Therapeutic mammoplasty and axillary node clearance

Hi Kfletch

Welcome to the forum and I'm sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. While I haven't been through something similar I noticed that you haven't had any answers yet so I thought I'd reply to you to welcome you to the community.  Hopefully someone with the experience you are looking for will be along shortly.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Thankyou for taking the time to say hello, even if you haven’t been through the same it’s nice to have your support x

Hi

I had a therapeutic mammoplasty and lymph node clearance last July

My biggest fear was the general anaesthetic, having never had one,only epidural,and spinal block.Everything was fine.

I was in theatre around 4.5 hours and had 2 drains in place,these were both removed 5 days later,by the surgeon

The actual breast surgery  was not as painful as I thought it would be,it was my underarm from the lymph clearance that was the most sore.

I did my exercises everyday,and had a few appts with the physio who gave me some extra exercises to do at home

In Aug, I was started on letrozole  for 5 years,then I'll be on anastrozole for 5 years,afterwards

I had 15 radiotherapy appts over 3 weeks,because my cancer was in my left breast I had to do deep breath techniques and hold my breath,this was difficult at first but after a few practice s,became a little  easier

Hope this helps a bit,I'm sure you'll be fine,just suffering now with joint and muscle pain from the letrozole 

Take care

Hi Kitty,

I really appreciate your reply and the story of your journey. Much like you I have (luckily) only had three surgeries in my lifetime and the general anaesthetic is always a worry. 

I feel a little in the dark still around my cancer journey so far, I was diagnosed on the 28/7 and had biopsies in my left breast and lymph node which was positive. Followed shortly after by an MRI and PETCT. The results from these took some time and even though I was informed fairly early on that I had cancer, no one has explained what type or stage this is at. 

I was originally told that the treatment plan would be chemo, surgery and then further chemo but today that was changed with the mammoplasty and node clearance booked for the 20/9. There is no clear pathway for treatment plans after so although I am relieved something is happening I still feel upskittled!

im sorry you are experiencing muscle pain but glad to hear that everything went well for you . What amazing women we all are! X

Hi 

I was a diagnosed with a grade 2,it was initially 1 cancer,but my surgeon was unsure of a second cancer in the same breast,after another biopsy and a MRI I was told I had 2 cancers  plus in  at least 1 of my lymph nodes

After surgery  my surgeon sent samples to California  for Onco DX testing,my score came back at 13 !! So no Chemo as my chance of reoccurrence was relatively low

I had 20 lymph nodes removed,2 of these had cancer

Yes we are definitely made of strong stuff

Here if you need me

X

Hi,

I asked what the pathway would look like after surgery however I didn’t really get a clear answer, is this dependant on the results from surgery? 
sorry for the questions, my consultant is not very forthcoming with information tends to just tell you what she wants and then leaves the room 

Hi

It was yes

I was told I would be having chemotherapy, operation,radiotherapy, then letrozole

Once I'd had my operation and cancer was sent away,chemotherapy was then not needed,as my results were low

I know,it's all so confusing isn't it

I felt like it was happening to someone else and not me

X

I can relate to that! I often wonder if I am imagining it all!

I have been informed today that my surgery has been bought forward to the 30/8 now so starting to panic 

Aaahhh,you'll be absolutely fine!!

Seriously I had major issues with my blood pressure every time I had an hospital appt,white coat syndrome!

They nearly cancelled  my op on the day because it was again so high.

To say I was petrified was an understatement,but I did it and so will you...

X

It's good that they've brought forward your surgery date as waiting for things to happen and for results can be very stressful. 

Best of luck with it.

Best wishes

Daisy53