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Breast Cancer Community

To Femara or Stay on Tamoxifen?

I have been on tamoxifen for just over two years with minimal side effects thus far...

Posted by bc090109

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:To Femara or Stay on Tamoxifen? I have been on tamoxifen for just over two years with minimal side effects thus far...

Reply: QUESTION ABOUT BRAS AND TISSUE EXPANSION

Deb, How long did you have to wait from the time you had your tissue expanders inserted...

Posted by bc090109

54 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:QUESTION ABOUT BRAS AND TISSUE EXPANSION Deb, How long did you have to wait from the time you had your tissue expanders inserted...

Reply: Need help with question.

Hi Rachael, Just getting back on board again after about a week. My radiation oncologist...

Posted by bc090109

26 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Need help with question. Hi Rachael, Just getting back on board again after about a week. My radiation oncologist...

Reply: Looking for Comfort

kismet14, Being there for your mom, as Rachael said, will be so precious and important...

Posted by bc090109

10 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Looking for Comfort kismet14, Being there for your mom, as Rachael said, will be so precious and important...

Reply: thank you

Shari, I'm glad to hear you were able to come to a decision. I'm sorry you are having to...

Posted by bc090109

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:thank you Shari, I'm glad to hear you were able to come to a decision. I'm sorry you are having to...

Reply: PASSENGER LIST WEEK OF 3/22

Thanks, Rachel! Thankfully I had the tatooing and form done already in a previous...

Posted by bc090109

12 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:PASSENGER LIST WEEK OF 3/22 Thanks, Rachel! Thankfully I had the tatooing and form done already in a previous...

Reply: questions???

Shari, I had the bilateral mastectomy and opted for reconstruction (with tissue...

Posted by bc090109

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:questions??? Shari, I had the bilateral mastectomy and opted for reconstruction (with tissue...

Reply: Need help with question.

Fern, Unfortunately I don't have an answer as I start myself tomorrow with my first...

Posted by bc090109

26 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Need help with question. Fern, Unfortunately I don't have an answer as I start myself tomorrow with my first...

Reply: PASSENGER LIST WEEK OF 3/22

Jen, Good to hear everything is going well! Can you give me some tips about the...

Posted by bc090109

12 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:PASSENGER LIST WEEK OF 3/22 Jen, Good to hear everything is going well! Can you give me some tips about the...

Reply: shari

Shari, After reading through everyone's posts many of my suggestions have been covered....

Posted by bc090109

Shari,

After reading through everyone's posts many of my suggestions have been covered. I am going on 43 and had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction in September of last year.

The way you are feeling that so much is being thrown at you all at once making everything hard to understand and digest is a feeling most of us have experienced when first diagnosed. I think you will reflect back on the surgery and find it was easier than you thought. I remember all my worries during that time even as I was being wheeled into surgery.

The drains were pinned to the surgical bra that was put on me after the surgery. My husband (who was absolutely wonderful) drained them for me when needed. One thing I noticed that wasn't mentioned was the doctor should instruct you on what to write down each time the drainage bulbs are drained. They like to monitor how much is draining so they know when it is okay to pull the drains. It is important to not do too much with your arms during this time so that the necessary healing can occur. I know this will be difficult since, like most of us, it's diffficult to NOT do any housework. Mention to your husband during this time it will be extremely helpful if he could worry about the dishes, laundry, meals, etc. and remind him this is only temporary while you recover.

Preparing yourself beforehand with, as someone mentioned, getting your meds beforehand will help you gain some control over the situation. The loose fitting shirts with buttons down the front will help you with the limited arm movement during your recovery. Grab any of your husband's old shirts and ask friends if they have any old button down shirts they don't use. You really only need a few that can be rewashed as you go along. Also, baby wipes can help you clean around areas you can't get to with washing like your back under the surgical bra, your armpits, etc. As one of the other girls mentioned, having a hand-held shower is wonderful (can purchase one at Walmart) to help you wash your lower body areas while standing in the tub. Afterwards I used to kneel outside the tub with my head over the tub to wash my hair using the hand held shower. Just being able to do that made me feel so much better! Establish an area where you'd like to spend most of your recovery time whether in your bed or on the couch. In this area put any movies or other items which you plan to use to keep yourself entertained during your recovery. Go food shopping before surgery to make sure you have at least week's worth of food in the house. Also, if you can prepare and freeze some foods to make it easier for your husband to just heat things would be good. All this prior planning will keep you busy and in some control prior to your surgery. You're going to be nervous and anxious but just know that you will get through it and will reflect later that the surgery and recovery wasn't as bad as you thought.

I'm sending warm wishes and support your way! Keep us posted on how you're doing!View Thread

Posted bybc090109

12 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:shari Shari, After reading through everyone's posts many of my suggestions have been covered....

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