Hi All,
I don’t usually do forums but I could do with some cheering up! I am 50 and have had 8 biopsies in a week following a suspicious mammogram. 2 doctors tortured me in the space of 1 week, when
Biopsies are meant to be pain free. I have a large grade 3 and an
Additional grade 2 in my left breast. I have already been told about masectomy and apparently won’t know about the lymph node results until I see a surgeon. I am on the pill and have been told hormone tests would be needed. I have been crying a lot and I am very scared. The thought of having one of my big boobs removed and the pain really scares me. So much to take in and a lot of unknown.
Hi @marionse25
I am really sorry about your diagnosis and not surprised you’re shocked and upset currently. You’re whole world has been turned upside down.
There is a lot of unknown at this stage til your team collect all the information but it won’t stay like that so hold on in there.
Personally I found the biopsies painful too but mastectomy not so bad. I thought my surgeon was mental when he said many patients didn’t need pain relief after, and then, I didn’t either. Not sure if it was euphoria that I woke up, and that after waiting the cancer was gone but whatever, I didn’t have pain just uncomfy when stretching and doing exercises. But it is important to keep doing them.
I have 34DD on one side, flat on other which is a nuisance but with crop top and soft prosthesis not horrendous. I often go without prosthesis at home altho I would rather be flat both sides.
Come back as things come to you, but I wanted to answer the two main things I picked up from your post and not overwhelm you at this point.
Try and take this pre-op time to build yourself up, eat well, try rest and sleep, get out for walks, nice treats so mentally and physically you’re ready.
And take a notebook everywhere and write things that come to you… questions for consultant, questions for here, what you need to do to prepare… and list of treats you can plan for yourself.
You will get through this, you will be happy again, I’m afraid it’s just sh*t for now.
We’re all here for you
X
Hi - I also have two IDC tumours in my left breast . A call back after a routine mammogram in November , 3 biopsy’s and then a diagnoses. I am due to have a lumpectomy x2 on the 6th February and to be honest it can’t come quick enough …. I also don’t generally do forums but this forum has been a godsend , the lovely people on here have helped me through some meltdowns and really dark moments . Take each day as it comes, cry if needed as it will release the stress , Dont Google, it just causes extra stress and most of what you read will not be relevant or up to date . Use your breast care nurses , they are amazing.
I found walking has helped me enormously as has our local Maggie’s centre in the Highlands . Once you are fully in the system and have a detailed plan it will get easier , that was the good advice given to me . Sending you hugs x
Thank you Laura it makes me feel a bit better, especially knowing I may not be in pain after the operation. Last week my 5 biopsies were a torture, the wrong area was numbed I felt a sharp stabbing pain it was awful. And then 3 more on the same area on Thursday again because the samples were not good!
Otherwise I am a 34E and I dont think I want reconstruction. It seems masectomy bras and pads are a somewhat suitable option. To be honest I would rather have my 2 breasts removed. Still trying to swallow the fact that I have been asking for mammogramms for years due to family history but was told to wait until I am 50. Nothing I can do I just need to move on.
I am glad I have joined the forum, not great to hear that so many of us are going through this but the support is priceless. Thank you!
Thank you and sorry to hear the IDCs. Crying loads at the moment and can’t wait to have a date for the operation. The wait is the hardest bit. Happy to hear about the 6th Feb. Sending you hugs and positive vibes!
Hi Marion! I was a 34 triple D and opted for a double mastectomy with a later DIEP. I really liked being flat so much so that if I hadn’t already scheduled the DIEP I might have just stayed that way. It surprised me but I guess I hated my natural breasts that much Anyway the pain wasn’t all that bad for me and very easily controlled with pain meds. In two weeks time I was pretty much back to normal. Anyway I’m so sorry this is happening to you. It sucks and there’s no way around it. But it does get better as you move forward in your plan.
Marionese sorry to here about your diagnosis , biopsies were painful can be sore after , none off these tests are easy
I actually found mastectomy less painful than I thought it would , worst part is numbness after around the sight and under arm had nodes removed , please don’t worry everything it really isn’t as bad as you think x