Hi everyone
Just thought i would sit and have a few mins updating what i have been upto.
Had mastectomy and immediate TRAM recon at Addenbrookes on SAT 22ND September.
I was realy scared to be honest as the surgeon tells you that you can be insurgery for a long time… yes i was in theatre for 12 and half hours. but i have to say it was like two minutes, you know nothing about it…but your loved ones are the ones who go through it with the waiting around to hear if you are out of surgery.
The worst bit of the whole thing is the heat, they have to keep you at a constant temp, to aid the flow of blood to the surface of skin, hence reducing the likely hood of rejection or necrosis. You lay there sweating like a trooper.
Nurses fantastic, pain is actually suprisingly minimal, you have morphine pump and it really works. Was out of bed on the second day, catheter removed sitting by my bed. It was really amazing. I had 9 full days in hospital, as the drains from my tummy took their time to slow down.
If anyone like me was really unsure about gonig for this due to long op time then I would say do it…go for it. I am at home now, I am not allowed to lift, hoover, stack dishwasher or load washing machine… so bugger someone else is having to do it.
Went to tesco last night and felt that i had over done it, but you listen to your body. If your partner/husband is prepared for the long haul recovery, and you do not do too much too soon you will be ok.
Back to hospital tomorrow for new dressings, and I have fluid under my tummy skin that needs draining (USUAL) my friend will be taking as can not drive for 6 weeks.
Also the big pants thing, is a real bugger, but a necessity.
Any way got to go.
Get reults from cancer surgeon on tuesday, as had axillary clearance and grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma removed before the tram flap bit was done. That is the impotant bit the results.
Looking forward to glass of red wine tonight with roast chicken.
And then is will be the weekend!!
Love
Becks.
Welcome back Becks
Glad to hear everything went well.
Is 12 and a half hours usual? I have just had a mastectomy but couldn’t face a reconstruction at the same time because I was told it was a far more complicate procedure.
Quite right, don’t over do it I haven’t faced a supermarket shop yet.
Enjoy the wine and roast chicken!
Carol
Hi Becks
Glad everything is going well for you after your reconstruction. I am just home on Tuesday, had my back flap reconstruction on Thursday of last week and I was in for 8 1/2 hours sooooo glad it is all over. My reconstructed breast looks more like it belongs to Jordan than me but once the swelling goes down I think it will be a good match.
I get quite tired easily and had to lie down the other day as I had overdone it and my back was sore sitting and standing so I had to get horizontal. Take it easy and don’t rush it - you don’t get any medals - take all the help you can get and be good to your body - do you have to do excercises with a tummy flap or not?
I think sometimes with this damn illness we are so busy trying to put a brave face on for everyone we exhaust ourselves with the effort.
wine and a roast sound good - enjoy and I hope you get good results on Tuesday.
Love Lenise XXX
where do you buy big pants these days?
I want to buy some
Mole
Hi Mole
I had to get 100% cotton knickers to wear down to theatre when I had my WLE and lymph node op about 4 weeks ago - hunted high and low and eventually got lovely big things in M&S - none of that stretchy sexy lycra for me - have put them to the back of my knicker drawer now though.
Love Lenise XXX
Funny how different areas have different ideas. Having read about the need to wear cotton knickers on here before my op, I asked at the hospital to be told ‘Oh, anything. They’re not going to be looking down there!’ I sincerely hope not!!
God bless.
Christay
glad to hear your doing well after your tram flap,
i am home too after my diep on 26th september, and have all the same rules as you do.
everythings fine.
I know how you feel about the big pants, they are a killer LOL
Mole - check out Asda great comfy big pants and only £8 instead of M&Ss £30,
much better even the plastics nurse agrees.