Iām still not sure of all the terminology but I was diagnosed on 17 Dec, have MRI on 2nd Jan, surgery on 23 Jan. Iāll find out on 9 Jan exactly which surgery but most likely lumpectomy. They said itās not spread to lymph nodes but theyāll take 2 out and test to be sure. No chemo but will have radiotherapy and tablets.
They are giving me the impression that this could all be gone in 3 months!!
Seems too good to be true. My mum had breast cancer at 34, died aged 55. That was 35 years ago now. I guess Iāve always expected it to come knocking and being 55 myself itās kind of got in my head in some dark ways.
Iām doing ok though I think, relatively speaking, and this forum is packed full of smart, strong and well informed women so I feel this is a good place to be.
Odd thing is that Iāve never felt better than I do right now (physically of course, mentally can get in the bin!)
I want to be in the best place possible for surgery. Is there anything I can do to prepare for that? Iāve got just over 3 weeks.
Hello!
I had a right side mastectomy without reconstruction at the end of October and apart from some numbness under my armpit I am really well recovered now.
Best tip I got from this forum before surgery was to get a v shaped pillow for after surgery. I am usually a side sleeper so having the right shaped pillow to help me sleep on my back was really helpful. I also got some comfortable post surgery bras in prep, didnāt spend a lot as got some nice sports style ones from Asda online.
Post surgery I was amazed how quick I was back on my feet and getting about ok.
Good luck x
Hello
I had double mastectomy 7 weeks ago. Had been really worried about it but in fact it has been easiest part of treatment so far.
A few things I found helpful:
A long u shaped pillow than I used to stop me rolling onto my side in bed. These are easy to find on Amazon. Make sure you get the longest size available. Sometimes they call them 'full body pregnancy support pillow '.
A flat soft pillow to put across your chest area when you are in the car to protect you from the seatbelt rubbing you. I attached some ties to mine so I could actually tie it up at the back to keep it in place.
Small heart shaped mastectomy pillows to pop under your arms on the side of your surgery to help keep you comfortable. My hospital give you them (and drain holders). They are made by volunteers. Ask your hospital if they will.
Front closing upper body clothes for the first week or so after surgery as you wonāt be able to get things over your head easily. I had front closing post surgery bras, camisoles, pyjamas, shirts and cardigans and put them all out on a table in my room so they were all in one place.
Lots of baby wipes so you can freshen up easily if you canāt have a shower.
Twisting to the side and reaching out to the side can be a bit uncomfortable at first so think about moving side tables/bedside tables so you donāt have to do that.
If you have drains then you need to think about where they will go at night when youāre in bed. I hung mine from the headboard in their holders and then just unhooked them when I needed to get out of bed for a wee. My headboard is antique brass style so worked well.
I hope these few tips are helpful and I wish you all the best. Xx
Thanks for the advice and so good to hear positive stories. I bought a V shaped pillow as soon as had that wait from biopsy to diagnosis as I basically wasnāt sleeping and just wanted to be more comfortable propped up in bed.
I think it was also part of the retail therapy that gripped me in the small hours. I bought all sorts of random stuff
So sorry to hear that you have joined our āspecial clubā
I had a lumpectomy mid Nov. They did however find some cells in my nodes. Initially I was told no chemo but they decided that chemo and radiotherapy was in fact the best belt and braces approach.
I was rather shocked and upset, having thought I was getting away without chemo, but in hind sight I am happy that I have this option now they have found it in my nodes.
Some fantastic advice given by the other ladies.
I agree, the first couple of weeks are a little uncomfortable but I was surprised how quickly I bounced back.
That said, please allow yourself some rest and take any help offered by others. The support from my friends and family has been amazing and really does help you get through this.
This site is so reassuring that we are not alone on this journey and help and advice is available.
Good luck with your surgery.
Amazing tips, thank you so much. I didnāt know about drains and yes those trips to the loo in the night will need some planning!
Iāve read about the heart shaped pillows so Iāll ask about them and great tips on getting front fastening clothes. I might need some new pjs as mine are all Tshirt tops.
Thank you, Iām glad to hear stories of bouncing back. I donāt know much about the surgery yet but yes Iām hoping for no chemo. Weāll see as Iām gathering things can change at any time.
I think itās the mental side that is quite tricky at the moment as the cold turkey HRT withdrawal means Iām like a moody teenager one day and other days I can conquer the world.
I never know what kind of day itās going to be til I open my eyes.
Iām starting tell people and I think the support will help. Thanks again for replying x
I had a lumpectomy earlier this year and was surprised to not really need that much. My top tip would be a decent high support sports bra (the cheaper ones I found unsupportive and only wore them for sleeping). Primark do some excellent seam free crop tops in nice colours for Ā£8 which have a little padding. They felt supportive and protective plus they also have lots of styles of knickers to go with them (just because weāve had surgery doesnāt mean we canāt have nice underwear!). I wouldnāt buy loads yet though, as you wonāt know until after youāve recovered physically whether you may be able to go back to your usual underwear.
As you will already know, recovery time will be different for everyone depending on many things including the type of treatment they have. I would say, however, that even though it seems unbelievable to begin with it is possible for this to all be over and done with relatively quickly. When first diagnosed I felt like you and thought my life would be drastically changed for the foreseeable but in reality it hasnāt been. I was diagnosed in February, had surgery in April, felt fine and back to normal things by the time I got my results in May and have been fortunate to have no issues with radiotherapy or tamoxifen. I genuinely believe regular exercise has played a huge part in my recovery, both physically and mentally, and, if you are able, is the best preparation you could do.
Hi warmfuzzies, sorry to find you here.
I had lumpectomy with clear margins in April last year. They also took a couple of lymph nodes with the first being positive. Surgery was fine. Absolutely no issues with lumpectomy although a small area took a while to heal. The lymph node area was more painful. Recommend the painkillers for a few days. The excercises they provide really do prevent arm and shoulder stiffness. I was back on my feet, but taking things easy, within a couple of days. I was signed off work for 3 weeks until my follow up. I then went back to work on light duties until radiotherapy in June. Radiotherapy was also fine, but did get really tired.
They provided me with a heart shaped pillow which helped in the car and also in bed.
As others have said, front fastening loose clothing and pjs.
Loads of films, cups of tea and rest and you will sail through it.
Let us know how thing are
Best wishes x
I switched to high support sports bras a couple of years ago as the underwires kept digging in and making me sore. They arenāt front fastening and are more shoulder dislocators at the best of times tbh!!
Iāll wait til I hear what surgery Iām having before buying bras as I prob need to be measured again. Iāve lost 2 stone since April through intermittent fasting which has been fortunate timing I guess.
Loving the tips and positive stories, itās helping me feel less scared of whatās coming. Thank you x
Thank you for your positive story. Itās encouraging for sure. I took up Padel tennis this last year which has made me much fitter and together with a bit of weightless and being more than 3 years alcohol free I think Iām in decent shape to face this.
I could do with another year to get fitter and lose more weight but it could certainly be worse.
I just hope I can get back to playing after 6 weeks as itās great for me mental health too.
Hereās hoping thereās no more surprises!
Thanks again x
I had a lumpectomy and three lymph nodes removed on 31st January, with clear margins and clear lymph nodes. This was followed by 5 sessions of radio therapy and now on 5 years of AIs. I can honestly say the surgery and RT were easy, the only advice I would give is make sure you do your exercises regularly but otherwise it was all fine. I found the waiting from biopsy to surgery was the worst part especially as my surgery was delayed for a month due to the doctors strike. I kept a journal and wrote down all those horrible thoughts that keep popping up in the back of your mind, I am now on my third journal and itās still a good way to deal with our over active imagination.
Wishing you a smooth and easy route through your treatment x
Other helpful tips
. Take someone with you to every follow up or consultation with a pen and pad for information, notes questions and answers
. Youāll need someone to drive you and pick up after surgery
. Have a soft pillow or cushion to rest your arm for the journey and a heart shaped one for under the armpit ( my hospital provided one)
. Wear front fastening bras and tops and pjs for a few weeks post surgery
. I bought an XXL zip up hoodie for walks out and keeping cosy indoors ( shein have loads)
. Do the arm exercises every day
. Keep hydrated
. Make up batch meals and freeze them beforehand
. Ask friends family neighbours to pop in for cuppa and company
. Download box sets and rest, sleep will be a great healer
. Take all the sick leave you need ( i had 2 weeks and then did half days for a week)
. Do not pull or mess with the stiches or covers ( they will fall off eventually
. I used bio oil to help the scar heal and to gently massage the site
. Get a hospital telephone number so if you feel things are warm or look infected or swollen ( buy a in ear thermometer off amazon) and see your team if you feel uneasy or unwell
. One day at a time
. Rest
Thanks @nannabee thats so good to hear. Great tip on the exercise too. I think I cope best by gathering info as a way to try to take some control. Not easy when my brain is on fire - that seems to be the only way I can describe it.
Iām half way through the cancer guidebook by Dr Liz ? Anyway itās great and is helping me fill some gaps.
Iāve also ordered move through cancer as I really want to try to not lose the fitness Iāve finally started to feel this year.
Iām frantically writing in my journal, or ādoing my madnessā as my husband affectionately calls it. Lol
Hii warmfuzzies
Welcome to the sh1ttest club ever. Optimism was my battleshield, as my path changed drastically from 1 tumour to 2, to 2 lumpectomys, to lymph node full clearence to mastectomy & reconstruction. For each surgery my saviours have been the prep. From batch cooking to organising easy fit clothes to buying an airplane neck pillow for putting on arm/ shoulder, it stopped my arm aching, kept it from falling across my chest when dozing off. Eat what you want when you want & walk daily to feel normal & get fresh air. Sending you best wishes xx
My breast cancer journey was very similar to yours. I was diagnosed February 2024 & had a lumpectomy & sentinel lymph node biopsy in March. 5 days of radiotherapy in May & I am now on Tamoxifen.
I was very scared of surgery as Iād never had an operation before & being overweight it was all doom & gloom & full of risk.
I prepared for the surgery by stopping drinking alcohol for 4 weeks before and after surgery & eating as healthily as I could. I had and still have an excellent support around me with family, friends and work, you definitely need that but if you donāt there is plenty of help and support out there.
I know it doesnāt seem like it at the moment but you will get through it.
Talking and sharing your feelings is a must.
I still worry now, every little issue I have I wonder if itās come back but the breast unit I am under are excellent. I can ring them whenever I want to speak to them.
Hi Warmfuzzies. Iām in the same crappy boat as you and all the other lovelies who have replied. I was diagnosed with Stage 1, grade 2 invasive in November. Had a lumpectomy on 3rd December with sentinel node removal. All margins came back clear with no evidence in lymph nodes. Have started Tamoxifen and have 10 radiotherapy sessions scheduled for mid January. Can only echo what others have said in terms of preparation. I batch cooked, got the dog walker booked for extra sessions, bought some seriously unsexy but supportive bras which I have worn non stop since surgery. The actual surgery was fine, I went into it very positive and just wanted the cancer out my body if Iām being honest. Some pain as expected on days 3/4 to my breast but bearable with painkillers. Unfortunately the wound under my arm became infected about 2 weeks after surgery which caused me some pain but I got a course of antibiotics and have been fine since. Everything seems to now be healed fine, been making sure I do the exercises and just trying to eat well and look after myself in the build up to Radiotherapy. So far no issues with Tamoxifen.
One thing was suggested by another posted which I initially eye rolled at when suggested was journalling thoughts, worries etc. Never in a million years did I think I would ever do it but it really helped to blurb out my thoughts and found it quite cathartic. Unless youāve been through it I donāt think people quite get it despite best intentions. My treatment was quite rapid, itās only been over the last week that I think the after effects have hit me in terms of trying to find a new normal moving forward. I wish you well for your surgery x
x