No reconstruction- Happy w/your decision?

River_Rat

LindaKR, thanks for that link.  It was a balanced piece.

Lorikay

Well I am a Newbie here. This topic has been heavy on my mind. Sept. 2012 my 1 year after all my treatments, and PET scan reports cancer free! Has anyone been this far out of their diagnosis like myself and just now trying to make sense of it all. I want reconstruction but not a great candidate. I go back and forth so much. Is this normal?

LindaKR

Lorikay, my RO said that she has women 10 years out decide to get recon.  I'm not a good candidate, had not planned on having recon, but still checked it out.  Now I'm considering have my non-BC breast removed next spring and I'll be three years out from my BC MX. Still not considering recon though, just tired of being lopsided, and I'm kind of large breasted and the prosthesis weight (even though I have a light weight one) and my natural breast cause neck and should issues with my bra, it is better with the cami's I'm now wearing, but I think that no weight would be the best thing for me.

And I have to tell you - I had my two year cancerversary (two years from diagnosis) and had a two day panic attack, tears, fears, etc.... because I had been diagnosed with cancer, talk about a delayed reaction!

Lorikay

Thank you so much. You are actually the first survivor, I have talked to about anything. I know I need this talk time, and I am ready. My days are filled with so many emotions now, and during my surgery and treatment time I was Super woman. Nothing bothered me. Just hit the road running. Now after work I just can't get motivated to do anything.

One positive thing is I joined an exercise boot camp. I gained so much weight during and after all the treatments. The camp helped. But only lost about 15 lbs in 9 months. Good grief.

I have a lot of healing to do emotionally, and look forward to this chat room to just answer my questions and maybe some fears.

LindaKR

You are welcome to private message me any questions too, and I'll do my best to answer them.  I'm a Reach to Recovery Volunteer with the American Cancer Society and volunteer at our local cancer center in the infusion room, it gives me access to more answers :-).

I didn't start on this website until about a year after diagnosis.  I think that you are so busy "getting through treatment" that you don't really have time to absorb it all, you're just maintaining.  When things slow down it can hit you hard. 

I think that we heal from this for a long time, and just when you think things are getting better, something triggers a response, and it feels like your starting over.  I don't want to sound discouraging - just trying to say I think that your response to this whole experience is perfectly normal.  We all handle it differently, so there really is no right or wrong, normal or abnormal.

Dorbeth

it was more difficult for me to decide about reconstruction than anything else. I cried, prayed & talked to everyone I could. I am 69 & had had reconstruction after a mastectomy 17 yrs ago. Over the yrs, I had had that saline implant removed & replacedbe/c I lost weight. Each time, they lifted the other side too.. It was a long process & the reconstruction never stayed as it was originally (on either side). THis time, when I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, I decided I did not all the stretching & lifting of implants; neither did I need 8 hrs of surgical tummy tuck--altho I had enough belly tissue for 2 women. I did not want to be in the hospital any longer than needed & be/c I had just had back surgery, I felt I needed belly muscles. The recovery for the basic mastectomy & removal of implant of other side was quick & easy. The chemo effected my joints so much that many days I was in a wheel chair.I am thankful for the least amount of surgery & anesthesia needed. My surgery was Aug 9 & I am still not feeling myself after the chemo.

quietpools

I mentioned in another topic that I am an 8 year survivor of a bilateral with no reconstruction.  Since I could not decide the surgery I received was slightly different than if I had known for sure.  It left some unfortunate bumps, lumps and nasty flaps so there would be enough skin etc for reconstruction should I decide to.  I don't know if it has improved in the last eight years but.... I DO consider it a deformity but am still totally pleased with my decision.  I use foam inserts ($35) in a bra with pockets and frankly no one notices and I don't anymore either.  I use fiber fill forms in swim suits. 

Why did I decide?  It is "complicated".  First,  my family has a huge cancer history and all but 2 of my original Mom's 13 sisters and brothers have died of it.  One beat it and the other never had it.  So, I was told that there is a slight chance that the reconstruction could mask the return of cancer.  Also,  I wasn't that fond of my very heavy upper structure anyway.... no precious "girls" to me,  just always in the way and painful and... I did not want to put in the time and discomfort of the reconstruction.  I admire those who are willing but ... I did not have to worry about the silicone since I was topless so the foam forms are light and easy to take care of,  look quite "normal" etc.  They are a bit HOT in the summer and as I related in my other message can cause some student nurses a fright when they mask the sounds of the heartbeat!  I did discover that if you use the "regular" bras for breast forms they will ride up mercilessly because they are designed for the heavy silicon or weighted foam forms.  A soft bra from a discount store with long straps resolves that problem nicely.   Each person makes the decision for themselves.  Back when I was first in treatment,  insurance in the US was required to allow you 5 years to make the decision to do the reconstruction.  Check with your insurance company and that might make your decision so much easier.  See how you feel about being a topless warrior forever and ever.  Good Luck,  God Bless.   Love Gail