Case of the sads before mastectomy

@ellendorf that all sounds good! It's hard to keep track of all the what stays/what goes during the blur of all the appointments! I knew that breast tissue extends towards the armpit and the PS explained it would look different to the other side, but it wasn't until I saw it that I fully understood.

Definitely take it slowly. I'd also notice I'd get sorer as soon as I started trying to do a few little things, so tried to back off as much as I could. It's hard though when you're used to just doing stuff!

That is good news @ellendorf.  Take it easy as you don't want to ruin the good work.  Pleased you are having great supports all round.  Take any meds prescribed so ay pain does not get on top of you.  Good luck for your follow-up appointment.  💖

Hi. Released from hospital Wednesday. Feeling good with little pain. Doctors are happy with how the mastectomy and reconstruction went. Feels weird as expected although more weird than I thought… no cancer around the nipple so they have grafted that. Won’t know for two weeks whether that has taken. Stupidly thought that was a given - don’t know why I thought that?? And pathology will take another week. Hoping of course they got the DCIS at the outer markers and clear tissue after that so no chemo or radiotherapy required… Bit more pain the last couple of days but think that is because I have been walking. Not much but from zero to something maybe too much too soon?? Getting good sleep and great support from breast care team and all staff at the hospital  and of course family and friends. Haven’t seen the handiwork but hope everything healing under bandages!!! Will let you know more after next week’s doctors appointment! Xx

@ellendorf how are you feeling now? Hopefully your recovery is going smoothly so far.

They do and things went well. Fingers crossed!

You'll be there or thereabouts by now.  I just wanted to say, it's going to be ok.  I had a single mastectomy in March.  It's weird, there's no denying.  You won't be able to feel your boob.  But hopefully the recon means you'll have a boob that looks close to normal - it won't feel close to normal and that's sad, there's no getting around it. You'll feel down but you'll also come around  - shit unlucky to be in this situ but also lucky it's not far worse.  Big love, It's onwards from here.

I hope everything went smoothly today and they've got you on the good drugs now!

All the best for your surgery, @ellendorf ... take it easy, accept any offers of assistance as you won't be doing any lifting or housework for a little while .... as @StrongCoffee says!!   Milk it for as long as you can!  ;) 

take care xx

Love your humour! Don’t worry I ain’t lean either, in fact eating my way through the anxiety. Not planning on doing much post op and will be playing the slavery/ sympathy card as needed! Suppose I should try and get some sleep. Thanks again. 

It's standard for it to go under the muscle - gives a more natural look, especially on very lean women. I'm not very lean (lol, not even close!) plus my tumour was tucked nice an cosy in the middle of my breast tissue, so they didn't need to remove any 'extra' behind the skin to get good margins. The plastic surgeon made the decision on the spot during the op that it would be the best option for me. Even she forgets she did it that way (if she doesn't look at my file) as it happens so little.

I think the main thing with under the muscle is to take extra care not to over exert/strain the chest muscles. So no lifting washing baskets, vacuuming, scrubbing, for at least... ummm... just try to work it for sympathy and slavery for as long as you can!

The hospital room mates weren't that bad. If I'd had to go straight home to my own busy household, I probably would have stayed in longer and just chucked in some earplugs at night.