Hi, I'm new to this site.
I am 12 days post-op now following a mastectomy and immediate DIEP flap reconstruction. Still feeling a bit sore, tummy very tight, still a bit of leakage from the drain sites and new boob looking and feeling hard and bruised and not matching the other side at all yet (however I can see potential). Wearing control pants Bridget Jones style and shock absorber sports bra with anti embolism stockings - Drs orders for the next 6 weeks. Most uncomfortable especially in bed!
Taking things very easy at the moment, it's frustrating when you're used to being the housewife and organising Christmas, to let hubby take over. I keep saying "that's not the way I usually do it...." I can see it is starting to irritate him now, bless him, he's doing a grand job really.
Anyway will keep you informed about progress over the next few weeks.
Sue xx
FormerMember
I have 2 new ones this Christmas! one post recon and an augmented other side... Deliighted you are doing well. Happy new year. EJ
Well 2 weeks post op now - been to see plastic surgeon today and all seems well. The boob is still very bruised and solid at the moment, but this is normal.
Have just been out for lunch with hubby. Staying in and resting for the past fortnight has been driving me stir crazy! Being the shopaholic that I am, I wanted to get out to the January sales, but not ready for all those crowds and the pushing and shoving that goes with it just yet!
Now back home for a lie down, my back is aching cos I'm stooping forward a bit cos of the 'tummy tuck'. Message from my breast care nurse to say I will be receiving an appointment to see the oncologist shortly. Hopefully I will not need chemo again, just Tamoxifen or Arimidex. Fingers crosed.
Hi I'm 38, married with 4 children 19,18,9,6. i found out 24th nov i have breast cancer i am going into hospital next week to have my breast removed and back flap reconstruction. Hence the name stay positive but its easier said than done. The waiting is driving me mad. it helps reading that you have been. i'm just so confused and struggling to hold it together.
Yes the waiting is quite a nightmare. I totally understand how you are feeling, I was frightened, yet anxious for the op to happen because you want it to be over and done and get on the road to recovery again.
It is a major op, and you will need to take things very easy afterwards - I can't stress enough how much you will be relying on your hubby and family for the first few weeks. I am finding it very frustrating to be honest not being able to do the usual everyday cooking cleaning, driving and gadding about! But you really must think about yourself and your recovery, people will understand if there is a bit of dust in the house!
I have had the DIEP reconstruction, and 2 weeks post op my tummy is starting to heal fairly well, just a little patch requiring a dressing. Its all feeling very tight, and I am stooping a bit still so get a bit of backache. The new boob is still very hard although not painful particularly. Its just discomfort really. I am impatient for all to be equal again, but I realise it will take some months.
I met a lady in clinic before my op, only 27 years old, she had the same op as you are going to have 6 months ago, and I tell you the result was amazing. The smallish scar on her back was completely healed and hidden by her bra strap and she showed me her boob and it looked so good, a total match! She is now waiting to have a nipple reconstruction.
You will get through this, its a really tough challenge to face, but you'll be stronger at the end of it I promise you. You will surely have days when you feel down, but believe me, as long as you have love and support from friends and family, you'll get there in the end.
If you are fairly fit and well in general you should be out of hospital within a week, and like me, you are quite young. i had my op on a Monday and was out on the Friday evening. Think about Kylie and how well she has done - she's around our age, if she can do it so can we! The best advice I can give is to take things day by day, try not to think too far ahead, and try not to worry about what ifs, cos they probably won't happen. Keep strong, I know its difficult, but there is no choice.
Please keep in touch and let me know how you get on, we can compare notes! Good luck love, I'll be thinking of you.
Thank you so much for your kind words. After reading this earlier i thought you are so right my hubby keeps saying take each day as it comes too. So i've decided to think positive. Its my birthday on monday and i just wanted to forget it and concentrate on operation day which was driving me stir craze, So ive text all my friends and family and arranged to go out for one total blow out. i'm going into town tomorrow to get a new dress and get my hair done and im going to have one last night without cancer. ive got a week left of waiting, due to the christmas hols i wont be going in for a pre op can you recommend anything to take into hospital ?. I rememeber the plastic surgeon mentioning needing sports bras do they need to be my normal size or bigger to allow for bandages? Sorry if i dont make much sense. i'll definately keep in touch. Thanks again. Take care for now Love Michelle xxx
ps Hope your up and about soon that is the part i am dreading i can't stand doing nothing its the mother instinct in us.xxxx
