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Dandelion's avatar
Dandelion
Member
9 years ago

Early XMAS present

Two days before xmas I was dx with multi lobular cancer Estrogen positive.
 I have had a Mastectomy left breast with tissue expander mid jan ( my tissue expander feels like it's going to burst) and sentinel one of the three nodes were positive. 
5 weeks later back for an axillary clearance. 14 nodes clear. 
I was so emotional strong to get through the two Ops but now I feel the pain and the sadness of cancer :( 
It's been two months since mastectomy and 4 weeks since axillary.
I'm dedicated to my   exercisers and determined to get full arm movement back .   
I really miss sleeping on my side and Iv forgotten what it's like to sleep the whole night through. I miss my hot baths too . I miss my old life.
Haven't shaved under my armpit in fear of lymphedema ( that's the least of my worries a hairy armpit, the other is waxed :) 
 Last week I started zoledex and having a crash course in menopause.  
No chemo , will start radiation in 3 weeks then with aromatase  I think is what my oncologist said . 
Iv got lots of questions. 
One , im worried about the radiation on my breast , nodes in my collarbone and the extra risk it will have for lymphedema . Is the anything that I should be doing before treatment ?
Has anyone had radiation after a mastectomy with one positive node ? 
Apparently this is the new way 1-3 nodes positive no chemo , but radiation (hope there right about this) docs said I could go either way , so I chose rads . 
Oh just found out to that I have osteopenia, Im 45 (single mum) and have only just started this journey so not sure what that means only that thai feel like a spiral effect . 
On a positive not my new temporary breast looks better than the other one lol , and now wish I had the right removed as well but surgeon believes there's no need to do that .
 I  just hope the radiation doesn't ruin such skillful work of my surgeons.   
Iv been navigating myself around all the post and you sound like an amazing bunch of loving and supporting and very knowledgeable woman. 
Thanks for the add :)  

  • Dandelion's avatar
    Dandelion
    Member
    9 years ago
    Sorry primek , only half my text came through and both my arms are sore from texting and using my iPhone while in bed , still getting use to this network
  • Dandelion's avatar
    Dandelion
    Member
    9 years ago
    Soldier crab , love the name :) 
    mum having troubles posting with my iPhone . 
    Only have my text is above . 
    Yes I have had the testing in between the two Ops. 
    Yhanks for all the tips and I so want to be on the other side 4.5 years on must feel normal and positive, good on you :) 
  • Dandelion's avatar
    Dandelion
    Member
    9 years ago
    Pimek, wow 14 months !! I probably won't be to far behind you. 
    I do recall my surgeon saying if rads then he won't be removing them to after xmas
  • SoldierCrab's avatar
    SoldierCrab
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hi @Dandelion
    • Did you have a Ldex reading done prior to surgery for your fluid in your body levels? If you did ask for another reading also  ask the breast care nurse if you should wear a sleeve as a precaution ? I had one given to me the week I started as the BC nurse attached to rads unit said oh your arm is a bit puffy sleeve & glove  for you..... 
    • I had osteopenia prior to BC now have osteoporosis and on PROLIA injections every 6mths and on supplements of calcium and vit D
    • I am a single mum I got through this and I am 4.5years out the other side... 
    • Ask your BC nurse about when you can wax again I left waxing until I was 2 years out but I had no hair as I had chemo for 9mths.... 
    • before you know it you will be sleeping back on your side and having hot baths again... 
    • keep your skin moisturized with something like Moo Goo to keep it healthy as it heals
    • our treatments are advancing all the time so what they offered back in 2012 has now changed to what they know works better now. 
    you are doing great. take it a day at a time and make sure you are eating well and exercising where you can even a walk is better than nothing. 

    Hugs 
    Soldier Crab

  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 years ago


    Welcome @Dandelion.   If they're planning on rads they tend to over-expand the tissue expander so if the skin shrinks a bit after rads it will be fine for the new softees. It took about 6 weeks for me to get used to my tissue expanders and I found a little neck pillow positioned under my side and allowing the boob through the hole allowed me to sleep on my side. ..also hugging a flat pillow and 1 behind my back. Once I could do this I finally slept through. I've had my expanders in 14 months and am used to them now. Hoping you won't have them as long. 

    Osteopenia is low bone but not low enough to be osteoporosis. Something to be watched when you go on hormone blockers.  You'll have yearly bone mineral density scans I would imagin

    Hope this helps. Kath x