New to this group... questions about mastectomy

Going through breast cancer treatment Surgery
1

Hi all,

I’m new to this group, I’ve been diagnosed in the last couple of weeks with a couple of IDC and an area of DCIS of the rt breast. I’m 47 years old and also have a condition called protein s deficiency which means my blood clots too quickly. Had a DVT during twin pregnancy 10 years ago, prior to that diagnosis. 
I’ve been told I will need a right sided mastectomy and offered some choices of reconstruction. So I’ve decided on the Braxon with silicon implant. Partly because it’s less time in hospital and less of me to heal up. Is my way of thinking. 
My op is booked for 13th April (thankfully a Tuesday not a Friday !) and I have been told I will be in hospital over night. 
I have some questions… 

  1. Is anyone else protein S Deficient and does it affect the implant with Braxon? 

2)bras… wondered if I need to go up a size or two ? 
2) has anyone had Braxon and get to keep the nipple in place? 
3) What is it like coping with the drain? 

Also how did you, (if you have young children) explain the op to them? I have almost 10 yr old twin girls and they have seen my boob when I had the two previous biopsies, as I’ve always been the kind of mum who’s open about my body and what happens. My daughter even removed one of my steri strips the other week, because she wanted to feel helpful . 
They do not know my diagnosis. That’s something else I’ll need to explain in a way that doesn’t scare them. 
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I can see from that you all seem really helpful and informative and I guess everyone’s in a similar scenario. 
I’m very matter of fact about my diagnosis but I do have times when I have a good cry about it. I’ve got wonderful friends and family to talk to. It’s just nice to ask questions to you ladies who have actually been through it.

thank you  

Clarey Lou

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Hello Clarey Lou

Welcome to this forum, it has been a wealth of support to me, I really hope you find it helpful too. I’m also sorry that you are here as having a diagnosis is not an easy thing to deal with.

I am 43 years old. I had 3 areas of invasive breast cancer in my left breast. I had a mastectomy with a Braxon sling and implant in November. I opted for the implant for the same reasons you mention.

Regarding my surgery, I was told to expect to be in 1 night but I ended up staying in 2. Prior to the op I thought I would want to leave hospital as soon as I could but when I came to it I felt safer within the hospital. Getting used to my new breast took some time and I knew at least in hospital the staff were doing all the necessary checks.

In answer to your questions 

  1. I’m sorry I can’t help with this but hopefully someone on here will come along soon and be able to.

  2. The aim with my implant was to make it the same size as my natural breast. When I came round after surgery I was surprised that I didn’t have any big dressings on after surgery just steristips. There wasn’t any swelling either. I had bought bigger sized pyjamas to accommodate this but I just didn’t need to have. I bought a post surgery bra from Theya online. It was really soft and stretchy with a front fastening. My surgeon advised me to keep this on day and night for 4 months. I have only just stopped wearing it at night. He said it would help keep the implant in place while it knits together.

  3. I decided to keep my areola but not my nipple. My surgeon explained BC can return in the nipple so I wanted to reduce risk.

  4. for me the drain was tough going. I had it in 9 days. I did buy a bag from drain dollies to carry it around in. I found the site of it going into my body was uncomfortable and so it made sleeping hard. Some people don’t find it a problem and don’t need it for long.

I have 2 children aged 15 and 13. I’ve kept them informed every step of the way and we just keep talking about it when they want to. I told their school early on who have been very supportive and ‘checked in’ with each of them. When I first told them about my diagnosis I explained what was happening and needed to be done without saying the word cancer. I said this word at the end. I didnt know what they already knew about cancer and didn’t want them to be worrying before they knew the facts. I thought I would be in tears telling them but I found I wasn’t. I was able to tell them in a very positive way. My cancer was stage 1 and treatable.

I’m sending you lots of positive vibes as you go through your journey. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Take care xxxx

3

Hi @ClareyLou ,

Welcome to the forum. It’s horrid you’ve had to join us although you’ll find the support and advice amazing. There’s no such thing as a daft question, celebrate anything that makes you smile, ranting and moaning are allowed, and virtual coffee, tea, gin and cakes are obligatory… and calorie-free.

Can’t advice on the protein s deficiency. Keep speaking to your team and breast care nurse (BCN) about it until you’re happy with their answer/approach. Don’t have a BCN? Demand one. They truly are .

I had a mastectomy (MX) and axillary node clearance (ANC) on 8 January. No recon.

Ask what you’ll leave hospital with - seems it varies. My trust provided a basic front opening bra with pockets, a softie false boob, a little heart pillow to be used as a prop when sitting or sleeping and a little bag to cart the drain around.

I did buy a cheap 2 pack of front opening gym bras from Asda in a larger size than I’d usually buy. Don’t splash out too much for the early days. As I’ve not had a recon, I waited a few weeks to buy a few mastectomy bras - asked my husband to get me some for Valentine’s Day, my usual size. If they were tight I already had some bra expanders I could use. They were not needed.

Today I got my prosthetic boob and, as the fitter said she knew ladies who went straight back to their underwired bras, I dug one of mine out. Well, if I was going out tonight, I’d wear an underwired bra! So don’t go replacing your undies drawer for the sake of it. I can’t advise if there are different dos and don’ts with a recon so get all the info before your op to help you prepare and not buy stuff you don’t need.

I found the drain a faff more than anything - not helped that mine didn’t drain properly. I had to call the ward for help - no problem whatsoever, they were more than happy to help. It was very easy to manage after the first empty. They will show you in hospital but being a bit dopey post-op it didn’t  100% penetrate the grey matter! Mine was in for 7 days - the max. my team allows. It smarted a bit coming out for a few seconds but I was warned so geared myself for it. That was the most uncomfortable I was during that first week… I think I only took 2 or 3 painkillers - remember no recon.

Showering was easy - I used a massive carrier bag as a cape by slicing a hole in the bottom to keep my dressings and drain site dry. I used a lanyard to keep the actual drain dry.

I don’t have children so can’t comment about telling them. Have a search, there’s bound to be a thread or 10 about it and a pamphlet or 2. Macmillan should have a booklet too. Ask your BCN. 

It’s great that you’re matter of fact and crying is good. My family are over 200 miles away so it’s been a bit difficult just managing with calls and the like. Can’t wait for lockdown restrictions to be lifted so I can go and see them. I can’t tell you how wonderfully supportive my girlfriends have been - thank goodness for a park just yards away!

Lots of good wishes for an easy a journey as possible.

AnGELa