One is BIGGER than the other!
Hi I had an early diagnosis and lumpectomy, chemo, radiation and follow up treatment of right breast in 2003 (aged 45 years). As I've aged, my treated breast is shrinking and shrinking and shrinking and is now very obviously a different size to my left breast. 1 Has anyone else experience this? 2 Do you think it would be considered 'medically necessary' surgery if I wanted a reconstruction for health fund purposes? Appreciate any feedback - thank you so much.
Neoadjuvant PLUS adjuvant chemotherapy?
Hi everyone, As my wife's neoadjuvant chemotherapy draws to a close we've been looking more forward to surgery / radiation, however her breast care coordinator dropped a new bit of information last week that, depending on the pathology of her tumour, she may require additional chemotherapy after surgery. This was a bit of a bombshell, since it's the first time we've heard anything about this being a thing and although the coordinator said that "it's a good thing, since it gives us more options", it doesn't feel like a good thing. We've been steadily working through this process for the last 4 months assuming that we'll get to the finish line and be able close the book on chemo and move on, but now it looks like we have an uncertain pathway again. I'd love to hear from anyone who's had this experience of getting through months of neoadjuvant chemotherapy only to find out that they needed more after surgery. What were the circumstances that drove that decision and what did the adjuvant portion of chemotherapy look like? Was it months of the same again, or a different regime? I get that everyone's different and your circumstances may not be exactly the same, but I'd appreciate any input so we can feel more informed and plan appropriately. Thanks! George
Healing Time
Hi everyone. I am new to this group. I had mastectomy around two weeks back. It's really sore and I have limited arm movement. It feels like my skin is glued to my chest wall. Any movement cause uncomfortable stretch. I would like to know how it has been with other group members. How long does it take for inner stitches to heal? When were you able to move your arm and body like normal without pain? I also have like balls under my arm which is really annoying. Can anyone suggest what they have done for that. Has any one taken any special food to heal faster? I have so many questions. Please help. Thanks
DIEP reconstruction
Hi. I am just wanting to hear how other people's recoveries have been after DIEP reconstructive surgery. I had surgery in July last year. I ended up in ICU for 10 days the week after with an infection in a lymph node in my groin. I became septic and nearly died. I have experienced nothing but discomfort since. My stomach feels like I have a knife or razor blade inside, trying to cut me from the inside out. I still have pain in my chest plate and I'm in pain in numerous places when I press on numerous areas on my reconstructed breast. I am due to have the last lot of surgery to remove the petal and make adjustments etc but I am very nervous and anxious about going through any more surgery.
Sore lump after surgery
Hi everyone One week after lumpectomy (removal of 5 smallish carcinomas from right breast and one DCIS from left breast) I had the bandages removed by my surgeon and she noticed I had a very large painful hard lump in my right breast which was a result of the surgery. I am looking for advice on how to treat this. I'm pretty certain she said to massage it, but that does not seem to be making any difference. Has anyone else had the same thing happen? What did you do and how long did it take? Thankyou!
Post op
Well ladies, my surgery went well yesterday (unilateral mastectomy & axillary clearance). Came out of anaesthesia well and was fine last night. I had a nerve block in and when that wore off this morning, was in excruciating pain 😕 A rare complication where the drains rub against a nerve - if I move or breathe deeply I get a terrible sharp pain and burning sensation. Fortunately I’ve just seen a pain specialist whose put together a pain plan, so just waiting for that to start kicking in. Hopefully that helps settle it and I can go home tomorrow (was going to be today). Other than that, I’m a bit surprised at how I’ve reacted to the surgery emotionally. Before surgery I was very sad about losing a breast, and anxious about waking up to see nothing there anymore. Once I’d woken up and gathered the courage to take a peek under my gown, I just felt this huge relief that the cancer wasn’t in me anymore and had an overwhelming feeling of happiness. So I’m another step closer to overcoming this and feeling hopeful 😊
Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome
Dear Sisters.. Has anyone had Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome? 12 years after my first Mastectomy and full auxiliary clearance, I’ve experienced itching; then prickling pain and feeling of inflammation along the scar and near the edge of the scapular under the arm. Most annoying in its suddenness like an attack. Also felt like waves of pain. Relieved mainly with cold pack. .. until the next attack! Anyone else had this experience?
