Bilateral Mastectomy

Thanks for your responses and advice, I think I will try the nurofen when I go for my first expansion next Tuesday.  I really am quite happy with the size I am now but have been told I have to have a certain amount of fluid put into these expanders.  I have been told that I will have to have the expanders in until I finish chemo (will find out more on Friday when I go to see the oncologist) which could be some time.  I was also told I could not go to a swimming pool because of infections but will check that out again.

On the whole I am doing pretty well, I feel very positive and always feel that there are people out there far worse off than I am. I just want to get on with living so I can enjoy my 3 grandchildren.  Thanks again

Mikki

Thanks for your responses and advice, I think I will try the nurofen when I go for my first expansion next Tuesday.  I really am quite happy with the size I am now but have been told I have to have a certain amount of fluid put into these expanders.  I have been told that I will have to have the expanders in until I finish chemo (will find out more on Friday when I go to see the oncologist) which could be some time.  I was also told I could not go to a swimming pool because of infections but will check that out again.

On the whole I am doing pretty well, I feel very positive and always feel that there are people out there far worse off than I am. I just want to get on with living so I can enjoy my 3 grandchildren.  Thanks again

Mikki

I used to tell my husband it was like wearing a really tight and uncomfortable bra which you wanted to adjust but you couldn't because it was on the inside. 

I was told by my ps that I wasn't able to use my arms to push up or lift anything for a month.  I am not someone that likes to sit still so I struggled.  It was also frustrating as I couldn't really move my arms around, everything I wore had to have buttons, someone had to help me with most things.  I tried to walk every day but this was a struggle as I found it really hard to breathe but I soldiered on.  Each day I was able to walk a bit longer and longer.  I also found that one of the hospitals had aqua aerobics for people recovering from breast cancer/ surgery.  

I will never forget meeting a lady at aqua who had a bilateral mastectomy and was undergoing chemo.  I asked how she was coping and she told me that she was going pretty well as her sister had to move in with her to help look after her 2 kids and her blind husband.  It shocked me and I looked at myself and said that I can never say that I am doing it tough compared to her.  I think she became my reality hit that I am one of the lucky ones. 

With regards to the pain, I had nurofen and panadol as the nurofen relaxes the muscles while the panadol eases the pain.  When I had my expanders filled I was in excruciating pain and started to hate my weekly expansions.  My PS suggested taking the panadeine an hour before my appointment so I would be relaxed before the expansion.  This helped a little but I always knew that the 24 hours after the the expansion would be the hardest.  It didn't help that every time that my husband drove home he manages to hit every pot hole along the road which caused me pain. 

I too had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using tissue expanders just over 4 weeks ago.  I have to agree it is very uncomfortable it feels like a really tight band right around my chest and because I had muscle taken from both sides of my back the pain goes from front to back.  It felt like I had tennis balls under each armpit to start with but the swelling is beginning to slowly go down, but it still very bruised and hard.  I am suppose to start the expanding procedure next week so am not sure what to expect there.  Would like to hear how you go with the expanding procedure. Hang in there I am sure the pain will start to subside shortly.  Cheers

Mikki

I know a couple of ladies who have had them. One is Kristy who I spoke about before. I know all you want is to be normal again but you just have to be patient. It's hard not being able to do the things we want to. It does get better. Mind you, I haven't had reconstruction surgery yet. I also know of another lady. My phone number is 0427471293. Text me and I will ask if she will speak to you. Her name is Lara and she's very nice. I think hers were very painful. Xx

Thanks so much Paula.

What sort of things should i be doing?  I know i cant drive and i have a lady coming out to clean for me today.

I am just itching to get into my garden, lucky its raining today, so the temptation has been taken off me for today.

Im nnot used to doing nothing, but these tissue expanders are so painful....Do you know if anyone else has had pain from them?

Much love

Tan xxxx