OMG

I'm a nurse too -don't think we make very good patients cos we know too much.Ignorance is bliss-so goes the saying.I've had breast cancer twice.First was in 2003(age 47)and I had a lumpectomy,full node clearance and radiation. I was ok for 7 years and then it came back in the same breast,same spot,similar pathology.The cancer had grown 3cms in a year.I had a mastectomy and then chemo,middle of 2010.I am now on Tamoxifen and seem to be ok. I didn't have reconstruction for several reasons- can't have implants cos radiation stuffs up skin elasticity, I wanted the cancer out pronto so didn't have time to shop around for plastic surgeon- Diep recon is not for the faint hearted! Another reason was that I"d lost confidence in my health and I wanted to keep an eye on my scarline should cancer pop up again.Paranoid I know,but twice around makes you that way! I haven't ruled out reconstruction in the future but just not ready right now.There are no right or wrong decisions-you just have to do what feels right for you at the time and have no regrets. I remember it being painful for about 3 days post op and needing strong pain killers.The drain is sore and irritating on all levels but usually comes out after a week(?) I was driving and back at work(part time) after about 3 weeks- just some discomfort at that point.If you are having a full node clearance as well then it's a different story.Your arm might be sore/stiff - that op(2003) took about 6 weeks but hey,we are all different. I feel for you Kerry cos the waiting is the worst part of this journey and OMG,you have to do alot of that!!!! If you have any questions just blog back- always someone here who has had what you need answers to. We'll be thinking of you on Monday -you'll be ok cos I got through it and I was such a big sook.Sending hugs.

                                                     Tonya xx