hi it all hapens so quick and its never ging to happen to me… i found a lump had mamogram nothinng showed up consultant inspected said a cyst drained it didnt go away had scan on the border so did core biopsy went home results fri pm. fri morn a call to go and see surgeon it was cancer. surgeon said hiding under cyst only small treatable. do a wide excision and a sentinel node biopsy on safe side. results yesterday. help all cancer out lymphs clear but found two more tiny bits of cancer grwoing in safety zone. now suggests a masectomy incase more cant see. i asked about other one said didntshow i said nor did this so now having an mri scan whats this the whole body breast etc. also said do reconstruction at same timeas masectomy. it all happens so quick i am scared.
Hi there,
I had the exactly the same thing starting in Feb this year, with my mastectomy with immediate reconstruction in April this year. 7 months later, my new boob is fine, and no one can tell I’ve had it done - not even in a bikini.
However, of course it’s scary and you can’t quite believe this is happening. The upside of having the mastectomy is, as like you my nodes were clear and it wasn’t vascular either, that I have not had to have radio or chemotheraphy and am just now on tamoxifen as was er positive. I requested Novaldex D as my tamoxifen due to less side effects - so far, I have had none except for being tired - but that could be stress, plus looking after three children and three stepchildren!
Try to stay positive - things will get better for you - and use this site (and the bcpals site) as much as you can. The support is wonderful and you don’t feel so alone.
Sending you all my best wishes,
Sally xxx
Hi Jal,
Don’t worry…easy said I know…I had my mastectomy in June of this year and I’m fine now.
Mine also began with a WLE (wide local excision) as a result they couldn’t find a clear margin for me - I had DCIS - so my only option was a mastectomy.
I haven’t had a recon yet, but I plan to do in the near future.
You are in the best hands, so try not to worry.
Good Luck
Linda xx
Hi Jal7777,
I think most everyone is scared when dx’d especially when things happen so quickly.
The lymph nodes being clear is a plus, it suggests that the cancer hasn’t spread. Even when lymph’s are involved it doesn’t mean the cancer has spread.
The mri is a fact finding examination. I too have had a mastectomy 4 weeks ago, I am still a little sore but things are fine. I chose not to have a recon at the same time though.
I am sure every thing will be done in your best interest. In my opinion its the waiting thats always the worse.
Take care
Carol
hi carol
i know its a personal thing, but y did u choose not to have a reconstruction at the time and did u have radiotherapy.
hi sally lou
it seems if we having the same then. i dont know what type or stahe of cancer i have all i was told it was idc invasive duct. i am still learnig all this. another worry is should i have the other one off as well. is it a choice i will get. the reason i worry as nothing showed up r is this mri magic and i should except the results. still with my luck at moment it will show something. thanks
julie
Hi julie,
I had radiotherapy last year following a lumpectomy and chemo. The mastectomy was given because of a recurrence. I chose not to have a reconstruction because it is a longer surgical procedure with a higher risk of infection (But not too high!). I had infections after both previous operations and I couldn’t face taking the chance. In the back of my mind I only saw my boob as a cancer making factory, sorry I don’t want to alarm you but that is how it felt, so I opted to have and end to it.
I hope that helps clear things
hi cb102
that has helped me i think you were worse than me i hope u recovery fully at moment i dont need radiotherapy but who knows what results willl bring after all four weeks ago i knew nothing. xxx
Glad to help jal777
I am doing well at the moment, I see the onc on 6th Nov to see what chemo is needed next. My cancer although third time recurring is still classed as regional so I still look towards the ‘cure’ stage.
If it helps, if you do have rads later down the road, its not too bad at all providing you use the creams to avoid the burning. I personally found it a breeze, but other have not been so lucky.
Cheers