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Flint
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since
22-08-2013
86
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Hugs
13-11-2019
08:48
Hi Cheffy You do not mention the BCC exercises. I was given a DVD and following that got my shoulder/arm back to normal after mastectomy. It took a few months. I mention this because a few years later I was 'on the verge' of a frozen shoulder on the other side and the thing that helped me was starting the BCC shoulder/arm exercise program again. Best wishes.
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24-06-2019
12:43
Hello Tor I have lived lop sided for about 7 years for similar reasons to you. I picked up on one particular thing in your post, the spasms and loss of strength. If it's any help to you to know this, it took me a very long time to get feeling anything like comfortable on the affected side. It came as a very welcome surprise but must have been at least four years on and possibly longer. I continued with the exercises and added heavier weights. Did you get the BCC DVD of exercises? It was a great help to me and I still put it on sometimes - I have added some other exercises, safe for osteoporosis patients like me, and it has all improved the affected side. Knitted knockers supply a lightweight and fun falsie, have you seen their website? When you talk about your flat side do you mean when you are naked? I warn any medics first that I have had the op- that way I do not catch any look of surprise. Like you I just wanted to get on with my life and I know that the decision I made was right for me and that helps. I am sorry that you feel so rotten. Believe me I wish the whole thing had never happened to me and looking in the mirror could be a better experience but no way could I have gone through more surgery. Please do take heart that the discomfort will pass. Online specialist companies have some very nice pocketed bras and I've found all the companies very helpful.
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12-04-2019
03:16
I had a single mastectomy several years ago and didn't want recon. because of extra surgery. I don't think I would have coped well with a semi-numb breast. My chest is still part numb on the affected side. I wear a prosthesis and have to be a bit careful with bras and tops because my scar is quite high. A tight camisole or camisole bra stops the prosthesis pulling the bra cup forward and exposing the scar when I bend forward so the only (small)bug-bear for me is that everything has to pass that particular wearability test. The decision was right for me and I have never regretted it. Best wishes.
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18-11-2018
10:19
I had a similar prognosis. Since then It is proven in trials that Letrozole has very great benefit in preventing recurrences, this is different of course from overall survival as shown by the on-line tools and needs to be born in mind when using them. I haven't got the report in front of me at the moment but I think the stats. were something like 60% fewer recurrences in the group taking Letrozole. Many women are now advised to take letrozole for longer, dependant on their individual case, as a result of these trials. If you decide to go ahead with Letrozole you will probably have the dexa scan every two years following your base-line scan and may be prescribed a bisphosphonate as well to prevent damage to your bones. I think the general advice, though, is to start Letrozole treatment as soon as possible, Some consultants start women on at it at diagnosis rather than wait until after the op. Please don't think that it is certain you will experience bad side effects, of course some women have done and have ceased the treatment because of it, but there are many women taking it beyond 5 years ( I know several) who have noticed no effects at all. I was a bit stiff when getting up in the mornings but that wore off in about half an hour. My bones were monitored as I describe. At the end of the five years, had I been advised to take it for longer I would have done so. I hope this helps.
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12-11-2018
10:57
1 Hug
There are open MRI scanners of various types - some you can sit up in and there may be one near to you so don't be afraid to ask about it. A google search will show them. I have no experience of the full bone scan you mention so cannot comment but you will be offered sedation for the tube type scanner if that will help. If money is no object then open scans can be done privately but they are expensive. Why not research the open scanners within travelling distance, ask if they do the sort of scan you are to have, and ask your team to refer you there? Radiotherapy is different from scans and not enclosed. Wishing you Good Luck for Wednesday
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21-09-2018
08:28
1 Hug
Hi Lisa You must be feeling in a very lonely place at the moment. Quite a few women who post on here have discussed living flat rather than have more surgery. To others, living without breast or breasts is unthinkable. I live half flat because I wanted minimum surgery and healing time after my single mx. and I wear a prosthesis. It is good that you have time to think it over while you have your treatment and that your husband is so supportive. I agree about looking at Flat Friends website too. Some women have reported on this forum that there events where others who had had reconstruction attended and that it helped them with their decisions. I do not know if these events include women who did not have recon.Perhaps your team will know if there is anything in your area. I'm sorry you've had such a traumatic time. Sending you best wishes for your treatment and future surgery if you decide to have it.
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07-09-2018
12:07
Hi Wrigglymolly They are in different colours and sizes knitted by kind ladies - ideal for post op.wear and beyond. https://www.kkukciowix.com Re your recovery and job. It depends what you usually do or could be transferred to while you heal. Making light meals or dealing with medication would probably be OK much earlier than helping to get up shower and dress for example. It's important not to pull your chest or arms for a while. It might be good to talk this over with the BC nurse, they are very helpful and knowledgeable and then you could put it before your employer -I hope they are accommodating. We all have different experiences and heal at different rates so it's hard to be specific, which doesn't help you very much I'm afraid. Best wishes for your op and recovery.
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25-08-2018
03:02
Hi Nuthatch I had a single mx and it took something like two years for the tightness to go. I have a part numb area over the scar. I carried on with the excercises and use weights. If I do not do them for a while then I feel tighness and shoulder problems building up . I've made this an incentive to do these and other exercises rather than seeing it as a negative thing. I'm sure you will find things do improve as time passes and then suddenly you wiill not be aware of your chest. .I certainly needed a pillow between my arm and chest in bed for over a year and.it was ages after that before I could lie on that side without getting pain in my shoulder - but I can now! .Best wishes for your recovery.
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26-07-2018
01:26
Hi Aguila When my 5 years of Letrozole ended I wondered if it might be extended. At my last visit I was seen by a BC nurse who, when I asked, explained the criteria for extending the treatment longer than 5 years. I was told It depended on several factors, including the infiltration percentage so I knew why my treatment was ending .I was told to discontinue Letrozole from that day. My tumor was the highest state of both estrogen and progesterone receptive BTW. I hope that by now you have an appointment and are feeling better about the situation.
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02-05-2018
12:44
I didn't want recon either and wear a prosthesis. I buy my bras from a couple of specialist on-line (and catalogue) suppliers. I visited a Nicola Jane shop at first and the lady there was fantastic and very encouraging. I can understand both why women choose to have reconstruction, or to to have both breasts removed for symmetry or health reasons. I wish I had never had to make the decision in the first place but, after several years, I am still content with being a uniboob. Thanks for making this thread.
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10-04-2018
01:20
If you contact the clinic and explain they may be able to help if they have a transport scheme. I can't answer your question but I imagine it's best to go where they are familiar with the operation you have had and know how it should be progressing.
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18-01-2018
09:06
That is exactly how I thought about it. My BCN showed me prostheses and gave me advice on bra's. She did the fitting later on. If you opt for no recon then wear a tight top and soft bra for your fitting about six weeks post op. - that will help get the prosthesis size spot on. Best wishes
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15-01-2018
06:08
Hello Anna Recon. did just not appeal to me for various reasons. When dressed you should be able to get symmetry with a prosthesis although from reading on here some larger cup sized ladies have not been happy.There are many different types of prosthesis these days and if there is a very slight difference then a padded bra evens it out. Some women, like me, cope well with losing a breast, for others it would be devastating. We are all different. Perhaps some research into the specialist mastectomy suppliers of lingerie and prostheses will help you in making a decision. There are a couple online and they really are very good and will be able to advise you according to your cup size. Immediately after the op. you will be given a softie to wear in your bra and there are also 'knitted-knockers' - quite a fun way to even- up while you are healing, if you are able to look at it in that way. Good luck with your treatment.
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10-01-2018
11:30
You are certainly not on your own. The best thing to do is to tell the staff how frightened you are and when you get to theatre they will most likely give you something to help.They like patients to be relaxed. With luck you will be fast asleep almost as soon as the needle is in your hand. You sound like a remarkable young woman. I know that everyone reading this thread will be rooting for you and wishing you well. I hope this helps when the time comes for your op.
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07-01-2018
08:22
1 Hug
Hi Swampy I think it is the massage itself that is key, a cream just helps the movements and stops the skin pulling. I was told not to waste money on expensive oils or creams and I bought aqueous cream - a large tub costs very little. Best wishes
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21-12-2017
09:38
I had a single mastectomy some years ago. For various reasons I did not want reconstruction and have not regretted my decision. I wear a prosthesis. In my case mastectomy was dictated by location of lump and breast size but beforehand I too, had done the pro's and cons list. I can't tell you if I would have opted for lumpectomy had it been possible but I do know that I seriously considered mastectomy beforehand and the consultant seemed surprised by my easy acceptance of it. When I explained my reasons for not wanting recon.no one tried to talk me out of it. There is a website, Flat Friends, that you might find helpful, I hope things go well for you.
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27-09-2017
10:17
Hi Kat I've been half flat for over 5 years now - I didn't want implants of any sort and didn't fancy having ops on other parts of my body to make the boob out of and, to be frank, I just didn't want the extra surgery and extra healing time. As I've said before on this forum, there isn't any wrong and right decision, just your decision. I do not regret mine because it was right for me. I wear a prosthesis on the affected side and mostly i forget about it. Good luck with your treatment and decision making.
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13-07-2017
07:53
I had a single mastectomy about 7 years ago, wear a prosthesis and rarely think about it. I have to be a bit careful with tops, that's all but I never wore low necks anyway.I just didn't want all the extra surgery. Best wishes.
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