Reconstruction surgery cancelled due to Corona Virus

[KBG1959]

Hello

Simple mastectomy surgery went smoothly for me. No drain but I think that’s more common if you’ve had reconstruction which of course sadly I’ve been unable to have for now. I stayed in overnight but only because I was being lazy and enjoying the sleep! I went out for a walk and lunch the next day. I haven’t had any pain and have been religiously doing my exercises which are not too difficult. My only issue is fluid which I had drained yesterday (11 days after surgery)  another painless procedure, but that will probably keep happening as the wound heals internally. My nurse says this happens to about 25% of patients. It isn’t painful, just disconcerting when it looks like the breast has grown back! 
honestly if you’ve been through chemo then surgery is a breeze in comparison. Try not to worry, the surgeons and your care team know what they’re doing. I’m so glad my surgery is behind me and I can get on with the healing process. Just radiotherapy to look forward to now 🙂

If I were you I would go ahead with the surgery, one more chemo wouldn’t make a massive difference and I understand the cancer can start to grow again if you leave it too long before having surgery. 

Take care and good luck to you xxx

[digitalbabe]

I know right !!! Absolutely impossible and unfair!!! My treatment is being cut short due to covid and I know it’s unprecedented times etc.... 

i didn’t get much of a response to 3XEC but I’ve had a better response on docetaxel and the hormone therapy that I am on now - so if something is working I feel it’s best to carry on to get the maximum benefit but at the same time I don’t want to miss my surgery slot .... who know what will be in a months time. But also longeterm I don’t ever want to look back and think I should have had that last docetaxel treatment ....... it’s such a dilemma ....😢😢😢

[Jill1998]

Impossible choice - I can't see things being dramatically better in a month - I know my local hospital is re-organising things significantly so that surgeries such as yours and cancer treatments that have been deemed necessary can happen in the safest way possible.Do you know how good a response you have had to the chemo ? if it were me I think I would go ahead with the surgery as it may have less impact on your immune system than a further chemo and hopefully you will be in and out of hospital within the day and any remaining cancer removed .I hope you come to a decision you feel comfortable with .

[digitalbabe]

Thanks Jill, 

i will look for those threads 👍👍 I couldn’t  find them earlier tho ...

i have spoken to my Breast nurse but she says it’s upto me if I want to go ahead with the mastectomy next Wednesday or delay it for another month!! I really don’t know what to do with all this covid thing going on.... 

thanks for responding Xx 

[digitalbabe]

Thanks for the reply simmo, 

i am on the hormone treatment ... 

but they still want to do surgery because I am her 2 positive !! 😳

niw im deciding if I should go with my final chemo treatment or skip it for the surgery 

🤷‍♀️ Xx 

stay safe X 

[Jill1998]

Digitalbabe - welcome to the forum - I'm so sorry your surgery and treatment has been disrupted by the Corona virus - if you read other threads you will find that you are not the only one in this position .Do you have a breast care nurse you could talk your decisions options through with ? I haven't had a mastectomy but I'm pretty sure a lot of ladies on the forum have gone home the same day after surgery if they are well enough in normal circumstances .

[Simmo]

Hi,

I didn’t have any surgery in the end.  I have been offered Hormone therapy for now and they will monitor the cancer with regular breast ultrasounds.  TBH I was relieved as I really didn’t want to have surgery as the surgeon couldn’t tell me what the risks were if I caught the virus.  And yes they were going to send me home the same day with drains.

i don’t know if hormone therapy is an option for you too to but you some time but it’s worth asking.

wishing you the very best

xxx

[digitalbabe]

Hi K, 

hope you are doing ok, did you get drains inserted and sent home? How is the pain and were you up and about quite quickly!! 

Im due one next Wednesday ... and really don’t know what to expect!? Or if I should do my final chemo and then wait for another slot in May for a mastectomy .. 

[digitalbabe]

hi Simmo

its happened to me and they are only offering me a mastectomy next Wednesday!! I have called private hospitals and they are all saying the same 😢. 

Worse still they are saying to skip my final chemo and go straight to mastectomy !! 

I don’t know What to do! 

Will you go ahead with the mastectomy and do you know if they will put drains in and send you home the same day ?? 

Big Hugs 

Xxx 

[StephW_BCC]

Hi Simmo,

glad you found the Someone Like Me service helpful. Don't hesitate to call if you need to speak with a volunteer again - 0114 263 6490

Wishing you all the best and take care,

Steph

[Simmo]

I’m so sorry to hear that, I think there’s a lot of women up and down the country that are going through this.  I wish you a speedy recovery.  It’s my mental health I’m worried about with having just the mastectomy 😢😢 xx

[KBG1959]

Hello. Yes same happened to me. My private surgery was brought forward and had it 2 days ago but without reconstruction as there is a higher risk of infection requiring an ICU bed.  Completely understandable and it can be done later if I still want it so in the scheme of things I’m trying not to get upset though at this point I can’t even look at my surgery “wound”.  It’ll be ok, try not to worry.  K

[Simmo]

Hi Steph,

I will do that I’ve used the service already and it was really beneficial.

many thanks 

Simmo x 

[StephW_BCC]

Hi Simmo,

My name’s Steph. I’m so sorry your surgery plans have had to change and all the additional worries this is bringing up for you. I wanted to let you know that about the Breast Cancer Now Someone Like Me telephone support service. I’m one of the team and we have volunteers who have had delayed reconstructions that we could put you in touch with. If you would like to speak with a volunteer you can call us on 0114 263 6490 (Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4pm) or email us on someone.likeme@breastcancernow.org. Wishing you all the best Simmo.

[Simmo]

I’m absolutely devastated! I got a phone call today cancelling my reconstructive surgery due to the Corona Virus.  Been offered mastectomy only which is my worst nightmare.  Really scared and worried for my mental health.  Has this happened to anyone else?