Mastectomy done

@Brenda5 I did the same thing after LD reconstruction. Got up the next day in so much pain I almost fainted and was readmitted for another 6 days on constant Endone. I always go home with enough pain relief now! 

I don't know what everyone's worried about, I went home the next day with no pain killers. Don't ever do that. Next time I came home with Targin and it was much better.

Totally agree @iserbrown, my Dad has been wonderful and a surprise however Mum was just  irreplaceable. Xx

@melclarity hugs to you. It is so true losing your Mum is profound. For us we were all with her when the time came. Dad is a great support to us all however when it is something like this breast cancer Mum is the one I look for.
Take care xx

@LMK74 I also know when I had my single mastectomy and diep flap reconstruction all in one in February, I had some pain but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, for me the tummy tuck was way worse than a mastectomy as the incision went nearly 3/4 of my body. Hard to believe when I look at it now, havent been better! So slowly does it, you really will be better than you think!

I know we've spoken before about it too of the loss of your Mum, I also lost mine 8yrs ago now, and it still feels like yesterday, time doesn't heal, I think we just learn to travel the road without them. I've been through 2 diagnosis without her, and the 2nd by far the worst in terms of craving and missing her desperately. I have no sisters and didnt have much support at all either time. One of the hardest parts of this whole thing I have found is not having her beside me for comfort. But one thing I do know for certain, she is with me every single minute...look for the signs. 

@iserbrown Christine, biggest of hugs to you too, I didnt know that you had lost your Mum, my heart goes out to you too, one of the biggest losses in life...well I believe. Lovely we could all share. Hugs Melinda xo

I had a double mastectomy with axilliary clearance on the left and sentinal node biopsy on the right. Had one endone on the first night, mainly to keep the nurse happy, as I only really experienced pain, as opposed to discomfort when moving. Had to return to theatre the next day due to a massive bleed (nine units of blood and five units of plasma), where the whole thing was reopened and bleeders tied off. So back to square one that next day. Had one endone that night again, as I was shocked more than anything else and needed a good sleep. Being in ICU, I knew this was not going to be easy! That was the last of pain meds for me.My biggest problem was getting to and from the loo with all my "spaghetti" Lets see, I had all the wires from the heart monitor (about six I think, all different colours from the sticky things), a big fat tube leading from a special vac dressing attached to a largish box which sucked air from the sealed pressure dressing (another story, an arterial line from my right wrist monitoring my blood pressure, a big mother arising from my right femoral vein with four tubes branching off from it, a urinary catheter, two drains from each side of the chest....and a partridge in a pear tree!!!! Tricky...but seriously...not much pain. I stayed in ICU for eleven days and only had a weep when the arterial line was removed and had two panadol after that. That was ouchie.

You know that you have support here @LMK74. I have also loved being supported by the Cancer Council. I've loved talking to the counsellors and nurses. I used to get annoyed when people said it would get better, but it will. x 

Thanks @LucyE. I have very little support but doing the best I can. Besides there is always someone worse off.

@LMK74 that must have been very difficult for you, but how lovely for her to be cared for by you. I hope you have some support there. x 

@LucyE, don't worry it's life unfortunately. Our mothers are special and no matter our age we  will always need them. I think when we are faced with a health crisis we automatically want that comfort. I gave that same comfort to my mum when she received a terminal diagnosis. I nursed her at home til the end and I'm so grateful I could do that for her.
@iserbrown, thank you also. Life is hard at times but we do what we have to.