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ScorpionQueen's avatar
ScorpionQueen
Member
9 years ago

Two weeks on!

Day 14 - after double mastectomy.

WOW! It's been 2 weeks already since my bi lateral mastectomy and expander surgery!!!! O.O

This experience is crazy, time goes fast, slow, everything seems upside down, inside out, right way up.....I feel like I'm in my own version of Alice in wonderland!

I woke a couple of times through the night, but in between slept really well.....Not having those drains in has made a world of difference to my overall well being!

I am still quite uncomfortable across the chest....but I can bend and move a lot more easily without the drains in....they really were causing me more pain than the whole operation!

I do have to remind myself to be careful and go slowly with reaching outwards....and not to lift anything too heavy. having said that the damn toaster is too heavy! LOL! and I still cannot reach upwards yet either.

I asked the Dr should I be doing any sort of exercises to help, but he said no, just to get back to doing everyday things as I'm able....It will be a slow process to regain full movement in my arms again and to take one day at a time,

I am also able to have a FULL shower now the drains are out....Although I didn't do that this morning (had my usual half wash and sponge) as I noticed the dressing I had put on yesterday is open at one end....and the last thing I need is a soggy dressing and wound, so hubby will have to change it for me later tonight....I shall have to wait until tomorrow for that full shower...

I checked all my scars this morning, checked if anything looked different....i.e more swelling or redness...all good so far! I also looked at myself once I got dressed....Hmmm, I look like a pot bellied old man, with my flat chest and bloated tummy....( I do have to lose a little around my belly, but that can come later) ...so I put the inserts from the bra I received, without the bra on, under my t shirt..

I felt like a little girl, you know when you used to stuff tissues/socks in your shirt and pretend you had boobs?!! I looked front on and side on....I looked "normal' and in proportion....The size that I'll eventually be made me feel "normal"..that was a surprising feeling....I know there is not really a 'normal", but what that means for me is I no longer have those ginormous, heavy boobs...no more struggling to fit them into ordinary clothes....I can't wait to go shopping once they are complete!

I am starting my hormone treatment tonight :/

I am a bit nervous about what I will feel after I have started it...I have been tested and I am pre-menopausal, so I have not lived with the side effects that are caused by natural menopause.....I have been told the possible side effects of the hormone treatment and it seems the side effects are not to bad, but not real nice either....Oh well just have to deal with whatever happens I guess...I hope I don't turn into a blubbering, fire breathing dragon!

I have had a pretty good day! I have spent the morning creating another name plaque for a very deserving little girl.....I'm tired now, so time for a nap I'd say!

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Xx <3 xX

hormone-therapy

2 Replies

  • ScorpionQueen's avatar
    ScorpionQueen
    Member
    9 years ago

    Thank you! Yes I'm on Tamoxifen...I actually kept forgetting to take it! So didn't start until three days ago....I too take it at night time as recommended by the Dr....so far so good....I am trying to walk around my yard etc...don't want to venture out too far on my own just yet (still only 2.5 weeks out of my double mastectomy) but I have read that exercise helps a lot with the symptoms....

    take care

    xx

  • Aqua_sunrise's avatar
    Aqua_sunrise
    Member
    9 years ago

    Hi, scorpionqueen,

    Sounds like you are making the best of it all, as we all do ??

    Just thought I'd jump on with my experience of tamoxifen, which I assume you will be on. Well, I stared at the unopened packet for at least a week before I closed my eyes & took the first one. Waiting for the world to end, or something . . . .

    But nothing. Maybe slight hot flashes, very slight & maybe some fatigue. Doesn't stop me doing anything. But that could be the after effects of the radiation as well. I have been on it for nearly 3 months.

    I hope hope hope you experience the same. I take it at night before I go to sleep & do excersize ( walk, run, yoga or swim 5-6 times a weeks ) maybe that's the secret.

    I know we are all so different, good luck & I hope this helps ??