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Alf's avatar
Alf
Member
13 years ago

Second Time Around

I was diagnosed four years ago with Pre Cancer and had a lumpectomy a week later I was back in hospital with a huge infected breast which luckily burst outwards, so I was back in hospital for another four days, I recovered and carried on with life. Then late May of this year I didnt feel good I knew somethins was wrong and I felt another lump. I took myself of for a mammogram and thats how they picked up my new tumor, this time its not pre cancer its the full monty.  So on the 19th oh July Im off to have a mastectomy. Ive chosen this path as I am frightend of feeling another lump and wondering if the cancer will come back.. My husband is great and so so supportive and so are out kids, we even have a laugh about it and how un-even i will look and how I can keep my M&Ms down the empty bra cup.  I just didnt think it would happen to me, I dont feel as if I have cancer, maybe you are not, and thinking of next week is not real yet, am I in denial?  So thats my story I hope I havent missed spelt anything. xx

2 Replies

  • Alf's avatar
    Alf
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Tonya

    Wow what a history you have and to have all that done and for it to come back again, its bloody awful. Did it come back on the same side? The surgeon has told me I have 10% change of it coming in my left, my cancer is in the right same place as last time.  Its un-real to think its happening to yourself Im stil shocked and have my bad days, its getting worse now as the 19th is creeping on my fast.  Its good to talk to people like you its good to talkk to someone who knows what Im going through, my friends are great they are supporting me heaps but knowing i can talk to someone who is going through it makes it all a little easier.

    Talk soon hun take care xx

     

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    13 years ago

    I'm sorry to hear that bc has returned but welcome to this network.I was in a similar position to you 3 years ago. I first found a lump in my left breast in 2003 so opted for a lumpectomy,full node clearance and radiation.I thought that was the end of it but then 7 years later (2010) it came back in the same spot so had to have a mastectomy then chemo and now on Tamoxifen.It's abit of a shock to get breast cancer again -especially when you are told there was only an 8% chance of it happening again.I'm reluctant to have a reconstruction as I'm paranoid about cancer coming back on my scarline.Going from a lumpectomy to a mastectomy is more confronting. The recovery is much the same. I wear a prosthesis and once I'm dressed you wouldn't know and I forget about it.So I am used to it now but it doesn't mean I like what I see in the mirror.Shopping for clothes can sometimes be a challenge but I have adapted.I think it all seems abit unreal until you put that theatre gown on and lie on the trolley.When I looked at my scar after the op I was surprisingly ok with it -could have been high on  drugs! Anyway,my favourite saying is:"My body may be lopsided but my life is well balanced".   Blog back here if you have questions or need support.It's good to stay positive and keep a sense of humour but there may be times ahead when you feel abit low- your pink sisters here will understand.Sending hugs.

                                          Tonya xx