Thanks Sunny - just finished 5 months off chemo and lost my hair, so it does feel like a low point atm. Wedding next June so hoping I’ll be in wholly different place by then. Appreciate the positive thoughts.
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Thanks Flo - spent an hour going through all aspects of the op with my consultant yesterday. Was shocked at the pictures and cried a lot, but feeling better informed and knowing what to expect. Have also reached out to sisters and friends who have kept their distance because they think I am coping just fine. Appreciate your positive message.
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The photo I was shown pre surgery didnt look great but dont know what I expected. I had reconstruction on the day of my mastectomy 11 weeks ago and when the dressings came off I could see the results were really good. Ive still got a bit of pain managed by paracetamol as and when I need. Im struggling a little with how my body looks as my shape is different with a smaller bust but I dont look bad. I haven’t told a lot of people and have had no comments, which I was dreading as my cup size had reduced.
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Hi @kate5
I can agree with everyone else who’s had mastectomy. I had single mastectomy on 8th August. Went home the same day. Minimal pain and no complications. I opted to go flat as the rest of my treatment is going to be lymph clearance chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I was up and walking round the block 48 hrs later. The pain was absolutely manageable with paracetamol only morning and night before bed. I didn’t need the codine prescription I was given and did the physio exercises every day. Hanging the washing out and driving 2 weeks later. My drain was uncomfortable carrying it in a bag over my shoulder night and day but had it removed after a week and 5 weeks later back at work wearing my M&S £10 prosthetic in my post surgery bra. Doing everything I did before my op . Please don’t worry. Before my op I was told by so many people who had already had this it wasn’t going to be as bad as I was thinking and they were absolutely right. It’s manageable. It’s hard for week one to two strip washing and the tightness in your arm movement comes back with exercise and the numbing feeling in parts of your chest and under arm will slowly come back and you will get back to normal living. Much love to you and anyone else worried about surgery xxx
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Remember all eyes with be on the bride and groom.
Seagulls
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I had a mastectomy in June last year and had been so hoping that I wouldn’t need it but I had a 7 cm Lobular cancer and it had to be done. Do you know when it was over, I never thought again about missing a breast, I didn’t want a reconstruction as recovery would be longer, and not knowing what radiotherapy would do to it. I bought some comfortable cotton camisole post surgery bras from M and S pre surgery and you are given a “softee “ breast form immediately after the operation. No one could tell even from the beginning. I now have prettier bras, and a wonderful silicone breast form supplied by the NHS, and better even than the one I had bought myself.! I wear tight fitting dresses and bikinis too… I really don’t think about it at all now, although I was so horrified by the idea of it pre surgery. Try not to worry, the strength will come, and you will look amazing at your daughter’s wedding
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Thank you for the lovely supportive replies - I’m getting there, but counting the days to my surgery.
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@kate5 many of us here to tell you that you will get through the surgery and will be okay. If you’ve done the chemo I think you have done the hardest part already and the surgery will be not as hard as that and recovery will be easy in comparison. Xxx
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