Very private person

OLYMPIA62

Very private person, but finding it a bit too much to handle on my own.

I found this format a bit easier to free myself. I was diagnosed, had surgery, and all the tests. Met with several Doctors and

found I was not a good candidate for Chemo. So, I am now undergoing radiation therapy.

I am very self conscience about the appearance of my mark. I no longer have a nipple/areola, it had to be removed along with 1/3 of my breast.

In it's place I have what I see as a zippered pocket. The appearance makes me cry. (Privately, of course) My husband

does not openly wince, but he has not looked, nor touched me since the removal of the tumor.

At the same time, I have laxed in interest myself. Feeling a bit more fatigued than usual, and starting to have the "Sunburn type

irritation" that the Oncologist warned. It has only been my 6th treatment, 14 more to go. Then onto the Estrogen Blockers...

With that said, may I ask how others have handled the change to their breast, and partners attention? I am being aware that what

is good for one may not hold for another.....

Thank you so much for this forum, it has given me some ease...

moth

Olympia, I suggest you try this forum section

Sex and relationship forum

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/150

Cancer is life changing. It's not just the physical scars, it's the emotional and relationship changes we all need to deal with

Also check out the radiation therapy threads for helpful hints on how to deal with the skin issues during rads

Best wishes

tntnsd

Hi Olympia,

I read your sharing and question, I really want to give you a big hug.

I can’t honestly offer any thoughts on this as my husband and I are at ease with my (left) mastectomy. I chose not to have any reconstruction, so we both knew that left breast will be gone forever. I did cry hard the night before my surgery. We hold each other and thought of the things that are more important to us.

We are lucky that our intimacy has not been affected much by this. We playfully steal a kiss from each other more often. When I change clothes, I just don’t hide that from my husband. So I guess, in a way it helps both of us.

Wish you with all my heart to be at ease with all of this

OLYMPIA62

Thank you Moth for the direction. I will look into those threads.

Then I believe I will exit here and write a private diary.