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Gears0715
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Joined 6 years ago
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Re: Drain after surgery
@Afraser Yeah I'm looking into lymph massage now to get a good handle on it so that when the drain comes out I'll stay on top of any remaining fluid to minimise the chance of Seroma afterwards. @Joarden As with all of this stuff there can be so much difference between all of us. Hopefully yours settles much sooner than mine has :) Hugggggzzzzxzxzxzxz <392Views0likes0CommentsRe: Drain after surgery
@Joarden I had Lumpectomy & Lymph clearance 12 days ago. And my good little draino is still with me :). I was given instruction that I must have 2 consecutive days with less than 40mls & then the Home/Community nurse can take it out (so far not a single day under, most of the time it's still up around 90ml per day). On my hospital follow up last Friday the surgeon said that if I get to this Friday without it dropping to 40ml then it MUST come out regardless of the output level (leaving it in too long runs too much risk of infection so 2 weeks maximum).90Views1like0CommentsJust touching base :)
Hi lovelies I've just got back home from surgery last Thursday :). On the pre-op scans they found a 2nd mass which had been "overshadowed" by the main mass on previous checks, so that's been taken away as well. Lumpectomy (with the 2 masses) & full axillary lymph clearance (lymphs were already proven as malignant in the initial biopsies) & I must say that the surgical team did a very lovely job with the lumpectomy :) I have the surgical follow up appointment next Friday (before people start their Xmas breaks) & the 1st MDT meeting after Xmas will be 7th January. So it's a quick trip down to Tassie on New Years day to see our daughter. The poor thing only just moved to Tasmania & 2 weeks later I rang her to say "It's all okay, BUT Dad's just had a Heart attack!" & then 2 weeks after that I rang her again to say "It's all okay, BUT I've got Breast Cancer!"... I figure we'd better see her just to prove that we really ARE both okay before we start getting organised for the next steps, with Chemo starting sometime in January :) Happy holidays to all everyone. <3195Views5likes3CommentsRe: 1st Hospital Clinic Visit & Planning
Hey @Elvena I don't feel that mastectomy is needed. The local mass is relatively small (a little over 2cm at the first Ultrasound) & the surgeon is very confident with lumpectomy, he's the best at PA Hospital & is a specialist in Breast Conserving surgery. It's proven now that a lumpectomy is just as effective as mastectomy & IF there's recurrence later on it gives a bit more wiggle room for further treatment on a recurrence (lumpectomy vs mastectomy doesn't change the odd of recurrence). I'm confident with the treatment options for the best outcome for me, given the findings so far :) <312Views0likes0CommentsRe: 1st Hospital Clinic Visit & Planning
Thank you ladies <3 <3 I'm not "pre-guessing" the results, but because I'm an organised & realistic person I find that if I know of a "possibilty" then IF the result come back good it's fine, but if the reuslts come back bad then I can accept it as "well, I knew that might happen". I did exactly that with the BC. I've had lumps before (I think every woman has a harmless lump or 2 during their lives). I had a new & different lump, & the doctor, the Mamogram/Ultrasound & the biopsy ladies all had "looks" on their faces when I had the checks, so I simply thought "well, based on their concern levels this could possibly be a really one, & it could possibly be in the lymph (since they kept checking & did a biopsy there too)!". Then when the doctor broke the news that the pathology came back malignant it really wasn't a surprise for me. Same situaion with the scans, I know that it could all be perfectly fine, but I also know that it "might" be more. So I'm better prepared, no matter what the results show. <3 <3 <38Views2likes0CommentsRe: 1st Hospital Clinic Visit & Planning
Well, 1st visit done & dusted. Lumpectomy & full axillary clearance to Stage 2 scheduled for 12th December. The tumour is also growing into the skin & underlying muscle so that's gonna make surgery fun :) . The surgeon also mentioned that the QML radiologist flagged a "suspicious" area between 2 ribs at my sternum. I wasn't aware of that one. Hmmmmmmmmm Surgery, Chemo, Rads & Tamoxifen have all been added to the treatment plan (I'm getting the full package. Well I do always say that if you're going to do something do it properly :wink: ). Really nothing I wasn't prepared for :) Next week I've got Bone scan & CT scan booked for Monday, then pre-admissions clinic on Tuesday (they said 4-5 hours for that one!! Sheesh! :) ) I have a feeling that the scans might show something more, but we'll see how that goes. Grade 3 tumour with positive axillary lymph involvement in the initial Biopsy & also a region of concern at the sternum, lso have a low platelet count flagged on my 1st blood tests... doesn't bode well for a lovely contained & simple cancer. Hopefully it's all good, but as long as I know there's a "possibilty' of something, then I can be realistically prepared for it. The week after next I have an MRI on Wednesday (I've agreed to be part of a research project that the hospital are running, they're trying to work out if an MRI will give enough evidence to diagnose cancer in a "less invasive" way than biopsies). Then surgery on Thursday. And, today I cut my hair into a lovely pixie cut "in preperation". Here we gooooooooooooo :) :) :)4Views2likes0CommentsRe: 1st Hospital Clinic Visit & Planning
No I don't have a surgery date, I don't have anything from the hospital (this will be my 1st visit). The only things I've had so far is a doctors referral to QML for Mammo/US & biopsies, the pathology results were positive & so referred to PA Hospital. The only contact I've had with the hospital is confirmation of the appointment date & time.14Views0likes0CommentsRe: 1st Hospital Clinic Visit & Planning
Thanks for the additional info :) Hubby is working a long shift on the day of my 1st Hospital Clinic & he's recently used up most of his work leave by having a Heart Attack 4 weeks ago!! That's why I'd like to try to guage how "in depth" that appointment might be. If it's just going to be general info & booking for another test then it would be okay for him to miss that one. It'd be more important for him to be there for appointment/s where discissions would be had about actual treatments & treatment plans.21Views0likes0Comments1st Hospital Clinic Visit & Planning
Hi lovely ladies Short story so far. Found a lump, got it checked & biopsied. Positive. My hospital referral has gone through & 1st clinic appointment next Tuesday. I'm a "planner" in all things, I've researched my pahtology results, I've considered my work/life plans (I know they might not work out as I wish, but I have various options ready in my head). I've told my family, boss & co-workers what I can so far. I've prepared my paperwork & family history for the hospital. I've ordered Post surgery bras & have a diary started for logging doctors notes, feelings, side effects etc. I'm a rather pratical & realistic person so I'm not freaking out or going down the rabbit hole, I'm planning what I can based on the steps so far. ie. Surgery, lymph dissection are definately happening. Based on ER/PR+ Hormone therapy is probably a definate as well. Chemo/Radiation will probably depend on further test results but I've thought about both of those options as at least 1 or the other (or both) is likley. My question is, at the 1st Clinic visit do they generally have some idea of a "possible" treatment plan. I know that they will need to do MRI/CT or something to further check what is exactly where, but would they have some idead or is it likely to be "come back for MRI/CT whatever & THEN we'll give you an idea of where we are heading with plans"? BTW. Pathology report show "invasive Carcinoma (of no specific type). Malignancy in lymph node. 2cm Grade 3 mass (8/9 for Grade 3). ER+ 90%. PR+ 30% I know we all hate the waiting :) Huggggzzzzxzxzxzx G508Views1like15Comments
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Flat Chat - no breast reconstruction
PRIVATE GROUP. This group is a safe space for those considering, actively choosing or not have had a choice to stay flat after a mastectomy. Whether personal decision or one shaped by circumstance, you're invited to connect and share your experience and images with others on a similar path. Information shared is based on personal experience and not intended as medical advice; always consult your healthcare team for guidance. ⚠️CONTENT WARNING⚠️Posts may include images of surgical outcomes, which some may find distressing. If you need support, please contact the BCNA Helpline—we’re here for you.
