Hi Bury,

I am glad to hear that all went well on Monday and, to hear that you will be having your mastectomy on Tuesday. Was your surgeon quite happy about this, or did he try to dissuade you?

Having had a double mastectomy myself 8 years ago, I can assure you that it is perfectly 'doable'.

I shall be thinking of you on 15th.

Please keep us updated.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

Surgeon was fine, very understanding. Thank you for your support and will keep you updated.

Bury xx

Hi Bury,

I am glad to hear that your surgeon was so understanding.

I look forward to your update.

Kind regards,

Joolamine xx

Hi thank you, I am waiting on surgery for a double mastectomy   I have cancer on my left breast & a large DCIS on my right breast, I opted for a double mastectomy as I have had 4 cousins on my mothers side died of breast cancer, I truly think that this is the right decision for me  I am 66 years old & my husband & I have spoke at great lengths about this, he totally supports me  but not sure how I will feel afterwards as I have always had big breasts x how did you feel xx

HI Greer,

A very warm welcome to our forum.,

I am so sorry to hear that you are now waiting for a double mastectomy. This has to be a solution that you are happy with and, the decision has to be yours and yours alone. I had a lumpectomy 11 years ago and developed a second primary in the same breast a year later. I also had a large lump in my other breast, which was benign, so opted for a double mastectomy and, I have never regretted my decision.

I lost my mum and many other relatives and friends to breast cancer too. Fortunately treatments are improving all the time. I found my mastectomy operations easier than my lumpectomy and, they healed quicker than the lumpectomy did. I feel that I should have had the mastectomy in the first place, as I believe that I have removed as much cancer as was possible to remove. I have always had big breasts too, but have had not really missed them. The Silicone prostheses are a bit heavier because I was advised to stick to my original size. Over the years the prostheses have become lighter, but they still have a way to go. There are however a number of different types of prostheses and, I manage with a selection of these for different activities.

I am glad to hear that you have the full support of your husband. I have too and, it makes all the difference. Have you got a date for your surgery yet? I hope that you don’t have too long to wait. Are you all prepared for hospital? You will find it useful to have nightwear that opens at the front –so much easier for doctors/nurses to examine you, also your arms will be tender to start with and you won’t want to lift them above your head. Another thing that is useful is a small heart shaped cushion. This makes it much easier to sleep on your side. I bought two cushions for the bilateral mastectomy, but could only use one at a time.

I sincerely hope that all goes well for you and hope that you will keep us up to date as to how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you so much, still waiting on date for operation, not organised for going in to hospital trying to put it to the back of my head, but I will be fine, don't know if I am prepared for the shock of having no breasts as mine have always been very big lol but it is for the best xx

Hi there ..

Just wanted to say hi .. and jolomine is amazing and helped me befor my total right masectomy... 

I too was really worried how I'd feel ... and like you had a good 36 /38 DD  ... so knew it would be a massive change .. 

When I looked the first time, honestly, it wasn't so bad ... in fact now its normal .. one breast and one scar .. I was 63 .. and my first thought was it was a small price to pay for giving me back time ... time to spend with my amazing granddaughter...  every day is a bonus ... and at the time wanted 7 more weeks to spend with her through the summer holidays in 2017 ... and never dreamed I'd be here 3 years on ... and doing o.k ...

I had very little ain with masectomy...as when I had hysterectomy,  I was on a morphine drip after ... this op was weird.. just a couple of paracetamol.... think there's more pain with a lumpectomy...  though under my armpit where lymph nodes were taken did ache and took a long while to get back to "normalish" 

So welcome to our little chat room... treatments have come a long way ... and try to look at your scar as a reminder of your journey and just how far you've come ... so try to take each day as it comes... don't look ahead ... and take each step as and when you need to ... Chrissie x

Hi Greer,

Looking at your chest for the first time after surgery can come as a bit of a shock, but I can honestly say that this has never bothered me since.

Do please let us know when the date for your operation comes through.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

You sound very strong and decisive. I totally agree with you. I would not want any chance of cancer returning.
Im 52 with 2 cancers . Endometrial and breast so I'm having genetic testing. If I was to have a high chance of breast cancer returning I would go for a mastectomy because I want a good quality of life and not fear of recurrence. Sorry I know your question was regarding the nurses. I haven't got that far yet.

Best of luck Ruby x