Surgery and Reconstruction

Hi
a big thank you to all who supported me last week. Saw the consultant today and was told I need a mastectomy (left only) and rads. Saw all the photos of reconstructions which freaked me out. I would prefer implant reconstruction immediately but they said that there may be problems with the rads. Has anyone taken this route?
Surgery date is provisionally 27 th August so into the round of tests, MRI etc. those who said it’s better once you know what’s happening we’re spot on! Still scared to death and crying for England but at least I know what and when for the short term.
Told family tonight and they were all amazing. Broke my heart when my 89 year old mum cried.
I have every intention of keeping positive through this.
Onwards and upwards!
Angela

Bumping into latest posts for Angela

Hi Angela, not only do we share the same name, but, I too am having a mx and implant tissue expander thing, on 12 th August. This will be my second op, first one was lymph node and lumpectomy. I have found the crying gets better and then worse then better ! I know what you mean about family, I found telling my parents the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
i can let you know how my op goes if that will help ?
most importantly, you are not alone
Angela xx

It does get better when you have a plan of action as you can see a way through it to the ither side. When I was first told I needed a mastectomy I was so upset. I thought why does this happen to me? I decided to have a double mastectomy though as have strong family history and want to eliminate future risk. Anyway I got home yesterday after having the op weds afternoon. I can honestly say the worry and build up to the op was worse than reality. Id reached a level of acceptance the day before, had a good nights sleep and just wantrd to get on with it. I did cry when I met the surgeons and anaesthetist and as I was led to the operating theatre but can honestly say that afterwards the may feeling I have experienced is relief and happiness that the op is behind me. I still have the final results to get next friday. Have discomfort/tightness from the reconstruction which means its hard to get comfy amd sleep but atleast I know this will be short lived. The results look good at the moment and noone would know what id been through by looking at me. My boobs look normal, a bit swollen and bruised but 100% better than I ever expected at this stage. Im not fixating on what they look like though as I have a long time for them to settle (ive been told 6 months) and am at risk of infection etc so not out of the woods but xan honestly say the build uo to the op was far worse than reality. And my head is completely clear now as so much was spinning around in my head beforehand so its so nice. Feel like this is me again! You will be here soon.
You can have expander implants if you are due radiotherapy as they can take out saline and add it back in if scarring happens as a result of radiotherapy. I would push for this if I was you. Having immediate reconstruction really helps psychologically after the op as you really do feel more like yourself afterwards. They are quite expensive and not sure all health authorities offer them but sure you could push hard for them. I hooe it all goes well for you.
Take care
laura x

Laura, thank you. Your positive comments have helped a lot. Best wishes for your recovery
x Z

Hi Angela I have had mx with expander implants and now on rads. Surgeon says worse case scenario will replace expanders if rads damage them. 50/50 chance of that happening.

Wendy

H
Angela, thank you for the post. I’d love to hear how you get on! what a lovely dog. Must change my pic. I will be thinking of you on the 12th.
I am not sure if I’m posting in the right place and for some reason iPad posts everything twice But I assume this is user error.
Laura and wendy, thanks for such positive posts. Laura, I’m so pleased that you’re recon looks so good. I understand that it gets better so if it looks good now you’ll have amazing boobs at the end! What a brave decision to have a double op. I have no immediate family historoaths both me and a cousin have been diagnosed in a year.
Wendy, 50/50 is better than I thought but didn’t take much in last week. I really hope you are in the right 50%!
I am swaying between implant and ld. I really feel that immediate recon will help me psychologically and will push for this. The shock is gradually wearing off but it seems to be one thing after another at this stage which I guess is normal. I am busy at work and feel resentful of the constant per-arranged appointments, which I know is wrong but feels like I have no control. I think I just need to give in and go with the flow but was hoping for a last couple of weeks of normality.
This site is just so full of positive people. You are all so inspiring
angela xxx

Hi, After chemo, I had a double matectomy in June 2012. I had tissue expanders which were inflated over a period of 3 months, then I had 25 sessions of radiotherapy. I will be seeing my surgeon in Oct to discuss my recon, I will be having implants. Good luck

Hi all,
I am recovering from an LD Flap reconstruction done on the 16th July 2013. Yes it was a really tough and heartbreaking decision particularly when I felt absolutely fine and only had a small amount of DCIS. I had made the decision which whilst not thought of as being my best option by the team it proved to be totally the right decision as they found a grade 1 3cm lesion in my breast tissue which had not shown up previously. Thank god I had done this. My family have all been amazing as have all friends and even strangers aware of my surgery. The op was OK and post recovery early days was OK too. The wound looks amazing and will settle down from the bruising eventually. The excersises are the most difficlut part for me due to the pain levels which I do have to keep under control. It is a vicious circle as excersise does me good by stretching and will ease the pain but it also makes the pain increase short term. Loads of pillows help aid sleep. I was nick named the “princess and the pea”. I still have to be propped up and can get very comfortable thankfully. Bio Oil or similar is also very good for massaging the wound site once all the steri strips come off. I am due to go on Tamoxifen which I am not looking forward to but I guess it is a small price to pay. Good luck to everyone experiencing such hard times. As they say time heals and Im sure it will. Take it slowly and one day at a time as each day is different with different challenges…

Hi Angela, thank you, I agree, my collies gorgeous, but I am biased !. I also have a mini Schnauzer

.

hello all, am a newbie here, though not to BC, had DCIS 14 years ago, implant, then pagets, I know had that a few years after all this, now have DCIS other side, due silicone implant, again, and some lipo suction and straightening up the other side!!Due to go in in 2 weeks… in some ways, no what to expect, however, still a biut apprehensive. Feel so well, and want to get back to normal! What sort of pain did anyone have>? and does paracetomol  mange the pain OK??In one day, out the next, last time was in 5 days!!!Jill

I went for the tissue expander straight after my mastectomy it’s fab x