So up and down

Hi Natalie,

Welcome to the network.  You've come to the right place.  It's been my lifeline of info and support this past month.  Sorry to hear about your diagnosis and how changes in treatment can just floor you.  I can certainly relate to the changing goalposts. 

I'm currently sitting up in bed (my morning office) 9 days post op from a mastectomy.  It was my 3rd surgery in the space of 5 weeks after initially having lumpectomy/sentinel node biopsy showed a bigger and more irregular mucinous tumour than was expected with DCIS in tissue margins. After a second shot at getting cleaner margins was unsuccessful, I had to have a mastectomy (as I didn't have much boob to start with).  During the month of May I was constantly thinking that I may need a mastectomy so I had a bit more time to get my head around it than your 12 hours. 

I'm finding the scar is healing ok, and it's still a shock when I see it. Reconstruction will be later.  I go to the dr this afternoon for the drain to be removed finally and the pathology results.  I know I had micromets in 2 of 5 nodes and will need chemo. I'm a bit older than you, 48, but the prospect of going into early menopause doesn't rock my boat either.  But I've got to do it. I've got 2 beautiful teenagers who are still cuddly! 

Oh dear, what do you say about recurrences? Yes I think it's on the mind of everyone who gets cancer.  Hopefully as time goes on, it won't dominate my thoughts (especially at night).

Stay in touch and be kind to yourself

Karen xx