Diagnosed w/ TN in May - scared

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lbush67
lbush67 Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Today will be my third chemo treatment and originally the docs said I would be a candidate for surgery after the 4th treatment. I go see a plastic surgeon in about three weeks. Reality is setting in that I need a mastectomy (or double if I decide) and I am not handling the thought of this very well. I don't know how I will handle not having those body parts, looking down and seeing nothing not to mention the pain. Don't know if I will need radiation yet. Won't know until surgery and they know for sure how many lymph nodes affected. How do you prepare ahead of time for losing your breasts? Is that even possible? I cry all the time.

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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited July 2008

    Ibush,

    I'm sorry that you are having this difficult time right now. There is no easy way to handle loosing your breasts.  We all try to look at it as if... I remove this body part and I may live another forty or fifty years disease free.  I could not do reconstruction because I had inflammatory bc and heavy radiation.  I'm single and was 45 when I was dx.  I never looked back all that much.  I so glad to be alive when so many other fall victim to this disease.  As you move forward in your journey thing do get a little easier.  Please find a good support group with other women who can help you through this trying time.  Ask the doctor for something to help you sleep along with a antidepressant.  Believe me we all use this in a early days, and most of still in treatment use them on going.  It is normal to grieve the lost of your breast...but remember you are fighting for your life. 

    I pray for you that you find peace and hope in the middle of the next few weeks and months.  Just remember...the goal is to get to the other side of this difficult time and get back to having a life.

    Other ladies will be along to support you. Please keep us update with how you are doing.

    Living in hope,

    Flalady

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  • CalGal
    CalGal Member Posts: 469
    edited July 2008

    LBush67 -

    Sorry you're in this ...  

    There is so much to consider re:  mastectomy or not, and if a mastectomy, recon or not?  If recon, what type?   I can't recommend enough, that you see several ps who specialize in recon.  Most surgeons have a preferred method of recon ... rather than determining what is the best method for a particular patient.   Although you do not mention recon, you mention that you are concerned about not having breasts.

    There are many types of recon. Implants?  If so, what type?  Latimus dorsi (back shoulder) flap?  Using skin from the abdomen (skin only vs skin & muscle)?  Using the butt ... the upper or lower?

    There are so many issues re:  mastectomy and recon.  I can't recommend this book enough:

    The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook, Issues & Answers from Research to Recovery by Kathy Steligo.  I got it thru the FORCE website (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered at www.facingourrisk.org) for those who are BRCA positive or otherwise at high risk.   This book has up-to-date info.

    Hopefully, knowing your options will help you decide what is right for you.

    CalGal 

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