MASTECTOMY NOT LUMPECTOMY AS PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT

Poor you, just as you get used to the idea of having cancer and the treatment, they throw this at you.  I remember waiting for my mastectomy, some days I cried for the loss of the breast and some days I could not wait to get rid of the diseased "thing". Its been nearly 2 years since the op and you do get used to the changes to your body.

In addition I have to wait at least another year before they will discuss reconstruction as I have a high chance of recurrence. What doesn't help is I am quite well-endowed but I get fairly pretty bras from either Nicola Jane or Amoena (both on-line as well as shops) with pockets to ensure the falsie doesn't fall out.  You should also be allocated a breast care nurse who will talk you through the whole process, hold your hand/shoulder to cry on etc and also advise on the practical side like arranging for a prosthesis fitter to see you after the op.

There are lots of people on this site who have been through what you are going through so I’m sure you will have lots of support, but if you want to get in touch any time you are more than welcome

Love and gentle hugs, Sharry x

Hi Scoobs

Sorry about the news. I was told I needed a mastectomy from the outset which was probably easier.

Still 2 years for me since diagnosis. Had surgery, chemo and rt and am having a reconstrution on 30th March.

It is a long road but you will get there.

One step at a time.

Love

Sue xxxxx

Hi there, so sorry to hear of your diagnosis but you are not alone on here and there are lots of people that are able to offer you all the love and support you need at this very unsettling time. For the record I was diagnosed with DCIS on the 5th January 2010 and I can't tell you of the horror I felt at hearing this news, it was devastating for everyone concerned, all I could think of was that I was going to die and my 2 girls would be without their mum. Everything seemed to happen so quickly from there on in with regards to hospital appointments and biopsy's, scans, xrays, as it was picked up initially from the routine 3 yearly mammagram in the mobile unit. My surgeon went through all the options of treatment with me and due to the type of cancer found it was recommended that I have a mastectomy rather than lumpectomy as he needed to take a margin of healthy surrounding tissue with it which was over the reccommended amount in centimeters to still leave a reasonable amount of breast. I had no quarms about choosing a full mastectomy. After much thought I also went for immediate LD ( back )reconstruction to be done at the same time and with nipple construction too. The cancer had not spread to lymph nodes as I had sentinel lobe biopsy done to check first in a small procedure in day surgery.It's all about choosing whats the right treatment for your type of cancer that you have.

I'm now a month after my initial major surgery and must say that my new breast looks amazing and I'm so glad that I had it done. You do get through the aches and the pains of it all while things start to heal but I'm feeling 100% better than I did a month ago. I think that your treatment and recovery has a vast impact on how your positve outlook is in the first place and if you remember this at all times you will get through it and out the other side. I'm sure that with all the love and support of your family and friends it will spur you along as you do gain your strength from those around you. I got my results from the hospital yesterday and am pleased to say that I'm now cancer free and cured with no further treatment needed or anti cancer drugs to take. I'm over the moon that it's all over with and that I can resume my life again and have been given a second chance. I do hope that your treatment and recovery will be the same for you and remember to keep positive. I wish you all the best.... Love to you :-)