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Postcards from the Ledge
Hi all I’ve heard from a lot of women that there were times they had to be talked off the ledge during their cancer “journey “. I have found it to be more like a mud run - messy, exhausting and glad to see the finish line! My most obvious ledge day was this: I called my surgeons office on a Sunday night, when I knew they…
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Surgery Delayed/Possible SAVI instead of Wires
Went in yesterday afternoon for my Pre-Op with my surgeon to 'finalize' everything for my surgery scheduled for Monday, 29 August. I was prepared, had my list of questions, my mind set, etc. I have my little baby tumor, and I also have another spot (biopsied 3 weeks ago) that was ALH. The surgeon explained how (since both…
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Expander pain 3wks post-surgery
Hi all, wondering if there are others who have been through this-- I had a mastectomy (left side) and expander placed under the pec three weeks ago. The ps said there were two tears to the pec during surgery, one of which he repaired. I'm still in a lot of pain and am not looking forward to the first expansion, which…
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July, 2022 Surgery- Tips, Words of Wisdom, Others Scheduled?
Hi everyone, New to this site, and I'm already feeling much less lonely reading all of your posts. 39 y/o, scheduled for bilateral mastectomy on July 6, nipple/skin sparing with expander placement. I am absolutely stricken with fear for the surgery and anxiety about the pain. I heard that the drains are very painful, and I…
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Shopping/packing/to-do list for surgery + recovery....
OK, I admit it, I am a compulsive planner. I have had some great suggestions and tips not only regarding what to bring to the hospital, but also on how to prepare the house to make the recovery as easy as possible. I am travelling for surgery so, for me, "packing" includes the first 10 days of post-op care. I thought I…
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New cancer in other breast: Lumpectomy or mastectomy?
Hi, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (3 cms) in 2009. Treated with lumpechtomy + radiation + chemo. No recurrence. I have been having annual checkups with the occasional need to have further testing due to some suspicious finding or other. A new cancer was discovered in the other breast 2 weeks ago. It is…
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Weekly "In Treatment" Zoom meetup!
Hi Everyone, We have created a weekly virtual support group for all who are planning or going through active treatment. If you've just been diagnosed, planning surgery, chemo or radiation, all are welcome to our weekly Zoom Meetups. We have two meetings for you to register for: Register here: Tuesdays at 1:00 PM EST and…
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5 year post sugery,,8/2017 anyone?
Hi, Just saying hello to fellow August 2017 post surgery friends. There were a number of us, and I hope this finds all of you well. I'm still on Tamoxifen and not yet to menopausal status. Have had to have a d/c since then due to an endometrial polyp, thickened lining, not sure from tamoxifen or just bad luck. Keeping on…
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Post-Surgery Follow-Ups
I had a lumpectomy in August 2021, followed by chemo, and declined radiation. What I'm wondering is if my follow-up care is typical of others. I have never seen my surgeon in person since the morning of my surgery. I have had 2 telephone "visits" with her, but nothing in person and no in person visits scheduled. I had a…
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Seroma
Hi All, 2 months after bilateral mastectomy, i have developed seroma. The surgery site had healed well, however, it opened up due to the fluid buildup inside the tissue. I am also going thru chemo. I saw the doc for the seroma. He showed me how to pack the wound and i have been packing it for a month now. However, recently…
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Post mastectomy drain problem
My mastectomy was the day before yesterday and already yesterday the drain seems to have blocked. Went to clinic this a.m. but nurse not sure she solved the problem so may have to go to hospital emergency and wait 10 hrs to see someone with ability to get drain unblocked. Has anyone else experienced this?? When I left…
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Surgery and SLNB next week
Yesterday I got my diagnosis and today got the call for my surgery next Thursday. Yesterday kind of didn't feel real, but now that the surgery for the lumpectomy and SLNB is schedule it finally feels real. Like overwhelming. I am happy to know and have a plan, and one day at a time. Any advice for surgery?
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LD flap surgery - can you share your post-op experiences?
I am a two-time breast cancer survivor and have been radiated twice. I opted for no reconstruction after a unilateral mastectomy in 2019 and am now having a latissimus dorsi flap surgery on August 19. I am not getting a new breast however, rather just a flap to cover up a chronic wound over my mastectomy scar. I developed…
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Swelling after lumpectomy and SLNB
Hi everyone - I am a week out from lumpectomy (about 2.5 cm plus margins) and SLNB (3 or 4 nodes). My armpit is still a bit swollen. Just sort of generalized mild swollen-ness of the whole underarm area. It's soft, not hard, and not hot or painful (just achy if I stretch or poke at it). Does anyone here remember whether…
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Dressing with One Boob
I recently had my single mastectomy and today was my first time to wear a regular (front hook) bra with a pocket for a breast form. I stuck my "knitted knocker" in there but soon found that the no-boob side rides up a couple of inches looking quite wonky and silly under my clothes. Please give me some tips for living with…
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surgery choice regrets??
hi...new here. waiting for a surgery date...really nervous. so did anyone regret having a lumpectomy or mastectomy? Also any small breasted women here who had a lumpectomy? did it still look ok? thanks.
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Lumpectomy regrets anyone??
hello..... has anyone had a lumpectomy...and wish they had a mastectomy instead? i have surgery soon....and nervous about that decision. thanks
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Anyone regret having a mastectomy??
hi everyone......has anyone regret having their mastectomy surgery? if given the choice between lumpectomy or mastectomy? im just having a hard time deciding. i know i dont want the hormone therapy pill. thanks. I'm ER+ PR+ HER2-
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Which BC Surgery Offers Better Long-Term Quality of Life?
Which Breast Cancer Surgery Offers Better Long-Term Quality of Life? May 5, 2022 Women were satisfied with their breasts 10 years after either lumpectomy and radiation or mastectomy and reconstruction for early-stage breast cancer. Still, women who had lumpectomy and radiation had better psychosocial and sexual well-being.…
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Infection after bilateral mastectomy
I had a bilateral mastectomy on May 31st and wow that totally sucked. Really underestimated the pain involved. Anyways I have a 6 month old baby which I had lined up family and friends to come over and help me with lifting and carrying her and such. It was so hard to not hold her like I have since she was born. I will…
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Surgery 6/22/2022
I had surgery yesterday and came home the same day. I have a single mastectomy. First, I was surprised at how big these drains are! I have two. Secondly, I had a tissue expander and it is already partially filled. I was surprised by it being filled a bit and also about how it feels- a big chunk of stuff in my chest lol. I…
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Surgery Postponed - Thanks, Covid!
I was all squared away for outpatient surgery (bi-lateral mastectomy) this past Monday, 6/13. Had coverage scheduled at work for a month (no mean feat in live radio), got a negative PCR test the Thursday before surgery, supplies laid in, house cleaned, meals prepped in the freezer, help scheduled to pop over post-surgery.…
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Belly bulge after diep revision surgery
Has anyone experienced a belly bulge after diep surgery? I had stage 2 revision surgery the end of April and recently noticed a bulge the size of my thumb below my bellybutton and incision. It’s not painful, it’s soft. I sent pictures of it to my plastics and they said it looked like fluid collection and to come in And…
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New to site
Hi, I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was very thankful to have my yearly mammogram that found it. I am currently going grocery through Moffitt cancer and was fine with the usual lumpectomy and radiation but when they did the gene counseling I was diagnosed with the atm gene mutation. Now that was a different…
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May surgery thread
Happy MAY everyone! Going to start the May thread, even though I'm not scheduled for a couple more weeks yet. Best wishes, family.
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What To Expect Surgical Oncology Appointment
My cancer was found during routine mammogram, I never felt a lump. I have my first appointment with the surgical oncologist on March 3. I have waited 3 weeks for this appointment as my gyn referred me to Moffitt Cancer center which is an hour away. He wanted me to go see the same doctor that did his mom's breast cancer…
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Seeking DIEP flap recovery tips
Hi all, I am sure this can be something repeating somewhere, but I couldn't find anything specific for wound care experiences. Hope you don't mind me asking. I did a left mastectomy and Diep flap end of last month. About 2-week post op now. My belly button is oozing like crazy and the wound start weeping and with light…
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Multifocal IDC, DCIS, Positive Node, ALND
Hello, I was diagnosed in feb 2022. The cancer in my lymph nodes did not show up in PET scan. It was discovered through pathology. Left IDC and DCIS; IDC:29 mm; DCIS:48mm; 1/2 nodes positive; Grade 2 Right DCIS: 22mm; 0/1 nodes; Grade 2 Surgery BMx 3/17/2022 Chemotherapy 4/15/2022 TC ALND ?? Radiation Therapy Breast, Lymph…
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Any October 2011 Surgeries out there want to wait together?
Here are the October surgery dates. I'm so glad we can support one another through this! Survivor11 - Oct 3 - exchange/port removal/ovary Trinity - Oct 3 - BMX with TE's Rockysg - Oct 3 - BMX and recon Gamergirl - Oct 4 - BMX with Lat Flap MargieC - Oct 4 - BMX with recon Stephanie33 - Oct 4 - BMX with recon and…
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Is expanders a good choice before flap or implant decision.
HI EVERYONE, anyone in my position before? I am awaiting genetic test results and biopsy results on right breast and my left is diagnosed with DCIS in which mastectomy + DIEP FLAP or silicon is possible. [updates: genetic test pending, Right breast biopsy is benign, not doing preventive mastectomy]. Sorry, I have amended…