I live on my own and find it very hard to cope with all this. I am terrified about Weds, I feel sick, numb, completely empty… Please tell me its going to be ok. My daughter, son in law and 18 month old grandson and moving home tomorrow to look after me (plus the dog with her 3 puppies) I hope this will help. I am having a MX with recon I think. My surgeon seems very nice but my Plastic surgeon has changed and I have not met the new one but I hope this wont matter. Maybe I am just feeling sorry for myself xxx
Hi
I had lumpectomy, so not much help, but bumping you up.
Julia xx
Hi there
I am sorry to read that you are feeling so low and worried but I am sure this is normal too and the other users will no doubt understand how you are feeling and be along soon, the helpline is open until 2pm today if that helps, you can call again from monday morning at 9am. The number to call is 0808 800 6000
Take care
Lucy
Hi, I only has mx and not reconstruction so can help on that side but I was told that mx wasnt too bad an op to get over from and hardly any pain and I found this to be true. I got MRSA during surgery and found this more of a problem.
Do your exercises religiously and not just when you feel like, that will keep your mobility in arm good and then you wont have to retrain your body to use the muscles again. I was doing my exercises within 12 hours of op,dont know if its the same for recon patients.
Just remember when you wake up from your op that thats it, your cancer will have been cut away from your body and the only way is to look forward.
Do not push yourself too hard, its not a race, do what you can when you can and Im sure you will soon be back to whats probably been better than normal certainly for the last few weeks and ready to face any treatments that may follow.
Best of luck Ann B xxx
Hi Vivuzela its perfectly OK to feel sorry for yourself. You are facing a life changing operation but it will no doubt go very well without a hitch. So many are done everyday in the UK - lots happen and yours is just one of them - statistically it is very unlikely anything will go wrong. I had a double Mx in feb with no recons, and the recovery definitely went in stages - first coping with the drains & dressings (7-14 days - defitely bed & dressing gown time) - second getting dressed and moving gently around (next week or so), then very slowly getting back to gentle duties (driving, very light shopping), and then finding oneself running round again, but having enough rest and taking care. Concentrate on building yourself up mentally, physically and spiritually - its YOU time. I remember feeling scared and very emotional in the days before my Mx and one thing that helped me was to write a poem to my breasts - to acknowledge how much I had loved them, but how I knew they had to go - I found it really important to acknowledge my loss, then I could ‘wrap it up and put it away’.
I don’t know if this helps - sorry if it doesn’t. This site helped me tremendously so I hope it helps you too.
Best wishes and hugs for Wed
Maggyx
You poor thing, the fear of something is sometimes worse than the thing itself. I had a mastectomy with LD flap recon 2 weeks ago and was absolutely terrified in the days leading up to it, and on the day itself, and I’m not ashamed to admit that. For the first couple of days I felt like I’d been hit by a train, but I stayed calm, let the nurses look after me, and literally within a few days I felt sooooo much better. I was home within 4 days (I also live on my own but I suspect I’m a little younger than you - 30) and I can pretty much do everything for myself now. It’s really not too terrible, I don’t know what type of recon you’re having but for me my back was the most sore as they took quite a large patch of skin, the front wasn’t too bad at all. Importantly it does get better, and quicker than you think. Take the painkillers, do your exercises as soon as you can and you’ll be OK. Lots of love and luck to you xx
Hi there. I know exactly those same feelings. I had a lumpectomy and axillary node clearance on my left side on Wednesday last week. I am in a lot of pain and finding it very difficult sleeping. I have a drain in place which is due to come out tomorrow, but I have a very long and agonising wait until next week to see if this is all the surgery I have to undergo, or whether I will need to have a mastectomy.
I was only diagnosed a month ago, and I have found it very difficult to accept this is happening to me. We are not alone in all of this, although some times it feels as though we are. My Mum went through a lumpectomy and partial node clearance 13 years ago, so I do have someone who can understand a little of what I am going through.
I am meant to be having chemotherapy/radiotherapy and hormone treatment … I will be thinking of you … there are so many brave ladies on here … and we are among them xx
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It’s great that your daughter is moving to be close to you and lovely that you have a grandson - I find concentrating on the next generation (my daughter and current pregnancy) really helpful.
I had a mastectomy about a month ago. It wasn’t too bad, although I haven’t had reconstruction yet and I think the recovery time is longer if it involves using your own tissue from your tummy or back. I couldn’t lift my daughter for the first week and it was still very sore for the second. But if you keep doing your exercises, you should get some mobility back before too long.
Very good luck to you. Waiting is so much worse than going through the process - it really doesn’t seem as bad once it’s underway. xxxx Jane
Hi
I am in week 6 after MX and recon LD
I try not to worry about anything I cant change and save my energy to assist in the recovery. I have felt down in the last few weeks as I have no patience and feel fine I am not ill just recovering from an operation In the first week do what you can without pushing yourself to much the following weeks you can put in the extra exercise when you feel it is right You do have to do the exercises and they are very sore and strange at first but def get better Like the other girls (I am 60 )I was surprised how sore my back was and is but now not constantly only when I do a bit extra like walk to far or too fast Remember you are not alone There are thosands of us out here just doing the same as you You will pass us on the street and not realise thats how good we are at getting on with it
All the best Chin up
thank you all for you kind comments and support. Going in tomorrow and must say I am feeling very sick right now. My daughter and family moved back home on Saturday including the dog with her 3 puppies so with my 3 that makes 7 in total. Maybe the rest will do me good and the peace and quiet. My son in law has gone chainsaw crazy and is tidying up my garden. Oh joy, I hate to think what I will find missing when I come home. But my little grandson always makes me smile, he is such a joy. This has all happened so quickly I feel I am not as well informed as most of yu ladies or maybe I just didn,t listen. I know I am having a MX because the tumour is behind the nipple. I know I am having a balloon (or what ever its called) to expand the skin. No skin being taken from anywhere else to skinny (never thought I would be pleased about that in my life) I am also 60
and it sounds like I am going to have boobs for the first time in my life my Plastic surgeon says he will eventually make me a 34D. Not sure weather to laught or cry about that. results in 10 days and will then be told if I need chemo or other treatment. Once again thank you all so very very much and my thoughts are with you ALL. xxxxxx
hope that today goes ok , will be thinking of you xxx
Louise
Hope that everything is going OK for you xxxx