Any regrets after going flat?
I'm seriously considering having my other breast off, and going flat. I don't have a cancer gene, and have not had this recommended for that reason. But I am finding my remaining breast a nuisance. My bra is always twisting, and when bra less, I have one big boob. I'm considering no precise reconstruction and breast reduction. I will probably give fat grafting a go with no great expectations, perhaps small bumps. Are there any downsides to going flat, that I may have missed?
Tethering means breast cancer too
Hi all, I'm new to this website and new to having breast cancer, I was diagnosed with breast cancer back in June. I just wanted to let people know you don't have to feel a pea shaped lump to have breast cancer. What I found was like a hole under one breast where the skin was pulling tight. Turned out to be "Tethering" has anyone heard of that, did anyone know of that ?? My story is I was trying on bathers in Melbourne in June because we were going to Darwin with the family for school holidays & I noticed the "tethering" as a tight sort of hole under my left breast. Not sure what it could be I checked Dr Google & was shocked to see it was sign of a breast cancer. I'd had my mammogram 12 months before & got the all clear so a bit slack in checking myself after that. Now I feel very lucky to have seen this tethering & checked it out straight away. I've since had a left mastectomy & lymph node clearance and just had my second dose of chemo. I'd also be interested to talk to anyone whose had a single mastectomy without an implant to discuss life with one breast.
Post Op Bra ?
Hi All, My friends mother has just gone through a mastectomy and i received the below text asking for help. Nb, I had a lumpectomy so told my friend i would ask the online community. "Mum is up to 11 days after surgery. Her arm is still quite sore, which is one reason why her basic post op bra is painful. She thinks no one can fix it (the bra fitting/pain) and has to wait till 6 weeks post op to get the fitting done etc. Any ideas What she can do?" So I guess the questions are; what have other women done for support of one breast whilst the other side is still painful. and What are the types of post opp bras (i had a very soft cotton one - no underwire, from Myers that did up the front with about 10 hook and eyes) Any suggestions would be very welcome, ThanksChest looking like it has caved after double mastectomy
hi everyone. Just wondering if anyone has experienced this? for the last few days I have been feeling a "tugging" sore feeling over my mastectomy scar (double mastectomy 18 months ago, no chemo or radio). I checked the chest and I have an area beneath the scar on the chest wall that looks to have sunken. Any ideas what this could be?
Dark days
Just diagnosed this month, 1.5.cm invasive tumour, plus 3mm by 3mm tumour I couldn't feel. I am 46, have had regular mammograms and ultrasounds for years due to lumpy, dense breasts. I self checked religiously and I still didn't feel this lump until it got to 1.5cm. I had lumpectomy and sentinel nodes out one week ago, and now find 5 out of 6 nodes have malignant cells, and the margin around the larger tumour shows carcinoma insitu that needs to be removed, so I am having a full mastectomy Monday plus full axilla node removal, portacath inserted and I will start chemo before Christmas. I have 4 children, youngest 7, oldest 16 and telling them was horrendous and watching their fears and answering their questions. Trying hard to keep going as normal and reassure them I will do all I can to be here for them. I have a CT of chest and abdomen today that surgeon tells me is just a baseline for the oncologist for chemo but I am terrified it will show metastisis somewhere in there and it will be too late. Its been one month since I found this lump and made an appointment that day with my GP and I feel like this diagnosis/surgery/treatment thing is taking forever. I just wanted it out the day I found it. My husband is amazing and this is bringing us very close as we realise we can't take each other for granted any more. I have a very supportive family and have so much to be thankful for when others struggle through alone. But, feeling very alone and scared right now. Thanks for reading.
Breast and plastic surgeon team in Melbourne please?
Hi - I'm a BCNA member of 4 years, and my dearest friend has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. She is joining BCNA, but I have offered to get this post up on her behalf while she comes to grips with her diagnosis. I was very happy with my breast surgeon, but not at all with the plastic surgeon who was recommended because they operate at the same hospital. I had a mastectomy with immediate implant. My friend is planning on doing the same. She is privately insured, so needs a very good breast surgeon and plastic surgeon who work as a team at the same private hospital. Any help over the weekend would be greatly appreciated - she is seeing her GP again on Monday and can get referrals. Thanks so much, DaisyMarigold.
Podcast Series: Upfront About Breast Cancer – What You Don’t Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte To
Hello everyone! We have just launched our new podcast series: Upfront About Breast Cancer – What You Don’t Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman Dr Charlotte Tottman established her own private practice in psycho oncology, providing psychological treatment for cancer-related distress, before being diagnosed with breast cancer herself, giving Charlotte’s understanding of a cancer experience a whole new dimension. Despite the circumstances, Charlotte’s own diagnosis and clinical experience enables her to connect with those who are going through comparable situations, giving them a place to reflect and relate, and learn to navigate and better understand psychological discomfort in a cancer space. Throughout the podcast series we have meaningful conversations about many topics, including the initial shock of diagnosis, emotional isolation, and coming to terms with those who show up, and those who may not during your journey, body image difficulties, how cancer changes your overall perception of life, the impact on sexuality and intimacy, and fear of cancer recurrence. Charlotte’s own vulnerability is evident in each of the episodes, which lay out her lived experience, provide explanations of psychological triggers and responses, and practical strategies that may help someone on their own cancer journey. We recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to this podcast, as some may find the content upsetting. BCNA’s Helpline provides a free confidential telephone and email service for people diagnosed with breast cancer, their family and friends. Our experienced team can help with your questions and concerns and direct you to relevant resources and services. Call 1800 500 258 or email contact@bcna.org.au. Listen to the full 10-episode series now via https://bit.ly/3oD0S0C or anywhere you get your podcasts.
Thankfully I know more this time.
So, 7 and a bit years after a Stage 3 E+ PR+ breast cancer diagnosis in the left breast, I am facing some changes in the right breast. Picked up in yearly mammogram/ultrasound. Nobody has suggested it is cancer just yet but given my history I am booked in for a core biopsy next Monday. I am very clear in my head about what this means for me. I have been happy with my choice of single mastectomy for the last 7 years but am not about to take any chances with the remaining breast. Regardless of the results of the biopsy, it’s days are numbered. Monitoring changes in a very dense breast is not what I want. Having had a mastectomy I am quite ok about having a second one, especially if that is all I need. The changes are new since my mammogram and ultrasound last year. Just goes to show that keeping up our regular checks is sooo important, even in our current Covid 19 world. Very reassured by the excellent treatment of my situation by the staff at the Radiology facility this morning. I was treated respectfully and everything was clearly explained right then and there. As you can imagine though, I am finding it hard to concentrate on anything else at the moment. Will be glad when the biopsy is done and we have the results. But I am sure that a mastectomy is what I want regardless.
Next question - on waking
Hi again - still gathering info before my DMX (@kmakm - this might help you too!) and my next question is - what were you wrapped in when you woke up from surgery? I know each surgeon has their own technique so I need to ask mine this question, but I'm keen to hear others' experiences to find out what the possibilities are. Will I be in bandages? or a support bra? Is there one drain on each side or more than one? Do they normally give you a urinary catheter? I'm having vertical incisions and my nipples are going too, but will be having skin sparing and straight into air expanders. If I end up having an axillary clearance on either side, will that have consequences for how they bandage me up? So grateful for everyone's help during this dash through the unknown!
Scar Management for anyone finding them taking a long time to heal, red, bumpy, itchy...
Hey All, I just wanted to say in the past I haven't really worried about my scars from surgeries, however since doing my Diep Flap recon in February and subsequent revision surgery in July, I had my abdominal wound reopened. It was red, itchy and bumpy so thought I'd have a consult with people who specialise in scar management. Thanks to my friend @nikkid for the contact, I went today. I know in my post op visits there really wasn't much talk of scar management at all, so thought I'd pop a post for anyone who is finding them annoying red, itchy, bumpy and wanted some help with it. They use silicon dressings that I wear at night only, I then massage over 4-6 weeks in circular motions, (even an electric toothbrush) to break up the scar tissue about 4 times a day. My scars are so annoying and irritating,so that's why I decided to get some extra help. So I have a great recommendation in Melbourne for anyone needing that. Big hugs Melinda xo