Second time around

Hello , so sad you’ve found this is needed. 

You will need to rest when your body asks, as even a general anaesthetic will take it out of you; but do those arm and shoulder exercises even if you don’t need any further treatment (your shoulder will thank you for it!)

I had an mx first time around (had no spread at all) and recovery was ok, although I had an implant and bled rather thoroughly after surgery so even the implant got removed and re-done 30 hours later. 

I was pottering around the house the next day and a couple of days later the garden, a few days after that with my daily walks I went round the block, complete with drain bags in a cotton bag over my shoulder, it was fine and I just increased walking distance gradually. 

Pain-wise I found it was really manageable, paracetamol only. 

Hugs xxx

I had a local recurrence a few years after my first diagnosis. The battery of tests is a bit intense but I was lucky and it hadn't spread further than my lymph nodes. My surgery was only a lymph node clearance, which wasn't any worse than my first surgery, but the chemo and endocrine treatment was a lot more intense than the radiotherapy and tamoxifen I had the first time around (not that I knew how lucky I was to get away relatively lightly the first time at the time).

Emotionally a tiny part of me was relieved - I'd always dreaded a recurrence and when it happened it wasn't as bad as I feared. I'll be very annoyed if it happens again though.

Good luck with your tests! xx

So sorry to hear you have had a recurrence, but good news you have had your surgery and now receiving your follow-up treatment.  How was this detected, was you still having follow up mammograms. Best wishes xx

Thanks Moomy. Sounds like the recovery period isn't too bad. What was the drain bag for? Sorry, I'm not really sure on all the info about the mastectomy.  I feel I have a lot to learn. 

Thanks m123. I have worried about a recurrence for 5 years but I guess that never really goes away does it. I really hope I don't have to have chemo again as that is just the worst.

Thanks Shaz52. I have been having annual mammograms since I was first diagnosed and they picked it up on that. Surgery is still to happen but hopefully won't be too long now. I'm trying to find out everything I can about the mastectomy as that is the new bit for me. First time around was just a lumpectomy. 

Drains really because of the implant, I think, but I think one short-lived drain is often used, quite often removed before discharge. My deep one (probably due to the bleed) was there for 15 days, still draining, but removed anyway, and all was fine. 

Hope all goes well for you 

hugs xxx

Chemo does suck, and it's an incredibly daunting idea if you do have to have it, but it's usually only for a few months. Fingers crossed for you though!

Best wishes on your treatment. Was yours picked up on your follow mammograms.  I am 5 1/2 post op at the moment.  I had a theraputic mammoplasty xxx

Hi oneboobwonder. I'm on my second time around although my first was 18 years ago. I don't have a treatment plan yet - CT was yesterday and I have an appointment with breast surgeon next Friday. I understand it'll be a mastectomy this time as tumour is in the same breast as last time. Also, as they can't do radiotherapy again I'm hoping for an immediate reconstruction. 

I'm finding the waiting harder this time I think but my mind has blocked out a lot of what happened last time. I know that I had just started to trust my body again and was getting fewer scary pains and now they're back with a vengeance! 

I hope things go well for you. Do you have a date for your surgery? Do you think you'll have a reconstruction?

Keep in touch - sounds like we're at a similar stage in the process!

Lorraine xx