Hi, I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time at the end of last year. The last time I had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy and counted myself as fortunate. Unfortunately sixteen years on, I felt a lump in the same breast, requested a mammogram which came though as clear (I have dense breast tissue evidently, who knew!) however on further investigation, I had a 27mm tumour in the same breast. Since the last episode was so long ago, it was counted as a new cancer. I had a mastectomy with immediate implant in January, however the wound didn’t heal and despite my consultant’s best efforts, ultimately the implant failed. I was aware that I was more vulnerable due to previous radiation but hoped it would worked. Last week I had further surgery to remove the implant. My haemoglobin levels and blood pressure levels were low when I left hospital so I was prescribed iron tablets which I have been taking for four days. I am still feeling very weak and tired and I wondered if anyone else has been in the same situation and how long it took to feel more normal again.
I appreciate that I had two surgeries in about five weeks and am struggling a bit to come to terms with the mastectomy, and these factors may affect the way I am feeling.
Thank you
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Thanks Shi,
I spoke to one of my nurses today and I’m seeing my consultant next week. She has been with me on my journey and I have told her how I feel. It seems that the iron tablets can take a while to make a real difference.
Thank you for your response. It’s less than a week since my last surgery so still really early days but I will definitely speak to my nurses if it doesn’t improve or gets worse.
Many thanks,
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Hi, I am in a similar situation to you. I had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy in 2018, followed by a perforated flap and 2 lipo grafting reconstruction operations which all failed, so I decided to just be lopsided. Then in December I was diagnosed with a recurrence of Lobular breast cancer and this time needed a Mastectomy which was last Wednesday. Unfortunately I bled quite a bit and ended up in A&E and the surgical ward, so I’m not having a smooth recovery. Today is the first day I’ve not bled so I’m now going in the right direction.
Like you, I find myself feeling very drained, I expected it a bit but not as much as this. I’m doing my exercises which haven’t been easy but today I do feel I’m getting somewhere.
We have both been through so much and need to be kind to ourselves. Don’t expect to much too soon and don’t push yourself too much. You really have been through so much.
Your iron tablets will take time to improve things for you but you will find one day you will wake up and notice the difference. I really hope It is sooner than later for you. 
In the meantime, take it easy, eat bananas and don’t push yourself too hard. If you are concerned at all call your breast care team or as mentioned on here, the nurses on here are here for you. Best wishes x 
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You really have been through the mill, I’m so sorry to hear that. I guess everyone’s experience is different and for some of us, things don’t quite work out as we hoped.
It is a lot to cope with, emotionally and physically. I usually have a fairly active lifestyle but just feel so helpless at the moment.
You are right about being patient though. It will take time.
My consultant and MacMillan nurses have been brilliant but it’s good to share on here, it makes you feel less alone.
I wish you well and hope you continue to recover.
Best wishes x
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Thank you so much. It sounds like you have been through a lot as well. How are you feeling today? So you think the iron tablets are helping at all?
I’m still not having a great time of it. I sat out in the garden yesterday, it was lovely. However, after about an hour, I felt wet again, so went indoors to the feel I was getting wetter, my husband and I went to the bathroom by which time it was running down my trousers. I undressed and it came flooding out, all the fluid that built up over the last few days. I lent over the sink and gentle pressed the area until it stopped leaking, it was awful to see, my poor husband 
. I had a bath and felt a lot better afterwards but was very sore. I just don’t know what to do about it because when I saw my surgeon on Monday he wasn’t bothered at all. Do I contact them again or just keep doing what I am doing? It’s so hard isn’t it.
Anyway, I really hope you are doing better. Sending big hugs
Hi,
That doesn’t sound too good. It is so difficult to know what is fairly normal and what you need to worry about. Yor husband sounds very supportive. Mine has been too, it is hard for them to see us going through it too but I’m so grateful for the support.i hope things improve for you soon.
I’m still taking my iron tablets, day 6 but still feeling tired. I saw my nurse today and she seems happy with the wound and redressed it. I had another blood test so should have the results by Tuesday when I see my consultant, be interested to see if my haemoglobin levels have gone up.
Take care and try and stay positive x
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How are you feeling today? Do you think the iron tablets have started to help now? It can take a while and you also could have your dosage increased to help. Anaemia is horrible to deal with and can be very frustrating, especially when you have so much to deal with yourself and your body needs all the help it can get.
Take care of yourself x
Hi,
Thank you. I actually do feel slightly better today. I’m still taking it easy but maybe the iron tablets are beginning to work.
It isn’t easy recovering but I felt as though I’m running on empty. Hopefully I have turned a corner and can begin to heal properly now.
I hope your recovering continues well also.
Best wishes x
do ring the number in here and speak to a nurse, also have you rang your team too they might want you to pop in to check you over 