Breast Cancer Now Forum

No wobbling for me, although am similarly reflective not only due to the tune of year but also a fortnight away from the anniversary of my surgery. The whole of the last three months have been umm ... difficult is the wrong word ... reflective probably covers it ... as it's obviously the anniversaries of some difficult diagnoses and decisions as well.    I am also looking at the postives now. I am cancer free (which is a biggie!!) and despite my ongoing discomfort with the recon I am doing more than a lot of women (and men!) my age who are "complete"! Despite the surgery, it's been a good year, I've had some fab surprises from brilliant friends and overcome some pretty big challenges ... and run the fastest half marathon I've ever done!! It's also given me the confidence to be honest with a couple of friends who let me down over this time; itself a difficult but empowering thing to do. I may have lost them as friends but I've also lost their negativity and the hurt they brought.    Happy New Year ladies and Daniela ... you summed it up brilliantly. You can do and be anything you decide. I watched a brilliant film over the break, "Soul Surfer" watch it if you get chance, it's a true story of an incredible young woman. Best line in it ... "I don't need easy, I just need possible". Here's to coming to terms with what life has thrown at us.   Much love to you all   Lisa     ... View more

Hi Aligo35, I had bilateral mx with immediate LD recon with implants in January this year. Although I still have some tightness in my back I am now back to doing everything I did before. It is a big op, in all honesty, bigger than I had anticipated pre-op and I'm not 100% there yet but definitely miles ahead of where I was!! I was off work for about 8 weeks (but don't underestimate how knackering it is!!) and was back running in under three months. I ran the Bournemouth half marathon in October for Breast Cancer Care and that was very much a "closure" exercise for me.   I genuinely believe being fit & active contributes hugely to recovery time as does the positive mental attitude that goes with sporting activities.    Best of luck with your decision. I didn't have much time to think about mine, consult to surgery in about 3 wks. Sometimes I think that was better, I struggle with decisions at the best of times and this is definitely a biggie.   lisa  ... View more

Hi Kaz, totally understand your indecision. I was diagnosed with DCIS in Dec last year & had bilateral mastectomy with immediate LD recon with implants in January. It was a complete whirlwind & I went along with the recommendations of my PS because I had no idea what else to do!! Although I'm 45 (so a bit older than you!!) I am also slim build & was an A cup at the time. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have. I am still in some discomfort with my back, however nothing that prevents me doing anything I used to, in fact I ran a half marathon last weekend in a not-too-shabby 2hrs 46 seconds!!  Let me know if you gave any questions, am happy to answer. Lisa  ... View more

Believe me, the designs have been the subject of much hilarious discussion at work!! Despite suggestion of everything from hedgehogs to headlamps I'm thinking of some sort of tree/vines or maybe dandelion clock type thing. Have to wait until final surgery is sorted so plenty of time to think!! ... View more

I think the reconstruction/tattooing funding varies depending on where you live. I'm in Salisbury & will have to pay for mine. If I have it that is. Just waiting for last lot of tidying up surgery after bilateral mx & thinking I'll probably opt for a tattooing of my own design ... if I'm paying for it I might as well have something I like looking at!! ... View more

Oh how fab to find you!! Have been driven completely bonkers by my mum's & my sister's insistence that I've not had "proper" cancer, despite having to have bilateral mx this year after DCIS diagnosis. Yes I have been lucky but yes I have also been through a huge emotional & physical trauma. Still baffles me how they are able to undermine something that needed such radical action.       ... View more

Hi again Terri - just replied to your other post re. elective mastectomy. As far as recon goes, I had LD flap reconstruction, so different area but similar results. The recovery time is hard but manageable with some help. The boobs look great. My PS gave me implants as well and although you would know they are false when I'm in the nud, when I have a bra on  and under clothes, they look incredible!   Im also relatively young (45) & my PS said that the flap recon would give a much better result than implants alone although you are right in that the recovery time is significantly longer. Having said that, I had the surgery in January and went back to work at the beginning of April. I was also able to start running again (albeit carefully!) about 10 weeks post op & am doing a half marathon in a few weeks time.   Hope this helps a little, but definitely ask for as much info as you can and make sure you have all the facts before making your decision.   best of luck   Lisa ... View more

You are so right Daniela. That's definitely another of the benefits of this thread (thank you ladies!!); it's given me the confidence to raise my problems with my PS when I see him in September.    And the nipples ... it's the tattooing that costs the ££s. Am thinking of choosing my own design instead, get a bit of control back & find something I actually like looking at!!  ... View more

Just wanted to add to the thanks. This thread has helped so much in that I know I'm not on my own (or going mad!!) I'm 7 months post- double mx + LD and although able to do pretty much everything I could before now, including running and swimming (daniela - breast stroke is definitely the way ahead!! Still feels very odd - tight, heavy & generally uncomfortable but getting better - and do-able!!). Getting back to running has definitely helped my well being & even before that I managed a walk every day, definitely helped!! Just feel very let down by the lack of accurate information. I will never know now if I would have made the same decision.   Oh, and on the nipple front - to add insult to injury ... my NHS Trust don't cover nipples in the reconstruction funding!!! Seems they're an optional - and costly - extra! ... View more

Haha joyfulthoughts!! I have the same problem with my PS, lovely man (very charismatic!!) and always so pleased with how my boobs look he completely disarms me!! Having said that, I am keen to see him again to talk about my ongoing discomfort as I'd hoped to feel some improvement by now. Due to see him at the beginning of September so am psyching myself up already!! I'm down in Salisbury so sadly won't be able to make the meet up in Manchester. Sad to miss it as the opportunity to chat to others who are in a similar predicament would have been great. I spend most of the time with my "game face" on, smiling & grateful to be cancer-free (which I am, obviously!!) ... View more

Elsa, I couldn't agree more. The possibility of living without boobs was never discussed with me, just mentioned briefly when I had my diagnosis. The whole thing came completely out of the blue after a "cautionary" biopsy after a routine mammogram so to go back & be told bilateral mastectomy was needed was a huge shock. Surgery was 3 weeks after my PS consultantation (on Christmas Eve) so no time really to think about what I was doing & as you say Redbev, I'm very much the same in putting my "brave face" on. As previously mentioned, the information I was given was all about the aesthetics; no-one said I would be left with long term numbness in my back ("loss of breast sensation" was mentioned) & discomfort/pain front, back & sides. More relevant and honest information is definitely needed. ... View more

I feel very much the same Naz. Had I known before what I know now I'm not sure I would have made the same decision & think probably would have opted for no reconstruction at all. Removal of my implants now will not make any difference to the discomfort in my back. Most of the time I can just "suck it up", I'm cancer-free when all's said and done, but do feel let down (and a bit angry at times!) with my PS. One of the reasons I'm not opting for nipples (having some body art tattooing done instead eventually) is to regain a bit of control back. Lisa x ... View more

Hi Dizzie, I had bilateral mx with LD + implant in Jan this year. Recovery has been good, although longer than I expected (although I am given to unrealistic optimism & thinking I am superwoman!). I am very active & was similarly concerned about impact on my "usual" lifestyle. I returned to work full time in April after a phased return - tiredness was a huge issue initially but am back to normal now. I am back running again, relatively comfortably but swimming has been a problem and I wouldn't say have full range of movement in my shoulder yet, although it's possible that if I had the opportunity to swim regularly this might improve. I can do most things that I used to do pre-op but I am aware of my body now - if that makes any sense. Reaching up or out "pulls" which is why I'm struggling with swimming. Dusting is also difficult but bothers me much less!! I still have a lot of tension/tightness in my back where the muscle was moved and although I am getting used to it, it is wearing and will be top of my list to ask my PS about at my next appt. Cosmetically (clothed!!) I look fab so no complaints there but physically I'm still getting there. Do feel free to PM me if you want any more info. Lisa xx ... View more

Vic, I'm thinking exactly the same. Have bilateral mx & LD recon. Am pretty ok about it all & the scarring but can't really see what nipples would bring to the party now (my PS referred to them as the cherry on top!!). Current thought are for something to cover it all ... promoting much hilarious discussion in the office!! Headlamps & winking eyes were but two of the suggestions!! I'm thinking maybe of a tree ... running up my side with branches over my new boobs. Actually, the way my imagination runs away with me it'll turn into a full won land scene or the Magic Faraway Tree.... ... View more

Always surprises me how differently everywhere does things! I had my guide wire inserted a couple of days before the op. Bizarre experience!! I don't remember it being particularly painful but it did look odd afterwards, with a long length of wire sticking up from my boob!! Looked a lot like a radio aeriel (cue many jokes about twiddling nipples to get reception!!) It was taped down and dressed afterwards though. The blue dye was injected the day before. I didn't even notice it being done despite them saying it would sting. ... View more

Hi Soosie, I only had my recon done in January this year but have had similar thoughts on more than one occasion already. I had a double mastectomy & LD recon and aesthetically, with clothes on at least, I look fantastic. My plastic surgeon obviously is over the moon, as is my breast care consultant. It's the continual tightness in my back that I struggle with, and the knowledge that that is irreversible. Don't get me wrong, I am by no means debilitated by it. I'm back at work full-time now and am back to most of my usual activities including running which is a huge part of my life & not something, when I was in the middle of recovery, that I could even envisage ever doing again. But swimming (also a great love of mine, particularly open water) is something that I still can't manager. However, it is the constant, nagging tautness and discomfort in my back that does still get me down. My PS assured me that unless I was a professional rock climber Life would not be impacted by the surgery. At the moment, I am not convinced!! And no, I'm not bothering with nipples either!!! Lisa x ... View more

I'm here too. Bilateral mx & LD recon in January following DCIS diagnosis. I'm in Amesbury & treated at SSH. Hello!!! ... View more

I'm here too!! Am just north of Salisbury in Amesbury & treated at Salisbury hospital ... hello!! ... View more