Forum Discussion
Elmumof2
9 years agoMember
Mastectomy and reconstruction done
Hi ladies :)
I just had a bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction using implants . My surgery took 7 hours .I had to have all my lymph nodes from my right arm removed too .I have a drip with morphine which seems to be working quite well , still in pain but can handle it .Most of the staff in the hospital have been lovely . I have a 22 month old and a 7 month old that are looked after by my mum and aunty .Just needed to write down my thoughts to feel a bit in control . I am scared the cancer might have spread to the spine or lungs .Due to the long weekend results will take about a week to come out .My lymph nodes were removed does that mean I will need to have chemo? Xxxx
I just had a bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction using implants . My surgery took 7 hours .I had to have all my lymph nodes from my right arm removed too .I have a drip with morphine which seems to be working quite well , still in pain but can handle it .Most of the staff in the hospital have been lovely . I have a 22 month old and a 7 month old that are looked after by my mum and aunty .Just needed to write down my thoughts to feel a bit in control . I am scared the cancer might have spread to the spine or lungs .Due to the long weekend results will take about a week to come out .My lymph nodes were removed does that mean I will need to have chemo? Xxxx
11 Replies
- Elmumof2MemberThanks Cath xxx
- socodaMemberHi @El.mumof2, Yayyyyyyyyyyyy for having already had your surgery. Woohooooooo. That is excellent news. Just take it nice and easy. All the best and wishing you all the best for your pathology too. Xx Cath
- melclarityMemberHang in there, you're doing well, just rest up and look after yourself x Melinda
- Elmumof2MemberThanks ladies you make me feel so much better already .I am still in hospital feeling sore but happy the surgeryvis over .Lots of hugs to all you thank you for being here for me
- KatyJoyMemberHi @El.mumof2, well done! You have just accomplished a huge step towards your recovery from this awful disease that we all on this site share. I had a bilateral skin sparing mastectomy with immediate silicone implant reconstruction on the 8th March. I had all the lymph nodes removed from my left side. Concentrate on your recovery over the next week and try not to think too far ahead. You will feel better when you get a plan of what's required next week, but you can't do anything about that now, so try not to worry about it. No matter what, you are strong enough and we are all here to help however we can. Best wishes to you
- melclarityMember@El.mumof2 so glad to hear you made it through the surgery. Im 6 weeks post single mastectomy/diep flap recon, also 7hr op, its a really big op. I couldn't have pain relief because it made me too sick, so had a tough time of it. It is hard to not worry, but honestly right now just put your time into healing, nothing else matters. Just because they took your lymph nodes NO it doesnt mean it is in them, mine were taken in 2015 at a Lumpectomy but I was told the next day if there was any node involvement. One step at a time, just think about YOU right now as that's all you can control, hang in there, you will be ok...keep putting your thoughts down and we're all here to help support anyway we can. Big hugs youre doing great! Melinda xo
- mum2jjMemberH there. Well done on even posting post op. It was a huge relief to me once surgery was done. Try and just spend time recovering now. It's so hard not to worry about results etc. Your team will look at all the pathology and then make a decision re treatment. Not everyone needs chemo or radiation. Rest up and use those drugs.
Paula xx - primekMemberLots of unknowns until results are back. My niece had 10 positive nodes and 14 years on she remains cancer free. She has watched her littlies become young men and women. Even if you do need chemo ...know this ...you are strong enough. We all understand those fears of "what if it has spread?" . The early days are hard. Unfortunately that worry stays with us but we learn to push it back, mostly, and get on with life again.
Hope your recovery goes well. Kath x - nikkidMemberGood on you @El.mumof2! Enjoy the pain meds....I was on Fentanyl and it certainly took the edge off!
As @Zoffiel has said, take the time between now and when you meet your surgeon for the results as a time to heal and recover. There is nothing more you can do for now.
You are doing really really well - the fact you are even writing something on the forum attests to this! - just take the time to look after YOU.
Let us know how you go - thinking of you
Nikki x - Elmumof2MemberI am loving the morphine too Marg.I am very bad with pain but at least now I can handle it thank god for drugs .Waiting is so frustrating but as you said I might as well try and get some rest and relax .Thank you xxxx