Oregon Star

OregonSeaStar said:

Hi Kathy -
Thanks for your interest. The port surgery went well (compared to all the other surgeries!). I'm a little sore today in the general area, but Tylenol does help take the edge off. I'm noticing that with every procedure, every treatment, I'm bouncing back slower and slower. I'm still having a lot of trouble seeing myself as sick! I didn't feel sick or tired at all until all this started! So, in addition to some self-image problems (namely being single-breasted and the upcoming baldness), three operations in less
than 2 months has kind of wiped me out. But enough whining! I'm up and walking around and able to take care of myself . . . .life is good!
-shelley

Aw, Shelley, we are all the hardest on ourselves! After I had my hair buzzed (it was falling like the fall leaves...), I went to one of my clients (I am a computer nerd) and one of the VERY handsome employees said "I think you look better with no hair, sexier!" Made my day.

I can sympathize with the surgeries...2 weeks after my lumpectomy, I had a full bowel obstruction...back in the hospital I was...

It got to the place that my clients would call and say "So, we haven't heard from you in a few days....are you back in the hospital, or what????"

Bully for the up and walking, but remember that there are many helping hands around, even some from places that will surprise you. One of my friends said 'Please let us help, it makes us feel better about watching you and your struggles with this terror'.

Hugs, Kathi

kathydaly said:

Shelley--I was just wondering how it was discovered in the 1st place. Was it a routine mammo, or are you even that old yet? 3 surgeries in two mos. is enough surgery to the system to tire you out, it can take weeks for that anesthesia to leave your body. It has it's own side-effects(i.e. being wiped out). So what's my excuse, hmmmm? No, just kidding. But truthfully , I'm totally relating to this wiped out feeling.

I feel dopey asking but what was the 3rd surgery you had--maestectomy, port, and?

OK, hear from you soon, I'm here all day, lol.

Hi Kathy - I'm 57 and my lump was discovered in a routine mammo. It was up against my chest wall; I never felt it and was told that I probably never would have because of where it was. Because of its placement a mastectomy was thought to be the best surgical choice.

So I had a mastectomy on September 13. Within a few days, I developed a lot of bleeding and blood clots under the skin in around the surgical area. On September 22, I went back to surgery, had my mastectomy incision re-opened, and the blood and clots removed. Then on November 9, my port was put in.

After the mastectomy, I actually felt pretty good - was up, moving around, and taking care of stuff with a minimum of tiredness and discomfort. After the 2nd time in surgery, I was very slow in getting momentum, strength, and energy back. Now after #3, the port, I'm exhausted most of the time.

In addition to bc, I'm a long-time diabetic. Keeping up with good eating habits and just generally taking care of my health has been pretty important for me. But the bc has really thrown me and right now everything seems out of whack!
-shelley