Hello everyone, my story began just over a month ago. I found a lump because the elastic has gone in my sports bra, I was putting it on before my Zumba class and had to manoeuvre myself into it. I wouldn’t normally have cause to reach underneath my breast, but when I did I felt it. I was on my period at the time, looked up and took advice to wait until 3-5 days after period end and check again. Did so, still there. Got a docs appt that morning and referred to hospital. Had a bit of an issue with referral process, however eventually got seen for examination, mammogram and ultrasound. They found three more smaller lumps including one of a lymph node near a blood vessel. Four biopsies taken and three markers put in. A long difficult two weeks until my results appt revealed two cancerous lumps, the original largest one (Larry) and his neighbour. The third is benign, and lymph node clear. Because Larry and his mate are grade 3 and I am small, I’m facing mastectomy (implant) and likely chemo. Other options are chemo to shrink and lumpectomy (assuming they shrink), or flap reconstruction. I’m currently looking at surgery options and am back for a clinic to discuss and confirm tomorrow. I think I’m going to go for mastectomy+implant. I have a 15yo son and concerned fit the effect of all this on him, particularly as he has GCSEs coming up.
Has anyone had a similar experience being on the smaller side (I’m 34 B, size 10, not much in the way of spare bits for flap reconstruction).
Anything to be aware of with implants and being smaller?
Surgery time? How long until back to ‘normal’? I live on my own with my son, will I need help immediately after surgery?
Then chemo, how did you feel, when might hair loss occur? How long until it grows back? Did you still work? Was this manageable?
Thank you all in advance, lots of love xx
