Earlier this week I received an e-mail from a women who was scared and not completely knowing what to expect after her surgery. She was diagnosed in October with DCIS non invasive breast cancer. My experience starts in 2003 with my first mastectomy. I had a tram flap reconstruction with four lymph nodes removed. I was sent home 4 days with two drains and pain medication and a port. The nurses and staff were wonderful and if you do not understand anything ask or call and ask questions. It is more emotionally draining then anything to prepare for the operation. On February 1st I will be having my second mastectomy with a saline implant because you can only have the tram flap once and I was not a big fan of the free flap (it will leave you uneven) and I would had to travel to Boston. I will be in the hospital in a couple of days and sent home with two drains, pain medication and limited feeling in my left arm. They swelling and feeling will come back in my arm to a degree but I think it depends on the individual. A big help is walking your fingers up the wall to help increase mobility and circulation. It helped me a lot and my doctor made me start doing it with in the first week.

These are some of my experiences. Please send words of encouragement and any personal story's that you feel comfortable sharing to help breast cancer patients prepare for what the future might bring to them. I have learned over the years that people are willing to share their story's and I have learned a lot from other survivors which has better prepared me for my second time dealing with this disease.

Take Care Patty