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cate94

(2,872 posts)
Tue Apr 11, 2023, 12:32 AM Apr 2023

I have recurrent breast cancer

I’ll be having a unilateral mastectomy in 9 days. Honestly, I’m scared. I’m drinking too much to try and ease my fear and I know it is stupid. I’ve had three lumpectomies between the two. So I have a small clue about the pain/discomfort. I know this will be worse.

There is discrepancy in the imaging between mammogram and ultrasound in terms of size therefore, I won’t know about chemo until after the pathology. Crap.

37 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I have recurrent breast cancer (Original Post) cate94 Apr 2023 OP
we are here for you Skittles Apr 2023 #1
Thanks cate94 Apr 2023 #2
believe me, I know how easy it is to want anything that will relieve anxiety Skittles Apr 2023 #5
I hope you have more than one consultation.. Deuxcents Apr 2023 #3
Thanks cate94 Apr 2023 #4
((Hugs)) Deuxcents Apr 2023 #6
Your DU family is here for you. Lean as hard as you need. Sending vibes niyad Apr 2023 #7
Thank you! cate94 Apr 2023 #21
I'm so sorry vercetti2021 Apr 2023 #8
Thanks cate94 Apr 2023 #22
Damn. murielm99 Apr 2023 #9
Thanks! cate94 Apr 2023 #23
Strength and honor. WheelWalker Apr 2023 #10
Thanks! cate94 Apr 2023 #24
Echoing niyad's sentiments. Stay encouraged. ❤️ littlemissmartypants Apr 2023 #11
Thanks! cate94 Apr 2023 #25
Oh shit! BigmanPigman Apr 2023 #12
Right!?! cate94 Apr 2023 #26
Thinking of you. yorkster Apr 2023 #13
Thanks! cate94 Apr 2023 #27
I had a bi-lateral mastectomy in 2001 lillypaddle Apr 2023 #14
Thanks! cate94 Apr 2023 #28
This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Apr 2023 #15
All true cate94 Apr 2023 #29
Thinking of you. mia Apr 2023 #16
Thanks! cate94 Apr 2023 #30
best wishes for you markie Apr 2023 #17
Thanks! cate94 Apr 2023 #31
Keep us posted when you can. Solly Mack Apr 2023 #18
Thank you! cate94 Apr 2023 #32
Crap indeed. TNNurse Apr 2023 #19
Thanks for the info! cate94 Apr 2023 #33
I understand what you're going through. Bluepinky Apr 2023 #20
Thank you for this! cate94 Apr 2023 #34
Any time. Keep us posted on your condition. It will be okay. Bluepinky Apr 2023 #35
Mastectomy on April 4 Dear_Prudence Apr 2023 #36
Thank you! cate94 Apr 2023 #37

Skittles

(157,493 posts)
1. we are here for you
Tue Apr 11, 2023, 12:37 AM
Apr 2023

but please ease up on the drinking, and tell your doctor your fears about your previous pain and discomfort

cate94

(2,872 posts)
2. Thanks
Tue Apr 11, 2023, 01:11 AM
Apr 2023

You’re right, of course, about the drinking. The previous stuff will be nothing compared to this. They told me 6 weeks to heal. Generally, I handle pain better than anxiety. However buying shirts that can hold the drainage tubes, well hell. I’ll get through it. Just freaking out a bit tonight.

Skittles

(157,493 posts)
5. believe me, I know how easy it is to want anything that will relieve anxiety
Tue Apr 11, 2023, 01:42 AM
Apr 2023

but it is important that you following doctor advice.....be sure to let them know everything, perhaps your treatment can be made better for you to handle....and remember that someone is always here on DU

Deuxcents

(18,957 posts)
3. I hope you have more than one consultation..
Tue Apr 11, 2023, 01:34 AM
Apr 2023

You’ve been thru this before, I see from your title, and it is for sure scary but hopefully by having this surgery, you won’t have to go thru it again. Take good care of yourself and keep in touch. I have a warm spot in my heart for you as I’ve had my share of breast problems, too. They have come a long way with treatments since my experiences so I know you’ll be just fine. 🌺

niyad

(118,648 posts)
7. Your DU family is here for you. Lean as hard as you need. Sending vibes
Tue Apr 11, 2023, 01:49 AM
Apr 2023

for successful procedure and swift healing.

murielm99

(31,320 posts)
9. Damn.
Tue Apr 11, 2023, 02:11 AM
Apr 2023

I am so sorry. I wish you the best in recovery, overcoming pain and anxiety. We will be here for you. This is a good place for support.

BigmanPigman

(52,131 posts)
12. Oh shit!
Tue Apr 11, 2023, 02:55 AM
Apr 2023

I'd be drinking (a lot) if I were in your shoes. That sucks, especially since you know what is coming through past experience.

lillypaddle

(9,605 posts)
14. I had a bi-lateral mastectomy in 2001
Tue Apr 11, 2023, 03:32 AM
Apr 2023

Here I am, 22 years later. Sounds like you and your doctors have been monitoring the cancer closely, and once the discomfort of the surgery has passed, I'm betting you will be fine. Like any surgery, it is difficult at first, but before you know it, it will be behind you.

I understand completely what you are going through. Wish I had some pearls of wisdom to pass on to you. Take care of yourself, and let us know how it goes.

Response to cate94 (Original post)

TNNurse

(7,080 posts)
19. Crap indeed.
Tue Apr 11, 2023, 07:44 AM
Apr 2023

I had a unilateral mastectomy 11 years ago. I had one positive lymph node " ready to burst and spread". The pain from a mastectomy is mostly from the drain...they do not cut muscle, so once the drain is out, it was not painful for me, except emotionally. Now, the chemo, was tougher than anything else I have ever done. Hopefully you can avoid that. But, if you do, here I am 11 years later so it works.

Please keep us posted. Will be thinking about you.

Bluepinky

(2,315 posts)
20. I understand what you're going through.
Tue Apr 11, 2023, 09:31 AM
Apr 2023

I had a mastectomy 17 months ago, and I honestly felt no pain. I had a nerve block, which effectively blocked any pain for about 3 days. After it wore off, nada, no pain at all. They gave me a prescription for pain pills, but I never took one. And the drain wasn’t terrible, it’s a small tube that you empty out several times a day. You do need to keep track of the daily drainage amount, because when there’s very little or no drainage, they remove it. My drain was in for 2-3 weeks. For me, recovery was sooner than 6 weeks. They send you home with a bra, it’s comfortable and you can wear it all the time while recovering. The entire surgery was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

Chemo was tough, though. It started out okay, but it gets worse over time. But hang in there and remember it’s not forever. You’ll get through it.

cate94

(2,872 posts)
34. Thank you for this!
Tue Apr 11, 2023, 10:28 AM
Apr 2023

The idea of a nerve block gives me some peace.
As for chemo, even my Oncologist says it’s hell!

Dear_Prudence

(733 posts)
36. Mastectomy on April 4
Thu Apr 13, 2023, 12:31 PM
Apr 2023

I just had a unilateral mastectomy on April 4 for breast cancer, following a lumpectomy 13 years ago. This is not a recurrence, but a new cancer. Scary, yes. Sometimes meditation helps. DU helps because I can't follow the news due to brain fog, but I know my DU community will flag anything I should know about. Also, cat stories on DU help me a lot. The pain has been minimal. I have only taken plain Tylenol twice, once for a tension headache. Tha stupid post-op bra has seams where the stitches are so 4x4 adhesive gauze pads are a good thing to have on hand; just fold back the adhesive where you don't want it to stick. A mastectomy pillow (Amazon, Etsy) is good for sleeping and to protect yourself from the car seat belt or affectionate feline companions. Bring the pillow for your post-op ride home. Ask for help. Tell people what you need. Wishing you a good recovery.

cate94

(2,872 posts)
37. Thank you!
Thu Apr 13, 2023, 03:14 PM
Apr 2023

I appreciate the advice! I’m glad you haven’t had much pain and hope your healing is going well.

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