Masectomy

Hi Sam, I feel just like that, like it’s not happening to me, it’s such a weird feeling. I have my pre op today and single mastectomy next week. The anxiety is really kicking in. I’m 54. Wishing you all the best x

Morning! I totally appreciate how you must feel having gone through single mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapy. Always have in your mind it’s for the good to remove the horrible lurking disease that inhabits us. I was actually glad to get rid of the offending article! Grit yer teeth and remember so many of us on here have gone before and really do know how anxious, confused, hacked off, etc that you’re feeling. I really wish you and Leftie the very best moving forward. We’re all survivors God Blessxx

• Hi Sam, I'm 12 weeks post mastectomy - I'm 54. I felt similar to how you describe. I think for me it was also a shock,  not feeling in control. And there was some denial on my part. You hear all the time about cancer in the media, but to me it felt hard to relate to. I spent time before surgery reflecting on reconstruction options and focused on that too much probably. Then opted for a simple mastectomy. In hindsight although the surgery felt scary, it was over so quickly,  before I could almost blink I was recovering from the surgery. Anxiety is normal, I think I also felt it was my destiny, I couldn't escape it and couldn't think about life after surgery but I'm ok now. I'm all ok now. x

Hi Sam, back in January I couldn’t believe that the thing I’ve always dreaded was happening to me. It got worse when I was told that I would need a mastectomy. I was in a daze, and cried a lot. And was really scared about the procedure, having cancer, how it would affect me, how long it would take to recover. None of it seemed real somehow. Seven weeks after surgery, everything’s healing well. The reconstruction is looking better, though work in progress still. I opted for an expander, as I felt I needed to see two breasts when I looked in the mirror.  There’s weekly visits to the hospital for the expansion, which is ok, just mildly uncomfortable. The new breast is a cup size smaller at the moment, I think I’ve a few more sessions to go before they match in size. But Overall, I feel like my old self again and have more energy, back out seeing friends, days out and living almost normally now. I do have difficult moments. Waiting on scans results is tricky for me, as is the uncertainty of the future. In the early days it was tough emotionally, quite bleak at times. I was told by a nurse I would come through it, and it was true, I have. I hope you do too. Good luck with your surgery, your recovery. All the best xx

Thank ypu for replying. Im so pleased for you coming out the other end. Its good to hear my feelings are normal and im not alone xx 

Thank you so much . You sound like you've got this x 

What you say is so true just not feeling like that just at the moment - did you have reconstruction? 

I bet !! Are you having reconstruction? Ive opted for that because my daughter gets married in august and i want to feel semi normal ?? Other wise i wouldn't of bothered- recovery scares me the most mainly because im recoveri g from a broken shoulder on the other side.... i really am going to be struggling to do the easiest of tasks !! If i dont laugh ill cry (again) xx 

Hi how are you feeling? Whens your op? Thinking of you x 

Hi Sam, I’ve been told today that I need a single mastectomy - MRI showed a second small lump which was cancerous too - so a lumpectomy isn’t suitable! Weirdly I almost feel better as I now have the first steps a treatment plan and looking like surgery will be end of May - so a few weeks to get my head around it.  I am having a reconstruction at the same time.  I’m scared of the surgery but equally just want to get it over and done with - it’s seemed never ending tests and waiting since I found the lump!  I think any feeling is normal - we all deal with anxiety, worry and stress in different ways xx