I went back to the Marsden today and got my sentinel node biospy results and they are clear. I Cant begin to explain how relieved I feel after the last three months since my diagnosis and lumpectomy. I will be having a mastectomy, and reconstruction and am probably going to go for a bilateral but am scared about the surgery itself.
Has anyone else had this done and how long did it take to recover. I will be having immediate reconstruction and the skin will be taken from my tummy.
Hi there hunny, I had bilateral mx but no recon on 8 March. The mx knocked me for six for a few days, and I had trouble with things like filling the kettle. I felt much better after 3 weeks, though I had nerve regeneration pains that were pretty sore and annoying off and on. After 5 weeks there was another dramatic improvement. I had some problems with inflammation of the veins that run up my chest which restricted my movement considerably, but that sorted itself out after 6-8 weeks. I’m now feeling good and have just started back at work (I have a very physical job). I think it’s very important to take it easy and expect that you’ll feel a bit rough for a while. It’s easy to overdo it the the first week, most of us seem to feel better a couple of days post op, then suddenly stiffen up after 7-10 days. Overall, it is doable and bearable. I hope someone who’s had a recon will come on for you soon. Lots of love and all the best with the op xx
Hi there
I had a bilateral mx with immediate reconstruction 7 weeks ago (I am BRACA 1 positive so decided to go for bilateral risk reducing surgery after dx in left breast). I had the LD flap with implants and have been really pleased with the results. I was also very lucky after the surgery as I have not suffered with any real restrictions to my movement and have healed up really quickly (to give you an example I was vacumming my house a week after my 11 hour surgery - much to my breast care nurse’s distress!!). I also started back at the gym 2 weeks ago (so 4 or so weeks after surgery) and have managed that with no problems.
I think it is one of those things, and like everything else with breast cancer treatment, that really depends on each person. Everyone reacts differently but I can honestly say that for me it was definitely the right thing to do and I am really pleased with how it has turned out.
Lucyx
Thank you ladies for your replies. I was told that I would be in hospital about 10 to 14 days and the surgery would be about 12 hours. The whole thing seems terrifying. Lucy, they are talking about using the skin from my tummy, but nothing has been decided yet as I have to have an MRI scan on Friday to see just how diseased the breast is. I am thinking seriously about having both breasts removed rather than just the one that needs to go as I dont think I could live with the constant worry of is it going to come back. Was the pain managable, thats one of the things thats scaring me. I also have a problem with bleeding (had to have many transfusions in the past)and again I am terrified I am going to bleed to death.
Hi, I will undergo my surgery in July and I will discuss with the surgeon around mid June which option to go for. It is possible that my current BC is treatable with a lumpectomy but because of a couple of relative who had breast cancer there is a possibility that I have the BRCA2 gene mutation. I am being tested at the moment but it’s unlikely that we’ll know the result before the surgery. Also, they told me that a negative result would not mean that there isn’t a genetic cause.
I am finding cancer treatment so disrupting to me and my family (I am 41 and I have 3-year old twins) so I am seriously thinking of having a total bilateral mx.
I am also considering removing my ovaries, because ovarian cancer is a risk for BRCA2 people and because taking the ovaries out before the menopause halves the chance of breast cancer.
My thinking is that I would so regret leaving my breasts in if I get another primary cancer in my breast tissue, while I don’t think I would loose much by removing all and having the reconstruction.
The only consideration is that I would have to undergo more procedures short-term, and the recovery from surgery would be longer.
hi everyone, i had my first diagnosis feb 2000 left breast i had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiotherapy,
went on to have twins, after being told i probably wouldnt be able to conceive,
then november 2010 got another primary but on the right side, had mx chemo and rads,
my point is this, if i had known what i know now, i would have asked for both breasts to be removed in 2000, it is easy to say what you wish you had done, but from my experience i really, really would have just gone for it years ago,
yes it probably would have meant more pain at the time and longer to recover, but having gone through what i have, i think prevention is better than cure,
i have been gene tested for braca 1 and 2 and came back negative, so that was good news, i have 2 daughters so i was very worried about that issue also,
i am 44 now so still quite young too
good luck ladies, and best wishes liz xxx
Dear Liz, thank you very much for sharing your experience. I think exactly the way you think, and how funny that we both had twins. How old were your children when you had the second breast cancer ? I think that my resolve to have both breasts removed comes very much from the knowledge of how disruptive cancer is not only for me but for the whole family. I don’t want to put my children and my husband through this ordeal again, if I can help it.
Thanks for all your input ladies, it really does help to get others opinions. I know that a bilateral is going to be quite an undertaking, but the thought of not having the worry every year of whether its come back greatly reduced (not totally due to some skin being left) really is very appealing, not sure if my doctor at the marsden is going to agree, but she did say at the end of the day its my choice. I too am in my forties and feel I am too young to be weighed down with this worry for the rest of my life.
Hi
I hope this helps, my mum was diagnosed 9 years ago and had single mastectomy, i watched her go through all her treatment, the time with only one breast trying to get clothes to fit and the agnoising yearly mamogram. She wished she had had a bilateral when it was offered. when I was diagnosed in July 2009 at age 33, I initially had 2 lumpectomies and they couldnt get clearance and was then told would need a mastectomy, the first words out of my mouth were well you can take them both off then! My breast surgeon sent me away for a week to consider it and then agreed to do it in Sept 2009. I have never regretted the decsision it was one of the best i have ever made. I dont think I could have personally lived with the worry. I have just had my reconstruction done 8 weeks ago and it feels brilliant. I am equal on both sides something that my mum always has a problemw ith now and I never have to have a mamogram again.
hope this helps
Nicki xxx