I would like to thank you all for your sharing your thoughts and experiences. It's been really helpful and I am really grateful. I did not say what is happening with me: I was diagnosed last July19. It was a shock to say the least. I wad put on Ibrance and Letrozel. Meds worked. The tumour in the breast is stubborn. That is when I was told surgery is the best option.
I am scared but need to be brave. I have been working full time, never had sick leave. I guess it is the time to face reality.
Thanks again for your kind words and support.
Love and Blessings always.x
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strong1t
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I really am sorry for what you're going through...first the shock of diagnosis and now having to grapple with the surgery issue...
Am I understanding correctly that the meds have worked against the tumors beyond the breast, and now they're recommending mastectomy because - unlike the others - the tumor in the breast didn't shrink?
If you do go ahead with the surgery, I've mentioned before, it's no small matter. But, in terms of working, I think I took off just under a week (surgery on a Thursday, returned to work the next Wednesday). Desk job, so not physically challenging, and I was pretty young (48 or 49), so it was manageable...I do hope you're able to take off (much) longer than that...I wish I had taken better care of myself when I was first diagnosed (pre-metastatic)...so if you need to get back to work, it might not be as difficult as one would think?
Still, my heart goes out to you...it's all very challenging. But maybe you can feel encouraged by some of the success you've had with the meds? I hope so...
It's not being a coward at all. After my mastectomies 5 years apart. I never had reconstructive surgery. The mastectomy surgery was all I could handle. The drains were uncomfortable, but otherwise the experience wasnt that bad aside from the shock of it all. I have prosthetics that I wear in my mastectomy bra. Very comfortable and perkier than my natural boobs!
As Sunny said, the reconstruction part was very easy. Not trying to push you in either direction but just want to make it clear that they were fairly simple procedures that had very quick and mostly pain-free recoveries. The mastectomy was definitely a challenge but we all survived it. I was heavily medicated for the first week with pain killers & muscle relaxers so the first week was very much a blur. I always joke that I have no recollection of the first week of October from that year. So don't try to be a hero when it comes to managing pain. And be sure to take your stool softeners and drink as much fluid as you can tolerate because costipation from pain meds is no joke!! Good luck. We'll all be thinking of you and praying for a quick recovery ❤️
Can I ask you where your mets are and are they stable ? And how are your monthly bloods ? ( wbc/ neutrophyls) .
I was allowed to have day surgery for a breast reduction on my non -affected left side , a year and a half ago , while I was on Ibrance / Letrozole ( I had had a right mastectomy /reconstruction with implant and right axillary clearance the year before , which involved a 4 day stay in hospital , this was a couple of months before I started on Ibrance , once my mets were discovered . I was very asymmetrical following my right mastectomy and smaller implant , and my left reduction surgery helped me both physically and mentally . My onc agreed to it (jointly with my breast surgeon ), as my bone mets were stable , my neutrophyls were above 2 at the end of my 28 day cycle and my bloods were good , and I was fairly fit and active.
These are all things that your onc and surgeon will take into account , as there is always a risk of infection with any surgery . They may also have you take a break from Ibrance for a couple of weeks ( as Ibrance lowers your wbc and immune system and can slow the healing ) and you will need to take some time off work after . But I wish you well with whatever you and your onc decide . Take care ! x
Might be better to have reconstruction at same time. I was offered a lot later, 10 years on, as it wasn't common practice many years ago. It meant another major op, which was deferred twice as deemed non essential. That was more stressy.
I sent you a reply earlier. However, I didn't mention that my surgery was a day surgery for a full mastectomy plus lymph nodes.
I had an excellent surgeon who could have done the reconstruction at the same time but I opted out of that as at my age it doesn't matter to me. I know my youngest daughter thought it must be so traumatic that I would need phycological help after. Nope! Not me. I wanted a party!! I was so glad to be rid of that sore on my breast.
I was like you worried sick about the surgery. Haven't had many surgeries and I don't like hospitals or needles!
Anyhow, the surgery was a walk in the park. No discomfort to speak of. Healed up nicely.
If you can find a good surgeon then I think you will find it isn't as bad as you think. Just rest after and after the staples come out everything will be good within a week.
As I mentioned I am much older and It went very easily. I was astounded. I am a 'baby' when it comes to surgeries.
I would imagine at a younger age it would be ok also.
Big decisions to make . I had a single mastectomy when I was first diagnosed at the age of 40 , breezed thru surgery took a few days off work ( self employed ) returned to work in4-5 days ( drain s still in ) but didn’t do any lifting . I did the exercises/ physio . Once I was done chemo and feeling strong again I chose to have the right side mastectomy and 2 implants done in one surgery .
It was about a year and a half after initial surgery . It took me about 3 weeks to recover enough to go to work part time again back full time in about 6 weeks.
For some reason the reconstruction was harder for me than the mastectomy to recoup from .
I don’t regret the reconstruction but I maybe should have taken more time to research what the results would be .
It is nice not having to wear a good supportive bra but they are not equally shaped , I call them my lumps lol . And the area is numb .
Everyone is so different and our bodies react so differently .
Hi strong1t, I will try to answer you in regards to the mastectomy.
Sorry for all that you are going though. Your journey is a little diferent than mine. I had a biopsy without clear margins. Came back positive for breast cancer. The next month I had a mastectomy. I elected to do so. My Mother had breast cancer and had so much anxiety over her scans, ultrasounds, etc. She died the same year I was diagnosed, but from new secondary of lung cancer. I thought that if my Mother was alive she would have said to remove it. It was so many years ago[ 12 yrs] I cannot remember how long I was out from work. It may have been 2 or 3 weeks. The problem is that at that time they did sentinal node biospy and removed lymph nodes. I had about 13 nodes removed which I never expected. That causes swelling in the arm called lympedema.
I am single and had a dear cousin and his wife care for me. The day of surgery I would recommend have someone stay with you and have someone there the next day. At home I slept in a recliner. If you have one, it would be nice if it can assist you in getting up. I had help with the drains. I healed up well. I did get a tissue expander and later reconstruction. I would really like these implants out. I think recovery would be easier without the tissue expander, but I am not a surgeon. It was painful.
Because of the swelling from the lymph node removal, my return to work I had to get them to cut my hours. Repetive motion caused pain and swelling. I used a computer and telephone. Typing all day long.
Any surgery I must stay on top of my bowels and take laxatives/stool softners.
I do not regret removing the breast. In your case it sounds like the treatment they want for you. I do regret having so many lymph nodes removed which I hope they do not do anymore. I do regret having reconstruction.
I hope this gives you some help. I am new here and am so greatful for all of helpful ladies.
May GOD give you restoration in your body. I pray the right angels on earth, Dr.'s, nurses, and medicines will have you better than ever. Keep the faith. The things we can't do God can! Amen
Sister/warrior iron sharpens iron. When one of us falls down, God will send someone to pick us up. Thank GOD we don't all fall down at the same time. Then GOD would have to send a lift. LOL. God's continued blessings Sister/warrior, and yesssss over-comer
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