Forum Discussion

snazzy's avatar
snazzy
Member
11 years ago

Waiting for a date for mastectomy

hello everyone

i am a 39 yo mother of 4 recently diagnosed with DCIS in my right breast and have been advised to have a mastectomy as the area is quite large compared to my breast size. The surgeon also said that although the two core biopsy pathology results only showed DCIS with some necrosis, the lump is palpable which is unusual for DCIS and looks like invasive cancer on mammogram, so it is likely they will find some "real" cancer once the pathology from the mastectomy is performed.

at the moment i am waiting for the hospital to get back to me with a surgery date. We do have private health insurance but the gap was quite a bit so I am going with the public system. Hope it's not a mistake!

If anyone can give me an idea how soon I'll be able to lift and care for my 18 month old post-mastectomy that would be great. She's very active and a real climber so I'm thinking a few weeks at least?

thanks:-)

dcis
  • Chelley59's avatar
    Chelley59
    Member
    7 years ago
    Thanks legs75.. im sorry to hear it took so long to get back on track.but sounds like your getting there..they only removed 2 nodes on me...yes that area is so painful . Luckily i have only had the wide excision through my nipple and old implant removal through original scar ...boobs are pretty deflated now but im happy that atleast i have that "alien"removed!..Seeing plastics tomorrow morn so will have the dressings taken down....my nipple is still purple and painful....but generally i think im healing well so far...waiting on pathology results friday x
  • Legs75's avatar
    Legs75
    Member
    7 years ago
    Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I also had DCIS and had bilateral mastectomy with immediate implants. I also had lymph nodes removed on one side which I think limited my movements more than the mastectomy   I wasn’t allowed to lift my arm above chest level for three weeks and then surgeon said it would take 8 weeks to get full movement back. 6 months down the track and I’m still quite stiff and tight. I work in childcare so lots of lifting children involved. I had 12 weeks off work and when I went back didn’t lift any children and now I. Only just starting to lift the smaller ones but can only do it for a few moments. 
    Everyone heals differently and you mind find that your healing is much quicker and you will be running after your child before you know it. 
    I also went through the public system and the main wait for me was because my two surgeons had to coordinate their days along with the hospital. 
    The nurses in the public were wonderful and I couldn’t of asked for better care. 
    I hope your appointment comes soon and everything goes well for you. 
  • Chelley59's avatar
    Chelley59
    Member
    7 years ago
    Oh sorry....that was stupid ...cant fork.this site out...im outta here
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    7 years ago
    @Chelley59 not sure if you realise but this is a 2015 post.
  • Chelley59's avatar
    Chelley59
    Member
    7 years ago
    Hi...i have just had wide excision and node removal through public health system and have had no issues at all....infact on comparison with my close friend who has been through left mastectomy she was amazed at how thorough my treatment has been. Im now waiting on the pathology report for tuesday but have full confidence in my treatment....hoping you are coping well xx
  • rachie75's avatar
    rachie75
    Member
    10 years ago
    Hi Snazzy, Sorry to hear what you are going through. I am 39yo mother of a 6yo and 4yo, I was also diagnosed with DCIS in my right breast on 31/10/14 due to a strong family history I had a bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction on 26/11/14. I am just finishing up 6wks radiation therapy in 2 days (yay) I went through the public system and had no problem whatsoever. I was in hospital for 2 nights then was seen by nurses at home for the following 3wks. the main problem I faced was the drains, mine were in for 3 wks which really limits what you can do and is a frustrating as hell. but don't worry not everyone has to have them in for that long. I found I could move pretty well after about 2 weeks and even better once the drains were removed. do the exercises the breast care nurse shows you, they really do help. don't over do it (hard with an 18 month old I know!) just increase your activity slowly, your body will tell you if its ready or not. Good luck with everything, give us all an update when you feel up to it.
  • snazzy's avatar
    snazzy
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hello Deanne, Karen and Jay,

    Thank you for your replies and advice. I am happy to know that 2 weeks is a possibility for return of normal activities:-) Deanne thanks for info regarding importance of arm exercises, I will be sure to be diligent! Karen I am glad you are going well all this time later. Jay, sorry to hear you have still having pain. I hope you can have your implant soon. xo

  • Jay_marue's avatar
    Jay_marue
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Snazzy,

    I am a young mum just like you and had a masectomy with immediate reconstruction (balloon expander) 7 weeks ago. I was able to drive and carry my 4 year old daughter within 2 weeks. My advice is to do the exercises regularly. I am having trouble with muscle stiffness and pulling. My surgeon wasn't too thrilled with my movement so consequently I am working with a physiotherapist who works specifically with BC patients in East Melbourne. She told me the balloon expander is causing my muscle pain and at this point (7 weeks post surgery) is probably the most painful time post surgery. Can't wait to have the breast implant in as this is less painful and hard. 

    I wish you the very best and know first hand how you are feeling. 

    X Jay

     

     

     

  • Karen_C's avatar
    Karen_C
    Member
    11 years ago

    dear snazzy,I went through a similar situation at aged 40. that was in 1986,and I am still going well.many new drugs have beendiscovered since then,so good luck and try not to worry too much. Karen c

  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hello

    So sorry that you have to go through this. I had a single mastectomy without reconstruction and found the recovery surprisingly not too bad. I did not have a toddler to run around after though!

    I was feeling ok after a week and back to most activities at the two week mark. I had a physio show me some exercises to do to get full movement back in my arm (I had 8 nodes removed as well) and did these daily. It feels very tight for some time and the exercises are very important  to free up the area.

    We are all a bit different with how we recover but your surgeon should be able to give you some idea of what to expect. I would say you will need some help for at least a couple of weeks.

    I went through the private system but have heard very good things about the public system. I have a friend who had an excellent experience in the public system with immediate reconstruction too. 

    Wishing you all the best for your surgery and hope this experience is soon behind you. This network is a terrific place for support. Take care. Deanne xxx