mastectomy blues
Its been 4 weeks tomorrow since the loss of "dd day" and have i had my ups and downs. After my skin sparing mastectomy my pain now comes in spasms and so do my emotions. I can cry for hours. It seems...
Forum Discussion
I'm at the same stage as you Kel. I didn't have any skin saving, just a single mastectomy for a 5.6cm tumour. I got my pathology results the Wednesday after my op. I'm triple negative and there are no lymph nodes involved. I will be heading for chemo for the same reason as Jenny, because the cancer was large and invasive.
I'm now impatient to get the chemo happening but I put off going to oncology because I wanted to do an intensive journalism course that I had been waiting months for. I lasted 4 of the 6 days. It was too much, I became too tired, too sore going back and forth on the train to Brisbane each day (1 hour each way) and as a consequence my emotions were beginning to fray. I'm not one who easily lets go of something but I had to make a decision. Either keep going and make myself sick or in my son's words "sit mum!"
Yes I hear you on everything sucks. I've had to watch my mother (5ft nothing) lift bags of potting mix and plant things for me. That's the first time I haven't had the strength to do it myself. I mowed lawns in a mowing business till I was 8 months pregnant.
It's a tough pill but you need to find something to occupy your mind and hands that doesn't involve pain or strength. Renovations can be left for the boys and you can be project manager and boss them around....a lot! Can you do things like choosing accessories, paint colours, curtains, buying nick nacks? I'm one for anything crafty. Have a look at Pinterest if you don't already.
Another suggestion, I'm big on constant learning as well. See if you can find a MOOC (massive open online course) that interests you and sign up. You never know what you will learn :) Try Coursera, or if you are interested in a degree like I am doing have a look at Open Universities Australia. I think my studies are what is keeping me sane while I wait.
You're welcome to keep me up to date with where you're at. BTW, it is a good idea to organise wigs, hats, scarves about now so that you are ready for chemotherapy. If you have a Cancer Council office nearby phone and make an appointment to see what they have. They loan everything for free.
Cas