Hi Kelsey. .

I had a total mastectomy on the right breast last July... I know your really scared .. but cancer has come a long way .. there's lots of us breast cancer lasses on here .. all different stages and treatments .. but was all doing o.k ... [@Sandra123]‍ .. [@rileyroo]‍  ..  [@Jbains]‍ .. and our [@Cornishpastie]‍ .. they are all amazing with their breast cancer .. hopefully others will pop on to show you... it is doable .. 

It's a hard old journey .. but your mum's come so far .. with you holding her hand, she'll get there .. cancer wants us all to crumble and lay down and let it win ... and yes share tears and hugs .. but then get back in the ring and kick cancers butt .. was all in that ring with your mum ... I had a grade 3 lump .. and I'm still here 14 months on and holding on ... so I'm sending you both a big vertual hug .. Chrissie x

Hi sorry t hear about yr mum.

Unlike yr mum I had clear margins on mine but my daughters friend had exactly the same as your mum. 2 surgeries no clear margins 3rd mastectomy and reconstruction (had other boob done at same time so they matched). 3 wks after surgery she went on holiday to India 3 wks. 2 wks after that she went back to work. She is doing really well. In her case because she had mastectomy she no longer needed radiotherapy. She had just turned 50 when she was diagnosed. 

Everyone is different so here’s hoping your mums experience is a positive one x

Hi Kelsey 

I had clear margins with my lumpectomy so can't offer any advice on this. However the aim is for your mum to become cancer free so although no one wants multiple surgeries it is to get your mum well again. Having said that 3 surgeries on the trot may leave your mum feeling quite beaten up. Best wishes to you and your mum and if you need to chat to us we are here. It can be done hun....we are all living proof of that x

Hi Kelsey,

I had something similar to your mam. Eight years ago I had a lumpectomy. My pathologist said that my margins were not clear after this, but my surgeon claimed that he had noticed this at the time and taken some more tissue away. He wanted me to have radiotherapy after this, but due to procedural errors, this never happened.

A year later I discovered another lump in the same breast.This time I had a double mastectomy and was advised that I didn't need radiotherapy or chemo after that. I took Tamoxifen for a year after my lumpectomy, but changed to Letrozole for 6 years after my mastectomies. I stopped taking this in July 2017. Due to scarring following previous surgeries, I was not a suitable candidate for reconstruction, but I have managed fine with a selection of different prostheses for different purposes.

I had a few issues with side-effects of the medication and now return annually for a check-up. You do not say what stage or type of cancer your mum has. These factors have some bearing on survival rates too.

Please let us know how your mum gets on. We are always here for you both.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hiya. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy and then 6 weeks of radiation. Each case is unique so if the dr's have tested the cells along with various other factors, they have done what was best for her type of cancer. Every person reacts differently so always bear that in mind. 

20 years ago I went thru my mom being diagnosed with 3rd stage advanced breast cancer so can somewhat imagine all you must be going thru. Write down questions as and when you remember them so that you can ask them to her medical team at her appointments. It's tough for everyone. I won't lie - o found it really tough and 17 months post treatment am still not back where I was. I've had to make changes and realise limitations. Fatigue is the biggest life changer in that sense.

A mastectomy- I can only imagine - will be mentally difficult as well as physical. I didn't have one so couldn't relay my experience.

Take it one day and one step at a time. Your mom has a lovely daughter as yourself with her so she's going to do okay. Hang in there.