Single mastectomy for DCIS

Hi Cambuslang - I have no idea how long I will have to wait for reconstruction, but as I have to have chemo, realistically I would think for me, at least end of thisyear or early next year.  I didn't want to have chemo and reconstruction together, thhiink for me that would be just too much.  However, I am going to ask when I an next at the breast clinic and ask if I can go on the waiting list now.  I would think each different Trust has different waiting times, and of course, you can always elect to have reconstruction at a different hospital if their waiting list is shorter, that of course will rely on you doing some research first, but it is your right to have what YOU want, not what the hospital dictates.  Hope this helps.  Take care xx

Thank you for your kind response and information, I will get some arnica and bio oil .. I sleep on my own anyway as I’m a single parent so no worries on that score , thankfully I’m right handed so I’m hoping I will still be capable of doing some things as long as I take it easy .. did you have any issues with your drain ? As I’ve read a lot of people have had to have fluid removed once the drain comes out . I’m very apprehensive, I guess as it’s only a few more days and the waiting certainly does get to you and not in a good way .. hoping I will feel calmer once there and dealing with it . X

I have to be honest here, yes, I have had to have my left chest (can't call it a breast anymore) asperated twice, since leaving hospital, and had to have further surgery this past week, and the wound is still weaping, so guess back to the breast clinic tomorrow (ours in closed over the BH weekend).  however, this is just a minor inconvenience, and this is the way that my body is reacting, yours will react completely differently I am sure,. I am still showering in Octenisan as a precaution though.  Everyone of us has a body that heals in a different way, this is just the way my body works.  Even if you do have problems with the drain and the wound afterwards, remember it won't be harmful, the stuff that will hurt you is being removed, it just means that your body is taking a litle longer to heal.  Don't be frightened.  Remember that saying 'when life gives you lemons make lemonade'?, well when life gives you shit, just throw it back - harder.  With love xx

I appreciate your honesty and couldn’t agree more that the harmful stuff will be gone and any  inconvenience after will be just that an inconvenience and can be solved.. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had to put up with after effects and with the way my lucks been going lately I fully anticipate more issues with drains / fluids ect but as you say throw shit back at shit and my cancer cell days are numbered and hopefully by Friday all gone , I’ve sent you a friend request hope that’s ok xx

Yes absolutely fine with the friends request.  Perhaps I should tell you abit about me then.    I have 2 grown up sons, one here in Essex one in Spain.  Am married fort he second time - I was widowed in my late 30's and remarried in my 40's, live with my husband and dog called Pogue, and have a great network of female friends who are supporting me in any way they can.  I compiled a 'bucket' list - not that I am going anywhere soon,but just things I haven't got round to doing - the one that made my friends laugh most was that I want to go to Weatherspoons - or more affectionately known as 'spoons', which we are doing on the 18th April  The other one is to go to a transport cafe, which I had never done.  That was a ball, we went for breakfast a few weeks ago, and one of the ladies asked for Earl Grey te and multigrain toast - well the answere back was ' we only have pg tips and its white or brown bread.'.  I collapsed with laughter.  so my new motto is just do what you want to do, and as I have found out, be honest with my feelings.  Some days are good, some not so. My next bridge is seeing the oncologist on the 17th and finding out what that treatment plan is.  Will be thhinking of you on Friday.  You got this, just smash it, and all of us here, will have your back.   With love Bxx

• I’m 51 with 4 sons ageing from 28 to 11 I’ve been married twice unfortunately ha ha .. happy on my own to be honest but making it difficult now this has happened.. but I have fantastic parents and the older 3 will be helping me too .. these last few days I’m finding the hardest.. but just trying to distract myself but it’s really not easy .. I haven’t been able to unwind since the initial diagnosis.. wishing you all the very best of luck on the 17th .. can I please ask did you use the gel or the cream arnica ? Xx

Hi B

I had left mastectomy and full node clearance.  I chose to delay reconstruction as I was having chemo and radiotherapy and wanted to know all treatment was done.  Our waiting list is around 2 years so will make the decision further down the line when I am fit and healthy. I may even decide to embrace my scar and have a tattoo, who knows good luck with whatever you chose x

Hi Trace1977 - Think you are very brave to consider a tatoo.  At first, I thought no I don't want reconstruction but the further down this road I travel the more I think I do. I just don't want to have to think about prosthetics and wondering how it will look under my clothes.  also so far, with the temporary 'chicken fillets' I have - ones from M&S, the ones that come with the soft bras and those awful ones from the hospital, they all irritate under my armpit.  Have an appointment in May to see the permanent prosthetics person, so maybe I will change my mind then.  Chemo first though, see what happens there!!

Suzanne34 Have you heard if your op. is going ahead on Friday in light of the junior doctors stike?  I do hope so, the waiting is absolutely the worst part.  Stay strong B xx

I had a text reminder about the nuclear medicine procedure in the morning so I bloody hope so  cream or the gel for the arinica ? Which did you use ? Xx