Thank you for you words of faith. I was diagnosed 03/18/11 with DCIS if my left breast and was not expecting a mastectomy at all. When the Dr. told me that my whole left breast was compacted with the disease and this was the best treatment for me I got short of breath. When I was told that a bilateral mastectomy was the overall best treatment due to my Mother being stage 4 terminal Breast Cancer and my 2 aunt have Cancer 2 Ovarion and the Cervical. I had my surgery 04/14/11 with immediate tissue expanders. When I came home I had 5 drain tubes and unbelievable pain. Since I realized that PAIN IS MY MIDDLE NAME now. I hurt 24-7 and have 2 expantions to go. My doctors said I should be able to come off the pain pills now but I don't how. Even when I take them I still have pain!!!!! God's blessing to me was no Chemo or Radiation and as of today I am 100% Cancer free. My recommendation is to really ask questions nto your PS and get intouch with women in your area who has been through it already to really to get information and education you need.
Tina, thanks so much for sharing your experiences here. You've been through very aggressive surgery, and unfortunately, thatbrings with it pain; the pain of the expanders makes it worse, much worse. I feel for you, I do. The light at the end of the tunnel is that - there IS an end of the tunnel! The expander/fill process has a definite end date, and you can look forward to being SO much more comfortable once the expanders are out. Till then, hang in there; don't let the doctor tell you you "should" be off the pain meds. S/he's not the one feeling what you're feeling; you need to do what's right for you, not what the doc figures is good for the "average" woman (of which there are exactly none in the world). Peace be with you - and I hope once the implants are safely in, you can start to heal: both physically, and emotionally. PJH
Thanks PJ. I do thank God for the blessing he has given me no matter what the pain that comes with it.
Hold onto that faith Tina - it will carry you through this. And we're here for you, whenever you want to share, vent, or need a (virtual) shoulder to lean on. There are millions of us who have survived breast cancer - you will, too. Bless you - PJH