I noticed a lump in my breast at the end of August 2024. Had many appointments the next few weeks/months. (Ultrasound, mammogram, biopsy, bone scan, MRI)
On October 16 - it was 2.8 cm and the plan was a lumpectomy.
On november 14 - it was 4 cm, the plan changed to a mastectomy because the size of the cancer compared to breast tissue?
On December 20 - I had my modified radical mastectomy.
After a few weeks, infection was set and the wound was still open so I have to go to the hospital twice a week to change my vacuum bandage (Pico7). The wound is looking good now and waiting for it to slowly close.
Went to see my surgeon and he removed 9 lymph nodes because some seemed bigger than normal but they are all clear.
I found out that that the cancer is in the wall muscle. he had removed a piece at 2 places. (He has only seen it in the muscle one other time)
Because of my age (50), I had two options: surgery to remove muscle or radiotherapy. I chose removal of muscle hoping it would mean less treatments afterwards.
My next surgery date is February 14, I am not looking forward to it as he said it will be more painful than a mastectomy. I think, I am mostly scared because the wound of the first surgery didn’t even heal yet.
You have been through the mill and still with a surgery to come. I’m hoping that sharing your story in here has eased some of your worries. I found the anonymous nature of this forum helps with being able to share more easily.
The next 11 days are going to seem like a long way off but it’ll probably come around sooner than you think. Try to plan something nice to do to try to distract you.
I will be thinking of you in the 14 Feb, let us know how you get on with your recovery.
What a terrible Valentine’s Day present but at least you know it’s from someone you never want to see again!
I had my first op a week befor Christmas and was back on Christmas Eve with a nasty infection. That was Christmas Day 2003 and I am still alive despite getting another cancer diagnosis in 2022.
I am now 69 and don’t look too far ahead. My mother who has never had breast cancer is now 97 (98 on April 2025) and has a much more difficult life than I do. I would not say I have a perfect life but I could be in Gaza or Israel or Mexico