Forum Discussion

LindaN's avatar
LindaN
Member
11 years ago

Pending mystectomy

I have seen the surgeon this week and am booked in for mastectomy and full auxiliary removal on right side on Monday.  So scary, emotionally on a roller coaster.  Shock and disbelief that this has all entered my world.  My cancer is 65 x 60 x 55.  So quite a large mass, ER+.  Family and friends are all being so supportive, but  at the end of the day it is a lonely journey that only I can come to peace with.  I am glad I don't have to wait long now it will be almost 5 weeks since I had the biopsies taken and diagnosis given by the time I get to surgery.  It feels so scary even though I have been given information by surgeon and cancer nurse, and have read the BCNA information, I am not sure how long I will be out of action for.  Grief, shock, loss, it seems to be happening quickly now.  At least I will be getting the cancer out of my body via the mass, and then the chemo and radio and hormones to destroy anything lingering.

My cousin has walked this BC road 1 yr ahead of me and I have watched her go through lumpectomy, chemo, radio, then to have to have mastectomy and now to be told she has aggressive type of cancer and it will return and there is nothing more they can do to 'cure' her but rather moved to managing it.  I think this adds to my concerns.  As the surgeon told me each cancer is individual, so I need to just focus on my journey and not look to my cousins, although there are a few of us in the family that have had cancer diagnosis so genetic testing will be done.

I'd love to hear how some of you have travelled through all of this and come out the other side.  I'm thinking the next year or so is probably going to be a pretty big one tied up with this battle.  I'm also wondering how long others took to heal from similar surgery.  How long till you didn't really feel any pain or discomfort?  Also good for me to normalise what lies ahead and my fears.

Love and peace to my fellow BCNA ladies.  xxx

8 Replies

  • Glassy36's avatar
    Glassy36
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Linda, I am much in the same boat as you after only being newly diagnosed last week.  I am seeing the surgeon in Perth on Tuesday.  I need to have a mastectomy on my right side as they found a mass of calcifications 70mm!  I am so far coping well but think things may be different next week.  The expense is also scaring me as I live in Geraldton and that of my treatment as it will be Perth based.  It seems that I will be away from home a lot now and worry about my kids and hubby as to how they will cope.

    Enough about me, I wish you all the best for what lies ahead x

  • Chixon's avatar
    Chixon
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Linda. Have been reading the posts and wanted to send you best wishes with your surgery tomorrow. I finished my treatments : surgery, chemo and radiation, last November.....and feeling really well. We are all unique and cope with things as best as we can. Look after yourself , come on the network anytime you need to ...there is always ladies here to offer support and understanding. Chris.x
  • Lynne48's avatar
    Lynne48
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Linda. I'm a few weeks in front of you. Like you, I had a large mass 65mm. I had a bilateral mastectomy and clearance on the left side two and half weeks ago. I too was surprised how well I felt just one day after surgery. I had three drains and did have some occasional pain associated with the drains rubbing against nerves. One instance was particularly painful, but was quickly relieved once the suction was released on the drain. I am also having some problem with cording under my left arm, but have been assured that this will get better with time. My right side is recovering quite well, but still unable to do anything too physical, as I am still draining fluid, which is now syringed out weekly by my surgeon. My advice....be patient with yourself and give yourself time to heal. I am seeing my Oncologist next week, so expect to start chemo shortly after, followed by radiotherapy. Hoping all goes well with your surgery. Lynne :)
  • eileenc's avatar
    eileenc
    Member
    11 years ago

    I should have added that I took six weeks off work to recover from surgery.  I had my chemo sessions every three weeks on a Tuesday, so worked a Monday and took the remainder of the chemo week off.  I worked through the radiotherapy just attending hospital at the appointed times every day for five weeks.  I found work to be a great distraction from the whole thing in that I could focus on something other than myself.  Good luck again.  Eileen

  • eileenc's avatar
    eileenc
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Linda

    It is exactly a year ago today that I had my mastectomy and auxiliary node clearance.  My tumour was also quite large with two nodes infected (if I am understanding the information correctly).  My timescale as regards diagnosis to surgery was much the same as yours.  I spent two nights in hospital although could have left after the first night.  I too had little pain but found I was quite anxious about the drains.  I had nurses calling for about a week or ten days to check and change drains when required.  I was so anxious a week after surgery that I drove to the other side of the city to see my surgeon for reassurance!!!!  If I was to go through that again I wouldn't be as anxious however it was all an unknown back then.  I had six cycles of chemo followed by five weeks of radiotherapy.  I tolerated it all very well and feel great now.  When asked how I feel and respond that I am feeling great I always counter that by saying that I was also feeling great just prior to my diagnosis.  I totally understand your concern in relation to your cousin but they say everyone's cancer is different and when I am feeling in any way negative I remind myself that 89% of women are still alive at least 5 years after diagnosis and those are pretty good odds!  The very best of luck with your operation next week.  I am confident you will recover quickly and its great that you have your cousin as support as someone who has gone through the same experience.

    Take care and be kind to yourself.

    Eileen

  • rowdy's avatar
    rowdy
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi I'm getting to the end of treatment.

    Last year I had a few surgeries, chemo and still having herceptin treatment. at the moment. It has been a long trip, lots of tears, being scared and lots of laughter. I know this sounds strange but I needed to laugh. There are lots of ups and downs and it is a long trip, but you will get there. I personally wiped out 2014.

    My advice to you is laugh, move (even if it is around the house) and be kind to yourself and take it 1 day at a time.

    This network helped me to be able to vent every now and then and we have all been there so we understand take care.

  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Linda,

    Deanne is absolutely right.  The only thing I would add is to do the exercises the physio will give you in hospital without fail.  I did them every hour as mine advised and full movement returned quite quickly. Exercise as soon as you can, even walking around the hospital helps.  I also only needed Panadol after the first day or two, and the pain was almost non-existent.  A small pillow to tuck under your arm really helps, particularly at night.

    Don't be scared.  You will get through this.  One hurdle at a time.   We will be here for you.  Big hug.   xx Michelle

  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Linda

    Your life certainly changes with the shock and fear that we all feel when you are diagnosed. I was diagnosed almost 2 years ago and had a mastectomy, chemo and radio. No two people will have the exact same experience but many of us find it helpful to share our experiences on here.

    My recovery from the mastectomy (and I had node surgery too) surprised me. There was very little pain, just a very tight sensation. I only had to use panadol and the occasional endone for pain relief. The hardest thing was having to sleep on my back. I used lots of pillows to try and get comfy but it was hard.

    But things improved over a few weeks and I was fairly comfortable (from the surgery) when I started chemo 3 weeks later. Because each of the treatments have some effects things just keep changing for quite some time.

    I found it helpful to stay as active as possible throughout my treatment. I did stretching exercises to help with the surgery recovery and walked as much as possible for general well-being.

    I am now very happy with how my life is and feel very well. It is not an easy process that we have to go through but you do get there and life can be very good again. This network has helped to keep me informed, to know what is 'normal', to share my feelings and recover. If there is anything we can help you with just let us know. Take care and all the best for what is to come. It will be ok. Deanne xxx