Hi. this is my first time on any forum so don’t know abbreviations. Diagnosed invasive lobular July 2011. No symptoms; small area picked up on routine mamogramm (age 52). Further MRI/biopsies showed larger area. op for sentinel lymph node biopsy clear. Had left mastectomy/reconstruction, right side reduction Oct 2011 (removed 2kgs!). Clear margin so no chemo/radio, just Tamoxifen but only just starting to recover.
Post op results showed grade 3 ductal in situ too. Haemotoma cut out 2 wks after op. Couldn’t understand why I wasn’t getting better & found out I’ve had pseudomona infection (6 courses of anti-biotics). Consultant been stitching/gluing wound weekly and open wound nearly closed now. Getting my energy back and can walk to surgery now (nurse been doing dressings for 17 wks/still can’t shower!) but starting to feel weepy. Only seen close family last few months as too ill to go out. Lucky to have wonderful supportive sons. Grateful nodes clear & no chemo & know I was lucky , so why am I feeling so emotional?
Hello turquoise
Welcome to the forums, this must be a very difficult time for you but you have come to the right place for support from our experienced users who I’m sure will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime maybe you would like to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information.
The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 9.00 to 2.00.
Best wishes
June, moderator
Hi turquoise, just wanted to say hello and that I’m not surprised you feel weepy after all you’ve gone through over the past few months - it sounds quite an ordeal when you’d hope to recover from mx in a reasonably straightforward way (think I would be blubbing my eyes out).
I was diagnosed with invasive ductal cancer a year ago today (also 52 and via routine mammogram), and also had haematoma after mx, though luckily it all cleared up when they did more surgery 3 weeks later. Can still remember how lousy I felt though, even for that short while, so please don’t beat yourself up and I do hope you are starting to feel a bit better. Hopefully some others will come on who can give you the perspective of getting over this sort of infection.
Big hug and very best wishes
Jude
Hi Una12, really glad to hear from someone. How are you doing now? I can’t have implant expanded till my wound closes & the new skin is strong enough, then need op for permanent implant later on. Feel like I’m not a cancer patient as cancer removed (hopefully). Thanks for your support.
Hi turquoise, I’m doing really well at the moment (toes and fingers crossed).Had to have chemo and rads and finished end Oct, now on Tamoxifen and contending for queen of the hot flushes title - but apart from that managing ok back at work and feeling soooo much better. Not sure if I will go for reconstruction - was a pretty flat-chested gal before so don’t think I’d know what to do with a cleavage, but it sounds like you’re looking forward to the next stage with yours, so hope your skin heals up well for that. I too like to think that I did have cancer and hopefully don’t any more, and try to look forward as much as I can.