Post mastectomy pain

Hi, My name is Margaret I  have lived 50 years in this world, and I had my left breast removed in August 2009, I hate my prothesis, it is so hot, heavy and makes my chest and arm ache.((Lymthoma) spelling!. I also had six moths of chemo, 5weeks of radiation. My body is not the same, either is my self esteem. I struggle everyday, and that is just the begining not to forget to mention, early menapause and every thing associated with that. I take off my bra as soon as I can but looks weird with one boob! hahah. ohhh the joys, however I have my life and try and do the positives as much as I can. It has changed my marriage and am in the procees of getting marriage counselling. I have good days and bad days, but I had them before my diagnosis. Glad for this site and for all who share their hearts, thank you. x

Anne,your chest scar sounds very similar to mine.Mines actually quite a mess because I had a lumpectomy,full node clearance and radiation back in 2003. Cancer came back in the same breast,same spot 7 years later.So I have a seperate scar for the lymph op(from 2003) and another one for the mastectomy.I too have a small pad of breast tissue/fat slightly bigger than a fifty cent coin.It's where you might expect some cleavage but it's all puckered.I really don't know why my surgeon did that-maybe she was experimenting!  When I wear my prosthesis my chest actually feels more comfortable- go figure that! I have full movement in my shoulder/arm.I have 2 VERY comfortable bras and 2 not  so comfortable bras that give me a better shape under t shirts.I wear my prosthesis every day but not at night to sleep. I've had to "doctor"a lot of my tops because the necklines were too low.I sew fake camisoles/lace onto the lowest point of the neckline. I"ve done this with my swimmers as well as sew in a pocket.I often find it hard to buy tops/dresses with higher necklines. I might take up a crusade about this! I can fully understand you feeling self conscious when not wearing a prosthesis.Before my prosthesis I wore baggy shirts with vests and scarves. Do you think it is the prosthesis itself or your bras that are causing the discomfort?I'm a 16c cup and really don't like going without my prosthesis but then again,mine is very comfortable.It's a big adjustment isn't it.I hate being lopsided but couldn't face reconstruction at the moment- perhaps down the track,I don't know.I don't do naked anymore-my surgeon is the only one who sees my chest now.You must be sick of wearing that oversized shirt and scarves in this heat.Are you on Tamoxifen?

                                        Tonya xx

Anne,your chest scar sounds very similar to mine.Mines actually quite a mess because I had a lumpectomy,full node clearance and radiation back in 2003. Cancer came back in the same breast,same spot 7 years later.So I have a seperate scar for the lymph op(from 2003) and another one for the mastectomy.I too have a small pad of breast tissue/fat slightly bigger than a fifty cent coin.It's where you might expect some cleavage but it's all puckered.I really don't know why my surgeon did that-maybe she was experimenting!  When I wear my prosthesis my chest actually feels more comfortable- go figure that! I have full movement in my shoulder/arm.I have 2 VERY comfortable bras and 2 not  so comfortable bras that give me a better shape under t shirts.I wear my prosthesis every day but not at night to sleep. I've had to "doctor"a lot of my tops because the necklines were too low.I sew fake camisoles/lace onto the lowest point of the neckline. I"ve done this with my swimmers as well as sew in a pocket.I often find it hard to buy tops/dresses with higher necklines. I might take up a crusade about this! I can fully understand you feeling self conscious when not wearing a prosthesis.Before my prosthesis I wore baggy shirts with vests and scarves. Do you think it is the prosthesis itself or your bras that are causing the discomfort?I'm a 16c cup and really don't like going without my prosthesis but then again,mine is very comfortable.It's a big adjustment isn't it.I hate being lopsided but couldn't face reconstruction at the moment- perhaps down the track,I don't know.I don't do naked anymore-my surgeon is the only one who sees my chest now.You must be sick of wearing that oversized shirt and scarves in this heat.Are you on Tamoxifen?

                                        Tonya xx

Anne,your chest scar sounds very similar to mine.Mines actually quite a mess because I had a lumpectomy,full node clearance and radiation back in 2003. Cancer came back in the same breast,same spot 7 years later.So I have a seperate scar for the lymph op(from 2003) and another one for the mastectomy.I too have a small pad of breast tissue/fat slightly bigger than a fifty cent coin.It's where you might expect some cleavage but it's all puckered.I really don't know why my surgeon did that-maybe she was experimenting!  When I wear my prosthesis my chest actually feels more comfortable- go figure that! I have full movement in my shoulder/arm.I have 2 VERY comfortable bras and 2 not  so comfortable bras that give me a better shape under t shirts.I wear my prosthesis every day but not at night to sleep. I've had to "doctor"a lot of my tops because the necklines were too low.I sew fake camisoles/lace onto the lowest point of the neckline. I"ve done this with my swimmers as well as sew in a pocket.I often find it hard to buy tops/dresses with higher necklines. I might take up a crusade about this! I can fully understand you feeling self conscious when not wearing a prosthesis.Before my prosthesis I wore baggy shirts with vests and scarves. Do you think it is the prosthesis itself or your bras that are causing the discomfort?I'm a 16c cup and really don't like going without my prosthesis but then again,mine is very comfortable.It's a big adjustment isn't it.I hate being lopsided but couldn't face reconstruction at the moment- perhaps down the track,I don't know.I don't do naked anymore-my surgeon is the only one who sees my chest now.You must be sick of wearing that oversized shirt and scarves in this heat.Are you on Tamoxifen?

                                        Tonya xx

Thanks Tonya for your response.

Strapped with duct tape is a really good description of how my chest feels sometimes - in addition to the deeper pain I get and the surface soreness.  The tightness feels like everything has shrunk as its healed, so its hard to stretch my shoulders back fully.  I thought it was the scar healing and shrinking, but maybe I have adhesions too - worth asking my surgeon.  I am also surprised at how much tissue is left on my chest - a bit like a very small lumpy boob, and there is a bit of puckering along the scar line.  The breast care nurse said this is all quite normal when I saw her post op, but I am surprised at how it all looks after all the swelling has gone. I am a size 16DD cup, so when I can't wear the prosthesis I feel quite self concious.  At home I'm fine, but going out, I have one patterned oversized shirt that looks ok, otherwise its scarf and baggy cardigan.

Does anyone else not wear a prosthesis after their mastectomy?  How do you feel about going out - do you camouflage or wear your pre-op clothes? 

Thanks,

Anne