Prepations for mastectomy + lymph clearance + DIEP + potentially removing port surgery
For the short read: What exercises for PRE-surgery and items to have onhand for POST-surgery do you recommend? I have about 2 months time, am 45 and generally fit except for limited mobility in one arm due to a pesky port that won't ever heal properly (see deep read below if interested). For the deep read: So I hear this is a 10 hr surgery with my arms up over my shoulders and people leaning over them. Obviously lots of incisions and wound care to follow as well as time appropriate physio and exercises. I'm still 2 months out from surgery and would like to be as prepared as possible since I've previously suffered shoulder bursitis and subsequent frozen shoulder on both sides (at different times fortunately!) that lasted many many months (less the 2nd time as I could feel it coming on and do exercises). Any pre-surgery exercises to recommend? I also have had problems with scar healing. My port insertion was the first time I've ever been cut and stitched up. I had it first become dehiscent, then redone 6 weeks later, then lots of spitting sutures. After another 8 weeks the skin was irritated from taping so stopped that. But in this last week, the scar has widen without taping and is now 2cm wide! Have now started back on with stratamed and taping but using a gauze over the wound because it now got a bit of exudate. Yes, nurses and doctors monitor it, I have suitable antibiotics on hand, but since they saw how bad it got last week I've been told to be extra vigilant and go straight to ED with a low tolerance of anymore funny business or temperature of course. So stretching back on the port side is currently difficult. I understand I'll be a fairly sedentary for the first while. For items after surgery I found such things - any comments? Any brands or items you tried that were no good? Mastectomy ice pack strap thingy https://ebay.io/m/lgO8Mh Wedge pillows https://ebay.io/m/l4HXiR Different ones https://ebay.io/m/YhKxGI https://onelink.shein.com/58/65zvq6nbsrcr Will I need a girdle? Where to get, what to look for? Skins brand compression items were mentioned elsewhere in forums. Any relevant for my case? A bit of chest compression with this chest binder? I'll be a 10A-B with DIEP flap https://onelink.shein.com/58/65zwsvn5cwfj Or this just looks like a tight tank top https://ebay.io/m/DeByYA Best wound healing products? I've got stratamed (didn't use from beginning or consistently. Just started again now). Tips for use other than what on the package? Any tips for avoiding spitting sutures? Yuck and annoying! 😭 Many many thanks for all you lot helping each other out ❣️10ViewsSign in to react to this post0Comments
3 weeks post Bilateral DIEP breast recon
Hi. I finally did my DIEP op. I procrastinated for ages and it feels so good to have it over and done with im 3 weeks post op, I think I’m recovering well but you know how you don’t “really” know. I get mixed advice but I’m off the pain meds which is a positive. I’m still not standing straight though. I’m close but it’s a xhallenge. I really have to focus to lengthen and I’m pretty slow walking around but Iv been walking around the block and walking around the shops but I’m not straight and I’m slow is this ok or should I be straight and walking normal? what point did you lay flat with no pillow under knees? im showering without my surgical suit (was anyone else’s belly flakey? Like swap skin?) im just mindful I don’t want to over do it but I want to make sure I’m doing enough411ViewsSign in to react to this post10Comments
PTSD
Hi All. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, and had chemo, radio and left masectomy. I have just recently had a preventative right masectomy and reconstruction. My question is, can it be possible for PTSD to develop in my now 3 year old following my most recent surgery? I thought she was oblivious during the initial treatments. But since my latest surgery, her behaviour is dreadful and her sleep is terrible. It’s totally heartbreaking and I don’t know what to do about it. Thank you308ViewsSign in to react to this post6Comments
Work and taking leave for reconstruction
After nearly 18mths since my bilateral mastectomy, failed reconstruction and, rounds of fat grafting, I was finally given the exciting news that the skin has healed and is ready for an expander to be placed. This is the news I have been waiting for and the surgeon is able to fit me in early December!! The issue I have is I know that my work are going to be really unhappy. Whilst initially supportive in the early days of the journey and allowing me the 6mths that I needed off work. I feel that over the last year with the fat grafting and recovery that they have been unsupportive and see reconstructive surgery as elective and maybe even cosmetic. They have also blacked out Dec and Jan for staff to be able to take leave. If I have the surgery I will be off work for at least 4weeks due to the nature of my job. I need to tell my boss tomorrow (to give them 4 weeks notice) and I am overwhelmed with anxiety. I have looked at the legislation. My question is can they deny me the leave and claim that this is elective surgery and make me wait until next year? Rather than see this as necessary treatment for my recovery.156ViewsSign in to react to this post2CommentsSwelling in the reconstructed breast
Hi all, this is my first post. September 2017 I was diagnosed with 6cm tumour with node involvement - not visible on ultrasound or mammogram. May 2018 I had a skin sparing mastectomy ‘L’ breast with a spacer. In July 2018 I had the reconstruction done. Since then I have been just getting on with life. This included taking up running which of course gave me weight loss to the point where my implant was quite visibly outlined. And I was happy with that. However, a month ago I noticed swelling of the reconstructed breast. I thought nothing of it. However, yesterday I noticed it was quite noticeably enlarged. Has anyone else ever had this before? Thanks Sonja261ViewsSign in to react to this post4Comments
Fear of exercise
dear ladies, I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years ago. I went through chemo, double mastectomy and reconstruction with implants all in 2 years n finally my body n my mind is feeling ready to start to live again as before ... but all those ideas r bombarding my mind of what to do n what not to do in order not to damage myself I would love to do boxing (I need to get some relief n punching a bag I guess is the go hehehe) but would I be able to do it? Any of you have done it? what are the NOs in terms of exercise that I need to avoid?? i only know that planks r out but the rest??? Please , let me know your experiences love and regards778ViewsSign in to react to this post12Comments
Reconstruction
I had a look at this link from the Can at 40 fb site https://blog.thebreastcancersite.greatergood.com/mirelys-scars/?fbclid=IwAR2Zx8FzD_MsNNiwxIHMbSSqDaWk1_W1LWWa1cZNez_7H7qjkGUq_4571XE and something struck me. As some of you know, I'm still undecided about reconstruction and I do believe that it's a very personal choice. During the last year, I keep tripping over statements about how the US leads the way in reconstruction as the number of women going down this path far exceeds the number of Australian women who do. This always seems to infer that it is due to inadequacies in the health system and that may well be the case. However, this article seems to suggest that women are being pushed into having reconstruction in the US - whether this is because of monetary returns, or a lack of acceptance of different body shape, I'm not sure. I'm not trying to open the proverbial can nor am I criticising anyone's choice to go down that path but I did think it was interesting.125ViewsSign in to react to this post1CommentExercises
Dear Ladies im wondering ... it has been already a year since my double mastectomy n reconstruction with implants ... n I will love to start boxing or lifting small weights ..... is it too much? I don’t want to believe that since the reconstruction I can’t do much... or since I got diagnosed everything had to change. There is like a blank space in my mind for those 2 long years that I fought n now I wanna feel like before.:: too radical? Any advice would b appreciate it558ViewsSign in to react to this post24Comments
Exercise and Cancer
The beautiful woman that gives my my oncology massage recommended this Catalyst program to me yesterday. I'm sharing it here because I think it's one of the most significant pieces of research I've seen. Short version: * Exercising during chemotherapy can enhance treatment and prevent muscle loss * Exercise has proven benefits to treatment * Exercise can help to fight cancer and prevent recurrence There's a sensible warning at the end of the program; anyone currently under treatment should speak to their doctor and see an exercise physiologist before embarking on an exercise program. Probably also a good idea for anyone with post-surgical issues or reconstruction. I highly recommend watching the whole program. Love to all. Meg http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4459555.htm69ViewsSign in to react to this post3Comments
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