Hi Miss_Cyprus,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear that your care team now think that you need a mastectomy after 24 years of being cancer free. It is impossible to tell you what to do. It will depend upon what justification you get tomorrow for needing this and what you feel in yourself.

I had a double mastectomy 15 years ago, when I developed a second cancer in my original breast and pre-cancerous lesions in the other. This happened less than a year after having a lumpectomy. Personally, I have never looked back. Unfortunately, I was unable to have reconstruction, but I manage fairly well with an assortment of various prostheses for different activities.

If you get a chance before your appointment, write down any questions you have to ask your consultant before you attend.

Please let us know how you get on tomorrow. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi, 

Thanks for your message -it's nice to know I'm not on my own. 

So it turns out the lump is cancerous and the only option is mastectomy as not allowed any more radiotherapy or another lumpectomy.

It hasn't spread and no lymph nodes are affected which is good news.

I now understand why the mastectomy is needed and I can have reconstruction in time. Having the op Wednesday which is quick but I'm ok with that and it sorts it without time to worry etc.

I've beaten this once and can do again .

Xx

Hi Miss_Cyprus,

I am so sorry to hear that the lump is cancerous and, given this, I expect that you are now happier to go ahead with the mastectomy. You have a lot of positives here, so try to hold on to them. 1) you have found it quickly 2) there is no lymph node involvement  and no spread 3) you are having the op quickly - good in that it is less time to worry about it, but also that it's not being given any time to start spreading. Do you know what type and stage/grade your first cancer was and what treatment you had at the time?

If it's of any consolation to you, I found it easier to recover after my mastectomies than I did after my lumpectomy. Have you got a firm but soft bra to wear post-surgery? I was advised to wear one day and night at that stage and it did help. You will be given a 'softie' to wear at first and will get a proper prosthesis after the area has healed. You will also find it helpful to have clothes and nightwear that open at the front to start with - easier for examinations, as you don't have to lift them over your head.

I shall be thinking of you on Wednesday and I hope that it all goes well. You've got this and, by the sound of this diagnosis, you can certainly do it again! Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

So surgery happened Wednesday afternoon and all went well. My consultant used localised pain relief pre op and regular pain killers afterwards which meant I've only needed paracetamol since coming home. 

Thanks for your advice on tops that opened at the front - new pjs and shirts were a good mood boost beforehand and so much easier after.

Getting post op bras wasn't the best as most did up at the back although I did manage to get a couple of front closing ones.

Seeing breast nurse next week for drain removal etc. consultant filtering week with full results. 

Thanks again for your help

Xx

Hi Miss Cyprus,

Thank you for the update. I'm glad to hear that your surgery went well and that you are coping with the pain. I'm sure that you'll be glad to get the drain out next week and hope that you haven't had too much swelling since surgery. It's always an anxious time, until you see the consultant and get your results. I'm glad to hear that investing in your new PJs and shirts were a good mood boost and that you're finding them helpful too.

Here's wishing you a speedy recovery and keeping my fingers crossed for good news re your results. Please let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

Thought I'd give quick update. 

Scar had nearly healed but had to have imagine dressings to close last bit by arm. 

I had a lump come up below neck at collar bone level and had antibiotics for 3 weeks as it was an infection due to the op .

They also found, at the PET scan, an issue with an adrenal glad on right kidney which is being investigated. Apparently these are usually found by accident or not at all. 

Been on letrozole for 2 months with only odd issue.

Hope all is good with you xx

Hi Miss_Cyprus,

Thank you for the update. I am sorry to hear that you've been battling with an infection following surgery and hope that it is almost healed by now. I'm sure that the finding on your adrenal gland must be quite a concern too and hope that you find out more about this soon. I am glad to hear that you have been coping well with Letrozole and have only had the odd issue.

Keeping my fingers crossed for good news about this latest find - do please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you. I still have some legacies from the cancer treatment, but am doing well all things considered.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx