1st post

jljCO

Hi all,

Looks like I've once again joined a club no one ever wanted to be in. This is my 1st post so please forgive me if I mess up the abbreviations (if I'm not sure of them I'll type it out)

On July 18 I had 2 biopsies after a mammogram and ultrasound showed 2 spots, the dx was IDC. The follow up MRI showed a 3rd spot. Each of these were fairly deep, couldn't be felt. Biopsy showed I was positive for ER & PgR and HER negative.

2 days ago, Aug 15, I had a mastectomy of my left breast, and now here I am. I read over lots of these posts before hand but never really knew what to say and heck I still don't.

I was a candidate for lumpectomy but my personal history with cancer caused too many emotions to rear up so I opted for complete removal, In 2012 my 3.5 year old son died from a rare form of Leukemia and I just couldn't have the lumpectomy with the fear that the dx would change for the worse and I'd have to do it all over again.

I'll begin reconstruction (will do silicone implants) after all final results are in and the drains have been removed; once again, I was too impatient to get the cancer out and didn't want to wait for the plastic surgeon and breast surgeons schedules to coincide (would have been 2.5 months longer to wait).

This has been a whirlwind 30 days and I do feel a bit more at ease now that the breast is removed; yes I know there is a chance for recurrence but at the moment I'd like to think it's gone.

I'm just introducing myself and saying hi. I'll keep poking around in here and learning more Thank you all to have posted so much valuable information in here, Im sure I'm not the only one who lurks for a while learning before getting the nerve to speak up.

NotVeryBrave

Welcome to our sucky group! I'm glad you stopped to say hello but am sorry for you needing to be here. I hope you are soon recovering from your surgery and feeling better.

I understand the need to not deal with this again. I can't imagine what you must feel after what happened with your son. I'm so sorry.

Please reach out for any help we can provide. It sounds like you are well on your way, but pathology may determine what's next. Take care!

AmyQ

Welcome. First I want to express my deepest condolences for the loss of your son. I am so sorry.

Secondly, you're doing the right thing right now - reading reading and more reading here. I am quite amazed at all the kind and intelligent men and women on these boards.

I tried the reconstruction route but after 2 + years had a variety of implants removed due to pain and discomfort. In hind site I wish I had the implants over my pecs - my plastic surgeon didn't recommend this but I've been hearing about more women getting them this way and having great success. Who knows if I'll ever go back to trying implants again but in the meantime, I'm pretty satisfied staying flat. I guess a lot depends on your age.

Anyway, it's late but just wanted to stop by and say hi and welcome.

Amy

Brightness456

Welcome, although I'm sorry you need to be here. I hope you heal from surgery quickly. You sound pretty level headed, particularly considering the terrible loss you experienced with your son and now this...

I was a mess when I first found my way here and I didn't always make much sense when I posted questions and worries. Now I'm awaiting my post surgery pathology report and each day I can feel my anxiety growing. The good (sad) thing about this forum is that people understand the crazy emotions you'll go through. Many of us have to hide, or at least tone down, our true emotions in real life, but here you can just let your guard down and let it all out. That has been a blessing to me.

The people here are so smart. Please feel free to post as much as you need and whatever questions and/or feelings you have. I truly hope things go as well as possible for you

beach2beach

Sorry you find yourself here. So very sorry for the loss of your son. Glad though that you posted and know people are here for you. I get just wanting to have it out asap. Something about being able to take control a bit and feel like you are moving forward.

Hope you are healing well and lurk or post or both