Post operation 1st Mastectomy and Reconstruction;

3 minute read time.

Thursday 7th October 2010: Well 9 days on from the operation: It lasted for 14 hours; Had to get a bit of my rib bone taken away as well as the the full breast and all underarm lymphs and reconstruction from the buttock area: Had my own wee cosy room and Nurse 24/7. 2 Surgeons ans anaethetist had a long day and night also. I never lost much blood at all during the operation or after it though had in 3 drains.  Got home on Sunday afternoon as healing well and I loved hearing the wee ultra sound machine on my boob.gave off the blood vessels sound and reminded me of when I had the ultra sound scans when I was pregnant. I did however organise my own funeral before I went in and had a letter for my hubby just in case things went wrong. But the good news is that they are pretty certain that they got all the cancer out and that the total auxillary clearance of lyphms will come back clear as they looked at one in theatre and there was nothing. So many people visited me, sent me cards and more have visited since I got back home also; I also noticed a blog that had been written due to being petrified and it is so warming to know that so many people were rooting for me, that I cried.......... warm tears though not sad ones. I guess I will keep my funeral plan anyway as it will save any future need even if get to 100 years plus........it will save it having to be done again.

Very sore though and got tramadol pain relief, Iron tablets and yesterday the District Nurse was very pleased with the healing wounds and has ordered support cushions for me. Occupational Therapy will be visiting to assess any aids I need for myself re the Oesteopenia and recovery from operation. I have 2 follow up appointments with Surgeons next week, who called me their wee star when I was in hospital, and said to me how amazed they were how I seemed to have sailed through the major operation. Now I have to make sure I do rest and not lift, carry, bend, stretch etc for a while.

I will also be having radiotherapy hopefully before Xmas this year and next year if not before will be having my right breast removed and reconstruction from my right buttock all over again, followed by a later operation of ovaries removed to due family history and Genetics. Talking of which......... I found out the day before I was due to go in for my operation, that the last remaining aunt out of the three who had Breast Cancer, died last year. In a way I was angry for not being told this, in a way glad also as now there will be no problem for Genetics to get details, and in a way wondered why I was told this when I was told it? Maybe someone felt it was finally the right thing to do or maybe felt guilty. Whatever.......... as I have always said the truth will always come out one day and it has now.   Maybe it was my mum helping me through again as I told her everything when I visited her graveside and asked her to help me get through everything. All I can say is I feel warm and alive inside for the first time since I got diagnosed, despite being in post op pain, which I know will ease each day, only not quick enough for me!!!!!!!

So I hope that anyone reading this, gets some hope from my blogs and also a light shining like a golden star. May I also add, that the day I went through my operation, there was also a wee a baby boy born into the family.

 

 

 

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Brilliant news,i was wondering how you were,Well done, take it easy  Best wishes   Sue  xxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Ya Carrot.

    Glad you got through all that harrowing treatment and Operations O/K. Good to hear your in good form.

    Now comes the recovery part everything nice and gentle,and plenty of rest.

    Take care and be safe Big Hugs Love Sarsfield.xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Glad to read the blog, and so very happy for you carrot.

    just take it easy dont over do it trust me it will hurt if you dont do as told.  Well huge hug to you.

    Love Janxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Well done, keep taking the tramadol and rest.

    Love kaz x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Monday 11 th October 2010: Follow up appointment today. ( Been pretty tired and resting/sleeping a lot. Tummy been feeling dicky and not been able to eat much. Got new dentures also. Area where stiches have been pretty sore and getting tighter, a wee bit oozing so new dressing put on last thursday from District nurse. Not been able to sit comfortable or sleep in a comfy position; just on my back and unable to turn over in bed.) OK FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENT:::  Consultant happy with the wounds and healing, a wee bit oozing at brest but got dressed. Results from all the lymph nodes showed all had cancer under the armpit and some from the neck/collar bone area. To do more arm excersises and massage to get full mobility back, Radiotherapy targetted for October/November.Blasts to be given in both breast and neck areas. Letrozole tablet to be given for next 5 years. (Aromatiser Inhibitor.) This will reduce the amount of oestrogen circulating in the body as I was oestrogen positive, but also post menopausal. A further bone scan will be done and be compared to the previous DEXA SCAN from last December. Shocked to find out about the lymph nodes and finding this difficult to absorb as thought all were clear. Consultant very confident that all cancer has been caught and the Radiotherapy will get rid of any possible small cells lingering. I just hope that it has not spread to anywhere else. Time will tell. Part of me feels as if back to the beginning again...shock, fear, waiting game. I will not die I have said to myself in the mirror.