It must’ve been extremely hard having a mastectomy. I hope it’s ok to ask this, but how do you feel about it now?
Oh, thanks for explaining about the ER and PR receptor thing. Being ER + and PR + doesn’t sound like something that’s good. I know being HER2+ isn’t good, but the BC nurses have told me herceptin is great. I’m 34 and the nurses also said HER2+ is more common in younger women.
I see the consultant next Thursday for results of the operation - I’ll found out the stage of the cancer and be told if I need another op for lymph node removal. I had 2 enlarged lymph nodes that I could feel next to the tumour, those were removed. I think being able to feel 2 enlarged lymph nodes there isn’t a great sign, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I do need another op.
Btw, I’ve tried using the forum on my laptop to see if that makes a difference to PM, but it doesn’t. I guess the site still thinks I’m too much of a newbie to let me PM!!
I’m really pleased for you that the breast reconstruction was so good. It’s amazing what they can do these days. I think we’re very lucky to be living in a time where surgery and treatments for cancer are so good nowadays. When you say you had immediate breast reconstruction surgery after the mastectomy, how soon after the mastectomy did you get it? They must’ve been two huge operations to recover from and mentally prepare for.
The stitches have dissolved from last Monday’s op, it only took a week - very quick! It looks pretty good, I was amazed.
Yeah, I wrote a list of questions to take with me to my last appointment, but forgot the note and left it at home!! You’d think I wouldn’t have been so scatterbrained with something as important!!
If I do need an op for lymph node removal under my arm, I think it’s going to be a rather awkward and uncomfortable place to have a wound during recovery. And, yeah, they’ve explained to me about the risk of lymphedema.
I don’t understand why I can’t PM. And, yeah, maybe we could swap email addresses.
Wow! That’s brilliant they did the reconstruction surgery at the same time! You must’ve been totally exhausted after though.
I’m actually still taking codeine at night since this op. Can never seem to lie down in a position that isn’t sore. Plus, the codeine’s drowsiness side-effect helps with sleep a bit. My sleep has gone to pot!
I was a support worker, for adults with learning disabilities and severe autism. But, due to the nature of the job I can’t work just now. No, I don’t have any kids, so I guess how it could have an affect on them is one less thing to worry about just now. How about you, have you managed to stay at work? Any children yourself?
Cocoa - try clicking on the help button, when I go into this page I see my messages in the top left, seems to be the only way I get into pm’s!
Sue - I will be having a mastectomy and I’m probably going to go for immediate recon using the back muscle, still to meet with plastic surgeon to discuss.
I reckon my op is going to be mid to late July, do you think I will be ok to ride a bike by end of Septwmver? Going to Center Parcs and really hoping it’s not a write off for me. Think swimming may be a no no?
xx