Hi, this is my first post. It's 2 weeks since tumour removal, mamoplasty with lymph extraction. I just want to say hello and meet others going through similar treatments .
A very warm welcome to our forum. I'm glad to hear that you have already had surgery and hope that you are recovering well. Have you had your post-op pathology results yet? I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 12 years, so if I can help in any way please let me know.
I had mammoplasty in November 2019. I found I healed quite quickly and was so glad to have the cancer taken away. It felt a relief to get it done. I think it seems fairly unusual to have a breast reduction for cancer treatment. Must people seem to have either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. I was then left with one small breast and one large one! So I was 'evened up' a year later and now left with a far better bust line than I had before!! Have to say though I would have been a whole lot happier not to have had cancer!!! Do you know your treatment plan? I guess radiotherapy is next for you?? I had 15 sessions over three weeks. Before that I had an onco test, though I can't recall now quite why that happened. Radiotherapy went ok. The hardest part was going to the hospital every day as I lived about 15 miles from it. I did get a bit tired but fortunately not as much as I had expected to. This whole experience is a massive shock to each one of us. It takes time to come to terms with it all. In fact I feel it's only very recently that I have managed to 'move on' though even now at times the thought of a recurrence can bother me.
This site helps a lot though. There's always someone who you will relate to. Who writes something that chimes exactly with how you feel. It all helps. So many stories from shocked/sad/scared/strong/inspirational women. It's all on here and it's a great comfort at times.
Anyway I wish you well and much good luck. Kebbs x
Thanks for your reply Jolamine like most people I'm sure, I was completely shocked to receive the initial diagnosis as there were no obvious lumps that I regularly check for, just a feeling of irritation and slight pain on occasion. During surgery to remove the tumour, they found a small extra lump which was sent away for analysis, luckily this turned out to be benign which surprised me as well as a surgeon. There was some slight disease on one of the lymph nodes that were extracted the rest were clear. Next step is a CT scan and then a meeting with an oncologist.
Thank you for your reply :) your experiences I feel I am mirroring with my own. I currently have the lopsided look with one breast being a lot bigger than the other. I must admit I had to see the humour when my surgeon discussed the options with me and asked me how I felt about my breasts. I did tell him that they were too big and uncomfortable and often caused backache and he was quite happy to suggest making them smaller. Just like yourself I always wanted a smaller, better frame on the bustline but certainly not the cancer to go with it. There have been discussions about radiotherapy as a next step for me but they haven't ruled out chemotherapy. I feel relieved that the tumour has gone and the surgeon was pleased with the outcome, however the tumour measured 55 mm in length and my surgeon explained that chemotherapy is often used when a tumour is larger than 50mm. A CT scan is next for me and then a meeting with an oncologist, where we can discuss the best treatment plan. It all feels a bit surreal really, In a matter of a few weeks life has turned on it's head, I was teaching my class one moment then that same week I was in surgery and now recovering at home with a replacement teacher taking my place (though the stress of education is something I can definitely do without in the circumstances).
Thank you for discussing your experiences with radiotherapy as I am feeling a bit anxious about this too.
It is always a shock to receive a cancer diagnosis. Many of us end up initially feeling in denial, angry and 'why me'. As you start your treatment, you will begin to accept your lot. I am glad to hear that the second lump was benign.
I hope that your Ct scan goes well and that you soon get your treatment plan. Please keep in touch and remember that we are always here for you.
How are things going? Hoping you are feeling more rested and stronger after your op in early November. Cancer is a big shaker that comes into our lives uninvited and unwanted!
Hope you have your treatment plan sorted and you know what's happening. It's weird but when I knew the 'plan' I felt better about things. Knew then I was really stepping forward.
Hi, also my first post. I had a therapeutic mammoplasty and lymph removal 10 days ago. I hope you are recovering well. I have started to feel better and although I am nervous for the results, will be happier once I know what the next step is.
Thanks Kebbs, I'm yet to know treatment plan but hope to find out soon. I think you be are right, knowing the treatment plan would make everything a little clearer. It's been a pretty tough year, it was just last June I had eye implant surgery to control my glaucoma (I've had glaucoma since childhood and I'm 45 now ) all I can say is it's building my resilience
im glad you are starting to feel a bit better, it was a shock at first to see my new bust size as I have a really large chest, although I'm sure I'd feel much lighter (and less of a bad back ️) when the other side is reduced. Good luck for your results, I was nervous too, especially as they had found another lump during surgery which thankfully turned out was benign. My nurse gave me antibiotics last week as she felt the area around the surgery looked a little too red so hopefully they have worked. In the last week I managed to get out round the corner and meet friends for a coffee which was a real boost.
