New diagnosis

Hi I’m really sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I had a single mastectomy in March and recovered really quickly by doing the daily exercises. The hardest part has been dealing with how I now feel about myself. I’ve found a lot of help from flat friends on Facebook, I highly recommend you join. 
Sending hugs xx

Thank you for your support I will look to join the site on Facebook. I know I have a lot of adjusting to do and being a large cup size this is going to feel very odd to me, I just can’t imagine. It will be nice to know how others have adjusted 

Sorry I can’t help with the mastectomy advice, but I was diagnosed with bilateral Brest cancer and even had 2 types of Brest cancer in one Brest. I was devastated.

I didn’t want a double mastectomy, my surgeon recommended a bilateral mammoplasty, she managed to get the tumours out with clear margins and I still have lovely breasts. I will have to keep a close eye on my breasts with regular mammograms. Now I am having chemotherapy, then radiotherapy then 10 years tablets. Good luck

It’s so hard making decisions and your head hurts thinking about it. Once decision made I found progressing it all settled my mind , sounds like you’ve got your head around all this. How are you coping with chemo?  I’ve had the lymph duct biopsy surgery today and surprised how well I feel after it. My anxiety levels have reduced in regards to the mastectomy rice fire I was so worried about. This has done me the world of good today and I can now finally sleep again I’m sure . Yes the anasthetic with pain relief prob hasn’t yet worn off but I’ve got this and it’s going to be ok!! I know as far as Procedures go I’m ok with it moving toward . It’s just the chemo I worry about now. I really don’t want it . 

Only had one session so far, but it was ok.

Had a PICC line fitted due to my needle phobia, this really helped.

Did the cold cap, although is was horrible for the first 15 minutes it was doable.Everyone was really helpful and friendly, going to see my oncologist tomorrow to discuss how things are going.

I was devastated when I found out I was going to have chemotherapy but I know that if I didn’t have it the chance of it coming back was 15% which is too high.

I have suffered from anxiety and the doctors have given me drugs which are definitely helping, but sleeping is still something to work on.

please keep in touch and maybe we can support each other

sending hugs

Thank you for you reply and found it very helpful, I’ve heard of the cold cap and on the ward yesterday a parient informed she had worn it but it didn’t prevent her losing her hair. I understand it’s not always successful and dependent on different chemos used I think???  I have. Double mastectomy on the 31st of this month and then as soon as chemo following this. I was hoping that with having a mastectomy I could avoid chemo but one breast has a type of cancer needing chemo the consultant informs me. I do what I have to do to beat this, it’s mot a choice it’s survival.  Would be lovely to travel through our journey together and keep spirits high. I try to keep things light and tell people I’m having a free  boob job on the NHS which usually works in reducing their worries on hearing my diagnosis  and bring about a chuckle. I also have some stories about my pre op where  losing my dignity now brings about fits of laughter…Happy to share them with you lol…massive hug to you ( though not too tight as it’s bloody hursts I have found out me yelping on the tight ones) You can do this!! We both can x

Deborah 

Thanks for your reply. This morning I woke up to find myself covered in hair. So it begins!!
i haven’t touched it hoping that if I ignore it it will stop coming out.

seeing oncologist shortly hopefully just to see how I am coping, so not too worried.

gentle hugs x

Oh I’m so really sorry the cap didn’t work. I don’t hold out much hope for myself with it either tbh. This is my biggest dread as I feel my hair defines me a person and I don’t want to lose my identify. I’m tearful writing this as know how you must be feeling. I know 2 people who’s hair is growing back so there is hope. Are you considering a wig or just a scarf?  I’m prob going to wear a scarf around the house but a wig going out. Stamp on brow tattoos and look at ways to get my eyelashes stuck on..my god I’m so vain. I’m one of those annoying people that plan ahead so I’m prepared for the worst. Already bought head scarfs. My family think I’m daft and to wait to see,  but I got to get my head around all this just in case and be prepared for it. I cope better that way. Just remember this is only temporary and you  keep doing what makes you feel good about yourself. Do you have hobbies that your able to do that can immerse you? I enjoy painting but to be honest with work and grand kids I just haven done it for a few years but hoping to make a start on it soon now that I’m more a home bird these days ( can’t frigging drive for a while they say), I saw a lady in the next bed to me yesterday who had a mastectomy and she went to the loo after her op. She had her drain inside a bag ( given to us at my the nurse on my first consultation with her) ah that’s what it’s for !! I have been using mine to keep all the hospital paperwork in the ward in stitches when I told them.   It’s a rough day for you I know but just remember this is temporary and this time next year it will all be a bad memory ( gentle massive hug)

Went to see oncologist today, who is lovely, he commented how well I looked. I did try!!!
I have quite a lot of hair so can’t see a difference yet but I won’t be brushing it or washing it. Due for chemotherapy Friday so when they prepare for the cold cap I will have more of an idea (if there is any left by then).

never done anything with my eyebrows so will have no idea where they should be.

Always been funny about touching my eyes so no false eyelashes for me.

I have got a lovely bandanna which I tried on and looks ok, not sure about a wig as I have heard they can be hot and scratchy.

heard that Boots will give advice on makeup to cancer sufferers.

long road ahead but everyone says it’s doable.

I had my 1st session of chemo today and also tried the cold cap like you said 1st 15mins was not nice but one of the volunteers kept me distracted as I was 1st one there, another lady came in she is on her 5th cycle and has used cold cap and still has alot of her hair, so I guess it just depends on the person, good luck with your treatment etc x