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
Hi there, sorry to hear of your diagnosis but I think your approach is very practical. I can't help with the mastectomy questions a I had chemo to shrink them lumpectomy, but I have experience of chemo. There are different chemo drugs but for me, my hair began to fall out in clumps pretty much right away and I chose to have it shaved early on and I used a wig. Got to say, I loved my wig, way. Ore than I'd ever imagined. Best of luck to you as you move along this road.
Hi 
Sorry for your diagnosis.
I got diagnosed with DCIS in January and after an MRI showed it was 6.2cm big and attached to the nipple and skin I was told that I could have a lumpectomy but there was a 40% chance of cancer reoccurrence. Also because the area was so large and they would have to remove my nipple the mastectomy was really the obvious choice with reconstruction. I couldn’t have flap reconstruction because I’m a size 8 and my bra size is 34 B/C so I had to have 2 stage implant. I had my surgery in February and have an expander which I had no clue about so watched many videos on YouTube and they use it to fill over time to stretch the skin and I will have the exchange for the permanent prosthesis in September. The expander isn’t very comfortable but manageable and I’m looking forward to the exchange as I’ve heard that the permanent prosthesis is fine. There are different types, shape and material and I would ask all about that as there is one type that can cause another type of cancer.
After surgery I couldn’t drive or lift anything for 6 weeks so if you’re in your own you should bear that in mind. Also they can put the implant under or on top of your pectoral muscle and that can make a difference with recovery. Mine is on top which means return to sport can be slightly quicker.
I am lucky that my lymph nodes were clear but I had quite a lot of pain from where they removed 3 to test them and because all the cancer was removed I didn’t need chemotherapy.
I hope some of that info from my experience can help you. Sending big hugs
