Mastectomy

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Aliting33
Aliting33 Member Posts: 13
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I was diagnosed with breast cancer last month in January '10. I'm new to this forum and would just like to share my story with all of you brave women who have been fighting or have won this cancer battle. Being diagnosed with DCIS was an extreme shock to me and my entire family as breast cancer doesn't run in my family and I'm just 24 years old. I've had a long history of multiple fibroademonas on both breasts, five on my left breast and eight on my right. Less than a year prior to the excision of my malignant mass, I had an breast ultrasound and was told by my radiologist that I should not be worried about any of the masses I have because she felt confident that they were all benign; She and my other doctors did mention that is usual for all fibroademonas.

Over several months I noticed that one of the masses on my right breast just below my collar bone was growing gradually. I decided to make an appointment with my primary physician who then refered me to my breast surgeon. The mass was excised on January 8th this year. A week later, my breast surgeon informed me with the news. [Here was the low-down of the excised breast mass, which was reviewed by five! pathologists: invasive tubular carcinoma, DCIS arising in complex mixoid fibroademona with atypical ductal hyperplasia and flat epithelial atypia. Stage 1]. I am still awaiting my BRCA 1/2 and Carney Syndrome genetic testing results. My breast surgeon mentioned that she didn't know she was taking out cancer. Her recommendation, as well as those of my plastic surgeon, primary physician, genetic councelor, oncologist, and two other MD friends is to have a bilateral mastectomy. They highly recommended me to have this done because I have small breast tissue and multiple masses and that it would be extremely hard to follow me down the line. My plastic surgeon told me I am his youngest and my breast surgeon who will be performing the mastectomy told me I am her second youngest (the first was 22). I opted for the nipple-sparing mastectomy with tissue expanders. My surgery will be in two weeks--February 24.

I was suggested to see a therapist early, and I did, so that coping would not be so hard. I have been positive for the most part and have been so grateful to God that this was found early. I am thankful for my family and friends, but I just couldn't let go of the thought that I will never have the opportunity to breast feed my children or feel any sort of pleasure in the breast region (or ever will) as I have been saving myself for marriage. This alone is something that I have brought up to my therapist. I will be seeing her next week. I have started a few journal entries, drawing again, and yoga class to ease the pain and relieve some of the stress and worry. I feel like I'm in a nightmare; every time have a moment to think I just can't believe I will be losing my breasts before I could even begin my family. I would just like to know what are some of the best things that can help those who have been diagnosed relieve some of their pain and cope better?

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  • JAT
    JAT Member Posts: 81
    edited February 2010

    Hello-- I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis at such a young age. I was 43 at diagnosis and felt that I was too young for this disease.  Right now you are doing all the right things-- the gene testing, talking to doctors (get second opinions from breast and plastic surgeons and an oncologist-- you need as much information as possible-- and always have someone with you-- it feels overwhelming and you may not always be focussed-- you need someone to take notes). 

    Many years ago I was shocked to learn about a neighbor who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 26. She had 3 sisters but only she tested positive for the BRCA mutation. She did a bilateral mastectomy and had chemo ( I think she was stage 2). She married and had 2 children and is now 46. Obviously, she didn't breast feed but a lot of women who never had breast cancer don't either-- it doesn't diminish the experience of motherhood (there is so much more than that), and when you do marry and make love, you'll realize that  there are many other areas of your body that give you pleasure-- you'll work that out with a man who truly loves you, and you sound pretty special, so I imagine there will be such a man in your life.

    You have a lot ahead of you-- it will take time-- that's what everyone says-- first address the cancer-- do whatever it takes to distract you in between surgeries (I watched old movies, read cheesy magazines, and ate ice cream).  And you'll be surprised by what a good plastic surgeon can do-- it's not the same but it helps with body issues and sometimes when dressed I forget about my surgery (I had a bilateral, one was prophylactic, nipple sparing-- the other was skin-sparing, with nipple graft and tattoo).

    You'll find the women here a great source of support and information.  And don't be afraid to cry-- people will tell you, be strong,but sometimes it feels good just to yell or cry.--- Julie

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  • MaryDee
    MaryDee Member Posts: 53
    edited February 2010

    I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, your post is raw with your shock and emotion.  Please don't feel like you have to be "positive" at all - except unless you want to be in order to get yourself through any given moment in any given day - what is happening to you is truly awful and you are fully entitled to whatever grief, anger, shock, pain, disbelief you may feel. Many ((hugs)) to you - I was 37 at diagnosis and even I feel like I'm too young for this so at 24 you're extra deserving to feel that way!!!

    I think the journalling, art and yoga will all be helpful to you.  I sought support in a couple of online communites - one BC related and one not - and they were a source of much consolation & support for me.  The only way out of grief is through it - so whatever you can do to embrace the process will help.  I was ticking along fairly well until about 6 weeks after my surgery and then the emotion came up - just as my body was starting to feel better - so know that it can creep up at any time and give yourself permission to heal.  Treat yourself kindly, allow yourself to be distracted for a period of time, now is not the time to press ahead with big goals...just let yourself heal for a while.  That's what I'm doing anyway.

    Other things I did to get me through (I had chemo for lymphoma in the middle of my BC treatment) - I read LOTS of books written by survivors, I concentrated on having a healthy diet & vitamins (helped me feel like I was contributing to my recovery), I watched lots of light & fluffy movies, I rang my support people whenever I felt the need, I told the truth about how I was feeling on any given day.  I had lots of days where I shut myself in my bedroom and thought/read/slept/cried/journalled until I felt strong enough to come out and deal, and I soaked in the bath for long periods of time until my mood lifted. I connected with other BC survivors in my community & I bought lots of pink things.  Just because I could.

    One of the things that definitely helped me to cope better was having an (immediate) reconstruction.  Even though the replacement still doesn't feel natural to me (I'm 10 weeks past surgery) I'm starting to feel more like I have an actual breast there and my husband assures me it looks & feels absolutely like a normal breast (without a nipple). It's taken 2 months but I feel like I'm starting to integrate the change into my psyche.   

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  • Aliting33
    Aliting33 Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2010

    Thanks to the both of you! I've been keeping my head up high since surgery, and mentally, I have been doing very well. I had the tissue expanders put in and in size, it looks just like my original breasts. I'm really happy with the results so far. I still have four JP drains---it's been over a week now. Hopefully by week two, they should be removed.

    I heard the best news last week from my general surgeon about my pathology results---"The cancer is gone!"

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  • laurakay
    laurakay Member Posts: 109
    edited March 2010

    I am so, so, so happy to hear you heard those words.  Now, you just go live an incredible life with those excellent new breasts.  I think life will shower you with unbelievable riches for having put you through this so early.  You're a really good writer, on this board:  write a memoir???  

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