Dear Shenners,
My you have had some rough years, and some significant losses.
Life just doesn't seem fair. But you will come through this.
There is some very good advice above.
Perhaps your surgeon has enlightened you on possible future surgeries etc.
Suki has given a good account of her surgery and recovery.
My story is different. My cancer was Stage 2 and Grade 3.
A Mastectomy with Axillary clearance was the first part of my treatment.
I have been very lucky and I did not find it too difficult.
I had 3 wound drains, they were all out before leaving hospital, on Day 6.
My Surgeon wanted my dressings kept dry for 2 weeks, that was annoying but doable.
I had a good range of motion, very early. I was able to brush my hair and blow dry my hair within the first week.
There weren't many things that I couldn't do. Of course I didn't vacuum (BC on R side and I'm R handed), but I can't remember for how long. I didn't drive for a while, but I can't remember this either.
It has almost been 5 years and I suppose that it is good that the memory fades a little.
I did not have any real complications. But I did have a Seroma, which is quite common.
This was drained about 5 times. I also had some Cording.
5 weeks after Mastectomy, I commenced Chemo EC x4, Paclitaxol X12, Then RT for 5 weeks.
If you have Income Protection Insurance(it may be in your Superannuation), I'd recommend starting a claim.
It can make life simpler and less stressful, but some people prefer to be distracted by work.
The only thing is that you don't know how you will cope with Chemo. The IP claim can take some time
to be processed.
I worked in a hospital, and needed to be reliable once at work. Also the risk of infection at work was
significant. It was 2020 and Covid was a big worry also.
I had few side effects with Chemo, all very manageable. I was very lucky, compared to some. Never nauseated.
I have had Reconstruction, but it was delayed until recovery from all of the other treatment.
I was not suitable for DIEP. On CAT scan my abdominal blood vessels were not suitable.
I had a Lat Dorsi Flap and Prophylactic to the other side at the same time. 8hrs surgery. 6 wound drains.
Bilateral tissue expanders, and later changed to Implants. I am very happy with my surgeries. Quite Symmetrical.
Immediate Recon is suitable for some, but not for all.
My Surgeon and I, felt treatment needed to be underway ASAP. And that additional surgery might delay that.
There are some similarities with all of our BC, but also so many variations, with diagnosis and treatment.
You will find out more about your own treatment plan, and different pieces of information will be helpful.
Sorry, this is so long.
Wishing you all the best, with your surgery and treatment. We will be thinking of you.
