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Hi,
Not in your situation (but happy to hold your hand). BUMPING you back up so other new people see your post - good luck xx
Thanks for that JulieD. Now I know what the bumping means - I've read it once or twice and always wondered!!
Lemoncake
x
You are welcome. How are you bearing up?
Posts often get missed specially if site is busy - yours seems to be one of them so I'll bump you again!
Best wishes x
Hi lemon cake
I'm seeing my surgeon tomorrow to get a date for mastectomy and reconstruction. I still have one chemo to go so should get a date tomorrow. Whilst I have an idea of which surgery options I haven't decided. Can I ask what you've opted for? And the reasons why?
I'm a bit apprehensive I have to say. Not even sure what questions to ask tomorrow.
I'd be happy to be yr virtual buddy.
Sharon x
Hi Sharon
I was beginning to think I was the only unfortunate one having surgery in Feb so thanks for the post. I'm going for the recon from my stomach, the details the PS gave me call it a diep and tram flap on the same sheet so I'm not sure which of these its called.
I thought I wouldn't be able to have an LD (back flap) recon as I've got no meat on me there but I have got some on my stomach - about a C cup I reckon, however when I went to the hospital the surgeon said he could do either as they take the muscle from your back but he said it would mean an implant as well which would need replacing every 10yrs. I didn't really fancy that bit even though it would be a shorter op at 5hrs compared to 10hrs for stomach op. I have read that the diep/tram gives better results.
I'd love to be your virtual buddy as well. Let me know how you get on tomorrow.
Sandra
x
PS Thanks again JulieD
Hello again lemon cake
I'm considering the tram flap too as I like to go canoeing so want to be able to paddle. I liked the thought of having a tummy tuck at the same time as having a pair of pert new boobs but I know what you're saying about the length of the operation, it does scare me a bit if I'm being honest. Did your surgeon give you any idea as to how long your recovery will be? I guess I will get answers tomorrow, I will let you know. I don't think I will have my surgery until march well to be honest I don't know about whether I need radiotherapy yet and whether I will have pre or post op. so...... Until tomorrow....my new buddy xx
The surgeon said I wouldn't be able to rock climb if I had back flap but didn't mention canoeing. I've never rock climbed in my life!!
I think the recovery is about 6 wks, you can't lift a kettle until week 3.
Good luck with appt tomorrow.
Sandra
x
Me again, hope your well lemoncake and JulieD
Saw my surgeon today and great news - no need for radiotherapy. What a relief.
I have to see breast nurse for reconstruction counselling and then make absolute decision on type of surgery. It wasn't then TRAM flap op, I'm sorry, it's the DIEP flap that I've been offered, which is probably best option.
I ended up having to have minor surgery Having two nails punctured and drained of toxic, noxious pus! So typing is bit slow today lol.
I'm looking forward to making a definite decision about surgery. My potential op date is 19th march.
Talk soon
Take care
Sharon
Hi girls - I had mx surgery in November - feel great now - all healed and back to normal .... have chemo ahead though - start date unknown but in around 2 weeks! I wasn't able to have a reconstruction at the time but can have it in 12 months time - from stomach they say.
I only had 1 night in hospital - so good to get home even though I had the drain - you soon get used to it.
Hey Kiwi Coxy - are you a fellow NZer??
Hi Sharon
Great news about the radiotherapy. The punctured nail thing sounds awful, I bet that was blooming painful. When will you know for definate if your date will be 19th Mar?
Hi Kiwijan
How strange have two kiwi usernames! I notice on your profile that its your second time with breast cancer as well. I had a 10mm invasive cancer in my right breast in 1999 aged 38. Had lumpectomy then further op to remove lymphs then rads and Tamoxifen for 5-6yrs. The latest DX came as a real shock after so long without although this one is different to last time.
How are you feeling about chemo?
Lemoncake
x
Hi Lemoncake,
I'm due to have a mastectomy of the left breast and left lymph node clearance on 2 Feb 12. Like you, I need a hand to hold, as I'm scared of what it will be like to wake up after the op minus a boob. The thought of an op doesn't bother me it's what I see afterwards. I have every confidence in my breast team for the practical side of things but they can't tell me what it will feel like emotionally. Shall we hold hands together and with anyone else in the same boat. Thinking about you all, Helen aka Scaredy Cat.
Hi Lemoncake
Well I can't deny I am VERY scared of the chemo - the hair loss and tiredness I can cope with but not the nausea/vomiting side of it but I'm trying not to think about it too much - have my appointment next Tuesday and I think some tests on Thursday so reckon I'll be starting the week after.
I was 43 when first diagnosed and thought everything was fine after lumpectomy and rads and Tamoxifen but 16 years later the bugger is back!! I was a borderline case for chemo but have decided to take the onc's recommendation of doing it - people say I've brave, but I don't feel it inside!!
If there's anything you or Scaredycat want to know about the mx op just ask away!
XX
Hi All
I'm booked in for a mastectomy on 13 Feb and am pretty nervous about it for all the obvious reasons. The doctor said I will probably have chemo and rads after. (Also got a CT scan this Friday to look for possible spread).
Anyway just wanted to say good luck to all and I'm happy to take part in any hand holding going on.
xx
Hi pink buddies,
yes i expect you are all scared waiting for your ops, what you will look like like after, i went through the same anxious time.
My surgeon tried to preserve my breast op number 3 was mastectomy no reconstruction as all margins affected. 6 weeks forward doing well
like you all will, how i feel after seeing myself very upset at its lost, shocked how it looks, still few tears when i go to bed,
in time i am hoping to embrace the new me.
I hope ladies in time you would rather have longer time with your families than having a time bomb (boob)
My advise is to look for mastectomy bra before op for your self esteem made me feel better, some lovely lacy ones,
we can still look good not all is lost.
I find taking Manuka honey +10 or 15 has helped with sickness
i wish you all well with your forthcoming ops.
Keep pecker up Pat xx
Hi perhaps i can join you? I have my last chemo this wednesday and then mx on 2nd march. I have been advised not to have recon or an expander fitted at this stage. I have already had slnb and had 1 of the 2 nodes affected with macromets so i am having full anc as well. Not looking forward to it at all but obviously it has to be.
Teresa x
Hi ladies it seems since my last post we've got ourselves a little support network. This forum is great to,get a different perspective on what we are all going through.
Kiwijan - I am British but spent 5 years in NZ. We lived in the Rangitikei and loved it. Glad we are home near family and friends for support. Where in NZ are you from?
Typing very difficult so won't add much else except to say that I find it difficult when people tell me I am brave. It's a hard label to live up to, when all I'm doing is what I have to do in order to have best chance of survival. We don't really have much choice do we girls xxx
Sharon xx
Hi Ladies welcome to the post
How wonderful - we have got quite a group gathering - now I don't feel so alone.
Its scary stuff this op business isn't it? I've got another 2wks and 5days left and I desparately want to get there to get the cancer out of me but I'm so scared at the same time.
What did you ladies who have already had a mastectomy do about bras? Info from my PS says to wear high impact sports bras for 6wks, I have been looking but a lot of them seem to have an extra bit at the back so you would have to put them over your head to get them on and then do them up with the usual hooks as well. I presume it would be a problem getting it over your head post op? I was thinking a do up at the front would be best but can't seem to find one.
Take Care
Sandra aka Lemoncake
xx
Hi Sandra,
I have put for you below the link to BCC's publication Your operation and Recovery, I hope you find it helpful. With regard to bra's, I'm sure the ladies here will give you some good information but you can always give the helpline here a ring and have a chat with the staff.
http://www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/treatment-side-effects/your-operation-recovery-bcc151
Hope all this helps. Take care
Jo, Facilitator
Thanks for asking that Sandra, I'm having bilateral MX I guess my BCN will discuss bras sizes etc. there is a thread on here called top tips for MX which has been an interesting and informative read. Front fastening bras seem logically easier, it's just where to go to get one.
By the way my date for my op will be confirmed on 24 February. The 19th March is the day after my birthday so hubby said he'd buy me 2 shiny gift bows to stick on my new boobs!!! Little does he know, he'll be going nowhere near them!
Have you had a choice as to size and shape of reconstruction?
I will be glad to get off the nuke juice express but the next episode is daunting, even though I too need the cancer cutting out of me, hate the thought I still have it there albeit much smaller.
Keep smiling xxx
Sharon
Thanks Jo
Great publication. My BCN gave me a copy of this to read xx
sharon
Brilliant - thanks for that Jo.
Sharon - at the moment the good side is a C and the BC side is a B (all B's and C's!). I think the smaller side is because it previously got nuked with the radiotherapy, so the new one will match the C side. What about you?
Sandra
xx
I really don't know yet. Think I am lagging behind in the advice given, as still have chemo to finish. It seems like information is revealed little by little. I expect that I will learn much from following yours and others progress on here, so I will hold all your hands and watch and learn as I go. Xxxx
Big hugs xx
But current brast size is B/C depending on type of bra and shop it came from. Not been officially measured yet?!
Hi Sandra and everyone else too,
Too right it's scary stuff. I've 4 days to do for mine.
After spending many hours 'surfing the net' I found the following web site from which I bought a post op bra.
http://www.eloise.co.uk
I hope this of help. Thinking about you all.
Lots of hugs.
Helen aka Scaredy Cat xxxx
Hi girls - after my MX I went to good old M&S and got a proper bra fitting cos as Kiwi Coxy says bra shapes change depending on what shop you buy from. They also have a huge range to choose from including the front opening and post-surgery bras - expensive though even when they take the VAT off! I wish you all luck with your surgery and ask away if you want any first-hand info!
Kiwi Coxy - I was born in Rotorua but spent most of my life in Auckland. We were planning a trip home this March but have had to put that on hold due to the upcoming chemo. I find out this Tuesday what regime I'll be doing - all I know for now is that I'm having 9 weeks of AC - short and sharp - but I am SO scared of the sickness side of things - how did you all copy - was it really bad?
Love to all.
Jan
X
Lemoncake et al - if you look on page 177 of "Starting Chemotherapy in August" we got together lists of things that might help you when having your operation.
I hope it helps.
ICackles
Evening all,
Have you all had a nice weekend? Mine was ok although I felt a bit emotional yesterday as every time I tried to find out the date for my mx/recon since dx I was told it would be before 29/1 when really I've got another 2wks 4days to wait. It should have been done by now - stamping of foot.
Thanks for that website suggestion Helen, I will have a look. I love your picture. What is your cats name - hopefully not scaredy cat! Is it a boy or girl. I've got a tom called Finlay who is trying to settle on my lap while I'm typing this.
Good luck for Thursday in case you don't come on here again before then. Let us know how you get on.
Kiwijan - good luck to you with your appt on Tuesday.
Cackles - great list thanks for that.
Hugs to you all
Sandra
x
Hi Sandra (Lemoncake),
The picture of the cat is Max. Unfortunately, he died 12 yrs ago. We used to call hime Mad Max as he was a real character. Too adventurous for his own good sometimes. I've got a little rescue cat, now, from the RSPCA called Pixie and she's lovely.
Thank you for your good wishes for Thursday. It's really appreciated. I must admit I'm really scared. Not of having an op but of what it's going to be like afterwards. I don't have anyone at home who can give me any moral support and my family are scattered around the country. I've a couple of friends who have been absolutely brilliant but they can't be here during the early hours of the morning which when I feel it most.
Anyway, enough of my miseries. I hope your op, too, goes well as it's only 2 wks after mine. Will let you know how I get on. After they discharge me from hospital I'm going to go and have 2 wks at a convalescent home. Costing me a fortune but it will be worth it to just be looked and spoilt after for a while.
Lots of love to everyone,
Helen (aka Scaredy Cat)