I was only diagnosed three weeks ago with breast cancer, I’m 45 with two young children dud have two puppies till I let someone from the clinic agreed to look after them, she told my daughter she would get them back once I was better yesterday after being told they also found pre cancer and that I had to have a mastectomy that woman phoned and told me she couldn’t look after them for a year they now have been moved to Lincolnshire to live with the woman’s mother in law I won’t be getting them back, they got six hundred pounds puppies for free. Anyway how do you cope with a mastectomy, what’s it like looking down and seeing nothing, I can’t get my head round this whole cancer thing I’m never ill and now have cancer and due to have surgery on the 12th June. It’s so bloody crazy,
Sorry you are so sad. Know how you feel, I am way ahead of you now but remember it vividly. I got great support from the Recently Diagnosed thread where there were a lot of ladies in my position and we helped each other along, and rejoiced when things went well . You are not alone in this. This forum is brilliant, there is always someone on the telephone help line, and you should have a BC nurse to support you. I think right now your faith in decent humans has taken a knock, but I’m a firm believer in what goes around comes around. They’ll get theirs! ? In the meantime you need to look after your health as there is a marathon ahead of you. Eat healthily, stay fit, get fresh air while you can, enjoy the gift of family. Sending a big hug. X
Hi Qalateka
well firstly is it too late to get your puppies back home? They can’t just take them away from you without your permission. Do you have a partner or friend or relative who could help you out? Personally I have two Labradors who help a lot with my emotional and physical health. They get me out in the air. Although I couldn’t walk them myself at the moment.
With regard to the mastectomy from what I’ve seen a straight mx is not that painful or physically difficult to get over. Done as day surgery at my hospital. I had mx in May but also ended up having to have axillary node clearance. Then ANC is giving me numerous problems and taking a while to get over, but the mx part is not too bad. Have you been offered a reconstruction or been told that you can’t have this? I think most people can have a reconstruction at a later date, but some, like me, can have an immediate reconstruction. I had expanding implant put in at time of mx so woke up with approximately B cup. I’ve just had my first injection of extra saline to expand some more. I couldn’t say my expander implant is comfortable and it will require further surgery later. Most of the discomfort comes from the ANC giving me a seroma and swelling my breast up to a D cup at least. But at least I have a breast and for me emotionally that is a relief. I think I’d have been upset with a flat chest. It’s personal choice really. There are really good prosthetics and pretty bras etc is you have just the mx and that has got to be the easiest surgery with the quickest recovery. However there are also lots of different options for either immediate or delayed reconstruction, achieving good results. Have a look,at the options on this website, talk to your surgeon and breast care nurse.
There is a lot of help, support and information around and this forum helps with that.
good luck with your journey. xx
Just wanted to say how surprised I was that I was actually ok with the breast being gone …and I have big boobs so there is a significant difference …I’m not sure whether it was a case of being glad to be rid of it given what it contained but it really was ok and once you put the softie in when you’re dressed it’s hard for other people to tell …plus i assume the proper prosthetics look even better ( not tried one yet) N xx