I’ve been a member for five years but this is my first post.
I am 44 and had a mastectomy 5 weeks ago after discovering a tumour during my yearly check up. I was diagnosed 5 years ago with DCIS after complaining of breast pain and I was given a mammogram as I have a history of breast cancer in my family. At this time I was treated with a WLE and radiotherapy. The discovery of an invasive tumour and more DCIS meant I had to have a mastectomy this time. I decided to have a reconstruction and went for a skin expander and implant as I am a jeweller and didn’t want to loose muscle strength from having an LD flap reconstruction but as my skin has had radiotherapy it is very tight and painful.
I thought I was handling it really well until yesterday when I went for my first fill, I just shook and became really tense and started to cry. My specialists felt I was to upset to have it done and we’re going to try again next week
There are often posts where people say how quick they’ve recovered and they have no pain and they’re back at work in 6 weeks and it makes me feel like I’m making a fuss. I’m on constant pain killers and still in pain, my arm and shoulder is tight and sore and I feel like an emotional wreck. This is so unlike me I’m usually really strong. It would be great to hear how others have coped with a skin expander after radiotherapy as I’m beginning to worry it might not work.
Hello Glitterbug, I had left mastectomy last november, fortunately did not have to have Rads or Chemo. but opted for the reconstruction using the skin expander. They started off just putting in about 100ml. every 3 weeks, then I managed a few of 150 ml. I was ok when it was put in but usually found the pain set in a few hours later. and was uncomfortable for at least a few days , got more uncomfortable towards the end. i had last amount put in 3 weeks ago. Definately know what growing pains are. I have only eased up on the pain relief this last few weeks. The growth was slow to start but very noticable now, and my nurse is very pleased. Me. too I am normally strong, but I have been much the same as you. the emotional wreck. just hating the whole thing , but when I sit back and think calmly I don’t regret choosing reconstruction, I have a brilliant surgeon, and am confident that it will all look good in a few more months. Don’t give up now, you have already come a long way. Hope this helps a little. Jenny.
Thank you Jenny it’s really good to hear you feel it’s been worth the discomfort.
I also have a brilliant surgeon and breast care nurse who are very supportive, in fact just this morning I have received a letter offering me complimentary therapies to help me relax which sounds great.
I know that things will get better and the encouragement you have given really helps. I am getting the courage to speak to friends about how I feel, that in itself is difficult as I feel I should be the shoulder to cry on.
I am due to try again this Monday and hopefully will manage to get a small fill of fluid in the expander.
Hi Glitterbug
I had a mastectomy with ld flap, expander implant and strattice mesh on July 12th. Because I had had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy 5 years ago, I also had a substantial skin graft as well. It took a long time to heal completely - about 9 weeks, and the implant filling started three months after that, the week before Christmas. This was done 50 ml a week for 8 weeks, so that the skin was stretched slowly, though I must say it felt quite brutal at the time! I then had a month off, then one lastfill of 80mls. The expander will come out and the permanent implant to be put in place on June 13th. Some tidying up under my arm will also need to be done then. I will also need a lift and reduction on my non BC side, and I am unsure whether I should have that done at the same time or not. (Bigger op versus yet more waiting).
In terms of the stretching, my surgeon is being cautious because of my previous radiotherapy, and I see you are only 5 weeks post surgery. If you feel it’s too soon,( and it certainly would have been too soon for me) ask your surgeon for more time
Its a long process and wish it we finished , but I don’t think I would have been able to cope any sooner.
One tip though, my surgeon told me to take a painkiller half an hour before my appointments, and to make sure I took another before sleeping (as upright as possible )as lying down changes the pressure dynamic
Jojo
Hi JoJo
Thank you so much for the advice, it’s really good to hear this can be done. I am realising I have to have a lot more patience an thatthings will take longer to heal because of the rads. I hadn’t realised all the things my body had gone through its not until you have all this time on your hands to stop and think that it really sinks in. I have been given some different pain relief this weekend and it’s starting to kick in so I am feeling better.
Goodluck with your op in June.
Hi Glitterbug,
i think you said you were going to see surgeon again today, how did it go?
I hope it went better for you!
Jojo
Hi JoJo
It was much better, I was calmer and we managed to get 50mls in. I am tight and sore but that’s to be expected. My doctor is trying me on amitriptyline and I must say even though I feel incredibly sleepy the pain is much easier. Hopefully the sleepiness will wear off.
Thanks again for your kind and encouraging words it really helped.
G