First Timer
Hi all, this is my first post. In May this year I was diagnosed with left breast ductal carcinoma in situ. The roller coaster ride began, and there was information overload. I was lucky enough to be referred to a great breast surgeon and many appointments later I decided on having a mastectomy (left breast only) with preparation of implant. Later, meeting with the plastic surgeon, he advised me that I would an ideal candidate for DIEP Flap reconstruction - this threw the spanner in the works - but I made the decision of having the DIEP Flap. In the short term it was longer recovery, but longer term it meant, for me, that I didn't have to return 10-15 years for new implants. I was booked in 2 weeks later at the Austin Hospital (public patient) and I am now 4 weeks into recovery. I have my good and bad days, I can barely look in the mirror though.
I had my op on the Monday and released to go home on the Friday. The first 24 hours the nurses would check on me every 30 minutes, placing a doppler to hear the blood flow, and it was music to my ears. You also get to wear a 'bear hugger', a small blanket which blows our 43C degree heat to keep the blood vessels of the breast nice and warm, compression stockings with these automatic leg massagers. I was hot and bothered, sweaty, being woken up every 30 minutes, I was thankful for the morphine. My best friend became my little fan that I had bought with me, a blessing (even though I would nod off still fanning myself!). Thereafter, the checks became every hour, then every 2 hours.
My tummy scar is from hip bone to hip bone, they did warn me that it would be long and I was amazed that it didn't hurt as much as I thought. The hospital gave me a compression band to wear 24/7 and a spare. I wear this in the shower and for the last few minutes I take it off and gently wash and massage the area. Once dry I straight away put on my spare band - I feel naked without it. I need to have this on for 6 weeks and I often wonder if this will become my security blanket.
On my follow up appointment 2 weeks later, the plastic surgeon advised he was happy with my progress, there may be a requirement for follow up 'lipo' to shape the breast. I was a little disappointed, I just wanted this over and done with the first go. But I totally understand. This was followed up with an appointment with my breast surgeon who proceeded to advise me that they found another 2 lumps which the MRI/ultrasound did not pick up on - so my decision for a mastectomy was the right one. I didn't need chemo or rad, but that I would need to take Tamoxifan and Zoladex, with a future long term decision of removing my ovaries and going on a different drug (sorry can't remember, again it was information overload).
So I am asking this beautiful group, who has had a similar experience and taking Tamoxifan and Zoladex, what is your experience through this? Have you made a decision to remove your ovaries or total hysterectomy? Any feedback would be grateful.
Love and light.
