Hi had mastectomy and imm recon dec using back muscle. i am just wondering if anyone else still got sore ribs side …
i am not completely pain free yet is this normal… i have that extra bit of flappy tissue round my side i know a lot have this taken away but cant face another op… this is till tender to touch and last night i felt my ribs at the side and they are still tender… just wondered if anyone else the same… i expected to be better by now…
have a good day all
Hi,
I had the same op as you on 23rd July and I am still uncomfortable but I don’t have any rib pain in my side. My back is tender where the muscle has been taken away and the top of my new boob is very tender to touch.
I have a seroma on my side/back which has been drained twice but just refills.
Maybe get it checked out,as its has been a while since your op.Its probably due to the nerves being “mucked about with” during the operation
Someone else may be along with another experience.
Has your new boob settled in OK?
Dot
xx
i was going to ask that about having a mastectomy i had mine a year and half ago and still can’t lie on that side coz its too uncomfortable… going to have recon next year but not looking forward to it.
Rosebud454
Hi bubbly,
I had my mastectomy 2 years ago now, and am considering recon next year. It has only just begun to settle down as it has been v tender, and i was also worried about recon. I used to put cream on so very gently, still do really. Recently had examination from doc by hand, and that not pleasant cos whole area feels sort of numb but nerves seem to be still felt if that makes sense. Anyway its lot better since last year. Hope this helps
Rosie x
hi dot.
thank you for your comments. my back is very hard where took muscle. its because skin pulled tight so i have been told. it doesn’t hurt but i am so wary of it and flinch each time someone( grandkids) want to get near me… i have had physio and she works on that area( although made no difference) so i know it don’t hurt. yes my new boob is OK. a bit bigger than original would rather have had it smaller. and YES still very tender to touch. i don’t want to ask professionals in fear of another op i couldn’t cope… just started herceptin now well had first dose. what was your dx if don’t mind me asking. take care.
Hi - I had the same reconstruction 14 months ago and am still very uncomfortable. The whole back area is numb and my boob feels very tender still. I must say though it is getting easier so I am hoping that eventually it will feel “normal”. I haven’t seen the surgeon since 2 weeks after my op. I am due to see him at the end of September and hopefully arrange to have the flap taken off.
I have had chemo and rads, which I think affected the reconstructed boob and am in the middle of Herceptin.
I hope yours gets easier for you.
Love
Liz xx
Hi
I don’t mind you asking,I have been very lucky (though when the tears come I don’t feel lucky!) I was diagnosed on 30 june with 2 lumps 1.5cm and 0.5 cm grade 1.
A MRI scan found another area that was biopsied and cane back as cancer too! So I was advised to have a mastectomy instead of WLE. I opted for immediate recon using my back muscle.
My post op results were Grade 1, 1.3 cm and 0.5 cm and the third area was just “a few cancer cells!” No nodes involved.My cancer is “tubular” which is rare ,but has a very good prognosis.
I am now on tamoxifen for 5 years.
It has taken me ages to get used to how my new boob feels ,the strange contractions when you move around! But either they are getting better or I am just getting used to them.I am not used to how it looks either!
My “flap” is a bit sunken at the armpit side so may need revision,so I know how you feel about further surgery.I am aware of a wee dent even with a padded bra on but apart from that ,when I am dressed no-one would ever know.
My emotions are all over the place and I cry at the drop of a hat.
Like you I am also very afraid of someone bumping in to me and its uncomfy in the car over speedbumps and round corners.
You should speak to someone,there is always a choice whether you have more surgery or not .No-one will force you.
Take care
Hugs
Dot
xxx
Hi
I had an LD flap immediate reconstruction on 4/8/08. It is a very strange feeling when that muscle contracts-mime seems to be doing it constantly. Has anyone any ideas on how to keep the muscle relaxed? My new boob feels quite uncomfortable, and not really part of me yet-but I suppose it is early days. I have had a seroma on my back which has been drained twice, but has re-filled again. My back is very numb in places too.
I am not very well’matched’. Partly my own fault as I didn’t want an implant. My new boob is smaller than my existing one, and is still swollen. I have an appt to see about a prostheses for tighter fitting tops-I can just about get away with it with loose tops.
My ribs are sore too on the operated side. I assumed it was because the drains had 2 exit points there. My muscles seem to go into spasm around my ribs when I try and walk faster than my present’old lady shuffle’! (I am 51, but am currently operating at 91 !)
I found the whole experience horrendous, moving from fit and well at the beginning of June, to a WLE, with S.N.B., closely followed by mastectomy at the beginning of August. I felt as though I was in total shock a lot of the time, and couldn’t sleep. Sleeping pills didn’t work for more than 3 hours. My doctor has been great and persuaded me last week to try anti depressants, which are just beginning to be effective, both on the sleep and my wobbly emotions.
Hi Judy,
I am another with wobbly emotions,I spent most of last week crying at the Olympics!!!
My details are above,I had the same op as you (23 July).Although I have a small implant. My boob stills feels alien too although its getting a wee bit easier.I hate how it contracts when you sneeze etc.No-one warned me about that! I call it my performing boob and may train it to do party tricks!
I have had a seroma drained twice too! It is a little smaller now but I hope it will go away as its like having a third boob!
My BCN phoned the other day and was lovely and she reassured me that being emotional is normal.I feel bad weeping all the time as I have had a good prognosis and don’t need chemo or rads.There are lots of ladies worse off than me and coping better! My BCN said that its often when the treatment ends ,be it surgery ,chemo or rads that your emotions go haywire.I am also very tired even just after a little cooking or light housework (very light!).
I am 5 weeks post op but feel a long way off going back to work,and that is starting to panic me!
Keep us updated on your progress ,we can keep each other company!
Hugs
Dot
xx
Hi Dot
I had no idea that the Olympics could be quite so emotional either! I do feel so much better now that the anti depressants are starting to take effect. I actually wore mascara for the first time today for weeks. It was such a waste of time and effort before with the unpredictable tears! I was a complete emotional wreck from being told I needed a lumpectomy right through to last week. I was very reluctant initially to try anti depressants, but they have really helped. I think we need all the help we can get at the moment! My new boob feels a bit like a rock sitting on my chest when I lie down, then it suddenly starts contracting and feeling really odd. I am hoping that this will lessen as the muscle gets used to being round the front. Cleaning my teeth in particular seems to really get it going…each to it’s own!
I can’t even imagine going back to work for ages. What job do you do? I am shattered after a fairly short slow walk, and have to have a sleep each day to cope. Are you sleeping ok?
What about exercises? I was given a booklet to follow, but they are the same exercises for anyone who has had a lumpectomy, SNB etc, and they are very difficult and painful. I am trying to cut down on painkillers, but have to take them to do the exercises.
It would be lovely to stay in touch, especially for me as you are a little bit in front of me. What area are you from?
Love,
Judy
Hi Judy
I understand completely the rock on your chest feeling but I hope it helps you to hear that mine is getting easier. Mine contracts when i wipe my bum! I am right handed and had a right mastectomy.
It is also reassuring that I am not the only one bubbling at anything!
I am about 10 days ahead ,although I had such a rough time post op I might not actually be as far as that! I lost a lot of blood and ended up in the High Dependency Unit.
I said to friends that I thought my “flap” wanted to go back round the back where it used to be! It is easier now and the boob itself has softened a little.
I am a Radiographer so my job is quite physical,what do you do?
I am signed off until 5/9 but feel I will need at least another couple of weeks,will see what Occ Health and my GP say.
My sleeping is a bit erratic,sometimes I use Nytol to get a good night.
My arm and movement are OK ,My nodes were taken from my mastectomy scar so I have no scar under my arm which is great.I am just weak and like you tire easily.
If you are still very stiff ,can you ask to see a physio? They are usually very good and you don’t want to stiffen up permanently.
I am in Edinburgh.
Take care and keep us updated,
Love
Dot
xxx
Jal7777
Hows the rib pain?
Have you seen anyone,I hope it gets better,remember you cannot be forced to have another operation so don’t let that put you off geting checked out,
Love
Dot
xxx
Hi Dot,
I am a teacher with special needs children, who can be physically aggressive and sometimes need restraining. I am not rushing back to work. I have to be 100% physically to cope with the challenges! Your job must be very physical too
I live in South Lincs, but work in Rutland.
I had a bit of a rough time too, and ended up staying in for 8 days with 2 blood transfusions. It was a much bigger operation than I had realised. I did lots of research on the internet , but it doesn’t quite prepare you somehow.
Glad to hear that your boob has softened a bit. Mine needs to soften an awful lot-its also very tender.
My nodes were taken from the mastectomy scar too, but I am really swollen and sore under my arm. Hopefully the muscle will ‘learn’ to lie flat and stop contacting! It’s very bulky and obvious at the moment. Did you get a good size match?
Cheers,
Judy
good evening all.
i am feeling much better this week prob cos i joined weight watchers and lost four pounds. i have put on about two stone since first dx in Sept. its the two ops Xmas chemo which killed me etc. now on herceptin and tamoxifen. i have really got to try and loose a stone. then i would be happy as i know we are expected to put on weight with the drugs etc.
Liz
i am sorry at the way you feel but also glad i feel the same. i was beginning to wonder if something was wrong after all this time.i haven’t seen my surgeon since check up after the op and have no apt to see him so don’t know if i do again…
dot.
your feelings are exactly the same as me. up and down tearful at anything…i am not entirely happy with my new boob its slightly bigger i would have rather smaller. it doesn’t look nice when undressed but looks perfect with clothes on and at 50 that suits me…i must admit i still avoid speed bumps and pot holes… i thought that was me just feeling bad so nice to know not alone.
Judy
i think it seems to be the norm to have back drained i also had it drained twice. but after that they like to leave it as your body disperses it and it did… if take more than two lots (UNLESS LOADS) there is risk of infection…so best left alone, i celebrated my 50th this year but until recently felt like a 90 yr old. i do have stiff bones and joints when ive sat for a while that’s the tamoxifen i believe. luckily i don’t have to work i decided at 49 that was enough for me it was time to enjoy life as had three children they all brought houses in our village in a space of a year. so my husband said pack up work. didn’t need to be asked twice. i was going to decorate house top to bottom all new furniture etc. two weeks in and this happens life ain’t fair. i was fit and healthy in sept dx end wle and snb end oct mastectomy and recon dec. all too much to take in… i know we want quick treatment but i am sure effects recovery. i did manage to get a holiday to Corfu in between ops. you mention cleaning teeth a problem . how was wiping your bum… lucky i was left handed so OK…
take care all and keep in touch. i think you have all helped me feel better. i was beginning to get down thinking i should be fit and healthy by now… but now i have your replies i fell i am not alone.
xxxxxxx julie xxxxxxxxxx
Hi Julie and Judy,
I managed some retail therapy yesterday so that cheered me up a bit!
When I was diagnosed on 30 June ,I had only just gone back to work after a operation on my foot in November,which was a redo of an operation I had in December 2006! So I have had my fill of hospitals and operations! Shame I work in one too!
Going back to work is hard,judging by my 2 previous returns after my foot surgery.Staff soon forget and just assume that you are back to normal.
I have the added emotional aspect of scanning people with breast cancer who have secondaries or suspected secondaries.Some are very poorly and this will be difficult.
This week has been difficult as it was the anniversary of my Mums passing from lung cancer in 2003.I have never missed her as much as I do now.
My seroma is reducing a bit ,its weird when i gently press it the fluid travels along my back and scar just like when you press on a hot water bottle!
I am happy with the size of my boob but the outer edge of my scar is sunken and is a noticable dent even through a padded bra.I hope they can sort that for me if it doesn’t resolve itself.Apart from that ,with a bra on ,I look entirely normal and can still show a cleavage .(helps distract from my big bum!) Not so keen on it undressed though!
I know what you mean but too much to take in ,outwardly I was strong pre surgery but its all sinking in now,hence the tears.
We cancelled a holiday in september to Rhodes so that was disappointing but we fancy Lanzarote in Jan or Feb instead so thats something to look forward to!
Liz
What do you mean about having the flap taken off?
Hugs to all,
Love
Dot
xxx
Hi Dot - Retail therapy sounds good ! hope you got lots !
I have what they call a dog ear - it is a flap of skin on my back where the scar is. It’s just an excess of flesh after the op. It’s sticks out about an inch and looks horrible so will feel more “normal” when it’s removed. Not sure if it will be done with a local anaesthetic. I am also going to see if he can do something with the lump under my arm where the muscle comes through into the boob. I hope so.
Best wishes
Love Liz xx
Liz,
thats a relief ,I though you meant your recon ! LOL! The op is often called a LD flap in my hospital! LOL!
Let us know how you get on,
Dot
xxx
Thanks - I will. I see surgeon on the 25th September. I have a tissue expander in, which was a shock cos I thought he was putting an implant in ! but I can feel the port and it sticks out right where by bra is and is uncomfie so I am hoping he can take that out but it will have to be after a year after radiotherapy. Whether he will swap tissue expander for impant I don’t know. Tissue expander gone HARD with radiotherapy. I look lovely when I lie down, one boob pert and the other under my arm ! xx
Hehehe! I know what you mean about lying down! I thought my natural boob WAS quite pert but sadly this new one shows it up!
Good luck getting the expander sorted,
Take care,
Dot
x
Hi
Just been back to the hospital to have my seoma drained for the third time! The consultant put some steroid in it again, which is supposed to discourage the fluid forming. Unfotunately mine is just too keen, and it didn’t discourage it last time.
I am still sore round the sides of my ribs when I walk. I thought that the seroma draining would help it but it hasn’t. I suppose all the messing round with exit points for drains hasn’t helped.
Going back to Liz’s comment about the muscle under the arm, I thought we were stuck with that, and just had to wait for some of the swelling to go down…or is there a solution? Mine feels foul-I can’t imagine wearing a T shirt at the moment, with all that bulk under my arm- it’s a bit like an extra boob!
Judy
hi all.
just thought cheer you all up. you all seem to mention the new boob as being pert. that was one thing that seemed funny. yes with clothes on gt and you could even play a guessing game as which ones new… the cleavage is still there so not a problem not that i show off much. anyway just thought i would let you know i call my boobs PINKY AND PERKY…have a good weekend all
Julie