Thank you so much everyone for responding to my ask for help. And so promptly too. It's reassuring to hear others understand the frustration I feel and the difficult decision I have. I know it's highly unlikely that I'll meet someone who've experienced a parallell situation as it's been so complicated, but finding people who've been through similar experiences is a great help and comfort!
Hi Tracy,
Thank you so much for responding to my message and for sharing your experience with me. It was a lovdely message and I really appreciate your taking time to help me.
I had a similar feeling when I came round from anaesthetic after the mastectomy / T.E. implant. I hated the thing initially. It was so hard and alien. I could feel it all the time and it would move around under the skin if I exerted myself or put strain on the shoulder or chest muscles. Once it settled I got used to it on the whole, though I've never liked the feeling, If it weren't for the pain I now get, I think I could possibly just remain as I am - with the current temporary implant, permanently. I hate the way the area feels, but I don't have an issue with touching, holding or using a prosthesis. But nothing is never that simple, it seems. The pain is awful when I get a bad day. I can't do anything. I stay home and hold a heat pack to my chest area and take additional pain relief.
I hope your health is good now. Thank you for your positivity. XX
Hi Jo-Jo,
WOW, your situation sounds very similar to mine. Thank you so much for sharing that with me!! My T.E. was also a last minute decision - not by me, but the surgeon a couple of days before my op. Poor communication in the team meant no one had informed one another of my stroke. My husband asked as we were leaving my pre - op appointment, which day I should stop taking my anti - coagulant medication (so I wouldn't haemorage during the op!) She was totally unaware until that point and was planning to perform an LD Back Flap to create the new breast whilst removing the tumour. She couldn't do such a major op though, whilst I was on the stroke medication or whilst there was a risk of other stroke or other blood clots. So, she had no choice but to give me a T.E. Had she just said I can't do any recon at all...... you will have a flat chest when you wake up and it will be permanent, I would have accepted it more easily I suspect. My situation is still similar, in that I'm still can't have recon surgery due to blood clotting and stroke history.
Asking to have it removed was a brave decision........ I'm so scared to ask for surgery!!
Was your pain tension related? Or nerve pain: shooting, stabbing, pin - pricking, burning, stinging sensations? I'm curious. I'm so hoping that removal will improve this sensation for me. How long did it take you to recover from the op?
I think I shall probably find more questions for you Jo-Jo. I hope that's OK? Thank you so much for your support. It's been very valuable! I hope you are adjusting well to your 'new you' and that your future health is good.
Many thanks XX
Good morning Rattles,
Thank you very much in sharing your story too. What a dreadful experience for you. I'm so sorry to hear that. To much emotionally and physically to deal with accept. I truely hope that things are more settled for you now, health - wise. I imagine I will feel a similar sence of uneasiness, incompleteness and asymertry following the removal of my T.E. How long was your recovery time? You have made some very good points and I agree, time is possibly what I need.... I agree. I unfortunately feel I need to made a decision too, in order to move forward and organise my future. Getting back to some form of job, is on my mind.... Not because I am burning to do so. But because I feel a lot of guilt and don't want to lose my current links with an old job. Which I fear will be cut by them very soon. It scares me because it's one of the few jobs I believe I could actually do and want to do right now, that brings in reasonable money when I'm working. It's me putting pressure on me and I'm aware of that most of the time. Thank you Rattles for your time. It's been a great help reading about your experience! XX
Hello Saffronseed,
Thank you for finding a moment to reply to my ask for help. I've not heard of the Peer Support 1:to:1 option on here. I will definitely look into that idea. Thank you so much!!
Hope your health is good and you are having a good day Saffronseed. XX
Hi Anna,
Thank you for your links. I have used the phone support service a couple of times in the past and was a regular on Thursdays to the group support.... up until I lost a good friend due to breast cancer. I met her through this website and chatted every Thursday in the group. Wasn't the same without her. But I would consider joining in again. It's about 9 months since she died now and time I thought about using it again perhaps. I will look into the peer support options some more.
Thank you Anna. Hope you are having a good day. XX
... View more