Mastectomy without reconstruction

Hi Fran I had 2 lumpectomies and lymph nodes taken out but they still found cancer dotted about in the breast so 2 weeks ago I had a mastectomy and waiting for my results god willing they have got it all … I was a mess with the drain the first time but this time I was ok I remember my surgeon saying if it comes out it comes out but just be careful , I’ve trod on mine got it caught in places and was ok it’s sewed in with a couple of stitches so try not to worry too much I’m sure it will be fine … I’ve decided to go flat too .. xx

Hi Pollyperk,

sorry to hear what you’ve been through , it’s not a club any of us want to be a part of hey! 
Hope your surgery went ok and wishing you all the best for your results ️

Thank you for the information re the drain and the fact you stood on yours and it was all fine gives me lots of reassurance :) it’s just another thing to content with alongside everything else right!! 

All the best on your journey and it’s always nice to speak with people who have gone through it and understand , sending lots of hugs xx

Hey Fran looks like our journey has been the same … I’ve been in this for a year I had 8 rounds of chemo first , and after the first lumpectomy I though I was getting there but 2 surgeries later I’m still waiting for my results which is so hard to carry on with everyday life with this cloud hanging over my head … Surgery went as well as it could I’ve not had much pain at all the only thing I’m struggling with is the excercises I have to stop at the advanced ones as it’s painful but will keep trying each day … I struggle with looking at my body .. it seems hard to except what this dreadful disease has done to us I wish you well in your recovery and always here if you need to chat xx

Bless you that’s a lot to go through, nothing about these journeys are easy but we will come out stronger for it

I’m glad your pain is manageable and sorry to hear about the exercises but I know what you mean!!

My shoulder is so sore which I knew would be the case having the lymph nodes but it’s just so uncomfortable to rest with that and the drain but it’s short term pain and hopefully means results come back clear!! 

when are you due to get your results? Waiting around for them is so difficult and time just seems to go slowly.

My journey started in November 2024 but it kept getting brushed off as hormonal and then eventually Duct ectasia which led to multiple infections and a hospital stay and even then they told me nothing to be concerned about and no further tests even though I asked for mammograms and biopsies , so the last time I had an inflection in January this year I asked for a private referral and was finally listened to just didn’t even think it would end up being cancer!!

I know exactly what you mean it’s a massive adjustment and it will take time, after my surgery I didn’t  look for hours as couldn’t bring myself to check it but I did it with my breast cancer nurse who was amazing and I just broke down , it was hard to see but it looks pretty good all considering.it will take time and it won’t be easy but we will learn to love ourselves again in this new version. have to take each day as it comes and know we aren’t alone in this.

sending lots of hugs and well wishes , really hope we get the results we need after all this xx

I used to sleep with the drain on the floor and laying on my back it was ok .. is it draining much …I hope our results come back clear , I had a clear mammogram and wasn’t due one until 2027 but felt something wasn’t right so after work I popped into the breast unit and had an appointment a few days later I work at the hospital but after I was diagnosed I couldn’t go back as my head was all over the place and I didn’t want to look after people if my head wasn’t in a good place so now a year later my jobs probaly going to go I’m on no pay now aswell I feel it’s robbed me of my future lots of things yes I’m sure we will love ourselves again my results are due on the 13th April I’m really apprehensive because if they haven’t got it after all the surgery what’s next but as much as I’m trying to stay positive it’s so damn hard xx

I’m so sorry to hear all of this and about your job it’s really rubbish how it impacts people in this way it really not fair.

I totally understand though , you can’t help people the way you want to when you have all this overshadowing you :( I would feel exactly the same but also good for you for putting yourself first no matter how hard that has been from a financial point of view.

You will get back on your feet again and find joy in the work that you do , it may take a while but you will get there sending lots of hugs.

Yeah my drain is on the floor and just laying on my back with millions of pillows haha I’m a side sleeper usually but it’s not too bad.

Best of luck for 13th my results are on 14th April , I know exactly what you mean it’s a lot to cope with and trying to stay positive about it is not easy especially when waiting around and hoping it will all be fine this time around.

xxx

Thankyou and best of luck for yours too … I’m a side sleeper too but am still laying on my back just for another week to let it heal properly… just want our results to be good and move onto the next stage of kicking cancers arse xx

Thank you!!

That sounds like a good idea and it’s short term discomfort right and we can sleep on our sides again soon!!

Yes absolutely, we have for this and hopefully this time we have well and truly kicked Cancers butt!! 

Hope you have a nice BH Easter weekend and get to enjoy some chocolate we deserve it after all this, sending hugs and keep in touch , been lovely talking with you and it’s really giving me some comfort knowing I’m not alone so thank you xx

Hope you and your daughter have a loverly Easter .. I know my grandchildren are excited about Easter but sometimes they need to be aware it’s not all about the chocolate it’s about the story of Easter …no we are never alone there’s always someone willing to talk and I’ve met some loverly people on this site .. yes will definitely keep in touch , remember we are doing well and we are strong xx

Thank you and absolutely not all about the chocolate we tell her the meaning and story of Easter. Hope you and your family have a nice Easter as well.

Same here and it’s really helped me through this and talking to people who truly understand is a massive comfort.

100% we have go this!! Xx