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Breast total duct excision ~I hope this helps someone

Pickles
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My first post  but not my first visit to this forum. It helped me a lot when I was going through my treatment and I want to return that support.

Xmas 2018 I noticed clear , almost blister water type fluid, coming from my right breast nipple when I took my bra off after a long day at work, more so when squeezed lightly. I’m 50 years old and wondered if it was ‘the change’ although I don’t think I’m in it or if I am I’m very lucky as zero symptoms! 

So off to the GP I go for reassurance that it’s ‘an age thing’ Unfortunately she couldn’t reassure me and referred me for a consultation with a breast specialist. 2 weeks later I see a lovely consultant and his junior training team, again expecting to be told ‘ it’s age’ so when he said there was blood in the sample he took and it was only one duct so I needed further tests. 2 weeks of worry again , mammogram and ultrasound both showed as clear however they wanted to do the full duct excision to exclude cancer and understand what was causing it. I think I’m a tough cookie but I was rocked I hadn’t told my family or friends ,just my partner and work colleagues,as they would be in spin. I decided to tell them and they were upset I didn’t share sooner but each to their own it was my way of dealing with the unknown. My 24 son was the worst affected and I hated to see him worry. 

So I had the operation on 14th March 2019. The medical and nursing team were amazing , they really do care. Post op I was suprised quite how swollen and bruised my breast was and to be honest the first week was pretty uncomfortable. I’m a DD cup and found wearing a none wired bra 24/7 for the first week helped a lot with holding the breast in a comfortable position whilst it healed. The sterile strips were easily removed on day 8 but my nipple was scabbed and very sore on one side so I put good old germaline on sterile lint squares taped it and wore Breast pads for a few days and it healed very well.

I had follow up results appointment yesterday (15 days after op) and was relieved to be assured it was nothing of concern, inflammation and debris which caused the bloody fluid, no follow up appointments and it’s healing super well just some bio oil recommended to help with the scarring. I sat in the car post appointment wondering if I had overreacted , been a drama queen but not knowing and wanting that reassurance is tough for anyone. I promised myself whatever the outcome I would post on here to hopefully help someone and to make a donation to cancer research which is my next task. Wishing anyone waiting for results or dealing with results much love I’m thinking of you

  • Offline in reply to Sam.L

     

    Hi Sam,

    Don't forget to ask your surgeon how long it is likely to be before you get your results. This gives you a time scale to go by. Many don't do this and are just left in limbo until the results come through.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Francesca08

    Hi Francesca,

    i had a total duct excision yesterday and, like you, am surprised by so much swelling and bruising. How long did it take for yours to go down?

    cheers

  • Offline in reply to TheThirdGirl

    Hi, 

    It look about  4 to 6 weeks for all the bruising to go. My nipple is still quite sore when touched but only a little. I got the all clear which is the best feeling ever. I found the waiting for news really hard and just took a day at a time, tried to keep busy and kept thinking no news is good news which it was for me. 

    It is a hard journey and I think we all over think every little thing and Google although great has it's draw backs. This site is great and just the odd person commenting and supporting really helps. 

    I hope this helps you and will be thinking of you

  • Offline in reply to Francesca08

     

    Hi Francesca,

    I am delighted to hear that your waiting was worthwhile and, that you got the all clear. You must be over the moon with this result.

    Did your surgeon give any explanation for your discharge and, are they going to bring you back for any further reviews?

    You have really made my day, as it is always such a pleasure to hear positive news.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline

    Hi Pickles

    Thank you for sharing your experiences. I am feeling alone and fragile. 
    Spontaneous bleed from nipple followed by GP visit, mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. Still none the wiser and awaiting total duct excision. 
    Really surprised at how it has shaken me. Those around me don't seem to get it. The rationale part of me knows my risk of cancer is low but google offers up lots of outcomes and I haven't been discharged for wasting someone's time as I really expected!
     

  • Offline in reply to Boo147

    Thought I'd add to this thread as I had a total duct excision 10 days ago. I had an inverted nipple with intermittant bleeding. It was first checked 15 months ago with a mammogram and scan. Nothing was found and I was told it was an age thing and nothing to worry about (I'm 67). All was quiet for 14 months no bleeding but then it started again so I went back to the clinic, had the same tests still no sign of anything but I was told to have the operation to be on the safe side.

    A week after the clinic visit I got a phone call to come in for a pre op and a day later a call to attend for the surgery, it was all so fast I didn't have time to think! I've barely thought about the results, I feel so sure there is no problem other than a blocked duct. Hopefully my optimism is rewarded but I do have a worry and a question for others who have had this. My breast was very bruised after the surgery, not surprisingly, the nipple is hard and very sensitive but my big worry is a hard lump, which has manifested itself on the breast quite a distance from the stitches. I have my follow up on 6th January but this is worrying me. Have others had this? If so does it go away?

  • Offline in reply to Sue-Pat

     

    Hi Sue-Pat,

    A very warm welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear that you have had this problem.

    Having had a lumpectomy and a double mastectomy a year later, I can confirm that I still have a hard lump on my breast which I'm told is scar tissue. My problem was a lump on the lower quarter of my breast, so I have no experience of having surgery carried out around the nipple. I had my lumpectomy 10 years ago and my double mastectomy 9 years ago and still feel this .

    Make sure to mention this when you go for your follow up apointment on 6th January. I hope that the news is good when you're there.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx 

  • Offline
    Hi pickles and other ladies on this forum,I’m 43 and a single mum of 4 daughters,I had my first appointment over 2 years ago having a papiloma removed with needle core biopsy,Then last year a second was removed,Hormone blood tests revealed I’m not on the change either,My mum had a mastectomy a month ago after an abnormal mammogram she was diagnosed full advanced breast cancer within hours and in theatre within days,I have not spoke to anyone about how I feel as I only have my mum and 4 daughters and neither are appropriate for answering them,I leak blood constantly from both nipples it’s quite scary but I’m just greatfull to survive this long,I’m concerned that it will look different as people have shown the dramatic cosmetic difference.I was bulimic 3 years ago and my confidence is still not back with my body but my boobs and just come back,any advice on what they can do following surgery x
  • Offline in reply to liag
    Hi Everyone, I wanted to add to this post as I’ve recently undergone a full duct removal from my right breast and wanted to share my experience as when I was going through it I tried to find out as much as I could from others and hope this can help others too. I had been having issues with my right breast for quite a while, but with being only 35 years old and having good size boobs I kept blaming the dull aches or pains on wrong size bras/hormones etc I then noticed a slight white discharge from my nipple, nothing much and again researched and it’s fairly a normal and common thing for us women. It was always on my mind and starting to cause great anxiety so thought I’d best make the call and get it looked at. I booked in with a check4cancer clinic, I was so nervous and scared, with the awful Covid pandemic my husband couldn’t be there to support me, the doctor examined my breast and then I had an ultrasound on the areas he felt where swollen, it really is so terrifying but the staff are incredible, they are kind and caring, understanding how nervous you are. Also he took a sample of the discharge from my nipple to be tested. The ultrasound did not show anything abnormal and the sample was sent away. Unfortunately I received a call a week later to say there was some abnormal cells discovered and he advised that a full duct removal was carried out. It was such an anxious, upsetting and stressful time, waiting for the operation, I had never had any surgery or experienced general anaesthetic, so I was unbelievably scared. Day of the operation the hospital and staff were wonderful and explained everything, the operation went well and I was just glad to get home and rest. I was surprised how small the dressing was when I first had the courage to look at it, my week after surgery was much better than expected, slightly sore as expected but not agonising pain, I was lucky not to have to take any painkillers, the bruising was only under the breast, I removed the dressings after 6 days to give it a clean and put some germolene on, day 7 I had my follow up appointment and he was really pleased with how it was healing, advised to keep another dressing on for 7 more days, at the follow up appointment the doctor advised me that when he went in that all my ducts were clogged and swollen so we did the right thing to remove them but the absolute best news was that nothing bad was found and everything was fine. I can’t even describe how that felt, it had been the worse few weeks, the anxiety had caused me panic attacks, sick, chest pains and just so ill with worry. I’m now today the day after and still feel in a daze from the last few weeks but I’m happy and relieved, I’m dressing my wound and fingers crossed it continues to heal well. I really wish everyone all the best if you are or have to go through it xx
  • Offline in reply to liag

     

    Hi Liag,

    Welcome to our forum.

    I have only noticed your post tonight and, see that nobody has offered you any advice. I am not a doctor but it doesn't sound right for you to still have blood constantly leaking from both nipples. Were you assigned a breast care nurse? If so,why not give her a ring and ask her for her opinion? Failing this, make an appointment with your GP. The initial appointment will probably be over the phone, but your GP can then decide to see you or refer you back to the breast clinic if s/he is at all concerned.

    I am so sorry to hear about your Mum's recent diagnosis. My Mum also had breast cancer and I have had two bouts in the past 11 years. I had a lumpectomy first time around and a double mastectomy on the second occasion, so if I can help her with anything please let me know.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you both get on. We are always here for you.

    Seeing a professional about your own problems, should at least, lessen your worry about yourself.

    I hope that all goes well.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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