Breast Cancer Now Forum

Daxsmum · ‎19-06-2021

Seabreeze - Thank you so much for responding, really appreciate it. Yes I was told that I couldn't have radiotherapy on the same side twice - it's my right breast and it's virtually in the same place as previously! Re the left side (reduction or mastectomy) - there's no medical reason, it's purely down to aesthetics as I have a large bust! I'm erring on the side of left breast reduction rather than double mastectomy. Difficult decision to make on your own though, my friends all live a fair way away so it's just phone advice and support! I didn't have any hormone treatment first time but am told I will have this time. I've bought a couple of post surgery bras from M&S - difficult to know what cup size to go for though - trial and error I guess! Flat Friends looks a great site and I've sent a message to join the private Facebook group - waiting to hear back from them. I think I will do as you suggest and call one of the BCN nurses. Thanks again, Val, xx.

Daxsmum · ‎18-06-2021

So this is my second journey with breast cancer - first was in 2013 when I had DCIS - lumpectomy and radiotherapy only - no issues since then. Routine mammogram in May this year, called back and biopsy shows invasive ductal carcinoma, 10mm only but virtually same place as previous on right side, bombshell to say the least! Saw the surgeon yesterday and booked in for mastectomy on 19 July and because I'm a big girl (42" bust) he suggests a reduction at the same time on my left side which I was OK with ..... then at the end of the session he threw in 'you could always think about a double mastectomy instead of a reduction, it's your choice, just let us know'. I'm nearly 66 and widowed, live on my own so not having any reconstruction, can't see the point as its only me that will see me! But ... I haven't had a flat chest since I was 14 and having lived with very large breasts for most of my life not sure how I think about not having any! Does anyone here have any thoughts please as I just don't know what to think about this. Thank you.

Daxsmum · ‎27-05-2013

Just wanted to thank you all for taking the time to write and send me your support. I am now on schedule to start my rads on 3 June all being well, things are still very hard, I'm really struggling to come to terms with losing my wonderful husband so suddenly, he was my world and it's so difficult carrying on without him. I have a lot of fantastic friends and family around me though who are helping me through all this but it seems harder since the funeral to keep going somehow, although I know I must. Thanks again to all, Val.

Daxsmum · ‎18-05-2013

Just thought I'd share my experience - it helps to write it down. I was diagnosed with DCIS following a routine mammogram in March and had a lumpectomy on 25 March - the results were good thankfully, and was waiting for radiotherapy start date (luckily I am covered by insurance through work so all this happened very quickly). Then on 23 April, without any warning, my wonderful husband had a massive heart attack - he was on life support for 4 days but had sustained massive brain damage and we had to turn the machine off and he passed away on 27 April - he was only 59 and he was my world. My rads were due to start on 29 April but I basically told them to poke it - just couldn't comtemplate that then. We had the funeral on 10 May and I had my initial CT scan booked for 13 May - got a phone call that morning to say the CT scanner had broken, so rescheduled for 16 May! In the meantime my wound from the op wasn't healing properly, still leaking so I'd been seeing the surgeon during this time as well. I finally had the CT scan on 16 May, all OK, lovely tattoos and rads due to start on 20 May which I was all psyched up for - then immediately after the scan saw the surgeon re the wound ..... he said he wasn't happy with it and to postpone the rads for at least another two weeks so early to mid June! You couln't make it up could you ..... I am sooooo fed up with everything and not sure how much more I can take ..........

Daxsmum · ‎22-03-2013

Hi Carol, thanks so much. Saw the consultant yesterday (Thursday) and am booked in for a lumpectomy on Monday - so from diagnosis on 19 March to surgery on 25 March, still can't believe it's happening. I have to say I do feel better in my head knowing I now have a plan - I do know how lucky I am to be able to get this moving so quickly - I am assured that the prognosis is excellent so feel somewhat reassured now. Let's see what the results say - will be seeing the consultant again 5 days from the op but that takes us into Easter so I guess may be just afte. Val.

Daxsmum · ‎20-03-2013

Hi - was diagnosed yesterday (19 March) with DCIS, very early stages so am very lucky in that respect but it still knocked me for six - still shell-shocked and can't believe it's real. I just had a normal 3 yearly mammogram in Feb (I'm 57) and had a callback, ended up with a biopsy last week and had the results yesterday. Luckily I have medical insurance through my company so am seeing a consultant tomorrow - am told I will need a lumpectory and radiotherapy ........ bottom line is I'm scared, couldn't sleep last night, your mind just takes you to the worst case scenario doesn't it, x.

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