Bilateral Mastectomy - please share your experiences and views.
I am planning on having a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy in the next few weeks. I have previously posted in the category of issues with dense breasts and ongoing surveillance. Thank you to all of you who responded to that. I have HER2+/ ER+/ PR- breast cancer. I was diagnosed in September last year and have very dense breasts. I have already undergone a lumpectomy and have just finished chemo with taxane. The sentinel lymph nodes were clear so I will not need to have any more lymph nodes removed. i have read all the previous posts relating to bilateral mastectomy and spoken to the breast surgeon. While she does not think I need a bilateral mastectomy, she is happy to do the procedure. I would be extremely grateful if anyone can tell me about their experience after having a bilateral mastectomy with regards to hospital stay, any issues, infections or complications. Can one manage alone at home post surgery. How long did you have to keep the drains, is it easy to manage the drains. Any other significant issues days, months or years after surgery. Your responses will be much appreciated.
Start Chemo in one month
Received my pathology results and the cancer is in my lymph nodes. Early next week I have a CT scan and lymph node biopsies. Chemo will start 3-4 weeks after that. I am trying to deal with all this and I'm finding it hard. In 32 days I have gone from being healthy to having a double mastectomy and preparing for chemo in a few weeks. I'm al a loss of words (that doesn't happen very often) and my emotions are everywhere. Any advice on what to avoid during chemo, best foods and where to find wigs/scarves would be greatly appreciated. Live Long & ProsperDouble Mastectomy surgery on Thursday
I was diagnosed with breast cancer December 12, 2018. My double mastectomy is scheduled for Thursday. I am both anxious and sad. My thoughts are racing and I'm trying to keep my anxiety low, with not much luck. I understand the feelings are normal, I just need to be able to get a handle on the anxiety.