sw2012
10 years agoMember
Ouch
Think it's 3 weeks post bilateral mastectomy - it's all a blur - and I am finding it a bit hard now to keep up the happy smiling face for everyone, including myself. My arm is sore, feels like a bur...
Hi Donna,
I'm going to tell you what a girlfriend who is a breast cancer survivor told me when I was nervous about the treatment ahead. She said, "I think you'll cope with chemo a lot better than you think." She was right.
My hot tip for you is to drink LOTS of water especially on your chemo days.
Last year I had a sentinel node biopsy, followed by a lumpectomy, six months worth of chemo (AC and Taxol) delivered 'dose dense' over 15 weeks, 6 weeks of daily radiation then I rounded out the year with a December bi-lateral mastectomy and immediate DIEP Flap (tummy tuck) reconstruction. I'm also just two doses away from completing a year's worth of 3 weekly infusions of Herceptin. Woohoo!
I have cording in my right arm that comes and goes. The more I exercise the freer my arm feels. My new breasts felt very weird to start with. My chest felt like I was wearing the tightest bra ever when I was braless, but now I feel more like me as each month passes. In fact, I feel pretty fantastic right now. It just takes time and a positive attitude.
Be kind to yourself. Rest when your body tells you it needs it and look forward to getting off this merry-go-round by Christmas 2016.
Good luck!