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Bozzley
Member
since
11-03-2020
14
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8
Hugs
11-01-2022
12:02
Hi Sarah, The reconstruction is the one that is smaller. I am quite big busted, 36F and the reconstruction is about two sizes smaller and a different shape. The idea is to have a reduction on my remaining breast so that it matches but of course this is all waiting on COVID. I am not sure about the mesh sorry. I am very lucky and so grateful to have been so well looked after despite the lockdown. I can't imagine not knowing when the surgery will be, you must be so worried. I understood, when I had my surgery, that from diagnosis treatment had to start within a month. Where about do you live? I am in Cheshire. xx
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09-01-2022
03:31
Hi Sarah, I am so sorry to hear that you have to wait. I can imagine that is extremely worrying. Once I knew I had to have surgery I just wanted it over, I was very lucky that my surgery was one month after diagnosis, so I didn't have to wait long. I understood that this was the policy even during the pandemic, mine was done in March 2020 at the start of the first lockdown. My second surgery to remove the second row of lymph nodes was in April 2020. This was done under the NHS but in a private hospital that was COVID safe just for cancer patients. I hope that you get some answers and a date very soon. The waiting is the worst part of this journey. Yes I feel that it was the right thing not to wait even though it's not what I wanted exactly. I have found it hard accepting the new me, as it does feel so different. Due to the ongoing covid situation I have not been able to have a reduction on my other breast so there is a difference of 2 cup sizes between them. This means finding a bra is very difficult and I am very self conscious. I know I am very lucky and need to be patient. take care Sharon
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05-01-2022
12:24
Hi Sarah, I was given the option to have flap procedure, to use my own body to reconstruct the breast or to have the silicone implant. I had decided to have the flap procedure it seemed more natural to me even though it was a bigger operation. Unfortunately due to COVID it was cancelled. I was given the option then to wait, have the mastectomy but not have any reconstruction or to have the silicone. I was actually the last person to go down on the last day before they stopped all non essential surgery due to COVID. Had it been the following day I would have not had any choice and would have only been able to have the mastectomy. I would have then have to wait until they were doing non essential reconstructions, which was on an unknown date in the future. I decided I couldn't wait and I didn't feel comfortable having only one breast. I wasn't happy but felt I had to have the silicone. I wasn't given any choice about how it was done, so I'm afraid I can't help you in that area. The recovery was about 6 weeks to feel that I could move around fairly easily. I ended up having to go back in to have a second row of lymph nodes 2 weeks after my initial surgery so that set me back a little. When is your surgery planned for? Sharon
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04-01-2022
05:24
Hi Sarah, I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis. It has been nearly 2 years now since my diagnosis. I had a full mastectomy and reconstruction. This was the only option I was given. The only choice I had was if to have the reconstruction straight away or to wait. I decided that I couldn't have just one breast, it didn't feel right to me. I also had 2 lots of lymph nodes taken after the first row were found to be cancerous. My reconstruction went well and the scar is very neat. I have been left with some numbness over the breast but the reconstruction looks good. Due to the lymph nodes being removed I now have lymphedema in my arm which is a bit of an issue. I am happy to answer any questions you might have. What are the options you have been given? take care Sharon xx
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15-04-2020
04:03
Hi Claire I glad to hear that you got to have your operation. This virus is the messing everything up, having to go through what we are is hard enough without all these complications. Waiting for results is the worst isn't it. I think the not knowing is the hardest thing at least when you know one way or the other you then can have a plan and move forward. I should also hear in the next week. I have my fingers crossed for you. Yes yesterday was a general again and it is very sore having gone in the same area. I feel like it has set me back 3 weeks to the last surgery. Take care and keep in touch Sharon x
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15-04-2020
11:34
Hi guys I just wanted to update you. I have been extremely lucky, I went for surgery 3 weeks ago and when I arrived I didn't know if they were going to do the reconstruction. I met up the surgeon and he informed me that I will was the last person to have the reconstruction at the hospital before lockdown and all surgeries cancelled. The operation went well and I came home after 2 nights with a drain. I was very uncomfortable especially under my arm where they had taken some lymph nodes. It all feels very strange, the breast itself is numb and doesn't feel like it belongs to me. Unfortunately when they checked the lymph nodes they found cancer, despite being told it was highly unlikely, less than 5%. So yesterday I went back into a private hospital for the next level of nodes to be taken and tested. I now have to wait 2 weeks for the results of that. I have been so lucky Sharon x
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24-03-2020
04:44
Hi Jane, What a huge journey you have been on. It sounds like you have been fighting for a long time. It must be so hard for you to continue to battle for so long. I can totally understand you being gutted, to be so close and have it snatched away from you. How are you doing now you have had a little time to think about things Do you have a plan or is it just wait and see. This is my biggest fear of not having the reconstruction straight away. How long could it be before it is done. I hope you are okay, stay strong you have come so far Sharon x
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24-03-2020
04:35
1 Hug
Hi Clare, I am so sorry to hear that your surgery was cancelled. It is so hard when we think we have a plan and then it is changed. The journey of breast cancer is such a roller coaster ride of emotions without the added stress of things being taken out of our hands. I don't know about you, but for me the fact that I was no longer in control was the hardest part. I hope that you are happy with the plan that you now have. Stay strong you have got this love Sharon x
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24-03-2020
04:28
Hi Simmo I'm really pleased to hear that it all went well for you. It breast cancer is so scary without the added stress of the coronavirus and not knowing what is going to be cancelled. It sounds like you have a good plan going forward and the most important thing is that you feel confident in it. I have been to have the radioactive injection today, to highlight the lymph nodes. As far as I know the operation is still going ahead for tomorrow. Although until I wake up with 2 boobs I don't think I will believe it. I am dreading arriving in the morning and them telling me that they are only going to do the mastectomy. I am not sure what I will do if that happens. I have a everything crossed xx
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20-03-2020
10:12
Hi Simmo, Thank you for the good luck. I have everything crossed. I hope that Monday goes well for you. Let me know how you get on Sharon x
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20-03-2020
11:20
I am in Cheshire, the other end of the country. My sister-in-law lives in Hartford. I have just had a phone call from the hospital they have a cancellation. So I am, at the moment, having my surgery on Wednesday. They are doing the reconstruction if all things stay the same and they have the bed if not then they will just do the mastectomy. I am scared that it will be cancelled but just hoping and staying away from people Sharon xx
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19-03-2020
03:44
1 Hug
You are so right Simmo, it is **bleep**ty awful I don't have a date yet and have been told the middle of April unless there are any cancellations. I was told that once things are back to normal that they will prioritise me for reconstruction but this is the NHS and there is always a waiting list. They have said that the most it will be is a year. Yes I will need the other breast reducing too It is all such a mess What part of the country are you? Sharon x
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19-03-2020
12:14
1 Hug
Hello Simmo, I am so sorry to hear that you are in the same situation. I have just come back from the hospital to pick up my 'soft replacement boob' to put in my bra after the procedure and when she handed it to me I just sat and cried. Poor woman didn't know what to do. I think you are very brave thinking of postponing the operation. I am more scared of the cancer and what will happen in the meantime. I feel the biggest problem is we don't know how long this crisis will go on for. I am most struggling with the not knowing and all the decisions being taken away from me. At the moment I am still down for a reconstruction but that may change and I don't have a date for surgery. It is so hard Thank you for replying it is nice to hear from somebody else who is going on the same journey Sharon x
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17-03-2020
10:13
5 Hugs
Hi all,
I am recently diagnosed with a DCIS which is 10cm big after a routine mammogram, I have no signs at all and it has come as a complete shock. I was told that there is no option I have to have a full mastectomy.
I have a lovely breast care nurse who is helping me through this and together we decided the best option for me was a reconstruction at the same time. I decided that I preferred the idea of the DIEP and was referred for that procedure to Wythenshawe with an appointment this week.
Today however they have rung up to say that they have cancelled all DIEP for the next 3 months due to the coronavirus. I have now been referred back to my local hospital. My nurse got me an appointment today and they said that they will go ahead with the silicone implant and if I am not happy this can be changed at a later date for the DIEP. I was okay with this not what I would have wanted as it requires two surgeries instead of one but at least I still get the reconstruction.
Then they dropped the bombshell that they can't say for sure this will happen and if the coronavirus situation worsens there is a possibility that they will have to do the mastectomy without reconstruction. They would then do a reconstruction at a later date when everything is back to normal.
I am devastated this was not what I wanted at all and feel like everything is out of my control. I am quite large breasted and I find the idea of having only one really hard to come to terms with.
My emotions are all over the place and I don't know what to think anymore. Thanks for reading, it does help to get it down.
Sharon xx
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