MAMHOP

One more thing to consider -- not all breast surgeons work with all plastic surgeons -- so unless you are willing to also change your surgical oncologist, you will need to use a PS that he/she works with --  since Dr. Lee and Dr. Caterson are at different hospitals, I doubt you could use the same breast surgeon for both --

M.

Maybe you won't get a lot of side effects -- I have been on tamoxifen for about 1 year with very little side effects -- an occasional hot flash and sometimes I wake up hot at night (but not night sweats) -- it really doesn't bother me.    I do notice that I am more tired than I used to be --   so, perhaps you could give it a try and see how it affects you -- you can always stop taking it.

M.

You will find quite a range of recovery times due to individual differences.    I was in the hospital for 7 days -- had a large hematoma and lost a lot of blood -- hence the longer stay.   I did not really walk around the unit until day 6 -- fainted the first time they tried to take me for a walk -- needed a blood transfusion.

At home, you will need help for a couple of weeks.   Pain wasn't too bad -- didn't take narcotics for too long, but I had one drain for 4 weeks - a huge pain.    I had help showering for the first week home, slept in a recliner and slept a lot.  I didn't feel really normal for about 6 weeks, but was up and about before that.    I also had an infection 4 weeks post-op which had to be drained, so I had an open wound that had to be packed for 2 months -- had a visiting nurse every day for 3 months total.  (You get a nurse while you drainage tube is still in )

So, while some bounce back rather quickly, others take longer.    I had help for the first 3 weeks -- my brother, my sister and then my mother-in-law.    They did a lot of cooking and laundry -- plus you can't really do a lot of housework due to lifting restrictions mentioned above.

Good luck -- it is a tough surgery and I had a tougher time than most, but I have no regrets, but I'm glad I didn't really know all the details beforehand.   

M.

NenaH -- I would call your doctor -- I don't think you should have to put up with pain like that....

M.

Hey TexasGal -- you might not have to have it cut away ---  mine just scabbed and felll off!  

M.

I think there are a lot of us who are sad as well.   I am not depressed either, but I definitely have days when I am sad.    My treatment is over and I am taking tamoxifen and just like you, because I look good and feel fine, everyone just thinks you're OK.   But I don't know what's worse, everyone thinking you're OK, or those who ask "How ARE you?" with that funny look.    Both really bother me.

So, although I don't have an answer, at least you know you are not alone -- I think it is normal to feel this way.     I try to stay busy and my kids keep me busy -- so in that respect everything is back to normal, but the normal inside my head is gone for good.

M.

Stage 2 is a piece of cake compared to the first time around.   You'll probably feel fine in just a few days.   I did not lift the good side, so can't answer to that, but I did have lipo in the abdomen.   It looks worse than it feels, so don't be thrown by all the bruising.

Good luck!

M.

Ditto to what was said by Member of the Club -- my onc says exactly the same thing, so I have not been tested either.    And in my case, being premenopausal, tamoxifen is the only option.

M.

While we all heal differently, time is the best cure.   I am now 1 year post DIEP and my scars have almost faded completely.   My abdominal scar is still there, but only faintly and it is very smooth and flat.   The circle on the breast is very faded as well and I had some blistering after surgery and it stayed red for quite some time.  

You are only 8 weeks out -- give yourself some time and don't worry!

M.

I know you didn't mean to step on toes, but you did....the metabolism of tamoxifen is still a new and controversial subject and we are all looking for answers.   Since I don't have a lot of side effects, it does concern me.   What I didn't need to hear was your conviction that it definitely wasn't working -- there's really no way to know that yet.

I too, am in search of facts and truth -- but I am not sure that all the facts regarding this subject are available yet.     In fact, I sought 3 opinions for my treatment -- so I don't just believe anything I am told.

And yes, you are right, it does not reduce estrogen, but blocks the receptors, but the end result is that many have symptoms of reduced estrogen.  

And yes, I would love to drive away the fear we all face.   I guess your definitive statement that you felt sorry for those without side effects did not help drive away the fear -- it did the opposite.

Enough said for now....we each have our own ways of dealing with this.

M.