Gah. Back again.
Almost seven years ago I roller-skated through Olivia Newton John hospital to Xanadu for my last radiotherapy session, post lumpectomy. Here I am again... another oestrogen positive cancer, same stoopid dense breast. It was picked up on MRI as it couldn't be seen through my milky dense breast tissue and after an MRI biopsy (such fun!!!) I was diagnosed last week. So now I'm up for a double mastectomy and trying to make reconstruction decisions. I'm thinking I may need to go the Johnny Diep Flap. Seeing the plastic surgeon tomorrow. Really glad you're here....
Struggling with Negative Emotions
Good morning, I am new to the forum so apologies if this subject has been discussed previously. I had a double mastectomy in March 2024. Breast Cancer is so prevalent in my family, but all other family members have only needed a lumpectomy, not a double mastectomy. I'm not belittling their experience, but I feel I don't have anyone I can talk to about what a double mastectomy does to your psyche. Having said that I am conflicted as I am an extremely private person and wanted to keep my predicament to myself. However, my husband, mum and dad, SIL and work boss all told someone, who told someone, who told someone. I feel there was a total breach of my privacy and let down by them, even though they were all so supportive of me in many other ways. For me, I feel the best way to deal with the emotions of a double mastectomy is to just suppress the feelings, keep telling myself that there is always someone worse off, and keep everything normal. However that is hard to do when you are confronted everyday with a scar from underarm to underarm across your chest, pain is always prevalent somewhere (lymph node removal pain, pins & needles on my back and upper chest, scar pain, internal pain) and now I know everyone knows. OK, so I've thrown a lot out here, but I guess my questions are: - I'm wondering if anyone else feels betrayed (justified or not) by the ones they love and trusted? How do I get past that? - How do I stop feeling like those that have had a lumpectomy had it easier than me, when I know they all had their own difficult journeys? I'm normally a positive, glass half full type of person, but I'm so emotionally confused at the moment and this is not the normal me. I usually live my life accepting that everyone's journey is individual to them, but at the moment I just feel like those who haven't gone through a double mastectomy just simply can't understand. And I know this isn't fair, I know it, but it's where my mind is at right now. Any words of wisdom, tips, life experiences that you could share would be very appreciated, so I can get back to my positive self. Regards J
Newly diagnosed - breast reconstruction decisions
Moderator moved @Dutchy1_kim post from 'Activity' feed to 'Newly Diagnosed': Dutchy1_kim Hi I am a new member as of today. I am looking for information, shared experiences, support and honest answers. I was diagnosed with DCIS and invasive tubular breast cancer. I have had a lumpectomy with lymph node removal. After further testing, i had 35mm around one tumor of DCIS and 15mm around the other tumor. My oncologist has now booked me in for a double mastectomy with a DIEP flap reconstruction. Would love to hear from someone who has gone through something similar. Thank you!
Overwhelmed and lost
Hey everyone I'm Shannon, I just turned 28 and recently was diagnosed with breast cancer. I lost my mother to cancer when I was 17 after a 7 year battle that started as breat cancer. So everything about this diagnosis has truly shaken me. Our family does carry the bracca 1 mutation. I was diagnosed when I first noticed my nipple changing and was very suspicious. That's when I found the lump. Everything since then had been full throttle and I don't feel like I'm dealing with any of it. From finding the lump it went to gp exam a week later, rushed for an ultrasound that day, to my results appointment 4 days later where I was greated by a very frantic doctor telling me I have two malignant tumours that must be removed immediately. The next 10 minutes was my doctor on the phone to the breast surgeon in my area demanding I am seen immediately, followed by him telling me I must demand a double mastectomy and refuse to back down. That was a little over a week ago and today I received a letter of my surgery consultantion on Monday. I feel so overwhelmed by everything. I feel like I have no idea what's actually going on or how to process any of this when I don't even have any information. I'm trying to prepare a list of questions to ask my surgeon on Monday but I don't even know what I need to ask? Google is proving horrifying when trying to find information about all of this so I thought maybe this would be a good place to start. I know I'm truly not alone in this but it's so hard no to feel that way right now which I guess is fairly common. So I'm wondering, does anyone have any advice? Advice on anything really. How to prepare, what to expect, how to start processing this. I don't even know what's in store after surgery. Do they run test? Will there be more treatments? I really just feel so lost and confused about everything that's going on and would really appreciate some words of wisdom from some lovely souls who know what I'm feeling right now.
DMX or Lumpectomy
I was diagnosed in September 2023 as Hormone negative HER2 +. My first thoughts were DMX & get rid of it, surgeon said "no I needed chemo first" which caused my first & only meltdown pretty much all day if I was on my own as I wasn't in control. I finished my chemo on Thursday just gone & have surgery booked for 22nd Feb. I went back & saw surgeon on Tuesday just gone to discuss options, she has now said "it's my choice what I want" as my daughter made a point of bringing up I had my head set on a DMX. I'm now conflicted as to what to do, I'm swinging every few hours between the two. I don't have access to a McGrath Nurse & have relied on the support from family & work colleagues so far. My chemo nurses have been great but now can't help as it's my decision & not their speciality. Oncologist has said only 1% chance of recurrance if clear margins from the lumpectomy but then more chemo if not clear, I don't want to do that again even though it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I will be continuing with Herceptin until September this year. Sorry for the essay.
About to have double mastectomy no reconstruction - any tips?
Hi All, I have finished 5 months of chemo and next step on 1st November is a double mastectomy and R lymph node clearance, I have chosen no reconstruction. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips for the hospital visit and recovery time? Anything you would have liked to know beforehand? I have just gone and bought a couple of button up PJ tops and a few button shirts for home. Thanks :)
With or without a plastic surgeon? How common is a mastectomy and reconstruction without p.surgeon
Hi everyone, my family member’s breast cancer doctor said she can perform her mastectomy and reconstruction without the help of a plastic surgeon. This makes my family member nervous. As she was told by friends theirs was done in tandem with a plastic surgeon. Whilst she is happy to have the cancer removed, the mastectomy is the finish line hopefully at the end of the chemo. She will be able to keep her nipples and needs a reduction and removal of skin as has lost weight and only wants the smallest of implants/expanders put in. Her surgeon said she does this all of the time by herself. My question is how common is this? She feels she may want a second opinion.Clothing
I’m having a double mastectomy in 2 weeks I live 4 hrs from the hospital so was wondering what other Ladies did as far as day wear. Did you just stay in pyjamas or get dressed each day. I will be there for about 5/7 days. Any tips as what to take or not take would b appreciated. I am going to Epworth freemasons in east Melbourne.
New DCIS diagnosis and surgery
Hi all, new diagnosis of DCIS in right breast (3.2cm x 2.7cm) and ADH in left breast (5.2cm). Appointment with surgeon today to let her know of my choice of treatment (bilateral mastectomy, lumpectomy/mastectomy or bilateral lumpectomy). Surgery set for 13/1/23. Anyone had similar diagnosis before? Any feedback wound be lovely. Thanks :)