The start of the journey

Great news that you are doing so well, Mandy.  I hope that your infections soon settle down and that the scar soreness improves with your wonderful husband's massage. My husband has also been an incredible support, and has made this whole experience so much easier to cope with.  Even for a professional like yourself, it's no mean feat, is it?

There is also a history in my family of breast and ovarian cancer, so I took my Oncologist's advice and had a laparascopic hysterectomy after treatment.  It was ridiculously pain-free and the peace of mind was worth it. My BC was Triple Negative so we pulled out all the stops.

Has a physiotherapist advised you on exercises to help with your healing (post-infection of course) and scar?  They make a huge difference and only take a few minutes each day.  I still do a few at night, and have progressed well - am back at yoga and managing quite well with the stretches.

I see you are a late-night poster - so was I.  Did you have chemo before surgery or will you have it later?  Keep well, and stay in touch.  You have passed a major milestone - congratualtions!

Michelle x

 

 

Well I'm now two weeks post bilateral mastectomy and I cannot believe how far I have come already. Post surgery I felt great, mainly because I had a PCA pump which was my best friend for 3 days. My breast surgeon, Mr Lee Jackson and his team at RPH were fantastic and the care I received was excellent. I had 4 drains in situ post surgery, 2 removed on day 3 and the other 2 were removed at day 7 post surgery. I didn't miss dragging those around with me, however I did miss the shoulder bag as I used to put my purse and mobile phone in it along with the drains. Unfortunately, I have developed wound infections in both breast, so this is delaying my recovery a tad, but not a major set back. The scar line itself is very sore and I find that my sides through to my sternum (breast bone) gets very tight and this is quite irritating towards the end of the day. However, I have found a fantastic remedy for this, my wonderful husband gives me a gentle (it's has to be gentle) massage to relieve the tightness. It's the thing I treasure most at the moment and look forward to of an evening. The surgical bras are comfy but by the end of the day, I'm in a tizz with them, desperately wanting to ping the dam thing off and run free without it, mmmm that ain't gonna happen!!! So, onto the positives, I have a fantastic new pair of breast, albeit that they are only the expanders at the mo, but hey these puppies are going to look to so cute when it's all over! Having been told by my surgeon that whilst my decision to have a mastectomy due to my family history, fate would have it that the pathology showed that I had already developed pre cancerous mutating cells and that my right breast was riddled with these mutant ninjas, so thankfully they can do no damaged as they are in a pot somewhere in a path lab!! I am only 2 weeks into my post surgery journey, for me despite my tedious moans, it has been a very positive experience. Psychologically, I have had no problems adjusting to my new enhanced breasts. I will have nipple tattooing in the future, when the time is right and I can now sleep at night knowing that I made the right decision, at the right time for the right reasons and I would and will whole heartedly support anyone who is going to or is going through this life changing procedure. To add to this, I am a Registered Nurse of 30 years with vast experience in chronic disease and emergency medicine and yet, this was no straight forward decision. I have had to watch 2 generations of my family go through breast cancer and ovarian cancer surgery and treatment. Everything I thought I knew, was in fact nothing at all. You are no loner the health professional but the patient and wanted to be treated as such. I owe a huge thank you to the support of my husband, who has been with me every step of my decision and journey. His involvement and his psychological needs had to be taken into consideration, he is very much part of this process. After all besides me, he is the only other person, who has to look at me everyday and live with the decision we made together. So, onwards and upwards, with a positive mind set :-)

Well I'm now two weeks post bilateral mastectomy and I cannot believe how far I have come already. Post surgery I felt great, mainly because I had a PCA pump which was my best friend for 3 days. My breast surgeon, Mr Lee Jackson and his team at RPH were fantastic and the care I received was excellent. I had 4 drains in situ post surgery, 2 removed on day 3 and the other 2 were removed at day 7 post surgery. I didn't miss dragging those around with me, however I did miss the shoulder bag as I used to put my purse and mobile phone in it along with the drains. Unfortunately, I have developed wound infections in both breast, so this is delaying my recovery a tad, but not a major set back. The scar line itself is very sore and I find that my sides through to my sternum (breast bone) gets very tight and this is quite irritating towards the end of the day. However, I have found a fantastic remedy for this, my wonderful husband gives me a gentle (it's has to be gentle) massage to relieve the tightness. It's the thing I treasure most at the moment and look forward to of an evening. The surgical bras are comfy but by the end of the day, I'm in a tizz with them, desperately wanting to ping the dam thing off and run free without it, mmmm that ain't gonna happen!!! So, onto the positives, I have a fantastic new pair of breast, albeit that they are only the expanders at the mo, but hey these puppies are going to look to so cute when it's all over! Having been told by my surgeon that whilst my decision to have a mastectomy due to my family history, fate would have it that the pathology showed that I had already developed pre cancerous mutating cells and that my right breast was riddled with these mutant ninjas, so thankfully they can do no damaged as they are in a pot somewhere in a path lab!! I am only 2 weeks into my post surgery journey, for me despite my tedious moans, it has been a very positive experience. Psychologically, I have had no problems adjusting to my new enhanced breasts. I will have nipple tattooing in the future, when the time is right and I can now sleep at night knowing that I made the right decision, at the right time for the right reasons and I would and will whole heartedly support anyone who is going to or is going through this life changing procedure. To add to this, I am a Registered Nurse of 30 years with vast experience in chronic disease and emergency medicine and yet, this was no straight forward decision. I have had to watch 2 generations of my family go through breast cancer and ovarian cancer surgery and treatment. Everything I thought I knew, was in fact nothing at all. You are no loner the health professional but the patient and wanted to be treated as such. I owe a huge thank you to the support of my husband, who has been with me every step of my decision and journey. His involvement and his psychological needs had to be taken into consideration, he is very much part of this process. After all besides me, he is the only other person, who has to look at me everyday and live with the decision we made together. So, onwards and upwards, with a positive mind set :-)

Hi Michelle Thank you so much for your message, I was really touched to receive it. My surgery is booked and I will be having the expanders at the time if the mastectomy. I have a very strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer so after a lot of thought, I'm having prophylaxis surgery, to reduce my risk from 85% to 5%. My mother is now 4 years post breast cancer and is doing well. I have to admit the realisation of what I'm about to go through is hitting home and its scary, but rather this option than waiting for cancer to one and get me. Thank you for all the post op info, it's really nice to gear from people who have been through it and can be honest about how it really is. Kind regards Mandy

Hi there,

I wanted to wish you well for your surgery.  I had a bilateral mastectomy last year, and wanted you to know that you are not alone.  Come to the site and post whenever you need support or information or comfort, or just to let off steam.  I found the surgery surprisingly painless after the first few days, and only needed 2 Panadol to feel comfortable for hours.  At first you will be on stronger stuff, but it has surprised a lot of us how much easier the surgery was than we anticipated.  I went home after 4 days (1 drain in, which was removed 4 days later.)

It is helpful to wear loose front-opening tops, as you will be checked day and night, and it makes life easier for you and the nurses.  Mentally, I just wanted the cancer gone, and if that cost me my breasts, so be it.  You don't say if you are having immediate re-construction - if you are, there are many women here who can tell you of their experiences and give you support.

All the very best for your surgery, and a big hug.  Michelle x

Hi there,

I wanted to wish you well for your surgery.  I had a bilateral mastectomy last year, and wanted you to know that you are not alone.  Come to the site and post whenever you need support or information or comfort, or just to let off steam.  I found the surgery surprisingly painless after the first few days, and only needed 2 Panadol to feel comfortable for hours.  At first you will be on stronger stuff, but it has surprised a lot of us how much easier the surgery was than we anticipated.  I went home after 4 days (1 drain in, which was removed 4 days later.)

It is helpful to wear loose front-opening tops, as you will be checked day and night, and it makes life easier for you and the nurses.  Mentally, I just wanted the cancer gone, and if that cost me my breasts, so be it.  You don't say if you are having immediate re-construction - if you are, there are many women here who can tell you of their experiences and give you support.

All the very best for your surgery, and a big hug.  Michelle x