Mastectomy & Reconstruction- journey has begun

Hi 

Great attitude, and actually read your 3rd para above as 'a whole heap of attitude' initially,,,still quite appropriate I think. I'm pretty much all done on the cancer front but like hanging around here like a bad smell adding my ten penneth, your positivity will serve you really well (mine did  - I think it shrunk the tumours more than the chemo did) as well as all those you come into contact with so keep on spreading it widely.

Glad that the surgery & recon went well, you must be chuffed, I had recon at the end of the cancer stuff (see profile).  You may want to 'join' the monthly chemo thread when its time as you'll be a great support on there to others going through it, you'll also see lots of hints/tips (always useful). Hopefully, like me, chemo will be kind to you as you certainly deserve it after your challenges of late (read your profile).

Hope your tour bus takes you to some fun places en route to the all clear and picks up some passengers to share the next few months with. Good luck.

Sam

Hello Yorkshire.

Yes I have to say that coming at this with some perspective on what is important to me and feeling a whole heap of positivity and gratitude has very much helped in coming to terms and pushing forward. 

I worried friends at the beginning, I think they thought I was in denial or at the very least, putting on a brave face. But I heard the diagnosis on my own, returned to an empty home and covid restrictions and so I had two choices - collapse in a heap of ‘why me, and my life is over’ or I pulled up my big girl pants and took a long hard stare at what was most important in my life. And I’m far more than a boobie. 

Maybe my post is a little too positive for some at the moment, ahh well I’m sure my tour bus will fill up along the road. Meanwhile I will take in the magnificent scenery of life and be thankful for the new possibilities awaiting me. 

Rosie xox

Hi All

I have enjoyed your posts and love the positivity and strength. I am  nearly 1 year since end of active treatment, I have been back at work ages now as a Nurse and got my dream new job . I have tried to stay positive all along and keep my sense of humour. I am so grateful to the hospital staff who did my surgery, chemo and rads and am in awe of them. Dont get me wrong I still worry about every ache and niggle and hope this will get better in time.  I think your attitude will carry you through it all xxx

Love your post Rosie. I’ve dithered over responding because I’m not in quite the same position as you, more the other way around like Yorkshire Defector. However I think I share your attitude/gratitude! My husband told me he thought I was in denial but I don’t think I am. I’m facing into it the same way I’ve done with every other challenge I’ve ever faced and I don’t want to spend my time being miserable. To quote the latest meditation I’ve listened to, I’m choosing happiness not resentment. 

I have multifocal grade 2 IDC ER+ and have started chemo, 1st session 3 weeks ago, 2nd session this week. Side effects from the first one not too bad - some fatigue for a few days, some angry red spots on my face but compensated for with a healthy appetite and some of the best nights sleeping. Still have my hair after using cold cap but no idea if that will last. Fully prepared regardless with a wig and hats/scarves.

The original plan was to try and shrink the lump to enable lumpectomy. But the later breast MRI revealed the second 6mm spot so it’s mastectomy now. Which is a relief actually. One of the first things I said to the consultant was that I wanted that, to be sure everything was gone. It’s easy to say that I guess, when it’s 6 months away, but I don’t think I’ll change how I feel. Also found out that the lady who did my one tattoo on my wrist, also does nipple tattoos!  

So, not in exactly the same boat but would love to join your bus tour!

Nardine x

HI Rosie, I'm due to have a single mastectomy on Thursday, feeling incredibly nervous but keeping positive. I'm not having immediate reconstruction, I'd been looking into it and thought one op at a time would be enough for me, but then the consultant told me that it was unlikely to be an option anyway as the margin around the tumour is too close to the skin. In a way I'm relieved as that's one less thing to think about. I'm really pleased to hear that you're not in much pain, and am happy to take this journey with you once I'm back home and in a place to join in. Helena xx

Hope everything goes well for you on Thursday Hellsbelles71, I saw my surgeon yesterday and now know I will be having a mastectomy in June, I to will be staying flat, please let us know how you get on Thursday, hope you won’t be in hospital to long and soon be home to start your recovery xx

thank you  Crawler, I had my call this morning from the ward to go through what to expect tomorrow - it's feeling very real now, and I'm having a few wobbles today. I'll update you once I'm in a state to and let it know how it goes. Sending you positive thoughts xx

Hi Helena, have been thinking of you, hope all went well and your home recovering x

Hi Crawler, I got home yesterday morning, I was kept in overnight but that was because my op was after 4.30 and I didn't get back to the ward until 8.30 as they were waiting for a bed to become available. I then had 4 hours of observations so it made sense to stay overnight although I didn't get much sleep at all.  It all went as well as expected, I'm now dosed up on painkillers having been a bit haphazard with them yesterday I worked out a plan for today to ensure that I'm taking the right pills at the right time. I had a much better sleep last night in my own bed which is a great medicine in itself. I've got a drain fitted  for the next 7 days which is a bit of a faff but am sure I'll get used to it - they give you a little bag to carry it round in and a mastectomy pillow for under your arm. I felt very well taken care of. If you've any questions please just ask. Stay positive xx

Hello Hellsbells71.

Sorry for my late reply, had some rubbish news that I have the BRCA2 mutated gene - but that’s a discussion for another day!

I’m so pleased the op went well hon. I too stayed in 24 hours, I think this may be due to  covid-19. 

They didn’t send me home with painkillers and I didn’t need them so pace yourself. I did come home with antibiotics though, have you? But that may have been a precautionary measure because I had an immediate reconstruction. 

yes, the drains are a faff! And remember that if you are sitting down, try to put the drain on the floor so that it is below your heart height - helps to drain better. I too got a beautiful handmade bag and pillow. I think they must be made by BC survivors.

Take it easy now, great excuse to be waited on hand and foot.

And think how amazing you have done, it’s the first step to getting better and look we have a tour bus filling up.  

Sending heaps of positive vibes and thumbs up, you’ve done great 

Love Rosie xox