Hi, how is everyone doing? Haven't heard from you all in a little while, hope you're all doing OK.

I had my appointment with the surgeon today, which went really well. I will be having a mastectomy and diep flap reconstruction at the same time. All my results have been good from my recent ultrasound and mri. They are pleased with how well the chemo worked and the surgeon could no longer feel the lumps. As the lymph node area responded so well, she no longer needs to do a full clearance. She is going to remove about half a dozen nodes, just up to the muscle, which is good news. Apparently the operation will take about 8 hours and I'll be in hospital for about 5 days. I'm having photos of my boobs taken at the hospital tomorrow, as the plastic surgeon needs them. Next step is an appointment with the plastic surgeon, who works alongside the breast surgeon. She removes the cancer and he does the reconstruction during the same surgery. She said it will be in a few weeks and it's quite likely that I can have my holiday first. Came out feeling really positive.xx

Hi everyone 

sorry for radio silence !! 
have been in hospital past 5 days following my surgery 

I’ve had double mastectomy and the start of reconstruction with enhancers. 
wow.  Long surgery and got to say after 3 surgeries now in last 7 months plus chemo my body feels battered 

Its hard right now as have 4 drains and 2 pumps in until my appointment on 1 st August 

recovery won’t really start until then to be fair 

I’m just so grateful I’m now completely cancer free.  All Breast tissue is removed. 

I start letrazole in 4 weeks and continue with bone infusions every 6 months plus daily Adcal ( vit D and calcium) 

oncologist also prescribed amitryptaline for neuropathy in arms following chemo

My hair is growing at a rate of knots 

I do feel this has been the final hurdle albeit the highest and I hope in the coming weeks I can now start to repair and recover 

 do laugh and say these 20 year olds fake boobs better be worth it   lol 

hope everyone is doing well and your surgery can be soon too Pippin 

xx 

Hi Carol, good to hear that you 1st radiotherapy went well. Unfortunate that fire alarm was going off, it must have difficult listening to hear the instructions. Especially annoying as it happened on your first session. At least you didn't have to evacuate, that would have been awkward! Good luck with the rest of the treatments. Xx

I really do hope you get to enjoy your holiday beforehand.  Once you have surgery you really are limited.  Most I’m allowed to do is lift my arms to my shoulder and it’s hard with weight of bags holding all the pumps around your neck. 
I went back to hospital yesterday as support bra was restricting my breathing.  That’s sorted a bit better now 

my situation may be slightly different due to BRCA1 gene and grade 3 cancer  hence my timeframe   That was also why I’ve had enhancer implants   Surgeon has had to scrape tissue as close to skin and nipple to ensure nothing left   
enhancers mean they are not inflated yet to ensure best chance to avoid skin necrosis and nipple necrosis   
they will gradually be inflated as I heal and then will have surgery most likely to change for silicone in due course  

the genetic make up was why I’m not using stomach tissue   I also had hysterectomy and ovaries removed 12 years ago and have a lot of scar tissue 

right now this surgery has been hardest in terms of recovery   But I think it’s due to all drains etc   Be prepared for needing a lot of help and for resting loads 

I can’t even hold my granddaughter   !! I can just about manage to hold cup of drink 

onwards and upwards though   - it can only get better and it’s not like chemo where you know your crash gain with another round   

hope everyone else doing well - recovering from COVID and post radiotherapy 

xx

Hi Carol 

how was the radiotherapy. Hoping not as grueling as chemo 

I think worse is likely tiredness - but I know what you mean about wearing the bra especially in this heat 

hope rest of treatment goes well and the hair keeps growing 

xx 

Hi NGS,  it sounds like you are going through a difficult time, it must be hard with movement being so restricted. It's the recovery period that concerns me the most, not so much the actual surgery. I really don't like sitting around when things need doing around the house. It would be lovely to go away for a rest, but I'm concerned about the risk of covid, I really don't want a delay in surgery when I get back. I'm not so worried about the delay in surgery before the holiday, as apparently the phesgo helps prevent the cancer growing. I too had a hysterectomy some years ago, but breast surgeon said they'll go back in through that scar and extend it. This will need to be confirmed with the plastic surgeon,  so fingers crossed it will be OK. It sounds like you are doing really well and are staying positive. If you think of any tips about the  stay in hospital  please let me know. Hope all goes well on the 1st, having your drains removed. I'm sure you will be much more comfortable once this has been done. Xx

So I had one drain removed each side and the PICU pumps disconnected.   I go back Monday hopefully for the remaining drains to be removed. 
things are feeling very tight currently which is so uncomfortable 

I see the surgeon next Thursday who will remove and change dressings.  I think it will be premature to inflate the enhancers anymore at this stage so that may commence the week after.  It’s a long process 

the hospital gave me two heart shaped pillows one for under each arm - they had a v shaped pillow I have for sleeping are invaluable.  You have to sleep on your back but at an angle so you keep implants in place 

I’ve accepted I simply cannot do anything.  I can’t hold my granddaughter even. 
im ignoring anything  in the house and just tell myself there will be plenty of time to clean in the future 

my husband is really good.  He’s cooking washing etc but like you I don’t like sitting around if things need doing.  However my body tells otherwise so I have zero choice 

make sure you have strong pain meds - I have oral morph prescribed thankfully 

it’s not like chemo though.  With every day it improves. And stays that way thankfully 

xxx

Hi NGS, glad to hear you have had a couple of drains removed and pumps disconnected. Hopefully, the others will be gone on Monday and you will be more comfortable. I was told my drains would be removed before leaving the hospital. Most people that have posted on here say they come home with the drains, so will have to wait and see. It sounds like you are going through quite a difficult time at the moment, I'm dreading it to be honest. I'm still waiting to see the plastic surgeon and have mri on my stomach, so still not sure if we'll get away. Would really just like to know a time frame now. I really wish you a speedy recovery. Xx

Hiya. Drains stay in for at least a week and up to 2 weeks so I guess depends on how long you stay in hospital for.  This is most restrictive part.  My husband has to empty each drain every morning and record measurement for the hospital.  I’m hopeful the last 2 will come out Monday as volume is reducing nicely now. 
The purpose I think is to prevent fluid build up and further complications so I’ll take that 

it’s nothing like chemo.  Every day is slightly better.  And mentally your cancer free 

really hope you get a date to work towards soon and MRI gives go ahead.  
i Have made most of watching the Olympics which isn’t too bad 

how are you feeling post chemotherapy ?  
xxx

Hi, I will be staying in for 4 o 5 days, so will assume will come out with the drains. What clothes do you find most comfortable, with the drains in? I'm sure hubby will look after me. He's doing well with his training giving my phesgo injection, so will soon be doing those at home. You sound like you are doing amazingly well, hopefully I will be fine too. You're right it will be fantastic to be cancer free, even if there will be ongoing treatment. I am feeling really well at the moment, I certainly don't feel like I have cancer, apart from no hair. I bought a new shorter wig yesterday  which will be nice in this warmer weather. Keep resting and enjoy the Olympics. Xx

Hi NGS,

Gosh does sound like you've been through a lot with this last surgery NGS, it's a big op. 

I had my drain for about a week after surgery and had to empty it out until it got to a low enough level...i definitely didn't have 4 though, that's a lot, glad they've taken a couple away and fingers crossed you have the others removed on Monday. Keeping everything crossed, hopefully you'll be a lot more comfortable then. I also had the heart shaped cushion which was amazing, such a lovely thing to hvae been given by the hospital, apparently local ladies make them. It really helped me after my surgery. Really hope you start to feel a little more comfortable soon. is the breathing etc better? Its a huge op you've just been through so do take it easy and enjoy the olympics. I'm watching loads, my son is really into it too so we've been watching a lot together. I can imagine it's hard not being able to do anything though and not to lift your grandson but do take it easy..as hopefully that will mean a better recovery in the long run!

Pippin - hope the Phesgo injections are going ok and really hope you get to go on a little break before your surgery. Glad you're feeling good at the moment post chemo

I've just done first week of radio and so far so good. 2 more weeks to go....No side effects to report as yet so hoping that continues. Just started my Anastrozole pills which is a type of hormone therapy - i think you asked last time Pippin, i basicially have monthly Zoladex injections which shut my ovaries down and stops my ovaries producing oestrogen and then the anastrozole stops any other oestrogen in my body, mainly through the fat cells..basically putting me into medical menopause. I've only taken 2 days worth so no side effects yet...keeping everything crossed it stays that way...i'm definiley having a few mild hot flushes but i can cope with those...just hoping no other side effects make themselves known!!!!

Take care ladies 

xx

Morning all

Goodness NGS the drains sound very uncomfortable, but as you say, all for a good cause and it will be worth it in the end.  Hope the remaining recovery goes well and you can start inflating soon! 

Pippin24  Hope the Phesgo injections continue to go ok.  I would plan your break for September, the surgeons will work around your availability.  That's what they did for me before I started radio.  I did ask as I was planning a weekend away, but they said not to worry and they would work around me, and they have.  Sounds like you will have a little mountain to climb so a good break before hand would do you the world of good. 

Greeny80 Glad radiotherapy is going well.  I've just completed 5 rounds and, like you, apart from being a little achey in the left shoulder and boob (where the op was), I have been fine.  I have 4 more to go, Mon-Thursday this week.  I find the journey to/from the hospital more tiring than the treatment itself.  Though on Friday I did have to laugh, each time I've been there have been 2 people in the room, but on Friday there were 5!  I laughed and said they were multiplying lol.  3 of them were students and the other 2 the usual radiography team.  All the pills etc sound a bit daunting but it sounds like you are smashing it. 

Let's go ladies!  We are doing this and we have all come so far!  Go us!! :) 

xx

Morning all

Goodness NGS the drains sound very uncomfortable, but as you say, all for a good cause and it will be worth it in the end.  Hope the remaining recovery goes well and you can start inflating soon! 

Pippin24  Hope the Phesgo injections continue to go ok.  I would plan your break for September, the surgeons will work around your availability.  That's what they did for me before I started radio.  I did ask as I was planning a weekend away, but they said not to worry and they would work around me, and they have.  Sounds like you will have a little mountain to climb so a good break before hand would do you the world of good. 

Greeny80 Glad radiotherapy is going well.  I've just completed 5 rounds and, like you, apart from being a little achey in the left shoulder and boob (where the op was), I have been fine.  I have 4 more to go, Mon-Thursday this week.  I find the journey to/from the hospital more tiring than the treatment itself.  Though on Friday I did have to laugh, each time I've been there have been 2 people in the room, but on Friday there were 5!  I laughed and said they were multiplying lol.  3 of them were students and the other 2 the usual radiography team.  All the pills etc sound a bit daunting but it sounds like you are smashing it. 

Let's go ladies!  We are doing this and we have all come so far!  Go us!! :) 

xx

Wooohooo ladies.  All drains now removed 

scars healing nicely 

seeing surgeon Thursday to look at plan to inflate enhancers but I definitely feel like I'm over the worse now 

my cousin has raised £500 today having coffee and cake for breast cancer.  She is surviving secondary breast cancer with tablet chemo - 8 years in now.  

we can all do this for sure 

xxx