Hi Every1,
Still haven’t moved on much. Got a letter for my CT scan on the 30th not seen Doctor to discuss anything or oncologist. Not quick enough for me. Going to phone BCN today to speak to her
Deedee xx
Dee dee,
In some ways it’s good to have chemofirst. You’ll be able to fully research your options for mx and any reconstruction.
All the best honey x
Hi DeeDee,
I was initially diagnosed in 2009 with a 5cm lump in my right breast. I opted for a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction as I personally couldn’t bear the thought of waking up without seeing my own skin and a boob of sorts. I had the lat flap ( where they use the muscle from your back) and a silicone implant as I am ample chested and they needed to balance me up! It was a 6 hour operation but in my mind it was worth it. I still have to wear a partial prosthesis as they couldn’t get my right side quite large enough. They were going to reduce my left breast at a later date but in 2011 I was diagnosed with secondaries so that’s on hold. I also had radiotherapy on the right side after my reconstruction and this had been fine. My back and shoulder sometimes feels stiff and tight but I do a few stretches and it loosens up. I’ve also been lucky not to get lymphodema, which is something to be aware of.
Its a really tough decision, and your body will never be the same again, but all the scars are battle scars, hard earned, and a testimony to your strength at tackling this horrible disease. Please try to stay positive and focused, all the scans and tests are frightening first time round, but they get easier and become a part of your life, much as you don’t want them to. Think of them as safety nets, to monitor and reassure.
Lots of love x x
Ooooops! Posted twice in error!
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your comments it really helps.
Got my oncologist appointment tomorrow then will see BCN.
Thurs my CT scan.
5th July, appoint to see another Doctor for breast recons, must be to discuss the operation although at this point I will be going through chemo at this point.
Take care everyone
Deedee xxx 
Hi Deedee,
I had a mastectomy with imediate recon on the 14th May; the initial SLN was negative however with the pathology back it showed that the tumour and surrounding pre cancer cells measured 4.8 and was a Grade 3 (previously had been Grade 2) which was much larger than the mamogramm, ultrasound and MRi so sometimes they just don’t know until they get in there what they are dealing with. Also on the pathology it showed that I had an inframammory node with cancer which was removed with the breast but also the SLN had a micro on it of 0.4mm which is tiny and they advised that I had two options.
1 to leave it and potentially nothing might happen with it or the radio therapy/chemo would get it or have a lymph node clearance. I had to say for me personally there was no choice and I opted for the clearance of level I and II and that was on the 24th May 2013. The took out 14 nodes and all 14 were clear so some might say that I had the op for no reason but for me I will never feel that way but can understand others who do. I had my CT scan last Saturday and I am off to have my bone scan this morning but I have to say prior to knowing that all 14 nodes were clear I was terrified about both of these scans and really my BCN says they are precautionary. Time will tell I guess.
I had a skin saving mastectomy so I was able to just get an inplant put in that will stay there and due to the extra op of the clearance tomorrow is my first “fill up”. The swelling and pain has probably all gone (the arm is sore so it’s hard to distinguish sometimes where the pain radiates from) but I can now feel the implant and it feels weird. It is soft as I can touch it but it feels hard almost like it is clamped to my skin; I am sure I shall get used to it but I am aprehensive of the fill up. I chose this implant to stay rather than the expander also because I didn’t want another operation. I know it is hard to make these decision, I have found that, combined with the waiting is the most unbearable out of all of this so far.
Try not to worry too much about the CT and Bone scan although I can totally empathise with you when the fear creeps up!
Take care
Karen
x
Thanks Karen, My you have through the mill. I will hopefully get results on the 13th when I start my chemo I think I might my onco doc then.
Take care
Deedee xx