Bra
Hi there I went bra shopping today to get some new bras of the type I bought when I had my double mastectomy and reconstruction and thought I would share. The bra is “ Comfort Revolution” by Playtex and is lovely and soft with a bit of padding and no underwire. I went from E cup to C cup and am slightly smaller on the cancer/radiated breast and the padding smooths it out.
Not coping well
Hi, I’m new to this. I have been getting fairly regular mammograms ect for years now due to strong family history of breast cancer. I’m 45 and have always looked after myself physically very well. No one aside from me had any issues until they were in their 50’s or 60’s. Aside from my great grandmother no one has had a mastectomy. So after postponing my mammogram for a year due to Covid I decided I needed to get it done before starting a new job. About a week after re entering the workforce I was told there was a problem. It took 2 biopsies and about 6 weeks before they confirmed DCIS medium grade (still don’t know what that means) and I was advised of my options. The options all seemed pretty awful but a double mastectomy with reconstruction (implants as I was told I’m too thin for flaps), seemed like the safest option but I’m ashamed to say it was also very high on my priority list that I’d look ok after. What irony!!! I’ve had three operations in ten days due to complications. I’m left without implants and due to skin necrosis I’ve lost one nipple and about a third of the skin on both flaps. I’ve just seen a second surgeon for a second opinion and it appears this could and probably should have all been avoided (I believe she said “what’s this?” When she saw the mess I’ve been left with) I had to explain why my skin was so damaged. I can’t have any reconstruction until possibly mid next year maybe later as I’ll lose my job if I have any more time off. I know I should be grateful to be alive, ( the surgeon kept telling me I’d dodged a bullet) but I feel devastated, broken and completely unattractive. My relationship with my partner is at best under enormous strain. Can anyone tell me how they got through losing their breasts and feeling incomplete? I feel ashamed even whinging here about this as I know it could have been so much worse. And yet I’m not ok at all and having a very hard time seeing any light at the end of this.
Do I or don’t I ?
I am 66 yes old - 3 years post lumpectomy and radiation Each review I’ve had means painful mammograms ( due to dense breasts) and ultra sounds - finishing off with a mammogram biopsy - yes at every review ! I’ve just had my third year review with the inevitable biopsy - results came back today as negative So here I am - emotionally spent - if it was just the mammogram and u/s then I could deal with that but it’s the lonely humiliating experience of the mammogram biopsy and the wait for results - I can’t explain to anyone who has not experienced the impact of a cancer diagnosis - then treatment and the emotion that you go through during the reviews I want to focus on life not think every time there is pain - my mind starts thinking and while I can bring my mind into the now - this is taking it’s toll i want to have a mastectomy - I need to do something positive - take control of this monster and be boss of it - not it of me My daughter is also on this journey - I know what to expect - I don’t need or want reconstruction - I want peace My husband thinks I’m nuts going down this road - how else do I find this peace ?
Need for Lyphodema Arm sleeves
I don't actually know who needs these sleeves. Is it potentially anyone who has had a Mastectomy? Or only those who had axillary clearance? I've had both. I have been measured for Lyphodaema with the SOZO machine, and do not have it yet, 11 months after surgery. Has anyone else been recommended to get one, especially for airflights? If so how long a flight, would they be needed for? Also do they cost much and easy to get? Or custom made? Any advice would be helpful.
Post Mastectomy Pain
Hi I had her2 negative in left breast in 2019. I had chemo, lumpectomy and sentinel node removal, radiotherapy and Herceptin. Got the all clear then in November this year they found cancer in situ in what remained of left breast so I had a double mastectomy and some nodes removed on 4th Dec. The scars go from under my arms to the centre. I look like someone’s tried to saw me in half! The actual scar and skin just around it is numb. The pain I have is like a band around that area. It’s like a tightness and burning. Stretching seems to relieve it. I’m 5 weeks post op now and was told it would be ok in 4 to 6 weeks after op. I just want to know if others had this pain and how long it lasted. It’s not bad enough for Panadol but if I do take Panadol it doesn’t work.
Feeling challenged by clothes shopping?
I'd like to reach out to other women who find it hard to buy clothes because of changes to their bodies brought about by breast cancer. I'm almost 60 now and have lived with a mastectomy for over 20 years, with a handful of those years as a younger woman dressing around a reconstruction that I had removed back in 2006. I have felt quite frustrated over this entire period with how hard it has been to find clothes with high necklines that don't gape and that also disguise the imbalance I have in my breast shape and nipple outline. I've never regretted having the mastectomy - but have been really surprised at how down I would get with clothes shopping, for I consider myself to be a fairly strong and resilient person. Over a decade ago now I surveyed 423 affected Australian women about difficulties they experience - and realised some of us live with quite a significant and silent problem. About two years ago I approached the fashion industry to see what could be done for us generally, after struggling for months to find an outfit for my daughter's wedding. I met with some very supportive retailers and from there sourced a web developer to build a fashion site tailored to our needs. It includes a filter that enables browsing by selecting for a whole range of design features that women after breast cancer seem to look for but struggle to find - e.g. loose sleeves for lymphoedema management, high necklines and disguising patterns to name a few. The site is called Pink Collective Styling and it's listed within the BCNA Service Directory which is found under the Menu Tab "Understanding Breast Cancer", then selecting for "Find Services & Support Near You" and then "Physical Appearance Support". This has just been a subject that has got under my skin over the years because I feel it's an unnecessary burden to have layered on top of all the tough decisions that go with breast cancer and getting on with life. I am keen to hear from anyone who can recommend a fashion label or retailer that you've found offers a great range that 'works' for your needs so I can continue to grow the site and make it as broadly useful to the breast cancer community as possible. I'd also be very keen to hear where the site doesn't quite cover your particular needs if you too find clothes shopping a struggle. JuliePTSD
Hi All. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, and had chemo, radio and left masectomy. I have just recently had a preventative right masectomy and reconstruction. My question is, can it be possible for PTSD to develop in my now 3 year old following my most recent surgery? I thought she was oblivious during the initial treatments. But since my latest surgery, her behaviour is dreadful and her sleep is terrible. It’s totally heartbreaking and I don’t know what to do about it. Thank you
I'm not hideously disfigured...
I had a left side mastectomy on Tuesday. I have been really scared to look in the mirror. Finally worked up the courage today. I am ok, surprised myself....still me. Next step check up on Tuesday. Then more waiting to see if I need further treatment. I really want a bra now, but will wait till I'm less tender. My husband loves me, my teen boys laugh with me. Learning to love and accept the new me.Nipple Tattoo
https://twitter.com/Jo_Hall9/status/1028186767634063360 On tonight's Melbourne Channel 9 news was a story on Nipple Tattoos - link above is the twitter of the reporter. Dean Trotter was the surgeon featured (I think some of you have mentioned him as being your Specialist) and the charity that helped make it all possible is Treasure Chest Charity https://www.treasurechestcharity.org.au/about
