Hi all.
Can anyone help with their experiences please? I had a full right side mastectomy at the end of August. My surgeon recommended that I didn’t go for immediate reconstruction as it was likely that I needed radiotherapy (I had neo adjuvant chemotherapy and still have another 8 rounds of Trastuzumab to go). I was advised that the radiotherapy would likely damage any reconstruction, so I opted to “go flat” on the understanding that I would be able to have reconstruction at a later date. I completed radiotherapy in October, and today had a follow up call with my consultant. I was quite upset that she seemed almost taken aback that I was still keen to pursue reconstruction. It was almost as if we’d never even discussed it. I’ve been told that the waiting list is extremely long, and that I now go to the bottom of the list as it is now classed as elective surgery. I understand that my cancer has been removed (I had a HER2 positive Grade 3 35mm invasive DCC), but I don’t understand why this isn’t still classed as cancer treatment? I am obviously absolutely indebted to my surgical team, and more than grateful to have been lucky enough to be told that the cancer has gone….but I almost feel like I’ve been abandoned. It’s like emerging from a battlefield minus a body part, my hair, and any sense of who I actually am anymore. I thought I’d been quite stoic, but this has kind of knocked me! I’m 51, I appreciate I’m not young, but is it wrong to just want to look normal(ish) again?
Good morning and thank you for replying 
️ Sorry to hear that you’re on this same horrid journey. I’m not entirely sure to be honest. They are unable to carry out reconstruction of the type I need at my local hospital, so I have been referred. Looking at the current wait times, it would appear it’s 4 months to initial consultation. I’m not sure if that’s a countrywide timescale or just where I live.
I completely understand that a wait will be involved. I cannot fault the amazing treatment I have received on the NHS. I think I was just so taken aback by the fact that once the initial phase of treatment to tackle the life threatening part of this disease is over, you feel kind of dropped like a stone. Her actual words were “So, all back to normal now then?” Err no, funnily enough I’m really not! I really wish I’d looked into the pros and cons of immediate reconstruction in more depth, but you are led by what your consultant tells you. I am really lucky to have an amazing Macmillan Centre at my hospital so I willl speak to them when I have my Oncology appointment tomorrow. I think maybe this has all affected me more than I first thought. You don’t have time to take stock whilst you’re in the throes of treatment, and it’s only when you get to the final phase that you realise the toll that it’s taken on your body and mind.
Wishing you all the very best for your treatment.
