Hi
Newly diagnosed 15th July with op on 28th. Surgeon has advised on my options although a full mastectomy of the left breast was not on the list, this is what I am thinking of having, with no reconstruction. I do not want my right breast to be reduced as at the moment, it is ok. I need to confirm what I want on this Weds at the pre op visit.
As I am large breasted I am concerned that it will look really strange to only have the one breast. My lump is approx 4cm and if they reconstruct what is left after taking a 1cm margin, I feel that it will be too small to be woth keeping. My BCN (struggling with some of the abbreviations) has shown me the prosthesies and they are not as bad as I thought.
It is all so quick and so scary and as others have said I can’t believe this is happening to me, family are really supportive but it feels like a bad dream.
Hi Pargayan,
Welcome to the BCC discussion forums, where I’m sure you’ll get lots of support from the other users of this site.
If you feel you would like to talk to someone in confidence then the BCC helpline is here for you, offering support and information. Calls to the helpline are free, lines are open Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm and Sat 9am - 2pm Tel: 0808 800 6000
Kind regards,
Kate, BCC Facilitator
Hello I am sorry you have had this diagnosis. It is a such a terrible time for you and your family.
I had my mastectomy last year and I have had ups and downs with it - some times I loathe the prosthesis - but I have generally grown accustomed to it. But I hate the way I can no longer wear what I want. It is always an issue - is something too low cut, will this bra take the prosthesis etc etc. In the grand scheme of things it is not the end of the world but it does get on my wick. I can’t go without the prosthesis at any time because the lopsidedness looks awful and I really dislike the obligation of having to always wear the bra and prosthesis.
Please think very carefully about it before you go ahead. Once it is gone it is gone for good and reconstructions, however impressive, aren’t the real thing. And of course it is a lot of extra surgery.
Good luck with everything. These early days are so hard because you feel so shellshocked.
I’d echo what msmolly has said. When I was diagnosed I just wanted the tumour removed but as it happened, I had a newish form of mastectomy that retained my nipple. I had an implant put in and it didn’t use any back muscle or stomach muscle and apart from a thin white scar, it looks much the same as my other breast (I was/am 38 E). Feel free to PM if you’d like to ask any more questions.
I had a mastectomy in April and have got on fairly well with the prosthesis. There’s some dresses I can no longer wear, but if I’m honest, it was only my old bras which had to be binned.
I’m not able to go out ‘unbalanced’ - more to do with how others might react. At home, I take my bra off and feel comfortable with my appearance - but it has taken time.
The first time I handled the prosthesis, I was a bit wary of ever ‘loving’ it - but I do now. It gives a lovely and natural outline, even under some really tight tops. I’m so proud of getting through it and I actually bought some tighter clothes than before.
Adjustment takes time, but you do get through it.
Helen
I too am big breasted,I opted for a WLE and node sampling and can honestly say I am pleased with the result.There is a slight difference in size but not noticeable when dressed.The scar is about 4 inches long with a 2 inch bit at right angles half way down.It has healed to a white line-slightly puckered.It is on the outside of the breast.It will be 3 years in october since I had it done.A lot depends on the location of your tumour.As long as they can get clear margins you could condider WLE.Mind you mine was 2 cm not 4.
Hi
Once your breast is gone you can never get it back so I personally wish i had fought harder to keep mine. Reconstruction does not always turn out well and even if it does there is little or no feeling. If your surgeon thought you definitely needed it he or she would not give you a choice - i was just told that I had to have it, though of course at the time it was sad it was less of a concern than being cancer free.
And also, as others have said, if it recurs it can still recur in the mastectomy scar. think carefully and don’t assume more drastic surgery equals a better outcome.
All best wishes
Jane x
Hi all,
Thank you all for your comments and support.
If I opt for the WLE, I am still looking at some form of reconsruction even if it is only with what is left. I am not keen on implants, I do not like taking medicines preferring natural medicines, and have discounted the back or tummy procedures, so either way I feel my options are self-limited.
A further concern is the fact that my surgeon has said I will need radiotherapy and this hardens what tissue is left in the breast so it would never sag.
Does it harden?
I am asuming that if it does, it is not going to feel normal anyway. Several posts on other threads mention that they had an WLE and partial lymph node removal initially, then had to have a total mastectomy in further surgery and to be honest the surgery is not something I am looking forward to, so would like to get it all over with in one go.
I think I have made up my mind, but as Jane said it is a really big decision with no going back.
Many thanks again.
I think results can be quite variable. I have a friend I met on chemo who had WLE and there was only a small incision round her nipple. Even after rads it still looks really good and the lump was 3.5 but her boobs are D cups. She thought she might need a tidy up but actually the skin is recovering well and she does look good. It does feel a little firmer than her good boob but not noticeably hard, like a recon! Most of all she has kept her nipple and it all still work, she tells me.
i think it is worth listening to the surgeon.
Take care
Love
Jane x
Jane
Jane
Many thanks for your advice and comments. In for my pre op tomorrow so will make sure I discuss it fully with the surgeon.
Hoping that nothing happens to stop the op as I am supposed to be off on a holiday of a lifetime with OH to celebrate his 60th and our 30th which the surgeon says I can still make (fingers crossed).
It has been suggested that if I do end up having a prosthetic, I name it, I may have to give it two names (one male one female)depending on the mood!
Helen - I have seen some of your other posts and they have given me more confidence to make what I think is the right decision for me, and enabled me to smile at the same time.
Thank you all.
I named mine Cilla - short for sillicone. I don’t make light of what you’re going through, or what I’ve been through. My way of coping has been to keep smiling. Friends and family have found that difficult at times. But when we look back now, it’s with a smile - which can’t be bad.
We all react differently and I count my blessings every day.
I chose a WLE after lisening to my consultant. He said the survival rate was the same as a mastectomy and that the recovery period would be faster and reconstruction easier if necessary. I’m a D cup so not enormous. My op was only on Monday so not seen under the dressings yet but just looks like the top of my boob has gone bit flatter and my nipple is back to facing the right direction… I don’t wear low cut tops or fitted clothes. My lump was under the 2 cm grading when I was dx don’t know yet if it was any bigger when I had op as to cope with the fact it was there whilst I waited for op I ignored it and avoided the area!
My consultant is a breast reconstruction specialist aswell by the way.
Hope things go well for you
Take care
Katie x
Hi all
Had my op on Tuesday, came home Weds feeling very queasy. Had my drain removed today and am relieved about that, caught it on a cushion last night and it pulled on the stitch which worried me a bit.
I have noticed that the underarm seams of tops seem to aggravate it , it is really difficult to tell if it is only due to the numbness or whether it really is rubbing. Noticed that some other threads suggest wearing a bra but I have not yet tried it due to slight swelling under the arm.
My left arm is feeling stiff and sensitive, looking at other posts this seems to be normal , but it does seem to get worse during the evening so wonder if it is related to tiredness. Doing my exercises religiously as I do not want to lose any use, but can anyone tell me how long it takes before the stiffness eases?
Hubby is being amazing and I know I am very lucky in that he is very supportive, mind you I am not a good or easy patient.
Katie - how are you getting on? Hope everything is going ok.
Having the drain removed is a milestone, it just frees up your movement, doesn’t it?
I think it’s early days with regards to how sensitive it is. I didn’t worry too much about how it felt. If I’m honest, three months after the op, it still feels a little strange - especially when I apply deoderant.
I avoided wearing anything like tee-shirts which are fitted under the arm, because I could feel the pressure there. Blouses with baggy sleeves were best for the first couple of weeks.
You need to exercise the arm until you regain pre-op movement. Mine came back gradually, but occasionally (perhaps due to tiredness) there were days when it went ‘tight’, but nothing which wasn’t sorted by exercise. I tend to still stretch my arm up and back when I’m watching TV - and it’s lovely and comfortable. It’s important to follow the exercises and the limits - don’t over-do it!
Good luck - you’re going to find each day will be easier than the one before.
Helen
x
Hi Pargayan
Had my results, aggresive grade 3 tumour that had grown to 2.1cm but no lymph node involvement (hooray) er+ waiting for other results. I’m so relieved that I didn’t leave it… Had a haematoma under my arm but it’s going down, boy is my side a pretty colour. My scars are very fine, stuck together with glue not stiched and each just over 4 inches long.
Unfortunately going back this Tuesday for some more taking out as a few cells made margins positive. Still opting for re-excision not m lets hope they get it all this time! I’m seeing the Oncologist 18th August, apparently they have a team discussion about each patient on a weekly basis and discuss treatment and they think I should have Chemo because of my age (46), my cycle is still very regular, the er+ and aggresive nature of “it”. Then 5 weeks radiotherapy.
Feel a lot better now it’s out - do you? More in control and ready for my next steps. Lets see what they say on the 18th.
I found a sports bra 1 size up from usual has been the most comfortable. Asda worked with bcc and have developed a range of post operative and appropriate sports type bras and they’re only £4.00. Not glamerous but comfortable. In a few months after radiotherapy, when my boob has “shrunk” a bit, I will go to triumph for something fitted and pretty…
I’m glad your OH is being good, mine is supportive and he’s never done so much cooking!
I went back to work this week, short days 10-4 thurs. fri and sat and was pooped. Going to have next week off.
I hope your recovery continues well and you get good results soon.
To you and all the other ladies (((hugs))) - gentle ones
take care
Katie x x x
Helen
Many thanks for your reply, it is certainly a good feeling losing the drain. The hospital supplied me with a lovely fuschia pink bag to carry it around in but on a couple of occasions I kept forgetting it - duh!
Don’t have any baggy blouses, so trying to wear oversize tshirts or sleeveless ones with really low armholes - didn’t own any pjs till monday and the only short sleeve 3/4 leg ones I could find made the nurses wince and a hung over hubby feel sick!
Struggling with not doing too much as I feel resonably well in myself, but luckily hubby keeps nagging me to sit down and relax. Already read two books and a friend has supplied me with three more.
Missing being able to take the dog out but do not feel up to it until I can wear a bra, BCN supplied me with a softie but I have not yet tried it or adjusted its size, I think that will be my next milestone.
Katie - saw your reply after I posted this so am trying to edit it, not sure if it will work ok. Glad to hear your lymph nodes are clear, sorry to hear you are having to go back - good luck on Tuesday
I must admit, one of the many reasons I went for the mx was due to the number of posts saying they had had to go back for more surgery due to insufficient margins and I did not want to have to do that. I do not get my results till the 14th so have to wait a while. I am signed off till the 14th so not sure how I will be by then, hopefully up to slightly shorter days.
Thanks for the tip re Asda - I will have to have a look, mind you I am a DD or E on the good side depending on the bra so hope they go that big.
Take care
Bex x
I left my softie for about a week - didn’t feel the need for it. It was great when I wore it the first time. Even under something a bit tighter than a blouse, the profile was good.
I had lots of little walks, just strolls up to buy a paper and back. Found that was good for confidence. On the 10th day I did my first proper walk - about 6 miles - and gradually built on that. On the days I was walking, I took it steady at home. Got back to running after 8 weeks (that date was my decision - could have started earlier if the opportunities were there).
I went back to work after three weeks, but with reduced hours. My working day is normally 10 hours and it was a while before I could do that.
Keep going!