Hello ladies xx
May I first say that I am sorry for the ordeals that so many of you have had to go through, you are all so brave and reading this site has been a huge eye opener for me.
Keep fighting xxx
I’m suzie, age 28, and I’m here because my lovely mom has just been diagnosed this month with the dreaded breast cancer in one breast. She is 62 and was diagnosed following a routine screening. My nan had breast cancer 40 years ago (in her 50’s but survived and went on to live until her 80’s) so it is in the family but has still come as a huge shock to us all. Mom is going in for a mastectomy and reconstruction using a saline implant on Oct 8th. She will also be having the good breast reduced in the same op so she can have a matching pair (well almost!). The implant will be over filled at first and then reduced a few months later but I don’t think it will need to be replaced so I presume the surgeon is using a permenant implant with a valve? They’ve not said whether any lymph nodes will need removing. She’s been told the implant is saline so that any radiotherapy won’t damage it as it would with silicone, but I don’t think she’s been told yet whether she will definately have radio or chemo. Does anybody have a rough idea of how long she may be in hospital? Is it a good thing that they will reconstruct in the same op? I read a lot of posts and information but I’ve realised that each case is so different from another, it therefore makes it quite difficult to gather relevant info!
Although I have told mom about this site she is reluctant at the moment to find out to much about it all, she doesn’t want to learn too much and worry herself unneccessarily she says she’s knows about the op and doesn’t want to know anything else at the moment.
So I’m trying to research for her so she has a rough idea what to expect after surgery and also looking to see what things she needs to take into hospital with her.
I feel like a bimbo (!) saying this on here but I had breast implants earlier in the year…
( so trivial I know compared to what my mom will go through and what so many of you ladies have gone through - please forgive me for mentioning it xxx)
… but I know extensive research and preparation helped me a great deal - ie loose fitting front fastening tops, easy to pull up trousers, moving things off high shelves at home prior to op. Obviously however mom’s surgery is a great deal more invasive than mine and her trauma much greater so I’m looking for as much info as possible so I can help her to be as prepared as possible.
Thank you for listening and good luck and best wishes to each of you having to deal with this awful disease.
I have also posted this thread in the Reconstructive surgery room as I think you may get more replies in there.
Your mum may find a Breast Cancer Care publication on reconstruction helpful I have added the link or you can order it via our helpline.The helpline is run by a team including specialist nurses who may be able to answer some of the questions you have about you mums reconstruction, the line opens at 9am and is open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and Saturday 9am-2pm on 0808 800 6000.
Thank you Sam x I thought about ringing the line but decided to try posting first to see what advice I could get for her. I may still ring it yet! - suzie x
Sorry to hear your Mum has joined our ‘club’, but lovely to hear you’re supporting her. When I first was diagnosed I ordered all the relevant booklets from here, as well as places like cancer back up. Then I read, and re-read and it has been knowledge that I have needed to understand and make decisions.
For some people though they just cannot cope with all the information and prefer to just take on one small step at a time, usually just going as far as the Doctor leads them. Hearing of other peoples problems with the same diagnosis/ treatment etc just makes them worry. So Mum needs to be able to do this in her own way.
I do suggest though that you fid out as much as you need to help you cope, and that you use the helpline as Sam suggests. I would strongly recommend the primary resource pack: breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=7514
Your Mum can keep all her hospital information, appointments, questions to ask etc in it and it doesn’t look like a hospital type thing. Mine goes everywhere with me and i keep everything in one place!
If you order the other, relevant booklets, then your Mum can read them if she wants to or leave them alone, but she will have the choice. There’s a great one for post surgery exercises etc.
All best wishes for you, your Mum and your family
x
yes I have ordered the resource pack as I thought it looked excellent. Mom has been given a lot of leaflets by the hospital, I have started to read through them myself, but my mom hasn’t looked at them much yet. I understand that she doesn’t want to scare herself too much but I want to know as much as I can so I can support her and maybe be able to explain things when she has questions. I think she might want to learn more as the day of the op comes closer, I think she just wants to feel normal for as long as possible at the moment - and I certainly don’t blame her!