Tough day. Hope you are ok x

Thank you. I have been diagnosed with grade 2  iinvasive ductal cancer also pre cancerous cells. Need a mastectomy, just waiting for HER2 result to see if I need chemo first. I actually feel strangely calm now I know what I am dealing with! 

I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. It sounds as if you have a plan in place and I hope things can start to move forward for you. Sending hugs lovely xx

Thank you

AJ 

sorry you had a diagnosis it’s a shock but you can do this 

big hugs hete to chat anytime love Lara xx

Hi AJ. I’m sorry to hear your diagnosis. It sounds similar to mine. I had my mastectomy today and am now home. Not sure about needing chemo or not yet though. Feel free to ask anything about the mastectomy. Good luck and lots of love xx

Thank you

Sorry to hear you are going through this as well. I hope everything went well with your surgery and you are not too uncomfortable. I will definitely touch base with you at some point if that is okay. Just trying to get my head around the issue of reconstruction!

Thank you. All went ok with my surgery I think. I’m a little sore but haven’t felt the need to take the codeine that they gave me- paracetamol and ibuprofen will be enough I think at the moment.

There’s a lot to consider with reconstruction, isn’t there? I opted against it for now, and am going to see how I get on with a prosthesis. I didn’t really want an implant, as it wouldn’t look the same as the other breast. I also didn’t want a long procedure with a substantial recovery time, partly as I’m self employed and the main earner in the family. There’s enough stress in this situation without me having to worry how we are going to pay the bills. 

I think my age also played a part in my decision. Although I’m only 55 and  want to look nice (and hopefully symmetrical), I’m not going to be wearing a bikini on a beach holiday any time soon! 
We are all different in our wants and needs when it comes to making the decision. I hope that you are able to come to a decision that you feel at peace with. My surgeon told me that I could have a reconstruction at a later date if I wanted to.

Keep in touch with us all- this has been so useful and conforting for me at a time when I have felt quite alone xx

Thank you. All went ok with my surgery I think. I’m a little sore but haven’t felt the need to take the codeine that they gave me- paracetamol and ibuprofen will be enough I think at the moment.

There’s a lot to consider with reconstruction, isn’t there? I opted against it for now, and am going to see how I get on with a prosthesis. I didn’t really want an implant, as it wouldn’t look the same as the other breast. I also didn’t want a long procedure with a substantial recovery time, partly as I’m self employed and the main earner in the family. There’s enough stress in this situation without me having to worry how we are going to pay the bills. 

I think my age also played a part in my decision. Although I’m only 55 and  want to look nice (and hopefully symmetrical), I’m not going to be wearing a bikini on a beach holiday any time soon! 
We are all different in our wants and needs when it comes to making the decision. I hope that you are able to come to a decision that you feel at peace with. My surgeon told me that I could have a reconstruction at a later date if I wanted to.

Keep in touch with us all- this has been so useful and conforting for me at a time when I have felt quite alone xx

Glad to hear you are doing okay and managing without the Codeine. Your comments have been so useful about the reconstruction thank you for sharing that. I am swaying more towards no reconstruction and using prosthesis for pretty much the same reasons as you. I am 54 so yes I think age is making a difference to my thought process. 
Take care and I hope you have a smooth recovery.

Thank you. Feel free to ask anything, and I’ll do my best to help you x

Hope you are feeling ok.I had bilateral mastectomies last year ,followed by chemo .Felt well throughout and no pain after op either .Had lymphclearance on left as a second op. All good .Didn’t go for reconstruction at the time and have worn prosthesis for a year . Waiting for reconstruction now . Tried to be positive and has helped a lot . 
I am 61 ,all the best and keep chatting with us xxx

Hi ladies , I’ve just had my mastectomy and reconstruction . It was complicated and I almost lost the breast but my surgeon took me back to theatre x 3 and took a vein graft and skin graft so it’s l king more positive now . It is a big op (8 hours ) and a 3 month recovery period so bear that in mind . It was really important to me to try for a reconstruction , for my self esteem , but everyone different . I’m 63 and still wear a bikini ! Lol xx Life in the old bird yet!

Hi Rumpelstiltskin,

Can I ask what made you decide to have a reconstruction now? It’s useful to know your experiences of using prostheses.

Many thanks x

LCR 

I love that you still wear a bikini at 63 yes is ladies love being ladies I was devastated having my nails off to go for my operation absolutely crazy in the grand scheme of things but it’s part of who I am , xx 

Wishing you a speedy recovery and you be soon back in your bikini on the beach xx 

Lol xx Yes I was devastated as my first surgeon would not do a reconstruction , as I have had previous breast cancer in the same breast (18yrs) & radiotherapy , I also smoked for 48 years! My fear was waking up flat ( I know , very vain ) but very important to me . I wouldn’t even have my tattoos for radiotherapy 18 years ago and caused havoc ! Anyway fast forward and I was referred to another surgeon who agreed to a reconstruction if I gave up smoking , which I did in a week! 
Delayed reconstructions are still in high demand , and as it is classed as “ cosmetic” , poor ladies are waiting 2/6 years for their surgery and going private would cost 25-£30K! 

I had to have my nails taken off on Monday- I’ll be back to have them done next week, as my disgusted is going to be off work so we are going together xx

It’s different for all of us, isn’t it? I didn’t like the thought of being flat really, but also couldn’t face the long recovery time when I’m the breadwinner in my family. I love that you still wear a bikini!! xx

Yes , I’m down to half pay now which is a struggle but as the main breadwinner I can see that would be a factor for you x Yes I still get my lippie on ! I haven’t worn make up since my surgery on Monday last but I will soon ! Lol