Tattoo Questions
I’m over a year out of mastectomy, and 6 months since corrective surgery on the dog ear I ended up with. I’m in regional WA, and looking for recommendations for a tattoo artist who has worked on scar sites. I know I will have to travel to Perth or maybe further. Has anyone in WA had a tattoo over their mastectomy site and who do you recommend? With thanks! cle
Cancerversary 🍀
Hello lovely ladies. Today, on April Fools, I celebrate one year since my double mastectomy. Mixed feelings, for sure. It hasn’t been easy, that goes without say, especially with the whole surgeon saga happening. I’ve found out he left tissue behind in both breasts, in areas that were shown suspicious on the pre-surgery MRI. And he didn’t highlight those areas for pathology to check, so not sure what there even was there. He also refused to test further post surgery. Luckily my beautiful current surgeon is on top of it. However, I am still grateful that I had the surgery, as it rid me of those treacherous lumps in both of my breasts. I felt very happy after it, because my body knew most of the ‘evil’ was gone. So it’s definitely a positive thing, and I will celebrate in some small way. Emotionally, I’m so much better than what I was then, it’s hard to put in words. This forum had a lot to do with me getting better ♥️. It’s a special place 🕉. So did my current surgeon and her practice manager 💜💙. Anyway, to all the newbies, and all those struggling, it does get better. Hard to see that in the midst of despair, but nothing is permanent, so happiness and confidence will enter our lives again when we are ready to accept it and fight for it. Cheers to a cancer-free future 🤞🍀🥂Otis Foundation holiday
Something positive. This is a pic of the resort in Port Macquarie, where I was on holiday last week with my daughter and partner. It was for 7 nights, provided by the Otis Foundation. It was absolutely fantastic and exactly what we needed. Prob the best holiday I’ve had in 11 (sadly) years. Very relaxing, beautiful, with lots of activities to do when we wanted to. I found out about the Otis Foundation through this site, so I’m hoping others will also follow suit and sign themselves up for this well-deserved free treat 😊. I signed myself up in early May, and was told I’d have to wait a while due to Covid, but got dates in early November, which was perfect timing after a couple months post radio. So check it out ladies, and hope to see your own holiday pics soon 😁👌🏻♥️ Otis Foundation
TV Show (WARNING - may be upsetting)
I have been bingeing a new Australian TV show on Foxtel called "The End". I put the warning on the title because it is about death, suicide, end-of-life care, assisted dying and so may be too confronting for some. There is no "stand" taken on any issue, just portrayal. The reason I'm posting is that there is a beautiful shot at the end of the first episode of one of the main characters sitting in a bath. She has had a double mastectomy. No weirdness or over-hype about it - it's just her. Harriet Walter is the actor and the mastectomy is real. I would thoroughly recommend the show but with the proviso that you are prepared for what might be uncomfortable scenes.NED and fantastic medical teams 💕
Today I am officially NED 😃🤩🥳🥰. On the 4 Dec, I finally had my left nipple removed, and today at my post op appointment results came back clear. After my nipple/skin sparing mastectomies in April, it was the last thing that needed removing as it had traces of DCIS. This surgery was supposed to be done in April, but long story short, I had problems with my first surgeon (anxiety and trust issues) and so I sought a second opinion, and consequently changed surgeons. Then, under my new surgeon’s care,I saw a fertility specialist, med onc, had bilateral radiation, and finally two weeks ago the nipple removal, which was done under local anaesthetic at my request. It was in a proper operating theatre, just that I was awake the whole time. And it was one of the most positive and interesting experiences I’ve had. There was no fear as I fully trust my new surgeon. She answered all my questions throughout, and we even had a good laugh about a mole I also had removed. Overall, it went remarkably well and I went home feeling really happy. Sometimes, I feel I have to pinch myself to make sure it wasn’t just a daydream, like I was having back in April and May when I was in my depression, not sleeping well, not eating well, and with heightened anxiety, all caused by my first surgeon in relation to this surgery. The way he wanted it done made no sense, it seemed unnecessarily invasive, I kept being told different things, and I got absolutely no information or support about my cancer in general. Meetings were rushed and there was no empathy or compassion. Also, he refused all other options of treatment I suggested, saying they were not possible. As soon as I saw my second surgeon, things changed. I immediately started sleeping well again, anxiety eased considerably and depression lifted completely. I was given loads of info, different treatment options and meetings were long, with detailed and very patient explanations. All my questions were answered thoroughly and there was genuine empathy and care. Polar opposites. Now, I no longer fear hospitals, and my trauma around surgery has eased considerably. Every time I have an appointment, I actually look forward to it and don’t stress and lose sleep. All my concerns are validated, and decisions respected. I get detailed answers as to why something needs to, or can’t be done. Also, all my suspicions about the things that didn’t make sense with first surgeon were proven right. I know that this is how it should always be, but unfortunately it’s not. Very definitely not. The treatment I get from my surgeon and her practice manager goes way above anything I could ever have hoped. Seeing them gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling, like the one you get when you hug your favourite teddy bear, or when you’re in front of a beautiful fireplace with a sizzling fire on a cold winter night. The feeling you get when you come ‘home’ 😊. It’s not something you can force, some people just have this gift naturally. I thank the universe that I am lucky enough to have found them (through this forum!) and today to be in this wonderful place emotionally and psychologically, and NED 🥰. And I thank myself that I listened to my intuition, as hard as it was at the time. I have since met many other specialists who are also brilliant. This ride has been difficult to say the least, but considering everything, I really can’t complain right now. I hope the universe continues to look out for me, and to keep beautiful people like these in my life (for prevention of further c, not treatment! 😆). I also wish the same to all you lovely ladies, also on this extremely unwanted ride. Good luck, don’t rush important decisions, and always listen to your body and intuition, as they know best! 🍀🥰♥️ Mon XxxBespoke Bikini
Hello Beautiful People. It’s been a while since I posted. 3 months since mastectomy and starting tamoxifen. im healing well and almost back to full exercise. It’s been getting very hot and I’m trying to get comfortable at home without baring my remaining boob ( hubby and I call it bob.) Sarongs aren’t really comfortable anymore, and tank tops/ singlets are too hot. Today I suddenly remembered the adjustable triangle bikinis in my draw that I rarely wore. Took one triangle off the strap and I have a you beaut monokini for around the house! My husband thinks it’s hilarious. But it’s perfect for at home. I look like a giant pirate! 🤣 I’d like to think I could wear it at the local pool but I think it would be too out there! The scar will probably terrify the general public. I’m very happy with my invention and wanted to share here, just in case it helps one of you lovely ladies and also cos there’s nowhere else I can share this that would get it! 🙂🥰😬Big Thank You! 💝
@Afraser @arpie @kezmusc @iserbrown @AllyJay @Blossom1961 @Sister @Shellshocked1 @mum2jj @nikkid (sorry if I’ve forgotten anyone) I’d just like to give a massive shoutout to these very special ladies. From the moment I joined, I’ve felt so supported and cared for thanks to all the practical and wonderful advice these ladies are always willing to provide to lost newbies and older members alike. This is very important, as sometimes this is the only proper support we can get. Most of the time I don’t even need to create a post, as I can just read through all the helpful tips they’ve already provided countless times to others. I’ve realised that at the beginning, when we’re all terrified and confused, we go to sites like these for help. But once we’re past the initial stage and we become more familiar with it all, and somewhat better, we tend to just move on with life and not be so regular on sites anymore. It just happens naturally and unintentionally. However, these ladies have stayed on this site for years, literally, and continue to very selflessly give advice and comfort to ladies (and men) whenever they need it. That’s VERY SPECIAL 💖, and I hope you ladies understand how much we appreciate it. Lots of love to you all 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙏🏻🎉🤩👑 ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Beautiful songs/singing to lighten your day
I've just found this amazing Father & Daughter Duo who are doing the most gorgeous DUets of popular songs The Prayer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqFCbtRz1Z0 Their other songs together: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR_SOhBL-5BSaIuqhj1U18g Feel free to add your own songs/videos
