Clothing for hospital and after surgery
I am trying to keep busy in my waiting period till the surgeons reopen. There are sales on at the moment, and I wondered what sort of night attire and tops am I going to need when I go into hospital, and for after surgery, whether lumpectomy or mastectomy. I mostly wear T shirts during the day and singlet type tops at night, I am guessing they might not be the best to get into and out of? Can others advise what they found the best for immediately after surgery, please.
27 year old lobular carcinoma
Hi there, I’m 27 and based in Brisbane just now. 12 days ago I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma. I don’t yet know lymph involvement but am guessing it’s likely (nothing showed on USS or palpable however.) My surgeon has recommended a full lymph clearance. Is there anyone else out there this young with lobular? My biggest fear is leaving my husband behind without any children, what if my illness causes him to miss his chance of having kids with someone else one day? Unfortunately I’m a nurse so know a bit too much about what I’m about to go through. I have a mastectomy in 3 days and axillary clearance. Trying to remain positive. At what point did you ladies meet your oncologist? I’m not meeting them until next week when the final pathology/sizing etc is back after surgery and they’ve had an MDT to decide my treatment plan. Is this normal? I’m public.
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.
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
Surgery on Thursday: Need sleepwear suggestions please
Hello, I am booked in for surgery this Thursday and thinking best if I buy a sleeveless button down cotton nightie or two for my hospital stay. I am experiencing chemo menopause/menopause (who knows) and thought sleeveless rather than sleeves, shorter rather than longer, cotton rather than rayon or viscose. Sliding my arms into no sleeves or wide sleeves, like I would the hospital gowns rather than over my head and then struggle to get my arms through? Then I can continue to use these at home and hopefully make life somewhat easier as there will be no-one to help me navigate the on/off business. Am I on the right path? Open to suggestions, advice. I have jumped on line to see what is available but not much that meets my criteria. Thank you x
New diagnosis, have had mastectomy
Hi All I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 24 August. Core Biopsy and FNA showed that I had cancer in the tumour, in the milk ducts and lymph nodes. I freaked out at that but saw surgeon 24 hours later who was quite reassuring that she didn't feel like it had spread (I was otherwise fit and healthy). Had bone scan and CT's and she was right, it hadn't spread. Had mastectomy on right breast and full lymph node clearance on 6 Sept, just at home recovering now. Surgeon follow up appt this Thursday to find out all of the pathology results, hopefully meet Oncologist and find out 'the plan' So back to waiting again. Initially thought I would have reconstruction but I've been reading some posts on a FB page and it's freaking me out. 'm a single Mum with 3 kids (9, 11 and 15), and while initially they were freaked out they seem ok now (they're back to just leaving everything for me to do 🙄).
Urgent Surgery advice
Hi everyone. I’m in need of some urgent advice about breast surgery options. I have been given two different opinions by two different surgeons and I need to decide ASAP, which to go with (surgery April 16th). I’m 36, with grade 2 & grade 1 invasive ductal carcinoma 2-3 lumps in a line at 10 O’clock(in line with underarm), ranging over a 5cm area, no children/Small C cup. Dr Cindy Mak initially recommended a nipple sparing right mastectomy, with immediate implant and radiation. I was afraid of capsular contracture because I heal poorly/radiation. She now wants to try removal of the cancer in one large lumpectomy (scar from under arm, along side of breast). Then a second surgery to perform a LICAP flap reconstruction (I think they take a flap of fat from under the arm to fill the void?). I’ve lost weight over the last few weeks so I don’t have a huge amount of fat. She said I’ll be at least one cup size smaller and my nipple may be off centre. She could try fat transfer to help at a later date. Dr Elisabeth Rippy suggested that in trying to keep my breast, I may end up with a less desirable shape/aesthetic result. She recommended a full nipple sparing mastectomy (scar hidden under breast fold) with an expander. Then radiation, followed by a second surgery for implant placement and fat transfer. I was wondering if, given your decision again, you’d try to keep your breast tissue at all costs? And if unhappy with the size and shape, have a breast implant/augmentation at a later date? Is it even possible to have a breast implant after LICAP and breast radiation? Does radiation change the texture of a natural breast so much that an implant is impossible afterwards? Or because the cancer is so large, is a mastectomy safer? I’ve read that your initial surgery & shaping is very important in relation to future aesthetic outcomes. I really don’t know how to make a decision this important with so little information. I would really love any advice (or even other surgeon suggestions in Sydney, for a final opinion). X
Waiting for chemo!!
Hi Everyone, I am new to this network. My name is Debbie and I was diagnosed with Invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 2, HER positive amplified, oestrogen and progesterone receptor positive, tumour 23mm, on 5th July, so after a life changing shock, out of the blue as no symptoms, at 51 went for my first ever mammogram. Thank god I did as I'm one of those people that thinks nothing will ever happen to! as I live a healthy life, breast fed both my children, never smoked etc. Anyway,how wrong I was, thinking I was so healthy. I have since had a right side masectomy on 13th July, but now feeling very stressed, as am still waiting for an appointment with the oncologist. There seems to be an issue after having surgery at Royal Perth hospital I am now being told I'm suddenly out of catchment area for treatment, although not told this when I saw surgeon. I cant believe how stressful this has become waiting for chemo to start and not knowing when. I would just like to ask everyone out there who has had chemo, how long after surgery they commenced it as I'm worried the longer I wait the less effective treatment will be. Any other advise also would be greatly appreciated. Love to hear from anyone out there.
Will I see my girls grow up
only finished my treatment in November. Chemo and radiotherapy as preventative treatment after successful lumpectomy that had spread to 2 lymph nodes. Now on holidays in Queensland and after a freak accident at Movie World that hurt my ribs I had a CT scan to check for damage I have received the devastating news that I have 8 - 10 tumours in my lungs! I can't help but assume the worst. How long will I realistically have before I die?