Reconstruction not what I was told to expect.
I’m near the end after a double mastectomy 2 and a half years ago with failed reconstruction. 10 operations later and I have died flap reconstruction 4 or 5 rounds of fat grafting (I’ve lost count), two lots of silicon implants and I don’t look normal at all. My upper chest is lumpy and concave and looks a bit like I’ve had a very bad, uneven boob job. I’m really struggling. I’m very badly scared from all the skin and tissue necrosis and lost so much skin on the side that had no DCIS ( got both done as knew I wouldn’t cope if I didn’t look ok), that they had to leave the skin paddle (skin from my stomach) so even more scares. on top of that the mesh has failed twice so my stomach is very bloated and often painful. My legs are covered in cellulite and uneven with hollowed out bits. I don’t recognise my body and I feel hideous. My surgeon keeps saying how good I look considering where I’ve come from. I know I should be grateful to be alive. I know I should be grateful it could have been a lot worse. I feel very alone. I’ve not found anyone who’s gone through something like this. Are my expectations unrealistic? My appearance was my armour and now it’s gone. This started when I was 45, just before my daughter’s 7th birthday. She keeps asking if she will have to have this done. Reality is it’s more aggressive and earlier every generation in my family and seems to affect almost all the women. I can’t even show her it will be ok because I’m not physically or mentally ok. Sorry for the long ramble, just need support.
Looking for recommendations in Sydney
Hi all, I have some practical things that I’ve been struggling with and I figured I’m unlikely to be the first. I had a single mastectomy and auxiliary lymph node removal in November and have been having issues finding bras - I’m 35 so I’m looking for something with underwire and padding that also has a pocket for the prosthetic. No such bras seem to be available at the list of stores given to me by the breast care nurses. My scar goes across where the nipple would be rather than where an underwire sits so I’m still able to wear underwire comfortably and since my remaining breast is a DD going without underwire, padding and structured support isn’t my favourite. The berlei post surgical bra was fine for around the house but don’t work under a lot of my wardrobe and again, the support issue is a problem. I figured a good option was to get a couple of my favourite bras tailored to add the pocket. Problem is trying to find someone who can do that sort of work is proving very difficult. The one guy I found in balmain showed me a method that looks like it’ll damage the bra and not have a great result. So any recommendations would be amazing. Also looking for inner west lymphatic drainage massage recommendations (that don’t cost the earth). Any suggestions for how to minimise lymphadema risk and tricks and hints for getting used to it all would be much appreciated. My hope is for a reconstruction but my surgeon says that’s about two years away. Thank you so much katherine
Strange symptoms after mastectomy
OK I know this is a real thing because I searched it and found it described in a thread overseas. Ever since my mastectomy, I have had a very strange feeling every time I have a drink. Hot or cold it doesn't matter. Sometimes it's enough to take my breath away. Sometimes mild, sometimes almost painful. Nothing really to complain about but the strangest feeling! It sort of feels like a sudden rushing waterfall of ice water behind my ribs that washes down my chest on the side of the mastectomy. Has anyone else had anything similar?
Movement in arm
I had a bilateral mastectomy & axillary lymph node clearance 3 weeks ago. I’ve lost some movement in my arm & have numbness on the back of my arm. I’ve been doing the exercises the physio gave me while in hospital & was wondering how long it will take to get good movement back & if the numbness will go.Lumpectomy or Masectomy
I am nearly finished 16 weeks of chemo - 8 weeks of fortnight AC and then 8 weeks of Taxol. I am also Hert 2 so started Herceptin on 26th August every 3 weeks for 48 weeks. Due to have surgery in about 20 days. I had a 4-5 cms tumor left breast which has shrunk with chemo to 1cm and nothing in between and 1cm - which oncologist thinks could be 2 x 2.5cms tumor joined together - wont know till surgery. Also had spread to Lymphn nodes so will take out about 2/3 which is 20 out of 30 lymph nodes. Oestrogen + 30% Progesterone - and Her 2 positive. Invasive ductal cancer grade 3. Options now are (1) lumpectomy with reduction (2) Bilateral mastectomy or (3) Double Masectomy (all with lymph node removal). The first option could be do lumpectomy with margin and lymph nodes and go back following week for reduction in that left breast and if pathology shows more needs to be done could do mastectomy week after? Any recommendations or thoughts?