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I’m new, concerned, NERVOUS and worried NO Diagnosis
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Jul 16, 2023 | Replies (47)Comment receiving replies
Thank you, thank you for posting. I am facing a third cancer diagnosis and a mastectomy. ('already had two surgeries--lumpectomy and all but 3 lymph nodes removed, and another to remove deep cancerous tissue)
The surgical nurse told me since I am over 75, the surgery will be excruciatingly painful and I will have pain the rest of my life. This is to be thought of like an amputation.
You survived two mastectomy surgeries and are alive to write about it. There is hope for me.
God bless; keep smiling.
(P. S. I have discovered doctors do not want us to research too much, and they hate questions.)
Replies to "Thank you, thank you for posting. I am facing a third cancer diagnosis and a mastectomy...."
I tried to reply to you earlier but it may not have posted? I am over 75 as well and furious that a medical provider would have told you that you will have excruciating pain. I did not! I had a double mastectomy and some lymph glands removed. Not nearly so bad as knee surgery. Which was worth the discomfort, as is breast surgery often enough. I hope you will get through this as you have gotten through other difficult procedures. Hang in there. Don’t let anyone contaminate your thinking with negativity! All my best!
Very upsetting to hear what the nurse told you. There are many methods of pain control and as a patient you should expect and receive complete relief. Pain can indeed linger after surgery, but here again, you are entitled to medication, PT, possibly acupuncture, and more. I found arnica salve useful post lumpectomy, and a friend with some moderate post mastectomy pain has been offered a variety of non-addictive drugs and alternative therapies (paid for by Medicare). Mayo Clinic has a great book on how to deal with pain. Think about labor and delivery as a comparative--can childbirth be "excruciating?" Yes, but no woman is warned about that because she is either supported medically or by natural methods. This nurse sounds very unprofessional and unkind, and I'm sorry.
I would be finding another doctor. This is overwhelmingly not the results that I read here on connect. What hogwash!
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Bless you. I can’t believe a medical professional told you to expect excruciating pain! I too am over 75 and that was certainly not my experience at all. The two knee replacements I had were much more miserable. But worth it. And the cancer surgeries can well be worth the cost too. I do think what we expect in terms of pain and outcomes can color the results. So I hope you can find positive people and information to help sustain you. And maybe let your doctor know you need a nurse who will fortify you, not terrify you. It is the medical folks JOB to control your post operative pain. I am really furious that that happened to you. Hang in there! You’ve been through plenty already. You are strong!