Nice to meet you, and thanks for replying. I'm definitely learning how kind people can be. 

Hi Charlotte,

Hope you are ok and recovering quickly. I am having a bilateral mastectomy in the next 2 weeks. I have a grade2 IDC. I am not sure about reconstruction yet, because the surgery is happening unplanned and quickly I can not make the decision. I was on chemo but stopped as I had problems with platelets. My onc said that I need surgery now and then we will carry with chemo and rads.

What reconstruction you had? I am thinking if I want recons I would go for implants because I am slim, not enough fat for both. I am worried about having rads after having implants.

Daizy

Hi

i had a lumpectomy in August and I found this site invaluable 

in the middle of the night I could post my concerns and know someone would reply when they read it

you are in my orayers

I had implants put in straight after the mastectomy. I'm starting radiation in the next two weeks so a little worried about the effect it will have on them. 

Good luck with the radio. Hope all goes well. My surgeon says its all fine with implants, but I am still not sure. I am sorry to bother you but how long was your recovery and any issues?

Much appreciated. 

Don't be daft, it's not bothering me at all. It's nice to talk to somebody (my partner and kids are all flat out and my body clock is totally out of sync so I'm wide awake). I had the operation about 8 weeks ago and I'm just about there recovery wise. The implants are still tender, but I was previously a 32a and now I'm measuring a 32d so they are a lot bigger than I was previously used too. The first two weeks were the absolute worse but it really does get easier with time. Are you leaning towards wanting implants? Is there anything that puts you off? 
 

I had an infection in one of the implants about 4 days after surgery which led to a return stay in hospital for a week. I absolutely regretted the implants at that time and thought it was the worst thing I had decided to do. I hated the way they looked and felt, was totally on a downer with them. I do now think that was just my emotions all over the place and I'm definitely starting to see them in a new light. It's so hard isn't it. 

Hi Daizy,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear that you have to have a bilateral mastectomy.

I just want to reassure you that it was much easier than I expected and, I found it easier to cope with afterwards than the lumpectomy that I had the previous year. I did have a little problem with fluid building up in my chest, but this was easy to drain and didn't last for long. I didn't have any reconstruction due to other underlying conditions, but I have managed well for the past 11 years with an assortment of prostheses for different activities.

I don't think that I'll ever make a page three girl now, but manage most other activities as I did before surgery.

You will find it useful to have nightwear which opens at the front for hospital and this can be helpful with clothes too when you first go home. It is also helpful to have a small heart shaped cushion which you can place under your arms until they are more comfortable. I bought 2, but found that I could only use 1 at a time.

I hope that you will come back and let us know how you get on and, that it all goes well for you.. We are always here for you.

Kindest regards,

Jolamine xx

Firstly, radiotherapy puts me off having implants. I'm worried if any complications arise my treatment will be delayed. My chemo is not finished...

Hi Jolamine, 

I'm having a big dilemma about reconstruction!!! I spoke to the plastic surgeon but didn't get the answer I wanted. Also, my surgery is happening urgently due to not being able to complete the chemo. 
My priority is to get rid of cancer (IDC with IDCU- different receptors,  TNBC and HER2 positive). I don't know how I'm going to feel after surgery!!!

Has anyone had a delayed reconstruction? I am thinking of delayed reconstruction because I just want my treatment to finish first. It is too much now!!

Hi Daizy,

A number of people delay reconstruction for various reasons. At the moment, due to the current pandemic many have had to delay because,in some areas reconstruction is not being carried out. It is being delayed until all this chaos is finally over.

I understand that your main objective is to get rid of the cancer, but you don't have to rush into reconstruction straight away if you don't want to.

As to how you'll feel post-surgry. This is difficult to predict as we all have different perogatives. Having my bilateral mastectomy has given me 11 years so far and, I am thankful for that. Don't get me wrong, I've had my problems along the way, but these have made me a stronger and I hope a better person. I look upon my scars as battle scars, because I've had the fight of my life to get here, but I'm glad for them. i am fortunate because my husband has been very supportive  and this has been a great help.

It is a difficult decision, but you are the one who has to live with it, so it has to be yours and yours alone.

Whatever you decide, I hope that it is the right decision for you.

Kindest regards,

Jolamine xx