Post surgery confidence

When I'm through it all I'd love to chat with you, Daisy dame.  Keep posting things on this website!

Hi Daisy nice to hear your treatment is over. I was wondering do people know what's happened or have you kept it to yourself?

But keep posting away so we can all chat x 

Thank you Katherine. x

Close family know but other than that very few people.  I could never bring myself to talk to others about it.  I am struggling with post mastectomy confidence even with family.  I know they won't judge me - it's really me that's having a problem with the before and after surgery bit. x

Hello, I know exactly how you feel. I also had a left sided mastectomy and today I had my planning CT scan (and I even held my breath for 30 seconds)! My radiotherapy starts next week.  I haven’t wanted to talk about it much either but today I was in a waiting room with three other women who were all waiting to be called in.  Obviously with COVID, masks, social distancing and generally being British, no one spoke to each other but I think that as private as I am I would really like to attend some kind of support group (in person, with coffee, cake and everything).  I would like to hear other people’s experiences and give each other some support and laugh or cry together.   Meanwhile Daisy Dame, I do understand, and I wish you all the very best  x

Hi

Yes the same here very close family, one friend and one at work only because I had too. I don't want to discuss it outside the group as its so complex I cannot be bothered to explain and not really interested in others opinions

I hope you find some support within this group, would you speak to a macmillan nurse perhaps,?

I think Kiki1hasKiki1has the right idea it's just having a coffee with people who know x 

HiKiki1.  Thanks for replying.  It's so helpful to hear other people's experiences.  Post treatment has felt like a strange place to be.  I keep telling myself that I need to give myself time to adjust.  It is something that maybe only others with  a shared experience can really understand.  I hope your radiotherapy goes well.  I found the team at my hospital very supportive.  x

Hi I like coffee.  I have heard myself referred to as 'brave' by a family member but it's not about bravery is it?  Bravery is when you choose to carry out a very challenging act and, of course, none of us choose cancer.  We face it because we have to.  I have rather kept it all to myself and wouldn't know what to say anyway.  x

Hi

I was also described as ‘brave’ by a family member. As you say, we didn’t have a choice in having cancer, we had to get on with it. Due to Covid restrictions I’ve been to every hospital appointment on my own, but I was ok with that as I didn’t have to deal with anybody else’s worries or upset during those appointments. I find it hard to believe what’s happened these past few months, it’s like an out of body experience. I would only want to talk about it with those who’ve gone through it too. I read that there’s a “Breast Friends” group which meets at my hospital once a week, unfortunately it’s postponed for the time being because of Covid. Like Kiki1 wrote, I’d prefer to actually meet others rather than ‘meet’ over a phone call or zoom.

Best wishes x

I am just 3 days from my mastectomy and feel I have kind of accepted it but am really anxious about seeing friends. Even in front of my husband and sons I feel awkward. I feel very self conscious and I’m still In pyjamas so not sure how I’m going to feel when I go out in the real world. It’s so daunting! Did you have reconstruction? I haven’t had.. yet anyway. I can maybe do that at a later date. It’s all a little surreal but I’m hoping I come to accept it.  I completely understand how you feel. X