Hi folks,
I had my LS mastectomy without reconstruction a week last Tuesday (on my birthday fgs!) There were two tumors at 10 o'clock 21mm and 3 o'clock 11mm so mastectomy was my suggested and chosen route. Chemo & radio were not considered necessary - mastectomy would be followed by 5-10 years AI drugs. (I've already decided to have the other breast removed in a few months for peace of mind & to reduce chance of another cancer growing)
Drain out & dressing off on 7th day - bliss! Showered, hair washed and a walk in the fresh air, I felt like a new woman 
I knew that the first few looks in the mirror were going to be scary and unleash all types of emotions BUT my main reaction has been anger. I look like I've been butchered. It's not neat, it's not 'straight' and it's not flat insofar as there is a bump top right which according to my lovely BCN is likely to be permanent. (It's not post-op swelling nor fluid build up). I can't help but think that if I'd had it done privately it would be much neater and flatter - how bloody ungrateful am I??? (I had hysterectomy done on insurance 20 years ago & it was so neat)
Today I got the results of the pathology - breast removed - clear margins around both tumors - 2 lymph nodes removed both clear, no spread. Excellent news right? I was practically jumping for joy.
Then ......
- 'it is suggested' presumably by the MDT that I have one week of daily radiotherapy (no reason given as to why)
- the larger tumour is going to be sent to America for testing to see if I'll benefit from chemo (it's available on NHS and will ensure we're not missing any treatment that will prevent recurrence)
I've already told them that I will not have chemo (many reasons but my mental health is the main one) and that I won't even be taking the AI drugs (hypersensitivity to many meds). I just feel they're throwing everything they can at it so that I don't 'challenge' them if/when recurrence happens. I can & will turn down further treatment especially now with such good pathology results. I'm just really pi**ed off that I'm being made to feel ungrateful even stupid in not going along with this 'pathway' that they put every patient on these days.
Rant over, sorry for long post x
Hi Ste59
It's great that there is no spread.
It's up to you whether you want treatment or not so you shouldn't be made to feel ungrateful for turning down the treatments they suggested. You are perfectly entitled to rant and write a long post so no need to apologise for it. We all understand. They want to give you the radiotherapy to catch any stray cancer cells that may be in your body but as your lymph nodes were clear that's unlikely to have happened.
Wishing you the best of luck with the future.
Best wishes
Daisy53
