Mum's new diagnosis

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Hi all,

Just to introduce myself I'm Kate, 28 with an 8 month old little boy and my mum has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. She has invasive ductal carcinoma, 2 tumours in the same breast (1.1cm and 1.8cm). Both oestrogen positive, HER2 negative. Grade 2. No lymph node involvement (as per scan) and no other spread.

She's currently listed for surgery, for a wide local excision with a perforator flap(?) using fat from her chest wall to reconstruct the breast.

Has anyone had a similar diagnosis/surgery? My mum has heart problems including atrial fibrillation but has been cleared by cardiology and anaesthetics for surgery but I am still anxious. Also looking for recommendations for a comfortable pillow for her after surgery, and some front fastening bras. They've also said she will have a drain after surgery so any experience of that would be greatly appreciated Slight smile

Thank you x

  • Hi Kate

    Welcome to the forum, I'm Daisy53 one of the Community Champions on this forum.  I'm sorry to hear that your Mum has been diagnosed with breast cancer and has a heart condition.  I was diagnosed with the same breast cancer as your mum just over two years ago.  While the surgery I had was not the same as the surgery your mother is having I did have a drain put in.  I had the drain in for about 10 days.   When the drain was full I had to empty it and take the measurement of the liquid that was in it and write it down to show to my breast care nurse.  I found it a bit of a pain at times but I managed with it alright.

    I suggest that you also join the Friends and Family forum to get support from other in your situation, you can still write in this one if it helps as well.  Here's the link: Family and friends forum .  You should also be able to join the carer's forum and this the link to it: Carers only forum .

    Wishing your Mum the best of luck with her operation and with whatever comes after it.

    Best wishes

    Daisy53

    Community Champion Badge

  • Hi, I had the same diagnosis, but the MDT decided against the underarm fat flap-saying  simpler was better. I had an extra surgery to get clear margins and finished my radiotherapy a week ago.

    I found the older style front fastening bra's from M&S to be great -the ones without the velcro-and i got them from e-bay.  They are comfy and supportive and I am  still wearing them-as going back to an underwired bra's is so uncomfortable. I don't know how i wore one for about 40 years lol.

    I used the little heart shaped cushion whilst in the house or car-the hospital gave me one of these, made by a local charity and a very soft pillow to rest my boob on in bed, as I am a side sleeper.

    I had 2 surgeries and felt like I had a hangover for about 10 days after my first, so I discussed this with the anaethetist at my 2 d surgery-who said that many people have an adverse reaction to the gas used, and that he would just give me the drugs. It was different altogether and I was fresh as a daisy once I came round.

    Hope all goes well for your mum. X

  • Hi Kate, how lovely to see you post here to get the best advice for your mum - she’s a lucky lady.

    I was diagnosed with a grade 3, 11mm oestrogen positive invasive ductal carcinoma in May. Had my op start of June and am currently on holiday in Thailand, relaxing prior to getting home on 17th and starting my 9 sessions of radiotherapy on 18th! I didn’t need any further surgery though, got clear margins and no lymph nodes affected. I had a 6 week wait for my results so started making the heart cushions a friend gave me as my hospital didn’t have any as they rely on volunteers to provide them to them to give out. Have donated over 50 now and will continue to do so.

    Hope everything goes ok for your mum x

  • Hi everyone,

    Thank you so much for your replies. Mum had surgery on 13th and after one overnight stay she was back home, some pain but she's powering through it I am completely inspired by her :) she's done so amazing!

  • Found your message on fb Kate and have replied x