48 Hours But Whose Counting......

maryannrogers
maryannrogers Member Posts: 115
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Well, surgery is 48 hours away and I'm still shaking at the knees. Guess I would be considered a "sissy", but I've heard some horror stories about the pain when waking up. Am having a modified radical masectomy on the right side for ILC.

Maryann
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Comments

  • dmc_emmy
    dmc_emmy Member Posts: 549
    #2
    Maryann-you're on my cell
    I logged your date into my cell calendar for your Tuesday surgery. I promised you I would take a moment to pause and say a prayer for you. I have my calendar alarm set for 9AM (Eastern time).
    dmc
  • Aortus
    Aortus Member Posts: 967
    #3
    Bah
    You're no sissy, Maryann. You're just a rational human being experiencing completely understandable fears. Only Moopy herself can tell you exactly how she felt after her left modified radical mastectomy, but from everything I could notice (and I was with her the entire time), Moopster felt more tired than anything else. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Joe
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #4
    Maryann
    Your are perfectly normal, who would look forward to surgery of any kind? Anyway, they have all kinds of pain meds for you, and don't hesitate to tell them if they aren't working.
    Take care and we will be expecting to hear from you as soon as it is possible.
    =^..^=
  • maryannrogers
    maryannrogers Member Posts: 115
    #5
    cats_toy said:

    Maryann
    Your are perfectly normal, who would look forward to surgery of any kind? Anyway, they have all kinds of pain meds for you, and don't hesitate to tell them if they aren't working.
    Take care and we will be expecting to hear from you as soon as it is possible.
    =^..^=

    Don't know what I'd do
    Don't know what I'd do without the wonderful support of everyone here.
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    #6
    maryannrogers said:

    Don't know what I'd do
    Don't know what I'd do without the wonderful support of everyone here.

    Hi Mary Ann
    Just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery. Hope everything goes great for you.

    Hugs Jadie<3
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #7
    Maryann, I had a modified
    Maryann, I had a modified radical mastectomy on my left breast last November. Truly, it was not that bad. I was able to leave the hospital the next afternoon.

    I was given pain meds and followed my sister's advice: she is an RN, and she told me that it is easier to keep pain under control than to get it under control. So, I used the pain meds as instructed. I would recommend you do that also. And if what you are given is not helping, let a nurse/doctor know.

    I will be thinking of you also. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know. Others have gone through the mastectomy procedure even more recently than I, and we all will be glad to help you.
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #8
    Maryann......
    When I woke from having my mastectomy last year, I found that my chest was wrapped tightly in an Ace-like bandage. That covered the actual bandage. The pressure of the outer bandage wrapped around me alleviated any pain, really. It was actually a rather comforting feeling.

    And they are very good about giving pain meds when you need them.

    Within 4 hours of waking, I was eating a chicken/ranch sub (hoagie) sandwich and begging to go home.
    My surgeon persuaded me to stay just overnight and released me at 6:00 a.m. the next morning.
    Pain was never really an issue for me.

    No such thing as a sissy! None of this is a picnic, but you can do it. I think that by the time we actually have surgery, or start treatment, we have blown up in our mind what we THINK will happen, to the point of absolute terror.

    Sending strength your way.

    CR
  • karen0423
    karen0423 Member Posts: 67
    #9
    Will be thinking of you
    I had a mastectomy in 2002, you are not a "sissy" at all. It is very scary and normal to feel the way you are. Trust that your doctors will take good care of you and help you through this. Wishing you the best and a speedy recovery!
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #10
    PRAYERS ARE COMING YOUR WAY
    Hello Maryann, I had my radical mastectomy in 07 and yes it was painful but certainly not unbearable! To be very honest with you it was less painful than I thought it was going to be. Both my mother and sister has them on both sides. To ease the pain we learned along the way to use a small soft pillow (6 to 8 inches long by 4 inches wide approx) placed between the side of your arm and the side of your body just under your underarm area, this will help to absorb any bumps or jolts that may occur. Now that said, please do not beat yourself up over your fears, it is scary and you certainly have every right to be a bit fearful. I promise to lift you in prayer also, my best to you!

    RE
  • maryannrogers
    maryannrogers Member Posts: 115
    #11
    karen0423 said:

    Will be thinking of you
    I had a mastectomy in 2002, you are not a "sissy" at all. It is very scary and normal to feel the way you are. Trust that your doctors will take good care of you and help you through this. Wishing you the best and a speedy recovery!

    You have all made me feel so
    You have all made me feel so much better....."I will get through this...I will get through this".

    I trust my doctor wholeheartedly. She is such a compassionate person and my whole family feels (including myself) feel that she knows what she is doing. When my pre-op PET scan came back she actually called me herself and told me good new...that everything was normal. I just love her. Hope the oncologist that she recommended will be as good.
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #12
    Will be thinking of you, Maryann
    Of course you're scared - totally understandable. You've written about your trust and confidence in your doctor, and that is half the battle.

    As others have recommended - take your pain meds as prescribed, it's so important. And, if they don't help as much as you need - don't hesitate to contact your doctor/nurse. Sometimes, what works well for one doesn't for another. There are many options.

    Please try not to focus on "horror stories"... Everyone is different. I'll be hoping things go very well for you.

    Best wishes.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #13
    Christmas Girl said:

    Will be thinking of you, Maryann
    Of course you're scared - totally understandable. You've written about your trust and confidence in your doctor, and that is half the battle.

    As others have recommended - take your pain meds as prescribed, it's so important. And, if they don't help as much as you need - don't hesitate to contact your doctor/nurse. Sometimes, what works well for one doesn't for another. There are many options.

    Please try not to focus on "horror stories"... Everyone is different. I'll be hoping things go very well for you.

    Best wishes.

    Kind regards, Susan

    Wishing you the very best
    Wishing you the very best tomorrow. Good luck and please let us know how you are doing.
  • aurora2009
    aurora2009 Member Posts: 544 Member
    #14
    Kat11 said:

    Wishing you the very best
    Wishing you the very best tomorrow. Good luck and please let us know how you are doing.

    I'll be keeping you in my prayers
    Hi Maryann I'm Aurora, I just wanted you to know that I'll keep you in my prayers as well. I haven't even had surgery yet, and I'm scared of the lumpectomy alone. Stay strong and remember there will be alot of people here thinking of you.

    God Bless
    Aurora
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #15
    aurora2009 said:

    I'll be keeping you in my prayers
    Hi Maryann I'm Aurora, I just wanted you to know that I'll keep you in my prayers as well. I haven't even had surgery yet, and I'm scared of the lumpectomy alone. Stay strong and remember there will be alot of people here thinking of you.

    God Bless
    Aurora

    Good Vibes and prayers
    Good vibes and prayers coming your way for your surgery and a speedy recovery.

    Margo
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #16
    tommaseena said:

    Good Vibes and prayers
    Good vibes and prayers coming your way for your surgery and a speedy recovery.

    Margo

    M.... You will get through this
    We'll all be there with you (In spirit)..You'll be back here within 24 hours saying..."Hey, It wasn't THAT bad!"

    Will be thinking of you. Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • ladybug22
    ladybug22 Member Posts: 646
    #17
    Maryann, I had a radical
    Maryann, I had a radical mastectomy on my left breast jan 1 08. Its not that bad and your are just like all of us going into the unknown is no fun. walking the wall is tuff slow but you will master that as well .we are with you all the way.hugs
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #18
    Hey Maryann
    I have to say I
    Hey Maryann
    I have to say I never had any pain from the surgery. Good pain meds I guess.The drain was the most annoying part of the recovery.Just get lots of rest. Good luck.
    Dee
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #19
    tommaseena said:

    Good Vibes and prayers
    Good vibes and prayers coming your way for your surgery and a speedy recovery.

    Margo

    Just to let you know
    Just to let you know Maryann, that I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

    Hugs, Kristin
  • Butterfly12
    Butterfly12 Member Posts: 56
    #20
    Okay
    Maryann,

    I am currently 2 weeks post op from my mastectomy and I had a good experience. They were able to control the pain with Darvocet for me since I do not tolerate morphine or demoral. Just remember to move slowly when you try and move. That was the biggest thing for me. I will keep you in my prayers for little pain and a speedy recover. Good Luck. Let us know how you are doing as soon as you are up to it :)

    Sherry
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #21
    Butterfly12 said:

    Okay
    Maryann,

    I am currently 2 weeks post op from my mastectomy and I had a good experience. They were able to control the pain with Darvocet for me since I do not tolerate morphine or demoral. Just remember to move slowly when you try and move. That was the biggest thing for me. I will keep you in my prayers for little pain and a speedy recover. Good Luck. Let us know how you are doing as soon as you are up to it :)

    Sherry

    Maryann, I am wishing you
    Maryann, I am wishing you good luck as the others here! Let us know how you do! Good luck!

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