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fauxgypsy · 10-14-2007, 05:09 PM

I won't say I felt relieved. I was glad that it was over. I did and do mourn losing my breast but I am getting better. The scar itself is not too bad once the staples are out. There are websites that have pictures of postmastectomy scars. More to the point, the more prepared you are before hand, the better. Look into getting you a mastectomy camisole. Also, look into getting a belt with a pouch to hold the drains (there is a kit online). Pinning them to your clothes is uncomfortable. I cannot stess enough how much better your experience will be if you do these two things. If you are handy at sewing I can send directions to make the drain belt and pocket. I am allergic to tegaderm and most adhesives so I didn't have any bandages when I came home. I did have a small bandage over the where the drains came out for a few days.

http://imaginis.com/breasthealth/new....00.asp?mode=1

http://www.pouchpockets.com/

Make sure someone goes over what exercises you should do, how often, and when you should start, preferably before the surgery and not while you are medicated in the hospital. Have plenty of pillows when you get home to elevate your arm and cushion any sore areas. The surgeon told me that Reach to Recovery would explain the exercises, The Reach to Recovery person told me that the surgeon would because they couldn't any more and gave me a book that explained how to do the excercises but not when to start or how often and said to ask the surgeon.
When it came time to go home no one had discussed it with me at all. The exercises are not just for movement, they help keep lymph fluid moving. Keep your arm elevated as much as possible, above your heart is what I am told. If it
is possible, discuss the exercises with a therapist that is trained in preventing lyphedema beforehand. They also recommend ways to ease the scarring such as massage and ways to ease the tenderness using fabric.

Decide ahead of time what you are going to do about a breast prosthesis, a light foam one would be good until you can get fitted for a prosthesis (you can put it the mastectomy camisole once you are not too sore.) The place where I got my prosthesis suggested waiting 4 to 6 weeks before being fitted. I had my mastectomy August 9, and my skin is beginning to lose the feeling of being scraped with sandpaper when I wear a bra. I know that every experience is different but I am not going to minimize this surgery. It was more painful than I had expected and the pain was and is in odd places. I still have a sore spot near my shoulder blade. I still flinch when some one hugs me too tight. Pamper yourself. For a while it felt as if I had a steel plate in my chest but that has gone away as well, it hardly ever tightens up as much as it did. I hope that you get through this without any problems, but if you do have problems, you are not alone.
It is easier now that I have a good prosthesis. I don't feel it much at all. It feels normal. Not at all what I expected. I still am startled when I see my reflection when I am undressed. I do not regret the surgery, even though there were reservations in my case. I do wish that I had been more prepared.

Leslie

10-14-2007, 05:09 PM	#11
fauxgypsy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 600	I won't say I felt relieved. I was glad that it was over. I did and do mourn losing my breast but I am getting better. The scar itself is not too bad once the staples are out. There are websites that have pictures of postmastectomy scars. More to the point, the more prepared you are before hand, the better. Look into getting you a mastectomy camisole. Also, look into getting a belt with a pouch to hold the drains (there is a kit online). Pinning them to your clothes is uncomfortable. I cannot stess enough how much better your experience will be if you do these two things. If you are handy at sewing I can send directions to make the drain belt and pocket. I am allergic to tegaderm and most adhesives so I didn't have any bandages when I came home. I did have a small bandage over the where the drains came out for a few days. http://imaginis.com/breasthealth/new....00.asp?mode=1 http://www.pouchpockets.com/ Make sure someone goes over what exercises you should do, how often, and when you should start, preferably before the surgery and not while you are medicated in the hospital. Have plenty of pillows when you get home to elevate your arm and cushion any sore areas. The surgeon told me that Reach to Recovery would explain the exercises, The Reach to Recovery person told me that the surgeon would because they couldn't any more and gave me a book that explained how to do the excercises but not when to start or how often and said to ask the surgeon. When it came time to go home no one had discussed it with me at all. The exercises are not just for movement, they help keep lymph fluid moving. Keep your arm elevated as much as possible, above your heart is what I am told. If it is possible, discuss the exercises with a therapist that is trained in preventing lyphedema beforehand. They also recommend ways to ease the scarring such as massage and ways to ease the tenderness using fabric. Decide ahead of time what you are going to do about a breast prosthesis, a light foam one would be good until you can get fitted for a prosthesis (you can put it the mastectomy camisole once you are not too sore.) The place where I got my prosthesis suggested waiting 4 to 6 weeks before being fitted. I had my mastectomy August 9, and my skin is beginning to lose the feeling of being scraped with sandpaper when I wear a bra. I know that every experience is different but I am not going to minimize this surgery. It was more painful than I had expected and the pain was and is in odd places. I still have a sore spot near my shoulder blade. I still flinch when some one hugs me too tight. Pamper yourself. For a while it felt as if I had a steel plate in my chest but that has gone away as well, it hardly ever tightens up as much as it did. I hope that you get through this without any problems, but if you do have problems, you are not alone. It is easier now that I have a good prosthesis. I don't feel it much at all. It feels normal. Not at all what I expected. I still am startled when I see my reflection when I am undressed. I do not regret the surgery, even though there were reservations in my case. I do wish that I had been more prepared. Leslie __________________ In the world of destiny, there are no statistics. Jan. 26- mammogram and ultrasound- suspicious lump Mid-February- lumpectomy, infiltrating ductal carcinoma ~4.5 cm and a 1 cm DCIS, did not get clear margins, did not check lymph nodes ER+/PR+, her2 +++, nuclear grade 3 of 3 February 20-PET scan showed something on liver. No biopsy. March- Started carboplatin, herceptin, taxol on a four week cycle May 3- Pet scan, with intent to do a biopsy, found nothing, liver or breast- no biopsy because there is nothing to biopsy June 21- new onc, very concerned that there had been no biopsy, June 18th-CAT scan, bone scan-negative August 7th - Brain MRI-negative August 9th- mastectomy, all pathology negative January 2008 still NED! New oncologist -herceptin for full year after chemo- until July, and tamoxifen---negative scans since May '07 July 2008-Finished Herceptin!