2nd mastectomy in same breast

Hi

im afraid i have no experience of mastectomy as i had wide local excision but I just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and your husband - myst be very challenging for you both. Everything seems to be thrown at us at once doesn’t it. I hope you both have a good support network?

xx

hi Drivermason

I did reply to the post in the 'new' group, so I am aware, it's a lot to take in.

hugs to you both

In my experience I recovered much better from my second surgery but that was just an implant replacement in the same breast with a tidy up to the scar, the first surgeon left me with a whole tumour that had failed to remove and a scar that looked like a dog had chewed it.

I had to chase for the extra review to find the tumour, everyone thought what he'd done was impossible. They then refused to operate in favour of going through chemo first. So I had to wait until 8 weeks after chemo for the revision surgery, in total it was something like 8 months, August 2015 to March 2016.

In the first instance I had huge amounts of seroma, in the second barely any. The scar was healed in a week. 

I haven't had anything done to my 'good' boob, so I can't really comment but I suspect it will be uncomfortable for a while and you will need to be gentle on yourself, no heavy lifting etc.  I was told not to drive but ended up having to as I just needed to get about. 

I have a feeling that if you require extra help at home for the both of you that is initiated via your GP, you will have to ask as I don't think they offer. 

In my humble opinion you may as well ask for all the help you can get, from Macmillan, the GP and any other organisation around your area. I know of one organisation around York who offered help to a single lady living on her own who was struggling with chemo side effects.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/coping/getting-support/find-groups-and-talks-near-you/find-groups-near-you.html

That's the find groups near you link but you can also Google. 

You could end up jeopardising your own recovery if you take on too much in the way of looking after your husband. From the other post he sounds very resourceful and practical and you should be able to support each other, even if it's recognising when to ask for help, with initial steps already taken here. 

Why 5 weeks behind ? What's your next phase of treatment ?

hugs

Carolyn

xxxx

Hi,

I'm so sorry to hear you are both having Surgery for Cancer. We have been in a similar position, I had a radical Mastectomy last year and my Husband was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer this year and going through treatment, it's really tough when its both of you, as if its not bad enough one getting Cancer. I will be thinking of you both.

Are they taking more margin?  They didn't get a clear Inferior margin with me, but said there was no more breast tissue to take, so I had RT in the hope if there were any more cells that would kill them off.  As you had a skin sparing Mastectomy, I presume there is some remaining breast tissue?

I can't advise about a 2nd op, hopefully someone else will be along to advise. Are you then having RT?

Best Wishes. 

Thank you, I really appreciate your reply xx

Thank you Carolyn for your really comprehensive response.

Sounds like you had a bit of a nightmare experience the first time round??!! I have no words to cover how it is possible to miss a tumour as that’s what all the scans are for isn’t it??!!?

My plastic surgeon has been brilliant and he was absolutely devastated that he has to “mess” up his good work and open the boob again to take out the piece of skin. 

 I’ve had a long chat today with the GP Surgery Manager today and she will refer us to MacMillan.

After the op tomorrow they will decide whether I need chemo. My tumours were sent to America for testing and will be given a risk rating - high will mean chemo and low will be no chemo. I think they’ve ruled out radio but I’ve learned to never say never!

By being 5 weeks behind, I just mean that I’ve recovered so well and am able to drive and fit enough to help husband etc. but now I’m going to be incapacitated again with a drain on either side and in pain. Had they just taken the skin away in the first place I wouldn’t need this further surgery. But both the plastic surgeon and breast cancer surgeon were amazed when the margins weren’t clear enough.

My husband’s appointments are ramping up for this month and I won’t be able to go with him and that upsets me however nothing I can do about it. 

It’s not ideal us having surgery on the same day in different hospitals either. He’s having his molar teeth removed in preparation for radiotherapy but he hopes to get to my hospital on the evening.

I’ll be very glad when tomorrow is over and the support from this group is really helpful.

Thanks

Sharon xx