Lumpectomy/oncoplasty experiences

Hi Nanny Dooley, sorry I haven't been on here in a while since my op, but to up-date you I had a mastectomy and haven't been dealing with the aftermath very well! It was only decided as I was in the anaesthetic room about to be wheeled into theatre! I had signed a consent form during the weeks previous but my consultant said I could change my mind right up to the last minute. A member of the surgical team didn't agree and said I had given consent for a mastectomy, that's what I was going in for! I think I must have been a right pain! I'm not angry or anything as I could not make my mind up so just went with the flow on the day! bye the way I'm not recommending this to others as a way of making a decision! I'm 65 yrs old and have lost quite a bit of weight over the last year and my bobs weren't that big to start chopping away with a lumpectomy, especially If they would have had to take more wit additional surgery to get clear margins. I also had the sentinel node biopsy/removal which is more painful after than Imagined! sorry i'm going to have to finish this on the laptop  later, tablet playing up!

Penny x

Hi again Nanny Doole, Sorry to cut my reply short before .... I think if I was younger and had larger boobs I would have gone for the lumpectomy, but I didn't want the weeks of radiotherapy that would have been necessary or the risk of further surgery. I was warned that going with this choice I could lose up to 75% of my breast anyway with the lymph node removal as well.  The surgery was 3rd December and I am still in pain and a lot of discomfort. My incision is right across the centre and incorporates the lymph nodes, I have a Seroma which has been drained once but they don't like doing this again due to the risk of infection and so I have different areas that included numbness, swollen/hard areas, a tight guitar string under my armpit which I am assuming is chording but don't know? My scar is very tight and feels like barbed wire sometimes. My movement is restricted as my shoulder and forearm keep giving me grief. I have an appointment with physio in the next week or so that will hopefully help with this ... but in the meantime I am having a moan!

I have struggled with bras like you and I have now thrown all my others away as I don't need the reminder and have gone for front fastening soft sports bras with the removable pads. I have had real difficulty in getting these but the ones I now have are from Sainsbury's at £9.00 each (not sure if I should mention store names on here?) nothing fancy but they zip up the front and work for me. Consultant team are still making their mind up whether or not I would benefit from Chemo, but I won't agree to this if it is not absolutely necessary! 

Anyway that is the latest of where I am and what has happened since I last posted.

You are one brave lady to go through the treatment you are having, so please accept my good wishes and lets hope everything comes OK for all of us (glad the liver result was good x)