Time to accept and deal with this somehow

Hi Fina

It was nearly 2 years ago that i was diagnosed with BC but i remember exactly how i felt.

I didn't have a mastectomy, mine was a lumpectomy....and i've just been offered reconstruction.

Dealing with BC is different for everyone, especially depending on what circumstances people are in too and there is no right or wrong way how to feel and react.....it's scary and an awful thing to go through.

I wish you lots of luck with everything.

Sending you lots of love and positive thoughts

x

Hi , I had a mastectomy in October and I can honestly say it really wasn’t that bad at all, I had no pain at all and was back running after about a month. I had a temporary implant reconstruction as personally I couldn’t bear the thought of waking up flat. I was only in hospital overnight . It all healed really well and the scar is only about 2 1/2 inches long. I’ve got an appointment next week to discuss a permanent reconstruction but to be honest I’m quite happy with it as it is for now so I’m in no rush to have another operation. For me having the mastectomy really helped with my anxiety, it was such a relief to have the tumour removed . It’s great news your tumour is shrinking, Good luck with the rest of your treatment xx

Hi Fina,

You don't say what treatment you are currently having but I presume Chemo?  I had a Mastectomy and to be honest it wasn't too uncomfortable following Surgery, it was the Sentinel Nodes area that was and is more uncomfortable. I didn't have reconstruction, my choice I didn't want to put myself through more Surgery, although being flat on one side is not great, I accepted from the outset a mastectomy was all they could offer, no choice due to a large tumour and being very small breasted! 

My Surgeon told me before my operation I would be surprised how little pain I would have, I didn't believe him, but he was right. 

I wish you all the best. 

Hi there....I am in a silo mat situation as yourself. Due to having small breasts my only option is to have a mastectomy. I have been thinking over and over if I should have recon. Firstly, I convinced myself I could cope with being fist....then discussed the TUG surgery.....then finally decided on an implant. But as I have thin skin I have been advised this won’t look good and I’ll probs be very unhappy with it. So now I’m back to the TUG option but can’t find any reports from others that are positive. Everything I read talks about pain, clotting, numbness etc....all negative. But I’m so worried I’ll regret opting to go flat. How do you find it? Feel lopsided? 
Regards.

Twills56

Hi Lucy-8, thank you so much. It's nice that you have a choice for reconstruction now!

Very best wishes xx

Hi Claire1974, gosh this helps a lot, I have some more questions to ask at my next appointment for surgery re possibility of temporary implant reconstruction, it's so nice to hear your thoughts - mastectomy helped with anxiety and the relief to have the tumour removed, smh wow so helpful and giving me strength, thank you, you are amazing.

Very best wishes xx

Hi Peterawake, yes Chemo capsules. It is so interesting to hear how things went, including the Sentinal Nodes area discomfort but good not too much pain after op. All encouraging and helpful. Thank you xx

Hi twills56, I hope someone who has experience here can give you some information as some things can be so worrying. Very best wishes xx

Being flat is totally fine if you decide to go that way. Recovery is quick, I was back to normal in 4/ 5 weeks. The scar is neat, and the prosthetics are amazing..  you can't tell with clothes on! I'm really glad I went with flat. Good luck deciding!! X

I had a mastectomy and node clearance on 4 Feb. I have also been surprised at how little pain I have had. I feel well, just needing to do the exercises to get movement back in my arm but it's getting there. Apart from that, life is pretty much back to normal. My histology results showed the chemo had completely cleared the tumour and the affected lymph nodes so currently just feeling very happy. Have opted for no reconstruction, I am only an A cup and feel completely fine with being flat, it's a relief that the bad boob is gone. I haven't got my prosthesis yet, just wearing the softie, but even so, you definitely can't tell when clothed and even just wearing the right bra, it's hard to tell. I don't feel any different, like unbalanced, my chest still feels the same on both sides!! I personally don't want extra surgery and I think that it won't look like my natural boob did anyway.