Mastectomy

I found out today that I might need a mastectomy. I've been crying all day. In the space of a few weeks it has went from removal of cancer with breast lift to now a reduction or mastectomy depending if we get clear margins or not from my first op to remove cancer. If I need a mastectomy I won't qualify for reconstruction due to my BMI which isn't massively over the requirement. I'm really struggling with it all. I feel that I'm being vain when I should be lucky that my cancer is early and treatable. 

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  • Hi Twinmum.

    Really sorry to hear you have received this news today. Its OK to cry and you are not being vain at all. The idea of losing a part of you is totally terrifying and any breast surgery and cancer diagnosis no matter how early and treatable has a huge effect on a person mentally and physically.

    What was it that changed the treatment plan for you? 

    Be kind to yourself! You never have to apologise for how you are feeling.

    Sending hugs x

     

  • Thank you for the reply. 

    When I went to get my magseed ultrasound they ended up doing more biopsies as there was another area they weren't sure about which turned out to be cancerous too. I have 5 small areas over a section of my breast. I do have large breasts so hoping the reduction works out. Xx

  • Try not to go to the worst case scenario. As hard as that may be. 

    I hope you get some answers tomorrow xx

  • Sorry I forgot to ask how your MRI went. 

  • Hey!

    I'm not gonna lie it was pretty unpleasant. Could cope with the noise but got so uncomfortable lying in that position for An Hour!!!

    Now for my appointment on Monday. Really dreading that they will have found something else but what will be will be.

    Did you get any more news today!? 

    Hope you are able to have a nice weekend xx

  • Oh gosh a whole hour would have been tough. I feel claustrophobic thinking about that.

    Good luck for Monday.

    I had a good chat with one of the nurses who has been at most of my appointments. I've now been transferred to be under her care of her rather than a nurse I've never met. She was very apologetic about me not being kept in the loop properly. She is going to call me after MDT on Monday late on or Tuesday. Doubt my results will be back by then though so probably be the following MDT meeting before my case can be properly discussed. 

    Yeah I'm making the most of this weekend and meeting my friends for lunch today and I'll be sure to have a small glass or 2 of wine. 

    Have a good weekend too. Xx

  • Thank you!

    Really pleased you now have a nurse on your team that you feel good about. It makes things so much more reassuring.

    Enjoy the wine!! I've been to the pub to watch the rugby with a few beverages which has helped feel a bit more normal for a while! The stress will no doubt re-surface but enjoyed just being me again for a few hours.

    Sending hugs xx

  • I definitely feel better as I now have a nurse that I've actually met on a few occasions now. My original nurse was based in another hospital, crazy!

    Had a lovely day out. Was great to feel "normal".

    How all goes well at today's appointment. Xx

  • That's good to hear about your nurse and so glad you had a lovely day out!

    My appointment today went fine. Nothing unexpected found on my MRI so plan remains to have wide lump excision with bilateral reduction. Will have to take a bit more from my left breast than first thought and I will lose my nipple but hey ho.

    She spoke about what would happen if they don't get clear margins and mastectomy was mentioned as a possibility down the line but she said she was optimistic about saving the breast.

    So 10th of March it is! Now time to get organised!

    Hope you've had an OK day. Sending best wishes xx

  • Hi PositiveT

    Hope all goes well with your planned surgery.  I can honestly say that I have no regrets of agreeing to the bilateral reduction op.  When I asked the nurse about recovery time she said 3-4 weeks but I'd say be prepared for it to take longer.  My incisions are healing nicely now almost 5 weeks after the main surgery but I still don't feel ready to be doing anything too strenuous just yet. 

    The worst part is now the itching and the fact I still have to sleep on my back but that's not a big deal considering the tumour is gone.  Best wishes for your op. x

  • Glad your appointment went fine. I suppose we just have to do what we need to. 

    I ended up going in for an appointment yesterday. Biopsies were early cancer but that's me now got my surgery date and good to go. Mine is the 16th do not far behind you. Still hoping for clear margins from first op so I can get the reduction but what will be will be. 

     

    We can do this! Xx

  • So glad to hear you have your date! It's a relief to have the next milestone to get to. Keeping everything crossed for clear margins all round! 

    We will be recovering together haha!!

    And you're right....we can (and will) do this xx

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