Unilateral mastectomy & reconstruction
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Having a piece of fitness equipment at home is a saving grace,, I have a treadmill - I only walk slowly on it - I guess I could power walk however I do it to unwind after work at end of day - to decompress away from computers, phones and people!!! I used to drive straight to a gym and change fast and do olyptical - which I prefer over walking but it is too exhausting to add that to the day and freezing and I want to avoid GERMS and the gym crawls with viruses.. I know someday ahead I will return to a gym however at this point in my life - I feel the best thing is to just do something - even 35-45 mins walking everyday after I had sat on phones and computer in customer service non stop for hours,,,, I know what you feel with your 4 yr old - my sister has 3 yr old twins and she works FT and gets home at 6:30 and her sole focus is spending time with them, getting them dinner and baths and trying to read and hang out a bit before they go in to bed... it feels like rush rush rush - I also do not know how people get through chemo - God Bless any one who has or is or did.. getting another DR opinion is wise too - at least you may hear same suggestions or hear new info.. good luck and enjoy the holidays - well TRY TO as best you can0 -
I came across the below article about exercising. It reminded me that to be healthy you don't have to do very much, just something, even just some squats. Sometimes I don't do anything because I feel I have to do something big. So I'm trying to just do a little something. My kids are older and I'm just starting to do yoga regularly again. I'm afraid of exchange surgery and having to stop it just as I'm getting more flexible.
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Well done ladies!!!! I haven't been on in a few days and I am soooo happy to hear all the great news!!! F-Cancer!!!!! Frostecat mine is still beet red and burns and we are 5 months out from surgery, going to try a compound cream on Wednesday, until it heals we are on hold, don't know y PS didn't put implant in lifted side when he did lift,, having problems posting, my laptop dies and my iPad keeps freezing,,, healing hugz to all ....
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Have you all tried coconut oil on the scars? I started with it on my scar, wound up experimenting with it on my feet and lower legs where I've been getting winter dry skin eczema past few years, now i'm just putting it all over. Its actually cheaper than the body oil I usually buy too.
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no Fourminor I haven't tried coconut oil, I do have some will try it on my winter dry skin too, gonna try the cream first being that I already paid for that,,,lol. But thank you for the advice I will put it to good use,,,,healing hugz ......
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Haven't been on in awhile. Fourminor - I guess something was telling you "Don't do this!" Sometimes there is a reason for everything.
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hi everyone,,, have a ?.... My dr just gave me Gabapentin 300 mg for the burning on my lift side,,,, I am scared to take it,,,, any advice please????
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Hi yes took the "Gabby" for nerve pain from mastectomy did not have any problems it took the pain away!!
Take your first dose in evening w food to see if it makes you sleepy
I hoped it would but no such luck!
Good luck
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lovecat, thanks Hun, I am 5 month post op on my lifted side and can't get incision to heal fully, have to wear bra to support implant and bra band sits on incision, red and burning, so doc gave me this,,, am scared cause it says for seizure, I hope it makes me sleepy, sleep? What is that??? Lol,,, have to take 3xs a day,,, maybe try it,,,, healing hugz to all,,,,,,
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Hello all - brand new to this.. I am scheduled for Rt Mx on Friday Dec12 with a Te (hope I get all those abbrveation right). I am a 36 D or DD. My question that I cannot seem to find the answer for is this: What can I wear during the time the TE is in place to support the left side. Braless is not an option -too uncomfortable with d size. Are there any options to help so I do not look so lopsided while the Te is in place?
I caught this really early with my yearly mammo. One DCIS less than 2cm and one small invasive grade 1 also less than 2 cm. I choose Mx to avoid radiation and the be sure they got the whole #&%$# thing. I will be on hormone supressor as both are ER+ and PR+.
I apreciate all the information. I now know more about what to expect and am packing my bag for the hospital and getting last minute shopping done.
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Sue, best wishes on your upcoming surgery. I'm sure someone will come along soon to give u the advise. I'm having delayed reconstruction next month so I don't have any words of wisdom. Praying for no chemo for you.
Jeanie, since you have to take Gabapentin 3x/ day, it is a good idea to slowly titrate the dose. For example, u may want to take 1 at bedtime for 3 days then increase to 1 in the afternoon and 1 at bedtime for 3 days, and then 1 cap 3x/day thereafter...depends on how drowsy u get. Be careful with driving. If the pain is truly caused by nerve damage, u will see improvement. Full effect may not be seen for a few weeks. Have u considered KT tape ?
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yes it says for seizures Gabby has been around for years and is very safe
In fact when I last took it ( after 2 yrs of constant pain after mast) the pain stopped almost immediately! Others I know said they got very drowsy again no sleep for me!!
I'm on Cymbalta now so can't take Gabby any more. Also 300 mg is a low dose
Try over weekend? Enough already with the pain :-). Feel better
XO
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Sue,
I had uni MX with TE placement in October. I am 32DD so braless was not an option for me either. I have had best comfort with two stretchy low impact bras from Rebock, one soft jog bra I found in my drawer, and Amoena camisoles are awesome. I have two Amoena 32DD bras that I bought but strangely their 32 seems smaller than 32 I wear from anywhere else. I found a bra extender that makes one work great--the other has been a waste of money thus far unless I can find a narrower bra extender or lose weight. I also have two Amoena post surgical front closure bras that work OK but aren't as pretty. I am still not able to schedule my exchange over chemo or no chemo issues and I don't want to buy anything else.
I naively thought a clear sentinel node meant no chemo but if you are ER/PR+/Her2- stage 1 or 2 with clear nodes, you should have your tumor sent for oncotyping which is another topic. Also their is a huge breast study being released today regarding premenopausal Er+ patients called the SOFT trial which studied the addition of ovarian suppression to hormone therapies.
You should just focus on your surgical plan and recovery for now. These things will sort themselves out afterwards.
Welcome and sorry you had to join us!
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Hello Sue - Good luck to you on the start of your journey, and I am sorry that you have to join us here. But you have found a good group of women, that will help you along the way cause we've all been there. I was extremely lopsided (42D or 40DD) and I found these fiberfill pads that I bought at the local mastectomy store:
http://www.metromedicalonline.com/amoena2106.html#...
You can also buy them on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Amoena-2106-Fiberfill-Leisur...
For me it worked out well. I just used my bras and removed some of the fiberfill as my TE breast got larger with fills. You can throw them in the washing machine too (remove filling) I had 2 of them and that was all that I needed during that process. I bought an x-large and large. I definitely needed some padding on the TE side to even things up a bit.
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Sueo45---See if your hospital has a breast care center. Usually they have a boutique that carries bras that hook up the front for MX patients. They will also have the fiberfilled pads. I actually bought the ABC bra from my boutique but they carry them on Amazon as well. I'm a 34DD or 36D and the Medium fits perfect. As bad as it is to be in this position, there is a silver lining....it's Dec! That means cold and coats and scarves and sweaters which makes it much easier to hide the lopsidedness! I had my left mx 2 years ago on Dec 13th (we are almost twins!) and I would wear my mx bra, which has pockets, and stuff accordingly. I also bought a "chicken cutlet" which looks just like it sounds to insert on the mx side. It makes a TE look like it's sitting lower with more ptsosis which makes it match the native side better. In all honesty, if you can find a boutique for BC survivors, they will help the most. They know all the tricks to make a uni look even
And try to buy some Bali 3488 bras. They are soft and wireless with a tad of padding to help with uneveness. Once you don't need to use inserts they are the go-to bra for most of us until underwires work again. I'm 2 years out and still in the Bali 3488 due to pain where underwires sit. I've bought a couple of wired bras and am wearing them for a little bit a day and slowly working myself up to full time. But the Bali is so comfy I may never fully swap (although I really should since my native side needs the support).
One piece of advice for you that I wish someone had emphasized to me......do your PT!! The hospital's PT came to me the morning after my mx and gave me a piece of paper with exercises on it. I was so drugged I don't even remember the visit. The paper ended up in a bag that I didn't open for 2 months. By then, my ROM was rapidly declining and the muscle spasms were horrible. As soon as I was sent to PT, I started improving. After 2 months of pain, I felt 75% better after 3 or 4 sessions. I'm now back to normal and feeling really good. But that was the one thing that hampered my recovery. Also, if you can afford it or can get as a gift, myofascial release massage therapy is the bomb!! It helped release alot of my scar adhesions and helped my implant to settle into place after EX surgery. That may be a while out for you but just keep it in mind.....massage therapy was crucial to my recovery. Good luck. Feel free to ask if you have any more questions!
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Thank you all!!! It seems strange to be worried about being lopsided but I think it is easier to think about that than the surgery tomorrow. We went out yesterday and bought a pillow with arms and a camisole. I've stocked up on soft pull on pants and shirts that button. Lip balm, eye mask, ear plugs and my kindle with ear buds and a relaxation program and favorite music. Now just the waiting to get the first surgery over.
Fourminor- I am post menopause so maybe that makes a difference but I will ask about the oncotyping . Thank you for the info.
There is a breast boutique where my surgeon is so I will check out the pads there.
Thank you again for the feedback.
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I had unilateral with an implant. It's been almost 3 yrs and I am still careful when sleeping and haven't fully slept on my left side since.
I was actually wondering if anyone had waited and did the nipple reconstruction at a later time? I was overweight and afraid to have that 2nd surgery then.0 -
Sue - hope you have a successful surgery.. do yourself a favor and take the pain pills on schedule first week to 2 weeks so you manage the pain and track in journal when you take what... a diary and diary of your drain output - and keep self propped up and surrounded by comfy pillows and throws and rest - no heavy lifting - nothing for few weeks - that will be hard, try not to reach and not to pull or lift or move pillows and blankets too much - you may need a senekot or collace after few days - sometimes the meds make it a bit difficult to go to the loo - but that is normal -
hydrate - have lots liquids - broth, cranberry juice, & seltzer, diet gingerale or 7 up, lemonade, Gatorade, your body needs to flush out the anesthesia and the nutrients and antioxidants in fruits and such to replenish after surgery,,, keep drinking a variety of things,,, and cold ones keep your body cool - it will feel hot from the surgery. keep us posted on how it goes - prayers and hugzzz to you
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Jeanie - I can not believe you are still irritated - I feel for you
TRY the Gabby pill slowly - 1 a day for week then up to 2 day next week and maybe a third third or fourth week out - that is a pill NOT To take too much too fast on - or else could cause seizure,,, highly unlikely but titrate up slowly - I know 2 women on it - both titrated up slowly like that - over weeks not immediately took 3 day.. one women takes 3 day and other 8 per day - they both love being on it as takes their nerve pain away but I think it makes both hyper... they both have lots ENERGY after started on it but they like that too... and both take something to help them sleep!!! I also feel you should keep medicine diary - esp when trying new pills,,, so you can tell DR any side effects or how feels day by day - and know if maybe it is good or maybe you are ok on 2 pills per day not need 3,,,??? Good Luckalso saw some soft bras on AERIE.com - and at bealls florida, bralette by Wurl - soft bras - and COOBIE makes many soft bras
I also love Calvin Klein Concept bralette and have tried this Wacoal bralette - good support and no wires,,,
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BECK0IA/ref=pd_luc_rh_sbs_03_04_t_lh?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and of course the Barely There flexible seemless at Kohls and Genie Bras and Barely There seemless has many nice options that feel pretty good on
I have learned you have to TRY a ton to find bras that you can deal with - it is a process!!! and it may help cutting band a bit to add extra GIVE - try cutting a 1/3 inch in front between the breasts or try a slit in back under band under arm towards your back bones on rt side.. giving a bit of some extra stretch to band may help ease pressure of the tight band over your incision,,,???
hugs to all of you - holidays are here,i am hoping to get through them with at least some good cheer and family and hope to see a few friends, I just want to relax AND FORGET ABOUT THE BREAST CANCER!!!
xo
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I would like to add some pre surgical advice. I had prior RT and was very worried about having a healing issue. I read that Angelina Jolie's surgeon had her take vitamin C and zinc for a week prior to and after surgery, so I did the same. My wound healed beautifully and skin looks great. Did it make a difference? Who knows? Did it hurt? Nope.
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sparkle,,, hi you, how are you? I haven't been on as much as my laptop went black, and my iPad freezes after I write a paragraph, then I have to close out and start all over,,,, I just started the Gab last night and 20 minutes later I was out like a light,,,yay for the sleep!!! But,,, only for 4 hrs, I will take again tonight and always keep med diary.i want to do the same for the holidays, I was down last Christmas as my MX was December 20. Not going to be down this one.i hope every one has a great day. Healing hugz to all.....
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Taking Zinc n vitamin C makes sense as the both help in tissue healing/repair. Thank u Fourminor!! I'm having delayed reconstructive surgery in January and will try it b4 surgery. I don't heal very well as I have history of developing keloids. Hope all is well with u.
Jeanie- glad to hear that Neurontin helpsu a bit with your sleep. Hopefully, it will help with the pain.
Sue-hope you are not in too much discomfort or pain. Thinking of you and praying for speedy recovery and good pathology report.
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I am doing well. Not a lot of pain unless I move my right arm. My DH is angel. He does all the drain stripping, dressings, plus laundry, cooking and cleaning.
So far all reports are good - I will get the final labs this week. I have 3 drains - two drain very little and the third was quite a bit until this morning, but I have not done much this morning. I do not know how anyone would function with bilateral mastectomies. More power too them.
My surgeon had me shower even before I left the hospital and every day with dressing change. It would be very hard without DH.
I am taking vit c and there is zinc in my multi vit -how much zinc is recommended?
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i took 1000mg of vit C and 50mg of zinc i think
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Sue, glad to hear your surgery went well. I know exactly what you mean in wondering how it would have felt to have both sides done. I am due to have exchange this Friday and thats what is worrying me. I will be having the exchange on the right and a lift on the lift, so both sides will be sore this time and I'm concerned about that. It is so surprising how many surgeons have such different ideas. My surgeon allowed showers after 3 days but my plastic surgeon didn't allow them for like 4 weeks. He was VERY strict about NO WATER on that area. Seems like no two doctors have the same ideas on here.
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I am scheduled for a right-only mastectomy in January - would some of you lovelies be willing to talk me through how you decided on your reconstruction plans? I am super ambivalent about it all - my surgeon is not endorsing any particular avenue and the PS's I have meet with give so many options...I could do a DIEP, I could do an implant, I could do nothing. How did you decide? Are you happy with your decisions? What, if anything, would you have changed? I am thinking of doing nothing and waiting to see how I recover and feel after 6 months - year. I guess I am put off by the long recovery - more surgeries aspects. I am 45 married, two young children and just want to get back to normal life as quick as possible - and hubs is fine with what I decide. Any help in thinking this thorugh much appreciated!
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jarpsyd, I had no interest in reconstruction but after talking to the plastic surgeon and visiting the bra store, I changed my mind. He did explain all the different surgeries but I picked implant because it seemed the easiest. I did not want pain in any other parts of my body and the idea of pulling a muscle from my back, ouch. I am not sorry I had the tissue expander put in at surgery, even though, I think from reading, it is more uncomfortable than just mastectomy without expanders. I have a friend who did not have hers at time of surgery, so she healed form that, had chemo, has now had to go back in to have expanders put in and she said that hurt like heck. So, that is an added surgery that could be taken away by having the expanders at time of sugery. I was concerned about how long it drags out because I live several miles from my plastic surgeon but it hasn't been such a big deal. I went back about every week or two weeks but its so quick, in and out, it hasn't been an issue. Now, as for end results, I haven't found that out yet because I'm having the exchange and a lift this Friday, so I'm hopeful, its quick, easy and I once again at least have two that match. As far as having a normal life, after that first couple of weeks, except for going to the office for the fills, you aren't that much aware of them and they actually made me feel more normal because I had something on that side, even though at first, I did have to add a little fiberfill but with each fill, that was less and less.
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angelia50--If you are just having the exchange on one side and a lift on the other side, I think you'll be surprised at how much easier it is than the mx. I had exchange on left and a lift using the donut incision on right as well as a small implant on right for symmetry. I had it done on a Tues, went in for a checkup on Fri and had someone drive me but I think I could have even driven myself if it wasn't an hour away. I was off drugs by Thurs. My SIL came to help planning to stay for a week and ended up leaving on that Sat cause I felt so good. And on Sun I drove myself to the grocery store and picked up a few (light) items. By this time I was even blow drying my hair. That new implant is alot easier on the pec muscle than the damn expander so I found I didn't have any tightness issues. I do think if your lifted side requires a more extensive incision, that it will be a little more recovery time. And I hear fat grafting and such will also add to recovery.
jarpsyd---Just my two cents worth....I had the implant surgery with expander at time of mx. My doc wouldn't do the tummy kind or the back muscle kind cause he said I didn't have enough fat (first time that's ever been said to me! and probably the last!). He did tell me it was the fastest and easiest recovery. Having said that, recovery as well as outcome will also depend on chemo and radiation which I didn't have to have either. My timeline was Dec 13 surgery and came out with 360cc in expander with 500cc goal which took 3 fills, rested 6 weeks , then exchange surgery March 26th and done other than nip and tat. Had nip done in Nov cause I wanted to wait and let the foob settle really well into place, then had tat done in June just because it worked for me to get to Vinnie at that time. So start to finish (so to speak) with lots of extra time just cause I travel alot was Dec 2012 to June 2014---18 months. If I didn't move around so much probably a year. From what I've read, mine is probably one of the good case scenarios timewise. Oh and another factor for me was a good friend who had the tummy type of recon and said she's never been able to do a sit up since, even when trying to sit up out of bed! May just be her but I was like "Whaaat?!" and never looked back. And with one native boob, one silicone implant, an origami nipple and a 3D tattoo, my DH says he almost can't tell the difference. I have pictures on the picture forum if you want to look. Hope this helps!
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lala, thanks for the info. One lady on her said a mastectomy and exchange are about like the difference between a root canal and a teeth cleaning. I really didn't think the mastectomy was nearly as bad as I feared but I was lucky that they only took 3 nodes and I had no issues with my arm. I was sore longer than I expected but not really in pain. I hope this goes well. I'm not having any kind of implant in the natural side, just the lift, so hope that goes ok. He isn't thinkng a lot of fat grafting, or I dont' think he is. I'm nervous about it and with everybody getting the flu, I"m worried I'll get sick before Friday and I'm ready to get this done. I am like you, didn't have any chemo or radiation.
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Hi all - have not been on for a month. Good to catch up on everyone - I think I needed a break of not thinking about this all the time - although, how can you not!
jarpsyd - I had a friend who did the stomach muscle lift to form new breasts and she was in horrible pain from that. I think still has some issues and that's been 10-12 years ago! You might think about going ahead and putting expanders in at time of surgery if you go that way. You can always put off the fills until you are ready. I'm sure with small children the time required is a lot harder to think about. They don't really tell you until you ask that you can spread your fills out if you want. I did run into one issue - I am a little bigger and required 3 months of fills. Apparently my insurance thought I should be done in 2 1/2 months, so I had to pay an office visit copay for the last 4! Surprise to me! Anyway, I just wanted to get everything done as soon as possible to put all behind me (hopefully)!
Those of you worrying about being lopsided until the expanders fill out enough, check with your insurance. I was able to go to a specialty store for MX and the insurance paid about 4/5 of the cost of a bra with a form filler for the uni side. It was weighted on the bottom to make it fill out like a natural breast. As someone described above, this can be adjusted as you fill. My PS nurse had just said - "oh, it will go fast, don't worry about being lopsided!". Someone else told me about this store and I decided I didn't want to go through summer with lightweight clothes, being obviously post-surgery! So I went and was pleasantly surprised about the insurance coverage - well worth the part I had to pay. I could wear regular clothes after that. Since it took 3 months to fill, it was well worth it! I was able to get by with one of these bras and a sports bra for the days I was wearing a looser blouse.
Frostecat - since your exchange was a few weeks before mine, wondering how your implant is doing? I still seem to have one bubble that won't go away. PS said it should, but it's looking like it's here to stay. Do you have any of those problems? Also as it has settled in, it seems to have spread to get in the way of my arm again - at least it's a lot softer than the TE!
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