For those that remember Boobz...

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Hello ladies,

Just wanted to give an update for those that might remembers. I was posting quite a lot back in March (see link above) as I was researching surgeons for a BA. During those consults all 3 surgeons found a lump and told me to get it checked. I thought nothing of it, assuming it would be a cyst, but it turned out to be a rather nasty, aggressive version of breast cancer...

... 7 months later I have had 24 rounds of weekly chemotherapy, and last Thursday I have a double mastectomy and immediate implant reconstruction. So I got my boob job in the end, but paid for by BUPA, and in a rather more tortuous way than I had imagined!

The new boobs are ROCK HARD and very stuck on, but I've been told they will settle. Obviously they will never look as natural as a normal BA can, as those implants go alongside natural breast tissue, where as mine has been removed due to the cancer (I had the right side done at the same time to reduce the chances of a recurrence - a la Angelina Jolie) and thefore they will always look more stuck on unfortunately. But having said that, they are a massive improvement on my previous ptotic (sagging) breasts, and are very perky and quite big even though I was expecting to be quite small! They are anatomical silicone implants, 410cc I believe, as far as my notes say (there is less chat with cancer surgeons about the type of implant as it's much more medical around removal of cancerous tissue rather than type of implant) and quite frankly they frighten me at the moment! But he has promised they will fall and settle as the swelling eases off...

And I am now officially cancer free! So that's the important thing. I might even post a pic when the swelling has gone down (all my own skin and nipples remained, with small scars under the breast, so they don't look scary for any other reason than they are huge compared to my previous saggy boobs!)

Hope everyone is well and happy on here.

Boobz

It's so lovely to hear from you! You've been in my thoughts. Such great news that you've beaten it. You must be so proud of yourself for getting through it. And fab that you have your boobs! You're right they will settle, it will just take time but they'll get better and better over the next year. The picture trials are proof of that! Which surgeon did your reconstruction?

Well done for being so brave x

Thanks Mammamia - Paul Harris at the Royal Marsden was my surgeon - I'm not sure how much private work he does. He's one of the leading reconstructive surgeons in the UK though, for sure.

That's great, to be a reconstructive surgeon you've got to be a pro. I hope your recovery goes well. Rest up! x

I had read your posts and often though of you boobz I am SO pleased you have updated and it such positive news. Congratulations on beating it and well done for taking the steps for it to never come back!
And congratulations on your new boobs ! It must feel surreal after such a rollercoaster.
So so happy for you, I hope your healing goes smoothly, I bet you look fantastic, 410cc sounds amazing xxxxxx

Thanks Mrs F, and Mammamia. 410 sound big to me, and looks big, but I think that is the swelling so we'll see! They are a definite improvement on my orginal boobs anyway!

Hello - I wasn't on the forum in March - only got involved in August but I wanted to say how amazing it is that it got found out in this way. If you hadn't have thought about changing your boobs.... It doesn't bear thinking about. I've had 2 friends (both below the age of 37) to survive breast cancer and I'm so pleased you kicked it!!! Horay to lovely new boobs - I think they always look a bit alien to start but I'm sure they will settle soon and look gorgeous! Xx

Hi Boobz I also wasn't around in March but as Lucy said its so great it was found out and 'dealt' with so quickly and efficiently. I'm sure it's been a roller coaster ride for you but I'm please to hear your now cancer free. I'm sure you will settle into your new boobs x

What a journey you have been on, its so nice to read a haply ending. You have tackled it so bravely., and im sure once your boobs settle they will be fabolous.

Here's to a happy and healthy new year, cancer free.
Xxx Take care x

I wasn't around then but great to hear you are cancer free and on the mend your boobs will settle and become less scary wishing you luck xxx

Hi Boobz!! So happy to read this :-). I've been thinking of you and hoping wishing for your recovery. So lovely to read your update. Your boobs will settle and soften in time, just takes a while!! Lots of love Shona xx

Im so happy youre all ok. Youre right, theyll never be quite the same as if it had all gone to plan. But you caught it, made the right choices, and are now cancer free. The implants will soften iver time, give it a year and theyll feel better. 

Thank you for sharing

Gosh, what a journey you've been through! Well done on getting through treatment. It's amazing how these random actions can sometimes take us down a totally unexpected path; it's best to not even think what could've happened if you'd not started looking into implants.
I hope you have a speed recovery 

Ah bless you Boobz, congratulations on the cancer all clear and on your new set. Thank you for sharing and I wish you a very speedy recovery, happy healing x

Congratulations on beating cancer... Good luck with your new boobies ! Xx

I wasn't around in March either, just wanted to say congratulations on beating cancer. Xxx happy healing xx

So pleased you are ok, I remember you from the forum a few months back. Sounds like you've been on one hell of a journey, well done for being so incredibly strong and brave.

xxx

So happy for you, what a roller coaster of a ride you must of been on. Happy healing xx

Boobz, I remember reading your posts at the time when you first discovered the lump. How scary, and what a journey you have been on. It's so lovely to hear from you, thank you for updating us. I'm sure like many others, I've stumbled back onto one of your posts every now and then over the last few months and wondered how you are. I'm sure you still have a lot of healing to do both on the inside and the out and I wish you a speedy recovery. Now you have an extra special reason to love your implants, as they may just have saved your life xxx big hugs xxx

I wasn't on in March but just want to say congrats on being cancer free - and on getting your ba even if it wasn't quite the circumstances you thought. 
I wish you all the best for a healthy and happy future. 

xx

Hi boobz. Lovely to here from you again. I'm very happy for you that you are all clear. These things make you stronger in the end. You are a inspiration. Sending big hugs xxxxxx