So happy to be reading about the positive results Janie ?
I’ve joined the Facebook flat friends closed group as have decided to go flat after my upcoming mastectomy. I’ve also been preparing for things post surgery by ordering some knitted knockers … (plus need to go shopping for a front fastening bra, v shaped pillow, drain bag, buttoned pj tops etc which I understand will be useful?). I’m very grateful to the people on here who share these practical ideas. Any thing else I should be aware of before the dreaded op? x
Thanks for the advice Jamie ?is a bralet a particular type of bra? I wonder if the excercises are the same as the ones I have for after the recent lumpectomy? The BCN at my hospital did mention that they don’t use drains routinely here either. xx
Jane my letter says he will see me approx 3 months after completion of radiotherapy. Anyway I would ask why they say a year as I was told 6 months but to check with the surgeon who does reconstruction how busy she was. Anyway I guess for me that is April which is 6 months after surgery. I will get radiotherapy dates next week hopefully.
I tried to wear an old padded bra for work but it hurt so am wearing sports bras. Maybe it is too soon to wear an underwired bra. I hope I can wear them again as it makes it less obvious that 1 side has been lifted but people I have asked say it is not obvious. Mmm.
Love Linda x
Maglev When is your op? X
Thanks Janie- A bralet sounds good. The pull over the head type sounds comfortable but do they make front fastening ones as well I wonder?
The excercises sound like they’re just the same as the ones I did for last 2 ops - thanks ?
Linda - I phoned the BCN with my decision last Monday and she said she’d arrange dates etc. Hopefully I’ll get an op date soon ??
Thanks for your messages everyone?. I’ve been reading posts but haven’t added anything for a while as I’m still waiting for my mastectomy op letter. Fingers crossed it arrives soon. Looks like I’ll need to join the December…or January… surgery group as well ?
Hi Feenix,
Thanks for all the valuable advice - much appreciated ?. I’ve sent away for a knitted knocker and have joined the Flat Friends closed group (they’ve been extremely welcoming!).
I’ll have a look in the May group chat as well and look for hints.
Mags xx
Anyone know when I can start doing yoga? My husband thinks 2/3 months. I was going to go tonight. I can ask on Monday as I have an oncology appointmnet then otherwise. Thanks.
Thanks Jane! I’ll definitely be ordering an aqua one for next May - the whole extended family are off to Salou for a big get together. I’m looking forward to getting the regular ones (I ordered two sizes as I’ve had so many bits chopped off, I vary between a 36a/36b depending on what I’m wearing). The ladies behind this idea sound wonderful ?. Mags x
My appointment is 5 weeks after surgery with the oncologist. Not been told anything else yet. Who told you when the planning meeting etc will be. I would live to know. I have a list of questions to ask. Not looking forward to it tbh but just want to get it all done and dusted. It will go into January like you Jane now and probably be over Xmas and New Year.
I am still in my sports bras but may try some non wired non padded cotton ones I was wearing as only have 2 sports bras and so I have to keep washing them. I may try some padded non wired ones to see what they look like. I just hope I can find some that look ok in the long term.
Anyway xmas shopping tomorrow.
Love Linda x
Still waiting for mastectomy op date - going to phone breast nurses tomorrow as would like to know if it’s going to be this side of Christmas.
Knitted knockers arrived today Jane ?. So nice of these ladies to take the time to do this (and the wee messages included are just lovely 
). I’ve got a question though - I’m sure it’s a silly one! - why is there an extra bag of filler? Is it in case there’s not enough filler in there? Or is it in case some of the original filler escapes when the knitted knocker goes in the wash?
Just in case you know the answer ??xx
Thanks Jane - that video is so uplifting ??
Got my surgery date - 31st December! That’ll be a different way to bring in the New Year ???
I have my planning meeting tomorrow and then start radiotherapy either after Xmas in December or probably in January as they are busy.
I have a dexa scan on Tuesday and have a prescription for Letrozole which I can start straight away so maybe tonight if my OH has got it.
I was told that there is a 92% chance of living 5 years and 79% chance of living 10 years.
How do you feel Mags now you have a date for surgery?
Love Linda x
No I didn’t call the BCN as I am hoping to find out tomorrow but maybe I should if I don’t find out. I have 20 sessions altogether including 5 which are a boost.
I asked and she said are you sure you want to know as most people don’t. I knew I would regret it if I didn’t. Anyway like you say it is what it is. I have thiught about it though but am sure I will forget soon.
Love Linda xx
I have dates now Jane but as they are over 9 weeks after surgery we asked for them to start sooner so should hear next week. Asked for small tattoos too as wasn’t keen on having them at all. So all set to start radiotherapy asap now.
Started Letrozole yesterday too. So far so good.
Love Linda xx
I’m just glad I now have a date, Linda. Although I was told by Breast Care Nurse that the letter should arrive today …it didn’t. I’m anxious to find out if its the same surgeon who did the last 2 lumpectomies - nice scars! I bought my V shaped pillow today and have ordered 2 front fastening soft bras from asda so beginning to get organised. I’ve also bought a couple of pairs of buttoned pjs. Just need a heart shaped pillow and some loose buttoned shirts and I think that should be me organised and can start thinking about Xmas?
How’s the letrozole so far? I was dreading starting it as I’d heard so many horror stories. The only side effects I had were really sore knees and thighs in the mornings but that only lasted for a month or so then disappeared. I do tend to get really overheated in bed sometimes but have a top sheet so that I can throw the duvet off until it passes - doesn’t usually last long and I pull the duvet back over and snuggle up. Worried about radiotherapy too, but only got a pink boob towards the end of 15 sessions. I think I’ve been luckier than some. Fingers crossed my luck lasts for the mastectomy op and after effects ??
Thanks Jane and Linda. A big sigh of relief when I opened the letter today ?
Linda- the radiotherapy machine did not bother me at all. It’s completely open and nothing like the MRI machine - I found that very claustrophobic. I had the bone density scan 2 years after starting letrozole (I’ve read that it’s recommended to have one at the start?). The procedure was even less scary than the radiotherapy. My results showed that there is some concern but it’s not osteoporosis- the stage before … can’t remember what it’s called? I’ve got vit D tablets on repeat prescription and take them twice a day. Because I wasn’t tested prior to taking letrozole, I’m not sure if I had some bone density loss anyway. I’m certainly not aware of any symptoms.
After this next op I’m going to make an appt with my GP and ask to be prescribed bisofosphonates. I’ve read positive things about the benefits of them for those who’ve had primary breast cancer.
The only follow up I’ve had 're retrozole is when I have my annual hospital check up with a consultant. I get 3 months worth at a time on repeat prescription (prescriptions are free for everyone in Scotland- not sure if that’s the same in rest of UK?).
Mags xx
Maglev my OH said I was hot again last night but that is nothing new.
I keep thinking about the oncologist saying I have residual cancer as it is hard to remove it on the breast wall. I was told by my surgeon I had a good (85 to 90 %) response to chemo. x
Hi Linda - do you mean the chest wall and not breast wall? Only asking because I remember my consultant saying that mine was ‘deep’ so googled it.
When I over heat in the night I tend to wake up because I have a wee puddle of sweat where my cleavage should be. I’m sure I should have been born with bigger boobs. I’m 36a if I wear a very padded bra ?xx
Yes breast wall Magsv