Hello Everyone - I’m new here, it’s my first post. Diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma in Feb. I’m having single mastectomy next week, with immediate implant. I’m dreading the whole ordeal of being in hospital for this surgery. I’ve no experience of being in hospital for anything. I’ve prepared as much as I can to help cope with my anxiety. None of it feels real. I feel like it’s all happening to someone else. People keep asking me how I feel - I honestly don’t know how I feel. I know I’m scared about what will be left of me when all the treatment is over, whenever that might be. But I’m going to give it all I have and do the best I can. I’m just looking to connect with other people to feel less alone. Thanks
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Hi Daffodil7
Sending you lots of light & love.
I had my single right breast mastectomy August 5th 2025
It went very well with hardly any pain afterwards
I chose not to have reconstruction surgery afterwards.
So my oncologist put me on Tamoxifen 20 mg once a day.
Been taking it for 6 months now. Only side effects started 3 months in is a slight rash under my belly button across most of my lower abdomen.
Dr. gave me a steroid cream to put on it twice a day.
So far it is helping so no problems it should go away within 2 weeks hopefully.
I was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive lobular carcinoma.
All my lymph nodes showed no cancer on mammogram & ultrasound but my Dr. removed the sentinel ( main) lymph node during my mastectomyto make sure & it was clean so no cancer in nodes.
I have an onc score of 19 so
my surgeon & oncologist Drs. said that’s really good.
All the margins they checked during surgery were clean too so I guess I am in good shape now
I will have a follow up mammogram on my left breast in early July.
I have had follow ups with my surgeon & oncologist .
The drains after surgery was the only part that was uncomfortable, but after about a week they took both of them out.
I thought I’d be in severe pain after the surgery but I had very little fir a couple hours after it then none at all & I didn’t need any pain meds after they released me from the recovery room & put me in a regular room.
My Dr. has all his breast cancer surgery patients stay overnight in hospital which was great.
I loved all the attention & all the nurses were so wonderful.
I wish you a speedy recovery after your mastectomy.
Also hope all goes well with your reconstruction surgery too.
Don’t be afraid you will do great & be fine!
I am new here & live in the USA.
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Hiya. I had mine 2 weeks ago. I opted for flat so was home the same day. The day itself will probably feel like it is gone in a flash as you will be high on adrenaline. I was struck at how relatively painless it is (remember I went for flat though). The drain is a bit of a nuisance but it’s not in for long. The site of the breast is numb for quite a while. Any breakthrough pain is manageable with normal pain relief. Just keep on top of it, don’t wait until it hurts.
It does feel surreal I agree and there will undoubtedly be moments when you feel some emotion about it. Maybe keeping in mind the context for doing it…the desire to be free of cancer.
Keep talking to us on here, we are a lovely group of people and we are all looking out for each other. There is also a thread about mastectomy that we set up, so you might find that helpful to engage with.
Let us know how you get on. xxx
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Hi @daffodil7 sorry you are facing this journey, I was diagnosed with invasive ductual carcinoma last October, mass was 35mm. They started me on tamoxifen straight away and the plan was surgery. This was the hardest part of the journey, waiting from the day of diagnosis to the plan.
I had a single right mastectomy with SLNB and reconstruction 12 weeks ago, they kept me an extra day because I have 3 children under 8 and they wanted me to be comfortable with the drain and vacuum dressing. It was not as sore as I was expecting, i managed with paracetamol only and had stopped all painkillers within 2 weeks. The drain was removed after one week and the vacuum dressing after 3.
I was sent for physio after and have had 2 sessions and my arm was fully back working with 8 weeks. I started back to work 7 weeks post op, I probably could have returned sooner but took the extra time for me.
Its all very scary, my story might be different but before I went in, I had got myself organised, stocked the freezer with dinners, organised a lady to come in once a week to help with cleaning, dressing beds that kind of thing which was a God send. I know im fortunate to be able to do that but it did help especially with 3 small ones.
I was lucky my lymph nodes were clear and my oncotype score was only 16 so they have started me on hormone therapy for 5 years, tamoxifen every day and zolodex injection every 4 weeks. Ive had 2 injections so far no major symptoms except tiredness, which could just be as a result of having 3 children to run around after.
I found this forum great, im not sure if I have answered any of your queries or eased your fears but please reach out if you need to x
Sending you healing thoughts today x