Hi
Just joined this site-diagnosed with breast cancer on 15th Nov-2 tumours in right breast. Awaiting mastectomy next friday when I shall become one boob short of a full load! Am dreading seeing the scar and am really worried about what I will look like. Any ideas for coming to terms with losing one of my 34DDs??? And where can you buy decent looking mastectomy bras?
Hi gillc
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care chat forums. I am sure some of the other forums users will soon reply to your post with helful advice and support.
You may also find it useful to look at BCC’s resource pack which has been designed for those newly diagnosed. The pack is free of charge as are all our publications. If you would like a copy just follow the link below:
breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=7514.
BCC also have a helpline so If you feel you would like to talk to someone in confidence then please feel free to call 0808 800 6000, the staff here are all either breast care nurses or people who have personal experience of breast care issues. The lines open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturdays 9am - 2pm.
I hope you find this helpful.
Kind regards
Sam
Moderator
Breast Cancer Care
Hi Gill C
I too am having mastectomy - booked for 10th Dec. I met with my bc nurse today and she has given me lots of booklets of different companies who specialise in post mastectomy bras - I am sure yours can do the same. She advised me only to buy a couple just now and wait until am fitted with proper prosthesis until I buy more to get a good fit. I have bought a couple of bras from m and s - am sure you will get loads of replies from other women who have already been thro it.
I too am absolutely dreading it. Just finished 18 weeks of chemo and was hoping lump would shrink enough for lumpectomy but no such luck.
Just want to wish you luck and send hugs
Fiona
x
Hi Fiona
Thanks for your comments & hugs & good wishes. I have bought a couple of bras from John Lewis’ as, like you. was advised to do so by my BC nurse. Chose the nicest ones I could but they resemble something my Grandma would wear! And no matching undies either!
Sorry to hear that your chemo has not shrunk your tumour. I wasn’t offered that-just no choice but a mastectomy-treatment that follows will depend upon results of a CAT scan (been waiting since Monday for results)and biopsies on lymph nodes. I am finding the waiting around horrendous. I am no longer in control of my life! Trying to make the most of it though.
Keep in touch-I feel like gathering every woman who is going through this together in one enormous hug!!!
Love & hugs back
Gill x
Hi Gill
I was dx on 1 st Nov and had mastectomy on 13th Nov, so am now minus a right 36c and all lymph nodes. I was offered the choice of chemo first but consultant advised mastectomy was best option so I took it.
With regard to coming to terms with it - I think I took the very pragmatic view that, other than for my other half’s amusement, I no longer had a need for the breast (I’m 46) - sounds easy I know, but that was honestly how I felt.
The scar is not as awful as I had imagined - although I would confess to searching the internet for pictures of just what it would look like and they did help to prepare me. It is now 16 days since my op and it is healing incredibly well.
I just bought sports bra’s for the early stages which hold the ‘cumfie’ in place that you get immediatey post surgery. Haven’t bought any specialist mastectomy ones yet until I get prosthesis - but have found several websites from links on here that are useful.
Good luck with the operation - please keep us updated with your progress
take care
margaret x
Hi there folks,
Mine is on the 11th - we December girls will have to think about each other! I’m a 32 D and I’m pretty proud of these puppies! I’d only recently forked out a FORTUNE on expensive bras and lingerie and dresses and am gutted that they are all going to waste. Ebay, here they come…
I’m most scared of the general anaesthetic - my op will in a teaching hospital and I’m going to have to make the anaesthetist promise me he’s not going to let some trainee practise on me! I think it is going to be a blow having only one breast - I’m not having reconstruction, are any of you? Just because I have two young boys and want to be as fit as quickly as I can (and also - though I’m not bragging - am TOO DAMN SLIM!!) (Before dx I had loads of fat to spare but the strain has been a fantastically effective diet…)
Good luck to you all and will be thinking of you on your dates.
Love
L xxx
Hi gillc and flaxhigh,
I had a mastectomy end of april this year, with a recon, back flap. I have to say it was the best thing I’ve never volunteered for! Iwas up and around in about 5-6 weeks but then was told i had to have chemo and radio. I’ve now come through all that, a little worse for ware, but it really isnt as bad as you think its going to be, the thinking of it is definately worse than going through it. Maybe its because you have to, I’m still not sure yet but i’m out the otherside and I think, and others around me, that I’m doing really well. You have your good days and bad but I’m definately having more good days now.
All the best to you all, and I know you can do it, us special people can
xxxxxxxxxx
criggy