Mastectomy with reconstructive surgery

Thank you for sharing your story, and sorry that you find yourself part of this amazing supportive community.   I  found my lump a month before what would have been a routine mammogram in November,  I am now half way through chemotherapy after a mastectomy and axillary clearance.   4 more cycles of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy and then years of hormone treatment.   Hopefully you won't need all that, but keep it broken down into manageable bits and it is doable.  At this stage I would advise concentrate on recovering from the surgery,  do the physiotherapy,  be kind to yourself.   If you need chemotherapy it is unlikely to start until you have recovered from surgery.  Sending you healing hugs, if you have any questions please ask xxx

Thank you  

Yes I go back on Thursday to have dressing and drains removed .. then will wait for results, they took some lymph nodes out ... and will biopsy them and the tissue from breast .... from then they will decide what further treatment needed ... 

Yes trying just to take it step by step and to stay positive. 

But strangly comforting to come on here and know it is not just me .

XXX

Hello, I am new to this forum so hope I am in the right section.

had a mastectomy of my right breast and 2 lymph nodes removed.  Drains removed after a week.  It will be nearly 3 weeks since surgery and implant.  Have been in quite a lot of pain ever since which is getting worse.  My consultant said a week  some fluid had built up but didn’t feel daring it at this point as it could introduce an infection.  Since then I have an area of the breast which is red and sore. When down to the breast clinic and saws breast care nurse and doctor (not my surgeon).  To be on the safe side they have put me on antibiotics.  Also have a lot of pain on the side of my breast where there is fluid.  Feel very depressed about it all.  I am 78 and normally very fit doing a lot of Reformer Pilates and we travel quite a lot to remote areas.  Has anyone had any experience like this.  Feel so worn down with this.

Thank you 

Hi Parma, 

so sorry to hear this I know how scary it can be. My cancer was diagnosed when I was 75 I had chemo then left side mastectomy after the surgery I developed a large hepatoma at first I thought it was me being a whimp as they tell you to expect swelling, pain and bruising my GP gave me Oramorph, antibiotics and advised to contact surgeon after which I was back in surgery two days later to have it removed as it was a leaking vein.

I live alone but my daughter has been so good checking on me and taking me to appointments but time passes and you heal so try not to worry and keep in touch with your breast nurse.

Hope you feel better soon and happy to chat with you. Xxx

Oh bless you ... sounds like we had similar surgery... but I have been not too bad with the pain ...due to have dressing and drains removed tomorrow ( 10 days after surgery  ) 

I do however feel very drained ( normally I work full time ) I am 61 

I do hope things get better for you soon

Thank you so much skylark for your reply.As you say you don’t know what to expect and what is normal.

i am due to see my surgeon the day after tomorrow as the breast clinic wanted me to have an earlier appointment.

i am so glad that you feel you are getting better.

xxx

Thank you Lindaloustar,

you will so much better when you get rid of the drains. I found it difficult to remember the bag with the drains in every time I did something.   I wasn’t too bad in the first week but have got progressively worse over the past 4 days.  I am so worried my implant is causing this infection and that I have to have it removed…..my husband says I mustn’t think the worst all the time and it is early days.  He has been brilliant and does everything for me….so lucky.

i am sure you feel drained, remember you have had major surgery.  

Thank you so much for your response.  It really helps when people have been through the same thing.

xxx

Hi yes had a few " accidents " with the drain bottles etc ... and hopefully will feel easier when they off ... 

Once again I hope everything goes ok ... Good to know you have your husband to support you... I live alone but my sons and family been around to help me