New and Nervous

Reader

Hi Everyone. I'm forty-four, so maybe I'm "over the hill" for this bunch, but I feel way to young to have this diagnosis. I love to bike and hike and swim and GO -- when the doctor said "I'm sorry, it's cancer", I suggested that they'd gotten the tissue samples mixed up! I had a misconception that this was a great grandmothers' disease.

I have high grade DCIS in three places in one breast. Mastectomy is suggested. I'm leaning toward an implant, but scared of the cosmetic result (bye bye symmetry?). I'm very nervous about the outcome, but also strangely enjoying life more, knowing that this could have been much worse.

Any hand holders out there? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reader

nash

Welcome, Reader--sorry you had to join us, but there's a great group of ladies here. People are very supportive and helpful, and I've always learned more from bc discussion boards than from the doctors.

The reconstruction board is a great place to visit to get a feel for how the different reconstruction surgeries go--the choices can be overwhelming at first. Good luck with your decisions--are you scheduled for surgery yet?

wackyjackie

hi. welcome reader:

i am 46 yrs old and was diagnosed in june, 07. i had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. my right breast was full of cancer and my left had a tumor that was benign. it was suggested i remove the right breast, i chose to do the left also. this is an extremely freaky, frightening and confusing time for you. it's like a full-time job just to be diagnosed and have all these decisions to make. try to take one day at a time and write EVERYTHING down in a notebook. you only hear half of what's being told to you. trust me.
my advice would be to go with your "gut" instincts about your doctor, and your personal choices. do a lot of research. this is by far the best place to get all your advice. it's been a life saver. i just joined the discussion board this month, but i frequented the spot ofen before.
sorry to go on and on but there is so much. last week 8/7/07 i had a second surgery. axillary node dissection and one more lymphy node was positive. i started my first of 8 chemo sessions today. i was scare s..t, but it really wasn't that bad! my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in the days ahead.
oh, the reconstruction was a great choice for me and it's not bad at all!
lots of hugs, jackie

Reader

Thanks, Nash and Jackie. Nash, no, my surgery hasn't been scheduled yet. I meet again with the surgeon again tomorrow and meet with the p.s. for the second time on Friday. I still can't believe that it's going to happen. I'm one of those people who's *never* sick.

So many decisions! I'm so happy to have found this website. It seems like the doctors are hesitant to say too much; maybe they're afraid that they'll influence my decision. But how can you decide anything unless you know what it's really like?

Jackie, sorry to hear that your lymph node was positive. I hope your chemo continues to go well!

You guys take care.
Reader Girl

BethNY

reader-matching one breast with an implant is harder then matching it with an autogeneous breast.. so you may want to consider all your reconstruction options.

I know it sucks getting that BC diagnosis, when you were healthy as an ox...
Breast cancer doesn't discriminate.
Definitely do your reconstruction research, and don't hesitate to ask us all your questions.
best of luck!