatment" and though I chose it over lumpectomy, it was still deeply traumatic for me. I couldn't look for a couple days after I came home, and cried hysterically once I did. The nerve block they put in place during surgery didn't work for me and I was out of my mind in pain. So far as mobility, I couldn't raise my arms over shoulder height for several weeks. I did eventually get range of motion back. (So very thankful for an awesome OT who is still working with me.) But I still don't have a lot of arm strength and very little endurance over a year later. It might be a different story if I had been in better shape before the surgery.

Also, I'm a rule follower so maybe I could have done some things sooner if I had tried but I carefully followed the surgeon's instructions. Don't lift more than 5 pounds the first two weeks, no more than 10 pounds in weeks 3 & 4, etc. It had been recommended ahead of time to put things I would regularly use/need at a height between my waist and my shoulders. I also got help beforehand moving an electric recliner into our bedroom and I slept in that for a couple months after mastectomy and again after reconstruction surgery. Another good tip was to have button-up shirts/dresses/pajamas because it was a LONG time before I could put clothing on over my head and we had to access wounds, drains, etc. multiple times a day.

For me, my chest was wrapped when I first came home and the wrappings were removed at my first post-op a few days later. Then I think it was 3-4 weeks of nothing, no bra. And then 2-3 months of a zip-front sports bra 24 hours a day. I got sick to death of those sports bras, lol. Again, everyone is different, but I will say with or without a bra, I found many ordinary fabric types and/or clothing features (like the hem) to be painful. I had to find super soft fabrics and necklines without a thick hem. (Not sure I'm describing that right.)

You are such a warrior and you've already overcome so much, @claoh. You have a "family" here on these boards that is lifting you up in prayer and hoping for this part of the journey to be so much easier than you might think it could be.

Please feel free to ask me anything; I want to be helpful in any and every way that I can. I also hope you will hear from some women who had mastectomy after chemo and what their experiences were like.

Hello, sweet ladies! So glad to hear from each of you; I was growing sad to think this thread might disappear.

I'm scheduled for revision surgery in a couple months but on a waitlist for and hoping for an earlier date to open up as the current date is less than a month before a cruise. Recovery from DIEP reconstruction was so hard and so long and still not complete (hence the need for revision), but I feel like I finally turned the corner and I have finally been getting a little more energy and stamina and starting to feel a little more like myself. I really want the revision surgery out of the way and that part of treatment behind me.

This week, I am officially back to work full time. I go onsite two days a week and work from home the other days. @claoh I'm glad you had clean margins with surgery and that they will be getting your radiation going quickly. I'm praying for you! @RocDocVic Just my opinion, but I think telling your oncologist that not knowing worsens your anxiety and anxiety is counterproductive to healing should move the needle (assuming your insurance is willing to pay for it). @marlakeeth So glad to hear your MRI was clear!!