2009
Hello again everyone, after too long! Thanks to all who have written in this guestbook since I last did an update. Your messages are encouraging and very supportive to other people.
Just to report another thing that has recently happened to me by way of a 'scare' but which turned out to be nothing to worry about. If anyone reading this ever has a similar thing happen, though, please do not hesitate to get it checked out.
Breast Cancer can recur elsewhere in the body as we all know, although the type I had (Lobular) doesn't appear to behave like this as commonly as does Ductal Breast Cancer. It can also manifest in the skin, especially in the area of the mastectomy scar (if you have one). Medics call these manifestations SKIN METS (short for metastases or areas of spread). Skin mets commonly show up as red areas rather like a sore spot. I recently had three skin lesions on my mastectomy scar that looked just like this.
I went straight to my GP and she prescribed a cortisone cream to rub onto these spots twice a day, plus an anti-bacterial wash, as she thought they were just areas of skin infection. She was right...in a week the spots had gone! But to be sure, my GP then sent me for an ultrasound scan, which was normal.
Moral of this tale: If anything like this ever happens to you, always ask for an ultrasound to make certain of the nature of the lesions you have developed, even if they improve or go away completely.
Apart from this episode I am still very fortunate to be so well now. It was nine years on September 5th this year that I had my mastectomy. How time flies!! I occasionally give thought to reconstructive surgery, but am unsure because of the length of the operation (6 to 8 hours or more) plus the fact that I have an immunity problem and catch infections easily. The only op that would suit me would be the Diep or Tram flap. where tissue is taken from the abdomen and formed into the 'new breast', but this is major surgery big time. I have spoken to Miss Elaine Sassoon (find her anywhere on the net by typing her name into your browser) who is an excellent reconstructive surgeon, about having this done, but still remain uncertain. The reason I would ideally like reconstruction is not for vanity's sake, or cosmetic appearance (we Amazons are far more than that, arent we? !!) but it's because in hot weather I get so hot (hormone system messed up by chemo all those years ago) and perspire so much that to wear a prosthesis in my bra is the last thing I want. Actually, a BRA alone is the last thing I want in summer! But I am still thinking about this, and if anyone visiting my site has had recon and can talk to me, or send me pics of themselves with their reconstructed breast, I would really appreciate that, thank you.
Finally as always, my love, care, compassion and sincere feeling for all of you out there, women and men, who are going through breast cancer. And all your partners/families suffering with you. Keep fighting and believing in yourselves. Face the treatment head-on and allow yourselves to let out all the emotions that will surface as you go through it. Survival rates are good and improving all the time. Hang on to this.
And if you're scared, please write to me through this site. Your message will not be published if emailed to me direct.
Love and strength to you all,
~ Chrissie
A last word: Again I want to thank my lovely daughter and best friend Lucy, for what she does to keep this site going for us all. My eternal gratitude for your love and devotion, my darling Lu.
Love always and forever, Mum X