just diagnosed with breast cancer #3

mspitzer

have had invasive ductal ca and dcis in past, now have a new invasive cancer. think i'm going to get bilateral mastectomy (had lumpectomies before) also dcis breast was not radiated cause it was low grade, and that is the breast that now has the invasive cancer. (in a completely different spot, not related to the old dcis). so in theory i can have another lumpectomy, which my surgeon said i should have. since it's invasive cancer i would need radiation and frankly that has risks too. and i know that my radiated breast will be difficult to be reconsturcted cause of the radiation i dont want to radiate the other breast and then potentialy have difficulty with reconstruction on both breasts

anyway all i know that it is invasive cancer, i'm still waiting for all the staining and fish. i'm quite nervous.

but my biggest concern right now is how is the recovery from bilat. mastect with reconstruction. i'm leaning towards implants. which i know needs lots of visits to the doctor for fills and then another surgery for the exchange.

how long have people been out of work for the initial surgery?

how much pain did you have?

i'm sure there are many more questions. i'm still numb from the diagnosis AGAIN. (shouldnt have been surprised, strong family history, with no known gene found despite tons of testing. (mother, maternal aunt, me and my daughter)

thanks for any help you can give me.

Fritzmylove

I am 3 week post BMX with pre-pectoral tissue expanders, and recovery has been very easy. I was off narcotics by day 2, and pain has been very minimal. Even having the TEs filled hasn't been bad. I'm a stay at home mom, so no help on advice on time off from work, but I'm back to doing everything I did before surgery other than lifting anything over 5lbs (doctor's orders until week 6.) Drains weren't too annoying and I had them removed at 10 days post-op. I still have to do radiation, so hopefully that goes well and doesn't interfere with my reconstruction. Good luck!!