Hi, I am fairly new to the site. ~ What to expec

Mahogany

Hi, I am fairly new to the site and my little friend has returned. I don't know what stage I am. The oncologist wants to do a mastectomy. After 12 years the cancer has return as calcifications in the same breast (left). I had a lumpectomy before and radiation. I am trying to keep my spirits up and be brave. Any info will be helpful to me. What to expect after the mastectomy etc. etc? I am a single mother of one. I am 41 years old. Thank you all for your replies in advance.

Margerie

Hi Mahogany- sorry to hear about your little friend returning. I did have a mastectomy and node dissection 18 months ago. The mastectomy was a piece of cake, axillary node dissection caused some pain and discomfort in that arm for a few months. You will want to have everything within easy reach after surgery, as you are not supposed to be reaching up high or being too rambunctious for awhile. I have small kids and needed a little help with laundry, shopping and the like. I figured how to wash my hair with one arm. I think if you are only having a sentinel node biopsied, you will probably have a relatively quick recovery.

How are you doing? If you haven't checked into reconstruction yet, it is nice to know that you can have a pretty good looking breast again! This site has forums for recurrence and reconstruction. I had bilateral flap reconstruction and I must say they are better than the originals (scars not withstanding- but they will fade)

Good luck on your upcoming surgery and best wishes for a smooth recovery!

Margerie

jdash

hi sorry to hear about your redx i had mine return 10 yrs later- i unfortunately caught it in stage 3 so i had dbl mast and chemo first before surgery all cancer gone at surgery and i am happy with my reconstruction - it sounds like you caught it early which is great! i wish i had done the mast 10 yrs ago if i knew it could look this good
any questions just ask- best of luck
xoxoxox
julia

The_Cyber_Cat

If my cancer returned years later and I was lucky enough to catch it early I wouldn't hesitate to do a bi mastectomy.

Best wishes to you.

nosurrender

Hi Mahogany, I am really sorry you had this happen. I had it happen last month after five years.
I had a bilateral with tissue expanders and I would be happy to help you any way I can.
I am going to have to start chemo again. That is the hardest part of the whole thing.
I don't know if you know this, but BC.org just started a new forum for those of us who have been diagnosed for a second or third time. It is way down on the bottom near the Her2nue forum.
Come on down if you feel like it- there are lots of us who are in the same boat with you!
PM me if you want.
I hope you stick around - this place gives the best support around!
Hugs,
g

moonsong

Another lumpectomy and return... I had a mast. I was dx 10/2006 just after I turned 42 and I wanted the breast gone!!!! I had no problem with the mast. the day after surgery I cleaned my room, made my bed, and told them I was ready to go home little did I know they always keep you until noon so they can bill the insurance for another day. The drain thing sucked but was doable...This whole thing is doable it's like you trade a year in hopes you gain 20 more... JUST DO IT!!!

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