Just diagnosed with invasive lobular cancer

I'm sorry about the DVT. You could certainly have done without that on top of the rest, but I'm very happy that your bc is in the lowest risk basket - that is truly good news.

I don't have experience of warfarin or radio (I too was originally looking at lumpectomy and radio but they found a second area of cancer, which put paid to that plan). I can say you don't seem in the least loopy to me - it sounds like you are doing really well. It's much easier to be positive when you are  getting on with the treatment, so this must be a particularly difficult time. Maybe try to stay focused on good diet, hydration and whatever exercise you are advised to do, to maximise your healing? (That's probably exactly what you're already doing...)

Perhaps the bruising isn't necessarily a good indication of what is going on below the skin and within the incision? You still have some time before that set up session and a lot will change by then. Radio is really 'belt and braces' - with your good pathology there is every chance that all your cancer is already gone.

Do you have a helpful breast care nurse you can talk this through with?

Very best wishes

Thank you all so much for replying to my post and my apologies for not coming back to the blog sooner. I went to Sydney for my treatment as my Mum and sister have both had BC and I wanted to go to the same surgeon and oncologist. To my surprise, my surgeon recommended lumpectomy only, followed by 6 weeks of radiation. I had the lumpectomy and SNB via a peri-areolar incision, which caused a lot of swelling and bruising, in early March with a good pathology result as Stage 1A and need only radiation, no chemo then possibly Arimidex. My recovery was set back by the development of a DVT post-op, so it is taking a long, long time for the bruising to go as I am having to take Warfarin. Has anyone else had prolonged bruising in a similar situation ?? I am booked in for my "fitting" appointment for the radiation in 2 weeks time and am worried that the radiation will need to be delayed due to slow healing. I feel very much in limbo at the moment as I know the radiation is supposed to knock off any stray cells remaining after the surgery and I am wondering what the "stray cells" are doing while I am waiting. Sorry to sound so loopy, but the worry feels very real. Lots of hugs to all of you out there going through this horrible process. xxx.

Hello. I can relate to how scared you are. I was diagnosed with invasive lobular cancer in November after screening and core biopsy. I had a skin and nipple sparing mastectomy with an expander implant put in on just that one side. Not knowing exactly what is ahead of you is really hard. I found I jumped around from worries about the cancer spreading, to cosmetic concerns, to anxieties about the best advice and treatment...

In case it is any encouragement, as one example of how things can go, in my case I was not recommended radio or chemo and now, just a couple of months after the surgery, my life is exactly as it was before my diagnosis, albeit with the addition of a daily tamoxifen piil. 

I am quite comfortable with the way my breast looks even with the (weird firm round) expander in place (hopefully the final silicone implant will be a bit better still). I take great comfort from having my own skin and nipple - definitely feel it is still 'me', even though the skin is numb.

Everyone's experience is different. Personally I found the surgery itself better than I expected. I have had extremly little pain. I was at first very nervous of putting weight on that arm moving in bed, but when I was encouraged to by the nurses it was fine - for me it was just a tight muscle feeling. (An electric raising hospital bed was definitely a help - essential I would think for both arms.)

The things I found hardest to deal with were: (1) Waiting for the pathology results from the lymph nodes after surgery - you just have to keep telling yourself to deal with what is in front of you at the moment. But it is difficult. (2) Feeling very numb in and below my armpit and across my breast. I was very squeamish about that to start with, but it definitely got better each day with some reduction in the numbness and some adjustments in my brain I guess. (3) Seeing my breast in the mirror soon after the surgery looking rather mangled and deflated. This was the worst it got and every day became a little better after that. (4) Dealing with the drains. They are a pain to cart around and contribute to the feeling of being an invalid. (I felt sympathy for the Ood if you watch Doctor Who.) But my drains were gone after about 4 days and then I came home.

Things that helped me through the surgery were: (1) Being fortunate to have a surgeon I trusted. (2) Feeling extremely supported by breast care nurses and other nursing staff and family/friends. (3) A soft cushion to tuck under my arm - comforting and comfortable. (4) The fact that this surgery is on what is (anotomically) quite a peripheral part of my body meant that I could eat and drink normally right after surgery. (Friends who've had abdominable surgery have had a tougher time than me.) (5) Having to massage my nipple to improve the blood drainage (it developed a black scab, but then came good - quite usual I think). This forced me to touch and become refamiliar with my breast at a time when I was still a bit squeamish about the whole thing.

I can see it is a few days since your post now. I hope things are going as well as they can for you. Feel free to ask me anything specific if it would help.

All best wishes.

 

I had invasive ductal ca in my R breast but opted for a bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with implants (October 13) My implants were placed behind muscle and as such I had a lot of pain when I tried to move in bed. They do give you whatever drugs you need to help this. My advice to you would to insist on an electric bed as this alleviates a lot of the pain. After 48hrs I was given an electric bed and everything became much easier. Once i was out of bed and walking or in a chair there was very minimal pain. I've had no problems with the implants. I had Becker implants that have a silicone bottom and saline top. The saline is gradually expanded to the size you want. I'm at the end of this process and the plastic surgeon will take the injection ports out and pad out any areas around the breast with fat transferred from my abdomen and form nipples, mid march. They look pretty good but will always look false....better than dead. On the upside...once it's all healed I won't have to wear a bra all the time! The scars are healing nicely. I've had chemo in the middle of all this. It's hard to believe it's been 5months since this started. Don't push yourself too much...take one day at a time. Ask questions. There will be times it seems the process is too slow but believe me...it flies. Take care and good luck. I have no regrets with my decision.

Hi there. My name is Tania, and Im 37. 

I was disgnosed with invasive and tubular in Feb 2013.

I have had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate tissue expander reconstruction, then in May 2013 I had my permanent implants put in and expanders out.

Love to chat with you if you want to talk, as your situation soundes very similar to mine.

Take Care

Love n hugs Tania  xx

You may find it helpful to check out the reconstruction group on this network. Many wonderful ladies have detailed their experiences with reconstruction with photo stories. You just need to request membership and then you will be able to access all the fantastic resources once accepted. Just search under find groups. Wishing you all the best. Deanne xxx

You may find it helpful to check out the reconstruction group on this network. Many wonderful ladies have detailed their experiences with reconstruction with photo stories. You just need to request membership and then you will be able to access all the fantastic resources once accepted. Just search under find groups. Wishing you all the best. Deanne xxx

Hello,and welcome to the online network of wonderful women! This is the place that you will get support,understanding and advice,at any time of the day.My cancer was not lobular,but invasive ductal.However I had a mastectomy last September,and then chemo.I chose not to have reconstruction.i was terrified also,but with the support of family,friends and ladies on here,I found things not to be half as bad as I had anticipated.Take things one day at a time ,and don't look ahead and imagine what might be.(because it probably won't be!) All the best,and remember to stay on here if you need help.Sending you a big hug! xoxo Robyn