Post surgery / cancer follow up.
Not sure where to write this one! If anyone has suggestion on where please let me know and I'll put it in there. So I have had a shockingly bad journey. TNBC. Stage 2-3 when started...so they said. Long story....Finally culminating in a Left Mastectomy. Histology shows they definitely got it all and there was NO lymph node involvement. But I can never have Chemo again. And I can't have Radium anywhere on my left side as I had to have a ICD Internal Cardiac defibrillator implanted. SO...in terms of cancers? No more treatment options for me really. And according to what they say? I have no greater chance of my cancer reoccurring than risk of cancer generally. Don't really believe this, but they got it as well as it can be done. Because of my Heart problems and Sarcoidosis. I will have another PET scan end of Feb 2026. Ordered by my Immunologist. Then hopefully if all is well? That should be it. Probably yearly visit to Cardiologist for a few years with him doing Cardiac Echo's. I have a good GP. So...I see no point in going back and seeing the Oncologist. There's nothing more the oncologist needs to do for me that I can think of. And I'm very pissed off at her. I think she was negligent and all that happened is because she was not monitoring my Chemo closely enough. I should not have gotten to where I got to and I should not have nearly died. So, I'm wondering? What is the usual post cancer follow up process? Who do people see and what tests in what time frame is done? Do you have regular PET Scans? MRIs or what? And who generally orders these tests? How often do you have follow up appts and with whom? I am wondering if I just find another Oncologist if it's the oncologist I am supposed to continue to follow up with. Anyone shed any light on this?
Heavy lifting after surgery
Hi all Im 17 days post bilateral mastectomy and recon. I have a 3 yr old and a 1 year old. My husband is doing all the lifting etc but today I forgot myself and picked up my 3 year old. I instantly remembered and went to sit down with her. Im not in any pain and nothing on the outside seems to be affected. has anyone done this and if so, what signs do I need to watch out for with messing up recovery? thank you
Flying with a seroma
Hi peeps I have a seroma on my chest wall, following mastectomy with flat closure just over 12 months ago. The seroma has been drained multiple times but keeps coming back - the saga continues... I'll be going on a flight (for a holiday - yay!) on Saturday, and it's just occurred to me that I might have some additional pain or discomfort with the seroma due to the cabin pressure. Does anyone have experience with this? Many thanks Bec
Preparing for DMX and DIEP Flap reconstruction
Hello and first of all I’m sorry that any of us are on this forum and going through the Sh-t Show…. I have surgery end of Jan 2026. I’m going to hire a recliner chair, I’ll purchase button up pjs and shirts. What else can I do? Does anyone have handy tips? High protein recipes that help with recovery? If you have a website of recipes that you can recommend that would be much appreciated. Is there any exercise I should be doing? With a month to go I’d like to do anything I can. Thank you all and with my kindest regards.Best Bra's post surgery
Hi. So I had a Left Mastectomy 3 weeks ago now. My breasts are DD. So it's hard to not wear a bra as my remaining boob is too big. So I have to wear something. It's been difficult as under my arm is SO sore. I didn't have lymph nodes removed. But it's just really sore right around to my back. So I've been experimenting with all the different bra's I have to see what's most comfortable. The Berlei Post mastectomy bra is okay with the pad in it...but I don't actually like wearing the pad. It feels weird and is different shape to my ordinary boob anyway. I feel self conscious. The bra without the pad in it rides up all the time on the operation side. Really annoying. And the sides are NOT wide enough. Too narrow and it cuts into where my wound is. So hurts. It probably will be better in a few months. Then I have the Amoena Frances bra. It's pretty good. But it's not really good fit. Too big on the actual boob size, but I'm sure the size smaller would be too small. But it is okay. The best seems to be plain ole Bonds Seamless Crop top. Looks similar to Amoena Becky bra. I like the the sides are wide. Cause I need to be able to pull it down and have it cover the entire scar area - not cut me on my wound line. So it's funny cause I have half a dozen Bonds Seamless crop tops anyway! I've worn them around home for years. Comfy. So this is what I have found. Anyone else found different bras that are good?
Already have implants
Just wondering if anybody is in the same boat as me? I already have breast implants and I am going to have a bilateral mastectomy. I will have these implants removed and still making a decision about what to do next. The only immediate thing I can have with my mastectomy is more implants, which would be done by the breast surgeon. I’m not sure that’s what I want long-term but it’s the only option if I want something straight away. Anybody in any similar situation? Just finding it stressful making decisions at this time.
Too Fat for flap breast reconstruction
Hi all just wanted to make people aware that after having a double mastectomy I was told I am To Fat/ overweight to have flap reconstruction despite having gastric sleeve, optifast mounjaro their expectation was to be ideally 80-85kg which I have never been even when playing sports. I just wanted to make people aware that if you have had a double mastectomy and may need a flap reconstruction and are on the heavier side please be aware of weight expectations. I don't think my body agrees with silicone implants.Looking for suggestions after double Mastectomy
Hi everyone. How good is this website? I have learnt so much. I have been recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer 😒 and will be having a double mastectomy in the coming weeks. I am looking for suggestions/ideas for post surgery. For example clothes to wear, pillows, chairs, sleeping positions and the like. Looking forward to your ideas. Thank You
Radiation tips?
Hi, I have no idea how to negotiate this platform so forgive me if this turns up in the wrong place… I’ve lobular invasive -had lumpectomy & 10 lymph nodes removed. Hellish pain with seromas after the latest op.. anyways .. radiotherapy starting next week for 3 weeks.. any tips, things to be aware of?? It’s been such a rollercoaster I think I’m still processing ..Issue with chemo port surgery
Hi all, I've just recently had my chemo port installed after going through phase 1 of chemo taxol and carbo, for tnbc. I'm concerned as I think my surgeon forgot to stitch my 14 cm wound, I've had bleeding and from what I can see and the chemo nurses can see that there were no stitches, i dont know what to do..... I'm uncomfortable with male doctors and nurses so I've been avoiding the emergency room.... Seems like medical negligence...
