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jow4396
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Hello

 

I was diagnosed with breast cancer the week before lockdown.  I have a hormone positive receptor cancer and have been on aromatase inhibitors for the last 4 months (Letrozole and Goserelin injections). Unfortunately, this has not worked effectively and I have just received the news that I need to have a mastectomy. 

 

Up until this point I have been pretty positive, but then I've just been taking tablets every day and plodding on working.  This news has hit me really hard I have to say.  I'm a single mum of 47 and now I feel like I'm never going to look or feel normal again.  And then I feel guilty for being selfish and tell myself off because it could be so much worse couldn't it, and there are people fighting a lot worse. I am lucky.

 

My consultant has offered me a breast implant at the same time as having the op - or I can wait for a breast reconstruction with tissue from my stomach.  I've looked at photos online and they seem to go from one extreme to another and I'm now confused about what to do.  In one sense, apparently the scar is smaller when having an implant (so I've read), but if I need to have radiotherapy (which I won't know until after the op), it could make the implant hard.  In addition, I'm not particular well endowed up top and I worry that the implant will look so much more obvious compared with my other breast.

 

If I have the natural tissue breast reconstruction, I may have to wait for 1 year (particularly if I have to have radiotheraphy).  Even though my gut is telling me this is the best option, I don't know how I'm going to feel having nothing there for that long.

 

I suppose I just wondered whether anyone else has gone through or is going through this that could offer their two-penneth please?

 

Thank you and sending my love to everyone on here :love:

 

 

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    Hi

    I have broadly the same treatment as you (click on my name to see my bio on profile page) but sounds like treatment differs.

    I was always aware I would have mastectomy and had wanted implants originally, not being fully aware of what else was on offer or the options that would be available to me.

    As I have had rads I was told in no uncertain terms that this meant no to an implant.  Its a real pity but, as you may already know, there's a distinct lack of consistency in treatment/messages/care across hospitals which makes having a challenging disease even more annoying!  However good that you've been told that the implant could go funny re rads.  So my option (which I'm quite happy with) is a DIEP reconstruction.

    I can assure you that for many, the mastectomy is a really straight forward op, obviously not something anyone would choose to do but for me it was amazingly pain free with quick recovery time.

    For me the only having one boob is not an issue, annoying I can't wear "normal" bras without a safety pin to hold the softie (material false boob thing) in place but hope to have a fitted prosthesis provided soon (another thing held up by blummin' CV19).  I did want both sides off but am glad I didn't as wouldn't have been able to do anything for myself during recovery time, however symmetry would be nice (just because it is!).  My scar is very tidy, still can feel tight at times and mobility is very good in the impacted side.

    Not sure how it works with implants but am aware with DIEP that the non reconstructed side can be uplifted/reduced/increased (via liposuction) so that they look symmetrical, maybe another plus for own body reconstruction? Worth checking with your plastic surgeon what can be done with implants, also are you aware that implants should be changed every 10-15 years? With DIEP type surgery its more intense up front re the operation (and there may be minor ops re snagging) but then that's it...they grow with you.

    There are some social media groups that you may want to look at where ladies have had both and can give you up & downsides (not sure CRUK would like me naming them here but happy to private message you if you want - request to add me as a friend).

    Good luck re that decision making...its a toughie.

    Sam

  • Offline in reply to Yorkshire_defector1

    Hi Sam,

     

    Thanks for your message.

     

    How strange that you were told no implant from having radiotherapy! As you say, it seems to be different advice wherever you go....

    Since I wrote my post, I’ve been chopping and changing what I want to do  I agree that natural is best, but I’m also thinking that it will be less of a shock having an implant.

    It’s good to hear that you haven’t found the mastectomy that bad though! It gives me hope.

    I’ll try to work out how to add you as a friend, as I’d like to hear about these social media groups

    Thanks

    Jo

  • Offline in reply to jow4396

     

    Hi Jo,

    I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 11 years. First time I had a lumpectomy followed by Tamoxifen. A year later I found another lump in the same breast and, had a double mastectomy followed by Letrozole for 6 years. I stopped taking this in July 2017. Unfortunately, I couldn't have reconstruction, due to other non-cancer related operations. I have managed fairly well with a choice of prostheses for different purposes.

    I just wanted to try and ease your feelings about a mastectomy. Like Sam, I had no bother with my double mastectomy. In fact, it gave me considerably less pain than my lumpectomy did. If you have to wait for your reconstruction you usually have to wait for a year after radiotherapy. You won't have 'nothing' for this time. There are various prostheses available and they all look perfectly natural under clothing. You will be given a softie until your breast heals and then you will probably be given a Silicone prosthesis. These are replacable under the NHS every 2 years.

    Are you aware of BIO ALCL? This is an emerging problem with people who have had textured implants for 8-10 years and, they are now having to get them removed. I'm not saying that this problem will repeat itself, but people who got these implants, were told nothing about these problems at the time they were inserted. It is worth reading a little about this before you decide on which is the best option for you.

    Kind regards

    Jolamine xx

     

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