Hello

[Kazzerp]

Hi everyone. My names Karen , live in Cheshire, and am 58. I have been diagnosed today and will need a mastectomy . Feeling a bit dazed , pouring over options re breast reconstruction or not etc but found this community so useful. Sure it will help me in the weeks/months to come .

[Jennymary]

Welcome aboard, sending you lots of love, hugs and best wishes to help you through your journey xxxxx

[Kazzerp in reply to Jennymary]

Thankyou so much xx

[Lainey66]

Hi Karen. It is a hell of a shock. I was diagnosed 2 Oct last year. I finished treatment three weeks ago. I had 9 months of chemo and ther 25 sessions of radiotherapy. On Jan 5th this year I had a double mastectomy. I have chosen to live a flat life. My thinking being one of, after having cancer cut out I didnt want to put anything there in its place. It does make finding clothing a bit of a pain but I am fine with my decision. I go for my three month check up on the 19th Sept. I wish you well on your journey. There are days you feel as rough as the proverbial bears bum. But rest. You will need it. All the best Karen, the time will suprisingly fly by. Regards. Elaine x

PS. I am 49

[Kazzerp]

Thankyou Elaine, it's a real help to hear how others have coped with their own journeys and to be so positive. I hope all goes well for your check up Best wishes Karen x

[Hidden]

Hi Karen

Warm welcome to you, I'm 35, diagnosed last year, done with main treatment but remember feeling overwhelmed by it all in the beginning, can't believe I'm out the other side, fairly unscathed, if you can count losing a breast and hair unscathed.

It does end up feeling a little less scary!

[Mandywilson]

We are all somewhere on this journey ... I am sorry about your news . We all understand how scary it is ... We are all here to listen ... Xxx

[Hidden]

I went by myself,when I was told,didn't think it would happen to me, was in a daze,my consultant was amazing,his advice was keep a note book and pen with you,and as you think of questions write them down.i had right breast mastectomy and 6 months later had reconstruction,I got confused about types of reconstruction,so went for the implant,then if that didn't work,I could still of had the back muscle type,and I held the tummy tuck as last resort. He and the team explained everything,and believe it or not the whole process was never painful.one word of advice-do your exercises afterwards. Good luck.Xx

[Hidden]

Hi Karen

Sorry to hear your news, this time last year I was just waking up following my mastectomy, l can hardly believe where a year went!

There's a lot to take in, so take it step by step & the BCNurses are always available to answer your questions as are the ladies on this site.

Everyone deals with it differently & you'll find your way, you may not think so today but you will.

Very Good Wishes

Angela xx

[Debs1962]

Hi Karen and welcome, I had my mammogram last May had a implant at the same time, I am very happy with result, it depends on what size you are etc as to what you decide I think.

I had to option of all things, but as I am small 36c decided to go with implant as have very little fat on my tummy, also didn't want major op on stomach, already have C section scars, didn't want more!

I could of had lumpectomy but wanted to try to avoid radiotherapy if I could, and was told if I had mammogram I would avoid it, wasn't told this would depend on the nodes result! Luckily my nodes were clear so as mine was ER+ I am now on letrozole daily.

It is a big decision, try to get as much info as you can.

Deb x

[ElainefromLeeds66]

She listen to the hospital and medical staff and have a positive attitude and it's a long road but YOU WILL COME THROUGH IT

[lovesradio]

Hi honey welcome, vexed for you, it's a horrible time. Take someone with you to appointments if you can, follow advice about writing questions down and taking them with you. All the information you get can be a bit bamboozling. My surgery and treatment was over 9 years ago now and I didn't go for recon, wear prosthesis, very happy with it. Couldn't face the thought of more surgery at the time and that's not really changed!!

[Kazzerp]

Thank you all for you're warm welcome and good wishes. The advice you've all given is great and made me feel so much more positive. Hope you all have the best day you can x

[louise007]

The Haven is an excellant soucre of help , inspiration and just plain listening to you . So tap into their site my breast care nurses introduced me to them , they do have outreach days . I met the team at a local hotel for a day. The had various staff there giving talks and tips . Perhaps your breast nurses know when the next one is in your area or you can contact them yourselves . I was in a group of about 20 very informal and a great help . stay well , stay positive and we are all here for each other . Dazed is a normal reaction . The things i said when i was first diagnosed seem a little silly now - i just said " whose going to look after my two new kittens " The surgeon was surprised by that ! You will find your own way through the fog but its all a bit scary now . A rollercoaster of emotions but you will be surprised by your strength . Take any help offered . Take care

[Kazzerp in reply to louise007]

Many thanks for your post. I shall certainly enquire about the outreach days. Take care X

[vwel in reply to Kazzerp]

Hey, Breast Cancer Haven also offer phone appointments if you're not near to one of their centres.xxx

[Poppy-1971]

Hi I am 45 and had a single mastectomy at the end of May. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal cancer. Luckily my lymph was clear and I don't need chemo as the margins were clear - just taking tamoxifen. I am undecided about the reconstruction. It is a difficult thing to come to terms with but I can see light at the end of the tunnel... The McMillan helpline was a lifesaver to me. take care xx Mel

[Kazzerp in reply to Poppy-1971]

Hi Mel, this was my diagnosis too. Obviously won't know about the lymph until I have the surgery. Just waiting for a date. Thanks for your post, keep well X

[Poppy-1971 in reply to Kazzerp]

The waiting is hard Karen. I remember it seemed a bit surreal at first and felt 'in limbo'. Emotionally it's a very hard thing to come to terms with losing a breast and the worry of what treatment lies ahead. I remember having days of utter tearfulness and helplessness and worry of what was laying ahead, it all felt so much out of my control. The surgery wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought and the pain afterwards either. I had a few twinges of nerve pain once the nerves started healing after about two or three weeks. I have just started to wear the prosthesis and special bra that I got measured for after surgery and with clothes you cant tell. It's been such a shock and I think it's hard for family and friends to understand exactly the emotions that you will go through. I think some ladies have reconstruction at the same time but for me it wasn't an option given it was thought i'd need radiotherapy and chemotherapy. These websites are so good at support and the ladies know exactly what you will be going through, Mel xx

[Cath31]

Pulls the rug from under your feet doesn't it. Girls on here are brill. Lots of advice, reassurance and support. Friends and family are great but it's the ones walking the walk that know what you're going through. Xx

[Dmhaynes]

Karen Hi! My name is Denise and I am 45 and had a left total mastectomy with lymph node removal followed by chemo & radio 2 years ago. I opted to have a temporary implant put in at the same time as the mastectomy.

I can still remember the day I was told and what was said: I work as a nursing sister so I was at work and "popped in" for my appointment. I knew the surgeon and he told me there and then that he was highly suspicious that it was the "Big C", took a breast biopsy and all I could say was "OK"!! I then went calmly back to work and told my colleague who was then in a worse state than I was! It finally hit me about 2 weeks later.

Everyone copes differently and you do not know how you are going to react when given this news. My advice would be not to rush into making a decision & talk to your surgeon and breast care nurses. I think having the implant did help me psychologically as I have never been without a "breast", but in hindsight, and if heaven forbid I have go through it all again, I don't think I would have a temporary one put in again.

One of the problems with having an implant and then radio is that it can make it go quite hard. On the plus side I'm very pert on one side albeit a bit lopsided!.

I am going to have my proper reconstruction done soon. I'm just having all the scans etc to make sure all is ok, and I'm having the DEIP flap (the tummy tuck one).

Good luck with your decisions and I hope it all goes well for you xx

[Kazzerp]

Hi Denise, thanks so much for your advice. As I said I was a bit dazed at first but seem quite calm at the moment, not sure it's fully sunk in . Too be honest the worst thing right now is keeping it from everyone until I can tell the children( albeit adult!) who are both very inconveniently out of the country on holiday and don't want them to hear it from anyone else! I have an appointment with the surgeon and breast care nurse on Monday to discuss my implant options , if that's the way I go and to get a date for the mastectomy.

Have found yours and all the other replies I've had a great help, so glad I found Haven .

I wish you all the best with your reconstruction too. Xx

[mags4]

Hi karen,

Sorry to hear your news,altough you might think you will never get thru it you will a lot to take in you will need time to digest this and get your head around it and when you do you will step by step you will get there.I was diagnosed last oct chemo op now rad i was advised to wait a year for reconstruction. Take care lots of hugs coming your way.😘

[brianna29]

Hi I had a left mastectomy in March this year with immediate reconstruction using the muscles and fat off my back. I am pleased with the results. It can be a little uncomfortable at times due to the nerves repairing and the tight scar tissue on my back. I am waiting to have the nipple reconstructed and a bit of liposuction. I am taking part in doing a calendar at work for breast cancer. I am a little nervous but It is something I feel I need to do and the opportunity came up. Good luck in your treatment