Would like to chat to others

emmat

Hi all

I am 6 months post bilateral mastectomies and still having a few issues.  Haven’t been to follow up appointments because I am a nurse and hate being in the patient side.  Haven’t been to also avoided all counselling as I feel there are women far worse off than me but would be good to chat to women who have been through the same.  Emma

arpie

Sorry to see you join us here @emmat .... I hope you are healing well and that your issues aren't big ones xx.

Do you have access to a Breast Care Nurse?  They are often very good at answering initial queries/issues - and would know when to advise seeing your team if needed.

@Kristen put up a very helpful reply here to your initial post:  https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/27226/new-online-network-important-information-please-read#latest

Did you have reconstructive surgery following your mastectomies or did you remain flat? 
We have 2 x private groups that you might consider joining, who may be able to help/guide you thru your issues:

those who remained flat (https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/29-flat-chat-no-breast-reconstruction) 

those who had reconstruction (https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/1-choosing-breast-reconstruction) 

I'd also suggest that you have a listen to the Charlotte Tottman Podcasts on BC too - she is a specialist BC Counsellor who was diagnosed herself & had bilateral Mastectomies & chose to remain flat. She knows what you've been thru.  She found, that even with her own experiences with her clients - that it didn't really prepare her for her own diagnosis.  I think you'll find her chats very easy to listen to & may gain some insight into 'the process' after diagnosis, surgery & treatments.
http://www.drcharlottetottman.com.au/my-podcast.html

take care & all the best.

The forum is about to go into lockdown as we transition to a new platform .... so I'd suggest you give our helpline a call on 1800 500 258 if you feel the need for a chat - as the forum will become 'read only' from some time tomorrow until March 27th ....

For lots of general info on the forum & other areas within it, feel free to check out this thread:
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members#latest

May2024

Hi @emmat. I had a bilateral mastectomy in November 2024 with immediate implant recon.  My lymph nodes were clear so I didn't require any treatment (other than surgery).  The recovery has certainly been a journey though !  Feel free to message me

jennyss

Dear @emmat,

from jennyss in Western NSW

iserbrown

Hi! @emmat
As a nurse I am sure you would advise your patients to ensure they go to their follow up appointments. 
Now you are a patient the advice through here is from patients and I certainly urge you to follow up on your appointments. 
If you are struggling with all this then I, like others have already said, please seek Counselling.  It is there for us all.  I had no intent of using a Counsellor however I was put with one the day of diagnosis.  She gave me some valuable tools to use when everything seemed overwhelming - a common denominator at the start of any diagnosis and treatment.  
Take care

Afraser

Hi @emmat

Counselling in my opinion should be an available choice for any cancer patient. I wasn’t ‘struggling’, I worked through treatment including six months of chemo, but a side effect (arrhythmia) had me a bit confused - was I well? Was I someone with a ‘heart condition’? Should I be changing things? If so, what? 

A really good counsellor helped me to the real issues (avoiding thinking about mortality and being indispensable - related if you think about it!!) pretty quick sharp. Three months of three weekly visits and she’d equipped me with valuable tools to peel away at some ingrained habits and allow me to think much more intelligently about what I was shunting to the recesses of my mind. Time and not very much money well spent. Even if I hadn’t had cancer! 

Cancer is a pain but some useful things can pop up out of it. Not least of all how to live as well as possible. Best wishes.