Morning

Sorry that you have had the news no one wants.

I had a full mastectomy last Thursday, as I had already had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy in the same breast therefore this was the only option for me.

I personally decided against a reconstruction as the surgery and the recovery for me was too extreme and I wanted to get the lump out and get back to the new “normality” that is now my and my family’s life. 7 weeks ago life was my old normal that’s gone now in a sense.

I am feeling fine recovering really well and coming to terms with my right flat chest.

I went to the prothesis dept at my hospital before I made my decision ,and had a long chat with the lovely nurses there and they went through the whole process and saw the prothesis and felt at ease with them.

I go to the gym and keep fit myself,and was told that there were prothesis to suit all even swimming.

Its not an easy decision as your mind and emotions are all over the place shock why me ... it goes on.

Hope all goes as well as it can,and you can make the decision that you fell comfortable with, we are all so different.

All the very best in your treatment and if you want to chat anytime that’s fine.

G x

Hi cheffy

sorry to hear what you are going through. I had a masectomy three weeks ago with ancillary lymph node removal. Like pug07 I opted for no reconstruction and if I’m honest I forget that my right boob is non existent. Think others notice it more than me. I tried a softie after surgery but it was awful and felt like I was trying too hard to look “normal” so I’ve not touched it since. They say the prothesis is better but I’m having that six weeks after surgery. 

I run albeit more a slow backward plod and currently am unable to do so for another week but I joined the walking group which is part of a local running club to try and stay fit until I can run. I can’t help with running with reconstruction but ask the nurses as they are really knowledgable x

thinking of you Friday and fingers crossed it’s not as bad as you fear.

take care x

Hello

Glad to hear you are on the road to recovery too.

I had the sentinel node removed this time,as there was no evidence as yet of any spread and my lump was 6mm.I had a lot of the lymph’s removed last time around, that was 28 years ago so things have moved on considerably since then.

I too have the softie and have worn it the times I’ve been out, it’s for my own self as I am quite busty so I felt lopsided, but it’s only temporary thankfully.Again we are all different it’s a bit hard and lumpy so not ideal.Should be fitted with prothesis in 8 weeks max.

In the house I just flop about and it’s fine.

Its certainly a more personalised treatment now to

my first experience no google or anything to totally terrify you even more than you are.Our only reference was the Lancet.

I wasn’t even believed and had to kinda demand the lump coming out as I was “far too young” to get breast cancer and then they threw everything at me even radiotherapy and chemotherapy all with no lymph spread.I refused tamoxifen as they couldn’t prove to me that it would stop any cancer coming back  at my age.

im waiting for my lymph results and the last  pathology to see if it’s the same cancer/ a new cancer.

Good Luck with your treatments

G x

Hello G

Thank you so much for replying I really appreciate it. 

Thats a great idea about going to the prosthesis department before any decision is made I had not thought about that. And I had no idea they could be used swimming. So thank you this has helped a lot. 

You ain't kidding about your emotions being all over the place and I like you long to get back to 'normal ' life. 

I am really sorry to hear you have had to have further surgery and hope the recovery goes well. 

Thanks again for replying 

Wendy xxx

Hi there

The waiting is by far the worst at least when you get the results you know where you are and can deal with it.

If you’re up to it let us know how you get on at your appointment.

I was surprised at the prothesis and made my decision easier, hopefully if you see them it’ll make it clearer for you too.

Good Luck again 

G x

Hi Wendy,

I hope you don't mind me replying to your post. I recently had a bilateral mastectomy, I went from being told I was having a lumpectomy to the bilateral mastectomy after an MRI found a second tumour. I had my op on NYE just past, and I am now able to get back to running. I was hoping you could give me any advise on running after reconstruction, that's if you had reconstruction. 
 

I hope you are doing well in your recovery. 
 

ED x

Hello Ed

I am doing very well in my recovery thanks and I really hope you are too. I cannot believe you had your operation on NYE omg what a day to have it done on. 

I ended up initially having a lumpectomy as they were not sure if the second area was cancerous or not and they were going to retest it in 6 months. But I didn't get clear margins so went on to have a mastectomy with implant. After both operations I was out walking everyday to try and keep my fitness levels up and it also helped me mentally with what I was going through. I tried to walk around 10k every day. 

I had the lumpectomy beginning of July and the mastectomy late August and was running again in December. There was a slight delay in running as I developed recurrent seromas 3 months after the operation so I delayed running for a bit. 

But I've been running since December and have no issues at all. I wear two bras for extra support and was advised to do this. I wear a sports bra and just a soft bra which I got from Asda. I read up a lot about running after the operations I had and some people complained of having breathing issues but I havnt experienced any issues at all. It's the one sport I can do where I can completely forget about having an implant. 

I had a frozen shoulder after the mastectomy so I found swimming difficult and I still get recurrent seromas but none of this has affected running. 

But my biggest advice is listen to your body. Take it steady at first. That's what my surgeon advised. You will know this I am sure but if you havnt been exercising or running for a while build it up gradually. I didn't listen straight away and did have a slight injury but I think all runners are guilty of this lol. But it was so good to be back. The injury had nothing to do with the implant just the classic pulled muscle no big deal.

Im running during lock down and missing my running buddies but have got used to running alone and now with music which is really helping. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to get back to what I love so soon after the operations.

But it's great you have been told your able to run again. I can still remember when I was able to do it again, I felt quite emotional. So enjoy, take it steady and please please listen to your body. 

I wish you the very best with your continuing recovery and happy running enjoy. 

I hope this helps and if you have any more questions just let me know 

wendy x