ddart

I finished chemo in January. I have had dbl mastectomy and hyterectomy since then, so my husband and I haven't had much sex in the past year. Every time we have tried, I have a lot of pain. (it is not from the hysterectomy) Does the chemo change how everything feels? I also just had a 5 day stay at the hospital for MRSA Staph infection and I was on 3 different IV antibiotics and was sent home on antibiotics for two weeks, so I knpw I don't have an infection. It just hurts, and I hate to go to another DR for anything else right now.  I am just ready to feel normal again..:(

Anyone else have problems?

YuYu,

I am 44 and was DX last July with E+ and HER2+ also.HER2 + is more aggressive. So even though I was stage 1, they recommended chemo and herceptin.  I first had lumpectomy and chemo/herceptin. Then I had the genetic test done and found out I was BRAC1+. My chances of reoccurance were up tp 87%, so I had the double mastectomy with reconstruction in April.  I actually like my breast more now. The lumpectomy made my breast look like it was caved in. I had skin sparing double mastectomy with tram flap. My breasts look great and I am still waiting to have nipple reconstruction. I am not even sure that I want nipples anymore, lol. It is nice not to have to worry about wearing a bra.  So, it is not so bad.

Debbie

I had double mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction in April and that surgery took 6 hours. Then on July 25th, I had TAH combined with a hernia repair (caused from the tram flap) and implants put in during same surgery. I had to get surgeons to schedule surgery together and that surgery lasted 6 hours also.  So, make sure you know how long it will take. Both of my surgeries took about 2 hours longer than they expected.

Debbie

I was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer and mymom has had breast cancer and ovarian cancer. So, my onc recommended the genetic test. My insurance company (aetna) did cover it because of family history and my cancer at age 43. It turned out I do have the BRAC1 gene.  I have had a double mastectomy with reconstruction and a hysterectomy. My chance of a reoccurance with the BRAC1 was 87%, after surgery my chances go down to less than 2%.

I had a double mastectomy with TRAM flap.  The pain wasn't bad, but sitting up was hard to do.  I slept in a recliner for about 3 days after I left the hospital. My surgery was April 9th and I still sleep with a triangle cushion on my bed just for more comfort.  I was not bent over at all.  My problem is some bulging in my abdominal muscles.  My PS is going to put mesh in to fix that when I have my implant surgery.  Ask him to do the mesh during the surgery and then you won't have to have another procedure down the road.  I worked from home for 6 weeks and went back part-time. It was 8 weeks before I could sit at my desk for a full day. 

Good Luck! I hope all goes well.  I have the BRAC 1 + gene, so I will be going in for a hysterectomy, implants,  and ab repair combo surgery on July 25th, so I will be back to another 4-6 week recovery .  I just want to get everything done this year and have a normal life again. 

Debbie 

I had TRAMP flap reconstruction in April.  I had a complication with the right breast after surgery. It was not getting enough blood supply, so I had a second surgery the next day and they did a Latis Dorci flap with expander. My abdominal muscles are bulging some and under my right arm is still very swollen. I will be having a hysterectomy and my implants put in during the same surgery, so my PS can put some mesh in after the hyster to fix the bulging muscles.  I would not recommend the tram flap. The tummy tuck is not worth it.... I wish I had come to this site before my surgeries!! 

Thanks everyone. I am new to this site, so I appreciate the advise. I had a doctors appointment today and it went well. He said I won't need an implant on the left side and they would make the right match the left.  The ab muscles may need to be tightened up (surgically), but it's too early to know.  He said they could do that when they put the implant in and it was not a big deal. So, I will just wait and see how things go.  I go back in one month.  Thanks!

I had a skin sparing double mastectomy and tram flap reconstruction on April 9th. I had a complication with mine. The right side did not get enough blood flow to the tissues and 48 hours later I was in surgery again. I had the latissimus dorsi flap surgery for the right side. I ended up with 6 drains . I had alot of swelling because of having 2 surgeries back to back.  Four of the drains came out at 10 days post-op and the other drains one week later. It has been four weeks and most of my discomfort is from my abdominal muscles.  It is still hard to get out of a chair and bending over is almost impossible.  The good side of the tram flap is a flat tummy and my breast look great.  My husband is thrilled with how I look. 

I had 1.6 cm, E+, her2+ with nod-neg.  My treatment was carboplatin, taxotere and herceptin for 6 cycles and then herceptin every 21 days for a year. I have 3 more herceptin treatments to go.  I also had the genetic test done because my mom had breast cancer twice and now ovarian. I have the BRAC1 genetic mutation, so I just had a double mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction 4 weeks ago. The surgery lowers my chances of the cancer reoccurring from 87% to about 2%. The path report from surgery showed no cancer cells!