Saw breast cancer nurse for results today Linda, but after conversation with her I’ll see breast surgeon next Thursday to discuss way forward. Always had high grade DCIS in one area but there wss another area that looked suspicious even tho biopsy was benign. Final results showed that both areas were actuality high grade dcis tho. Meanwhile there was a third area biopsies- this wasn’t removed in recent surgery but not sure why not?
Jings - wish cancer was simpler! ??
Good luck tomorrow Linda - I’ll be thinking about you ??
Thanks Magsv.
Hi all
Well, I had masectomy of left breast and sentinel node biopsy yesterday. I was booked in at 12.30pm and was supposed to have operation at 3.30pm but the first operation must have been more complex than anticipated,as I didn’t go in til 5.30pm. I was incredibly upset all morning and very tearful when I arrived at the day surgery unit. However, by the time I walked to the theatre I felt very drained and tired and more resigned to it.
I was able to come home last night ( after 10pm) and had a really good night’s sleep.My husband had got me one of the heart shaped pillows and I felt very comfortable. I have been wearing a soft sports-type bra with my knitted knocker and I look very symmetrical. However I haven’t dared look at the surgical site.Any tips on this? I expect it is something you get used to? I am just taking paracetemol and ibuprofen so far, and I am in surprisingly little pain, just a bit sore. I did the exercises this morning and that was fine.
Good luck to everyone else with their results/ surgery.
Jane xx
Got my results today and although I was nervous my surgeon who is amazing got clear margins. Fab news! 1 in 10 cells were alive so my response to chemo was good! Well worth all the **** i have been through over the last 6 months or so. I am so relieved.
Just got to get picc removed now by my local hospital.
It’s nice to share successes.
Janie. Are you having a reconstruction? I may have the other side lifted to match 2 months or so after radio.
Linda x
Jane I was told radio can effect up to 10% of the size but as I have dense tissue it’s less likely to have an effect. I was told an implant was not an option but different people have different opinions when I discussed reconstruction. I thought that would be my preferred option initially but was discussing a diep before ending up with a therepeutic mammoplasty. I understand how you feel re looking at your scar. I looked at mine straight away but not so easy for you.
Why do you have to wait a year for reconstruction? Could you go privately any faster? I think I would have looked into that in your situation. x
I think I was told 6 months after radio to give your immune system time to recover. I can remember saying if it’s a long time I would go private. I have heard of people waiting ages so it depends where you live. See when others had theirs though. X
Hi when I had my mammoplasty they removed nodes via incisions in the breast so I dont have any wounds under the arm and have full use of my arm. Does anyone know if I should still do the exercises as I havent been doing them because I am using my arm normally? I thought they were to stop you getting a frozen shoulder but now I not sure
Yes still do the exercises daisydi.
Jane to use a distraction technique after chemo how long should you leave it before going to the hygienist/dentist? My mouth has been really salty but seems a little better today butccould do with a clean. What can I do about the saltiness? Ta.
Jane sorry i finished chemo in September. I had it before my op. So I guess I could see the hygienist now then. I have rearranged my dentist appointment for January as I thought it would be best to leave it until treatment has finished.
I have just thought I was told I can have surgery on the other side 2 months after radiotherapy has finished so maybe you could have reconstruction then too.
hi daisyd
re exercises - I stopped doing mine as I had full range of movement. About a week later I realised I was feeling quite tight across the chest, and when I tried exercises realised that one was quite sore even though I still had good movement. I’ve been exercising since, and after a week it’s all fine again. I would keep doing them 
Thanks ladies Ive now started doing exercises again
How old are you Janie? I am 52 but was 51 when diagnosed. I know how you feel as I was told I would need a mastectomy with no reconstruction recommended immediately. I think I must be vain but the therapist sais it hits people at the end of treatment. I got a second opinion. My head is in a good place due to doing that. I thought at least I knew I had all the options. I have been working full time most of the time to keep busy.
What type of reconstruction will you have?
By the way I work in house insurance and live in Somerset (from Lancashire though).
Maybe use the Someone Like Me on this site to talk to someone or get some counselling to help you get through this temporary period. You are more than your boobs.
L x
Jane soz you did say previously but interesting re the offer to do an immediate implant. I was being considered for an immediate diep but may not have been an option as I have lost weight and was slimish anyway. They did say no-one had had an immediate diep altho not 100% sure that was correct. They said I may not be able to have a diep immediately even if an option but the surgeon I was going to see at another hospital would tell me.
Anyway I think they thought I was traumetised too so sent me to a councillor but by then I had got a second opinion so the councillor thought I was coping ok and had done the best thing.
I am sure you will be able to get reconstruction done in 6 months or less. I know someone who had one who is very happy with it.
I have to decide if I want my other boob lifted to match. Some nipple sensation may be lost but won’t look lopsided in the nude. I wasn’t going to but I think I will now but have afew months to make my mind up.
Linda x
Hi Jane,
My appointment with the oncologist is 6 weeks and a day after surgery. I am expecting a call from the oncs pa so am going to ask her but my surgeon said it should start within 12 weeks of surgery. I have 4 weeks or so now to recuperate as still got mouth and toilet issues. Also my hand and foot feel cold/ numbish on one side. I mentioned my hand being cold to the surgeon and he said it would be chemo related.
I have completed my NHS survey and have another from my local hospital re chemo and have been asked to go on 16th to a discussion on the survey. Not sure yet if I will go as if I am working it will mean taking holiday or not being paid potentially. How long are you off work Jane
Take care,
L x
Hi Jane,
Yes I intend to work during radio. I feel so drained atm but am hoping to go back to work in a week ideally or 2. It will just be a case of going to the hospital each day ideally first thing or last thing but work home and hospital are quite close fortunately so hopefully it won’t take a big chunk out of my day. Will see how it goes though. I don’t think the se’s are too bad though. Were you on one of the chemo threads?
Take care,
Linda x
Hi Jane,
How did the big reveal go? I hope it wasn’t too traumatic.
I didn’t suffer too much with chemo apart from feeling sick when having FEC. I seem to be still having annoying se’s though.
My eyebrows are begining to grow back I noticed yesterday.
Take care,
Linda x
Hi Jane,
I am glad that you coped well with looking. My nurse said to me to just think of it as temporary when I was discussing having a mastectomy with delayed recenstruction. She has been really supportive when I get my picc line flushed.
Apparently people are happier with the result when having delayed reconstruction.
I asked re skin used to replace skin they remove and was told they use a skin graft for reconstruction.
Fingers crossed for good results on the 15th.
Not looking forward to today as hoping to get picc line removed. I am such a wimp. I thought I was less squeamish now but obvioulsy not after last week.
All the best,
Linda xx
Ho Jane,
Had picc line removed and so I can have a bath now but def tomorrow when dressings removed. I didn’t feel anything. It’s nice not to have it anymore. The nurse had to get the hospital to confirm it could be removed. I gave her the oncs ps’s number as she couldn’t get through.
Yes I will be invincible after this ends. I feel alot better today. I tried lemon in cold water which seems to have helped. The nurse on the chemo line thinks my salty mouth is due to chemo and should improve soon. So i will monitor it and let her know if not getting better.i had to call her re checking if pucc line measurements were needed. The nurse had them anyway who removed it.
Also was advised that strong foods are good so had a sweet potato and lentil curry that was yummy.
The picc line nurse said that I look fine with sports bra until i get the other side done.
How are you feeling today?
All the best,
Linda
Hi all,
Jane yes feel positive most of the time but still have some dark thoughts. My Dad has said afew times about women who thought it had gone then it comes back. I keep saying to him that is why I am having chemo, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. I knew he would and that is why I asked my bro to tell him.
Anyway I am feeling less drained now. I had back ache, felt sick and a liitle boob pain yesterday. I had the sickness and back pain recently before op so just ongoing se’s I think. I went shopping in Exeter yesterday and so am feeling stronger each day. Thinking about having a massage and going to yoga tomorrow but not sure if yoga will be too much atm.
I am doing the exercises but struggle with the one where you raise your arms over your head to the floor. I can’t reach the floor.
Yes good path results will be a boost.
Good luck Magsv with your meeting with the surgeon. How are you feeling?
How is everyone else doing?
Daisydi how long are you off work for assuming you do work? Did you have both sides done? When are your results?
Just saw a discussion on Lorraine re whst to say to someone with breast cancer. If you look on the web site there is a blog by one of the women so may look at that.
Love and hugs,
Linda x