I am booked in for a single mastectomy (followed by chemo and radio) this Thursday. I tried to discuss with my surgeon the possibility of removing both breasts at the same time, one being preventative (as this is what I would really want) but she dismissed it. I have asked again yesterday and she said she wouldn’t do it as it may delay treatment and because of covid, there is a need for beds in hospital.. plus there is double the risk for complications.While I originally accepted her reasoning, I am now working myself up as I am upset that this option was not fully considered and the reasoning do not make all that sense to me. There are pros and cons of course..Anyone been in a similar situation and/or had a second mastectomy later? How long after you finished treatment were you able to have another surgery?I do not want to delay surgery this week, but I also want to do the right thing for myself..

Hi @Fernweh I am so sorry you are being put through all this.I am not a medical professional but my reading of the latest Queensland Health Order is that only urgent elective surgery can proceed at the moment .This is the same position in NSW due to the hospitalisation rates as a result of Omicron compounded by the number of hospital staff who are off work as a result of contracting Covid as well as being close contacts.My understanding is that a mastectomy of the non cancer breast would be classed as non urgent elective surgery so it may be that your surgeon has no choice in the matter.But communication is important and emailing the surgeon and asking the question is worthwhile.All the best.

Hi @Fernweh that is great news.Assuming you want to proceed with the double.I initially was going with the single but ended up with the double after my breast cancer surgeon ( who was private) raised it with me as an option to consider given my cancer was lobular and that had a higher chance of appearing in the other breast.He said it was a 10 percent chance and how risk averse was I?The answer was “ very”.He said the decision was very personal and there was no wrong or right answer.I spoke to my breast care nurse, my female GP and a lady who had the double who was a friend of a friend.I didn’t want the anxiety of wondering if I had to go through the whole shiftest again especially as my cancer never showed up on the mammogram .There is of course the other argument why remove a perfectly healthy breast and 10 percent is pretty good odds.As I said it’s a decision only you can make but having made it I am very happy I did.

I agree, I think also it would be hard to match up the same size also. There was a thread in here about that a while ago.

Where there is a will, there is a way. So pleased you have got a new surgery date. Good you just didn't accept what you have been told, but you have determination, and got some good examples from others that have stood their ground, that is what we can help people with in here. Some members have helped others wade through the bureaucracy, and we have some gutsy members that do not shy away from that. Keep us posted if you would like to.

Here in Victoria I heard a lady on the radio talking about her breast cancer as elective surgery is banned here at present with no suggested end date.She wanted a double Mastectomy but can only have a single. The single breast is Category 1 (breast cancer) the other is a good breast and cannot be done now as it's considered elective COVID hurts in lots of ways.The comment your surgeon made about COVID rings trueTake careBest wishes

Mastectomy this Thursday.. | BCNA Online Network

55 Replies

StrongCoffee
Member
4 years ago
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Great to hear your surgery went well. I found the area around the removed lymph nodes (I only had 2 out) caused me the most pain/discomfort for the longest. Surgeons said it's because there's heaps of nerves in your armpits. All the best for a smooth recovery.
arpie
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4 years ago
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I hate sleeping on my back too!! Somehow, the cushions help, even with that. I was lucky to find this 'pillow' locally ..... hubby likes it too! It has the 'built in' arm rests .... and sometimes I find I sleep better if I am sitting 'up' too (like I do when watching TV! LOL)

Take care, keep up the pain meds for as long as you need to (probably a day or so) and make haste slowly xx
Fernweh
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4 years ago
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Thank you @arpie! x

I came home yesterday and doing well. The drains on the right side are giving me some grief as they seem to be very close to a nerve, but it is expected as they removed a few lymph nodes there.

I have a beautiful big mastectomy pillow handmade by a lady here in Brisbane, but I am hating having to sleep on my back so will definitely try a regular cushion under my arms (thank you!)
arpie
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4 years ago
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Hope you are recovering well, @Fernweh xx.

Are you home yet? I hope you are being royally spoiled xx

Have you got a small oblong cushion to help support your arms, specially at night? I found it uncomfortable if they were just lying by my side ....

take care xx
Cath62
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4 years ago
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Glad you are doing ok @Fernweh. You definitely deserve your rewards. Take care with recovery. 💐
FLClover
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4 years ago
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Great news 😊. So happy to hear it went well and you’re doing ok. Perfectly normal to feel sad about losing the girls. Treat yourself now and rest as you need to. So glad you got your wish ☺️.
arpie
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4 years ago
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Well done, @Fernweh - grieving for your boobs is totally natural xx Rest up & definitely, get as much room service as you can both now & when you go home xx

Make sure you take your pain meds BEFORE any pain kicks in xx

take care xx
Keeping_positiv
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4 years ago
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So glad to hear from you, and sounds like you are getting through well enough after your DMX.. Cheering yourself up is the way to go, and that attitude will hold you in good stead :) Rest well when you need, and enjoy the "room service" :)
Fernweh
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4 years ago
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I wanted to thank everyone again for your messages and support last week. I had my DMX this morning and so far feeling pretty good. Got a case of the sad yesterday saying goodbye to the boobs (mainly my partner) and this morning, but been cheering myself up this afternoon with ‘room service’ and some peace and quite 😊
Keeping_positiv
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4 years ago
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Where there is a will, there is a way. So pleased you have got a new surgery date. Good you just didn't accept what you have been told, but you have determination, and got some good examples from others that have stood their ground, that is what we can help people with in here. Some members have helped others wade through the bureaucracy, and we have some gutsy members that do not shy away from that. Keep us posted if you would like to.