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Kez51's avatar
Kez51
Member
14 years ago

Home

Well I came home yesterday after a week in hospital. This time last week I was in surgery. Double mastectomy now done and reconstruction started. Had my first imput into expanders before I came home. Not sure how I feel just glad that part is done. It's strange to look in the mirror. Very bruised and the scars ....well they are what they are. My mind is working over time on how the next few months will pan out. Started to think about the rest of the reconstruction ...whether to do the nipple / tattoo thing etc. I don't think it has really sunk in what has happened. Life just seems to keep moving on so fast. While I was in hospital my dad was diagnosed with cancer in his kidney. I have been thru so much in the past 3 yrs, losing my husband of 30 yrs, melanoma, secondary in lung and losing it, and now BC...I realise I have just been existing and going thru the motions. I have to find the way to start living again and enjoying each day.

7 Replies

  • Tania67's avatar
    Tania67
    Member
    14 years ago

    I am going through exactly the same as you. I have finished my expansions now and will have the implants in January. Dont worry about the fact that they are hard. They are meant to be...how else will the skin stretch. My Plastic Surgeon like to wait atleast 8 weeks before she does the implants so now I wait. But you are right. It is very painful going through the expansion process. Now I have had my last expansion, it has been a little less painful. Hang in there chick. It does get better.

    xxxx

  • Tania67's avatar
    Tania67
    Member
    14 years ago

    I am going through exactly the same as you. I have finished my expansions now and will have the implants in January. Dont worry about the fact that they are hard. They are meant to be...how else will the skin stretch. My Plastic Surgeon like to wait atleast 8 weeks before she does the implants so now I wait. But you are right. It is very painful going through the expansion process. Now I have had my last expansion, it has been a little less painful. Hang in there chick. It does get better.

    xxxx

  • Tania67's avatar
    Tania67
    Member
    14 years ago

    I am going through exactly the same as you. I have finished my expansions now and will have the implants in January. Dont worry about the fact that they are hard. They are meant to be...how else will the skin stretch. My Plastic Surgeon like to wait atleast 8 weeks before she does the implants so now I wait. But you are right. It is very painful going through the expansion process. Now I have had my last expansion, it has been a little less painful. Hang in there chick. It does get better.

    xxxx

  • Kez51's avatar
    Kez51
    Member
    14 years ago
    Well It is now 2months since my double mastectomy. I am glad i chose to do both breast as the results showed i had the cancer in both even though the Mammogram had only showed it in my right. The expanders are driving me crazy. Each time I have a fill I am am sick and in pain for a few days. They are so hard and mostly uncomfortable but I am getting there . Can't wait to exchange for implants. Can someone please tell me that the implants feel better than this. I am questioning myself on whether I did the right thing in choosing to do this. I didn't have the option of tram flap or other procedures as I have scars from other surgeries which prevented it. I didn't want to have no breasts so i feel this was my only choice. It has definitely been a very emotional journey and I am struggling to feel good about myself. It has made me question whether I will ever feel happy about myself again.
  • Kez51's avatar
    Kez51
    Member
    14 years ago
    Well It is now 2months since my double mastectomy. I am glad i chose to do both breast as the results showed i had the cancer in both even though the Mammogram had only showed it in my right. The expanders are driving me crazy. Each time I have a fill I am am sick and in pain for a few days. They are so hard and mostly uncomfortable but I am getting there . Can't wait to exchange for implants. Can someone please tell me that the implants feel better than this. I am questioning myself on whether I did the right thing in choosing to do this. I didn't have the option of tram flap or other procedures as I have scars from other surgeries which prevented it. I didn't want to have no breasts so i feel this was my only choice. It has definitely been a very emotional journey and I am struggling to feel good about myself. It has made me question whether I will ever feel happy about myself again.
  • Kez51's avatar
    Kez51
    Member
    14 years ago
    Thankyou Tania. And wow something good definitely came out of all of this for you. Good luck with your family......back together how it should be. After the news yesterday that my nodes are clear I felt like a big dark cloud lifted and I couldn't help but smile. I only now feel like I can breath again. Definitely have to try to move forward with my life and start to enjoy it again.
  • Tania67's avatar
    Tania67
    Member
    14 years ago

    hey kez

    What a rough ride for you.One thing the journey has tought me is that there is always someone doing it a little bit harder.

    I am where you are at the moment. Just a little further along. I go in for my 3rd expansion on Thursday.

    Once you start thinking about getting on with your life and enjoying your days, it just seems to happen. 

    My 5yo daughter's dad and I parted ways nearly 3 years ago. Through all of this (diagnosed Jan 12) he has been there as much as he can. We have now decided to reconcile.

    Before that happened I just noticed that once I decided to get on with it, it just fell into place. I started making plans. some of my plans go through to next April.

    Make it happen honey and it will flow.

    Chin up. You are now forever in my thoughts

    Tania xx