Forum Discussion

PamelaP's avatar
PamelaP
Member
8 years ago

Tethering means breast cancer too

Hi all, I'm new to this website and new to having breast cancer, I was diagnosed with breast cancer back in June.  I just wanted to let people know you don't have to feel a pea shaped lump to have breast cancer.  What I found was like a hole under one breast where the skin was pulling tight.

Turned out to be "Tethering" has anyone heard of that, did anyone know of that ??

My story is I was trying on bathers in Melbourne in June because we were going to Darwin with the family for school holidays & I noticed the "tethering" as a tight sort of hole under my left breast.  Not sure what it could be I checked Dr Google & was shocked to see it was sign of a breast cancer. I'd had my mammogram 12 months before & got the all clear so a bit slack in checking myself after that.  Now I feel very lucky to have seen this tethering & checked it out straight away.   I've since had a left mastectomy & lymph node clearance and just had my second dose of chemo.

I'd also be interested to talk to anyone whose had a single mastectomy without an implant to discuss life with one breast.

mastectomy
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    8 years ago
    @Pamela Pearce thanks for you story and Welcome! I think in most cases actually there is never a lump, I've had 2 diagnosis without lumps, so it's quite common, in the other ways it presents.

    After my 2nd diagnosis in 2015 I had a lumpectomy, lymph nodes removed all clear. 5 months of chemo and now on Aromasin and Genetic Testing negative. Feb 2017 14 months after finishing treatment due to a recurrence I opted to be safe and had a left breast mastectomy and immediate Diep Flap reconstruction. I couldnt have an implant due to radiation treatment 4yrs prior, but to be honest I never wanted an implant either thank goodness! For me if I couldnt have had the immediate reconstruction I don't think I couldve done the Mastectomy as mine was preventative. Of course pathology on the breast was perfect :/ 

    Im in Melbourne and met a fabulous lady last week Genevieve Gort and her company is Breast Care Victoria & Surgical Garments. She was fantastic, deals only with Women who have had a Mastectomy or reconstruction and stocks surgical bras too. She has the fillers for bras all sorts. I cannot recommend her enough, she also does Skype for women who are not in Melbourne. 

    Hugs Melinda xo
  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi Pamela,
    So sorry you are going through this too. My story is very similar to yours. I was getting changed and noticed a dent at the bottom of my left breast. I was due for a check-up so this hurried me along. A mammogram and ultrasound showed area suspicious of malignancy and biopsy confirmed this. Yes, breast cancer does not always present as that pea size lump we all hear about!

    My diagnosis was 41/2 years ago and I also had a left mastectomy with no reconstruction. It honestly never bothers me and, like @Afraser, I actually feel like the rest of me looks better than precancer days as I too exercise much more now. I am 51 (47 when diagnosed) and feel just fine with a prosthesis in my bra. 

    I live in Queensland and never find the prosthesis makes me hot. I mostly wear the type designed for swimming in a comfortable exercise type bra but have some pretty bras and a more expensive proper prosthesis too.

    I wish you all the best with treatment. I had chemo and then radiotherapy after my mastectomy. Now on hormone therapy. It was tough but life is good again now. Deanne xxx
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    8 years ago

    Hi Pamela

    Welcome to the site, sorry you have to be here but it's also good that your observation led you to get medical advice quickly.

    I had a single mastectomy five years ago, no reconstruction - my surgeon wasn't keen to do it straightaway and I have long since decided not to have one at all. I wear a prosthesis, I find it no problem although I am aware that some women in the tropical north find they get hot (I am in Melbourne). I don't have any issue with how I look (a bit scarred and lumpy!!) and when In Iceland a year or so ago, I took a deep breath and stripped off in front of lots of strange women to shower before a hot tub. It was truly liberating!  I will be 72 next month, most of my body is in somewhat better shape than before I was diagnosed (I have taken a greater interest in exercise since) so while I am no Helen Mirren, I feel good about my decision. A prosthesis should last about 2 years, then needs to be replaced. Mine have both been fully rebate-able ($400).

    Wash it like you would wash your own skin. Keep overnight or when not using it in its shaped case. You can get special ones suitable for swimming. I find mono-boobed fine, so for that matter does my husband. Best wishes.