Second round of surgery

Hi Everyone,

I have been home for nearly a week now.

I was still debating whether or not to have the skin saving mastectomy right up until I was wheeled into theatre!!!

I ended up having saving skin for a reconstruction later.

I also had an axillary clearance.

I am healing slowly but surely ... I am not in any pain, more discomfort ... and getting used to the numb sensation down the back of my arm and part of my chest.

I have felt some stabbing pains ... and some bubbling sensations that my breast nurse said was my nerves regenerating - cool!!

I will see my Surgeon this coming Wednesday, so I will have more information then. 

I saw my chemo Doc last week and he said that I will start it towards the end of next month, feeling relieved somewhat about this as it will give me time to prepare mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Blessings,

Kathleen 

Hi Everyone,

I have been home for nearly a week now.

I was still debating whether or not to have the skin saving mastectomy right up until I was wheeled into theatre!!!

I ended up having saving skin for a reconstruction later.

I also had an axillary clearance.

I am healing slowly but surely ... I am not in any pain, more discomfort ... and getting used to the numb sensation down the back of my arm and part of my chest.

I have felt some stabbing pains ... and some bubbling sensations that my breast nurse said was my nerves regenerating - cool!!

I will see my Surgeon this coming Wednesday, so I will have more information then. 

I saw my chemo Doc last week and he said that I will start it towards the end of next month, feeling relieved somewhat about this as it will give me time to prepare mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Blessings,

Kathleen 

Thankyou Debbie xxx

 All the best for tomorrow, thinking of you . Big hugs Debbie xxxx

Hi Kathleen - you have possibly made your decision already.  I had a skin sparing mastectomy with tissue expander done nearly 6 weeks ago - I also had an axilla clearance.  My experience has been extremely positive. I have had no complications post surgery and had my first fill of the expander last week.  I am a D cup and I would say I came out of surgery looking like a B and now I'm a C awaiting my next fill up.  

It is a temporary measure before having a complete reconstruction down the track when my treatment is completed.  It feels different, the breast is hard as a rock.  (the saline implant sits under muscle) - I did lose my nipple.  My surgeon advised me to have it as working with my own skin for reconstruction will be beneficial to having any grafts and the like.  I am not sure what sort of recon I will have when the time comes.  I am also yet to consider fully what I will do with my remaining breast.  

I am very happy with the expander and skin sparing mastectomy.  I have found it personally a lot less confronting than I expected and to the outside world there is no real indication of what has gone on (unless they look really closely and see my "Pair" don't quite match up.

Good Luck with your decision.

Amanda 

Thankyou Sam :-)

I saw a plastic surgeon last week and he suggested to ahead and have the mastectomy done first, then get through my chemo and radio treatments, then come and see him about reconstruction. 

I liked that he gave me back my power to choose whether to have a reconstruction done or not ... as my surgeon was speaking about putting in a saline expander bag at the same time as the mastectomy.

I am working through whether or not to leave a flap of skin behind ... such big questions ... all at the same time that one is still coming to terms with being diagnosed with bc!!!

I briefly met one of the Breast Care nurses attached to the Mater when I met the Radio Oncologist for the first time a couple of weeks ago, but, unfortunately I wasn't given her contact details - but Debbie has now given me Rebecca Chenery's details, YaY!!

I have received the "My Journey Kit" ... and I am hoping to get the "My Care Kit" as well.

I have also joined a local support group too.

Blessings,

Kathleen

Hi Debbie,

I had my lumpectomy & sentinel node biopsy done at Newcastle Private (just over 4 weeks ago) ... and I will have the mastectomy and axillary clearance done at Lake Macquarie private. 

I have just heard from the Dr. Gourlay's office ... and he has put me on Friday's list rather than tomorrow (yay, I have a reprieve ... and a chance to think about reconstruction).

He is a lovely Doctor, very patient as well ...

I will be seeing Dr. Stewart for chemo on the 20th ... and Dr. O'Brian for radio on the 27th.

My gut feeling on the day I found out was to just have the lumpectomy ... still in shock ... still taking it in ... very much attached to my breast ...

Thankyou for Rebecca's contact details ... I will certainly give her a call :-)

I am beginning to get the hang of using the blog ... you will see me here more often ... probably armed with questions LOL

Blessings,

Kathleen

 I chose to havea mastectomy , because I did not want to go back and have another operation later if my results were not good, plus it gave me that little more chance of it not returning. Only you can make that decision , I just went with my gut feeling. I was a real mess and every time I saw him I was crying, he is lovely and let me make the decision, but just gave me the information.

Dr Gourlay , just left extra skin so later down the track I can have reconstruction.

What hospital are you going to? I went to Newcastle Private and I see my oncologist for the first time on the 20th. It is Dr lombard who is yours?. 

I have joined a support group in my area and it has helped me, also the ladies on here  have helped me so much any questions you have , there is always someone to help you. I call them my angels.

A Jane McGrath breast nurse has just been appointed to our area , she is so lovely , her name is Rebecca Chenery , mobile 0427164721 .You can ring her anytime ,with questions .

If anything else I can help with , just ask, I am new to this as well.It will be 3 weeks this Wednesday since my operation.

Big hugs Debbie.