Mastectomy update

[Archiedog]

Hi ladies, just going to give you a quick update. Had my mastectomy 2 weeks ago and am feeling great. Saw surgeon yesterday who advised of 6 nodes they removed 1 was affected, disease was ductal not vascular and the 7cm monster had been incinerated yayyyy. So pleased I had it done and as long as remain stable for 3 months have been advised will get ball moving re removing the left booby to even me up. Bloods due on Monday and can then hopefully resume ibrance. Love and best wishes to you all

Helen

[Mary115]

Helen, Your news and your spirit is encouraging to me. You rock

[mariootsi]

Congratulations Helen!

[Building-strength]

So happy for you Helen!

[stardust1965]

Hello HelenWhat a brave decision to have made. Before I came to terms with my diagnosis I had wanted the same - to remove anything nasty. The strange thing is that a breast lump hasn’t been found and I have ductal BC. So Being diagnosed de novo I was spared all that treatment and any possible complications from it. Still, it was the sudden shock of being thrown in at the deep end! I wish you all the best and a quick recovery after surgery.

Vicki

[Lulu4545 in reply to stardust1965]

Hi Vicki

You're so lucky.How did your doctors cu0x. you ?

Thanks for the help.

[stardust1965 in reply to Lulu4545]

cu0x. ???

[bubblystream in reply to stardust1965]

The same happened to me Vicky. I had a micro calcification. They thought only precancer. Took it out the area and tested. I had cancer in all15 lymph nodes and already metastasis to my bones. Yet it is slow growing and i got “yearly ish”Mammograms. Stunned! But Jesus has been good. Ibrance worked for 4.5 years. 🙂

[Justme153]

Great News you go !!! Thanks for the up date!! 🎉🎉🌞🌈

[Aquadog]

Congratulations! Great news.

[love2golfwell]

Helen, I'm so glad that your surgery went well. I hope your recovery goes well, too, and that you remain stable so you can have your next surgery. Praying for good news all around for you.

[Adele_Julia]

Hello Helen ! I found your post inspirational indeed ! I initially had a lumpectomy (right girl) in March of 2019, chemo, radiation and another surgery to remove nodes under the right arm. I thought my journey ended there in Nov 2019. The cancer came back precisely at the lumpectomy mark in Aug of 2020. It took 2 months of mis diagnosis (they put me on antibiotics) before the tumor burst and they biopsied it. Now I'm MBC. Diagnosed in Nov 2020. I have an open tumor on the right breast and it had spread to the pleural lining. No one wants to remove my right girl as it being the primary location is a good "visual" indicator of iBrance/Faslodex progression (though as of last week due to my Pet in May, my onc is putting me on Affinitor/Faslodex - this after showing a 31% reduction in the past 6 months from my previous Pet. To wake up every morning and see this tumor "talking to me" is a real mental game. I so want that breast off. I may get targeted radiation but ultimately the risk is to come off the medication to do the surgery. Like other ladies may have said, that won't cure the MBC but it may give me some relief from the angst of seeing a tumor (size of a nickel) that just won't heal. What was the question or .. how did you force the surgery? I have a carving knife and am not afraid to use it ! LOL. Any response will be helpful as I see we may have been in a similar situation but got the right mascetomy after all. Heart Hugs !

[Archiedog in reply to Adele_Julia]

Hi, wow it seems you have really been through the mill ! When I was first diagnosed metastatic in April 20 I was advised in no uncertain terms I was not a candidate for surgery! I have taken ibrance , letrozole and 4 weekly zoladex injections since. End of April surgeon advised me due to my reaction to the drugs and also my oncologist stating she believed progression would probably be where it started in right breast mastectomy and node clearance was put to me as an option which I bit their hands off about. It’s healing well and that big bad boy has had his come uppance !!. I do hope you get given the chance of surgery I found it liberating to take control and know the biggest visual part of it has gone . Keep pushing xx

[Adele_Julia]

You are such an inspiration sweetheart ! I do want this bad boy off as well ! I'll keep you posted. Thank you so very much. I'm pushing that direction myself ! xo

[Kateds in reply to Adele_Julia]

Adele_Julia, I hope you soon get your wish for surgery. Different doctors think in different ways. You could always request a second opinion. Good luck!

[Kateds]

Great news!

[Kateds]

The great news comment is intended for Archiedog.

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I had a mastectomy in 2004. I imagine the surgery is even better now yet want to offer a helpful suggestion. I waited several months for the healing to happen and swelling to subside. Then I returned to my wonderful massage therapist who is especially knowledge about myofascial release. Using very gentle techniques, she massaged and stretched the armpit scar from the lymph node removal. I have no residual scar there and have not for years thanks to her.

She occasionally does similar release work near the implant site which gets tight from all the muscles involved. This helps too.

PT is fine but ask around for someone who focuses on the myofascial release. It makes a big difference in recovery and range of motion.

Good luck!