Bilateral Mastectomy Decision

Ladies,



I have enjoyed reading about your surgeries and how well each of you are doing. I have an appointment on April 11 with a breast surgeon and my PS. I decided to have my remaining breast removed due to 2 suspicious areas found on a recent MRI. Even though they may turn out to be nothing, I don't want to worry about any more cancer in the future. I hope to soon schedule some dates for an expander, fills and then DIEP. You are all so inspiring! Ann

Hi ShaneOak, so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but totally agree with your decision to have the Mx. It was a no brainer for me too, and I don't have small children, just a desire to "get it all" and move on with my life.

I just don't understand the lack of respect that people show us when we've had such a frightening and serious diagnosis, what are they thinking?

My advice to you is to try to move past the discussions with friends and family who have this negative opinion, it is the last thing you need right now. We include friends and family in our decision making process out of respect for them, but the reality is that, if they are coming from a place af naivety, how could they possibly know what this is like? It is easy to pontificate about anything that you haven't had to deal with.

I was fortunate, everyone in my circle, that I told about my diagnosis, were on the same page. I think it was our age, I am almost 60, and had absolutely no qualms about ridding myself of this beast, and breast, no matter what.

I don't know why there would be ongoing treatment for you after the surgery, maybe your age? 

When I got my final path, my surgeon reassured me that I didn't need any further treatment because the Mx took care of the pure DCIS that I had.  He told me that there was controversy over the usefulness of Tamox for DCIS and gave me the option, which I declined.

Please don't try to second guess youself. You have made the right decision for you, and your children, don't let uninformed comments upset you.

We understand exactly where you are right now, and we will be here if you need support or to ask questions.

Take care, we will be thinking of you.

i decided to just be selfish and give in to naps if my body wants it, i took a power nap today 2-7, and felt damn good.  But holding still so long i do wake up achey and ouch.  my two drains are getting a bit sore, one has a bit of red around it, i dabed a bit of neosporin around the edges of the tube.  geez i want them out but my fluid output is a teensy bit too high yet.  It is getting better all the time, thanks for all support!  My kiddos have learned to hug mom gently, they are soo sweet!

Froggy12   I got my drains outlast night.  My Ps assistant said my hu could do it, thought she was joking!  But we got snips,tweezers,and all the stuff and did it at home.  I was suprised how little it hurt.  I bulit it up to be awful and it was no big deal-hubs did great.  After a great active day yesterday, today i feel like crap-what up with that?  Can't get any energy, plus i slept in, so trying to get moving.   I do feel unthethered-drain free!!

Greencowgirl,

So happy you got the drains out! Wow, your hubby was brave! Mine has been wonderful, but I don't believe he would have done that. He got queasy when they took mine out at the office. Just go with what your body tells you. It will get better! Praying for you and all that are fighting the fight!

I had my nipple sparing PBMX in May of 2012. I remember the drains. The yellow reddish fluid draing and then writing down each day how much I was draining. I think the one step procedure should be called one step with many follow up visits procedure! It is a great method of removing breast tissue and having breasts the same day, but for me I had so many visits as my left breast healed very slowly where the anchor incision was right below my left nipple. I agree with all of you that it is the best decision! KDH I really admire how you told your doctor exactly what you wanted your procedure to be, and they found dcis in your other breast! Whew KDH what a relief to have them both removed!

Kdh, your story is just like mine......I insisted on BMX after DCIS (and LCIS) was found in my left breast......after surgery, Path report showed DCIS AND LCIS in my right breast, and neither was picked up on mammo, or MRI. Not sorry for a second that I made that choice-it was the right one for me!



Namaste and God Bless - Jackie

I think I made it through surgery strong and positive. About 4 months into the reconstruction with the expanders almost ready to be removed I woke up one morning and felt like crying. Where did that come from I asked myself? I have been on a roller coaster of emotions since. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Yes, my hormones are just starting to level out 8 months post-BMX. It's been very challenging for me not to fly off the handle or get upset over every little thing. One I realized it was because all this hormone-dependent tissue was removed, it was easier for me to deal with. Regular exercise had helped too, but some days it's just a struggle. Fortunately, my husband is very understanding and I just try to let him know what I'm feeling when I don't feel in control of it.

Working out on a regular basis has been very crucial to my recovery. Good sleep hygiene is also key. I had to give up my daily wine habit and be pretty strict about anything that would contribute to depression, including some people! I no longer feel such a great need to please others, much happier way of living!

Hello ladies,  blogger I have similar feeling as you, so we must all be pretty normal, but we went through a major surgery with so many emotions.  I have those days where mad or sad just sneak up on me and i shed some tears, then i do feel better and try to find something good in each day.  You P.S sounds like a blessing, don't let anyone try and make you feel weird about that part of your bc journey.  My first oncology doc hugs every time he sees me coming and going, so its not wird, its a Doc with heart!

I have had some friends come and go, but as thisis my second time with bc, i actually have more old friends come back into my life, which has been very sweet.   I wish i could be doing so much more, working out sounds great, but these expanders are so painful, getting through the day is hard.  It has been 4 weeks and i feel like i should be geting some sort of normal in my life, so does my hub.  I often wonder if the pain is worth the boobs in the end, I am really struggling with just wanting these out of my body.  My right side had previous radiation in 2010 and it is extra tight and painful.  I consider myself pretty tuff, but the chronic pain has me feeling pretty low these days. 

Nancy

I love the positive energy in the face of BC on this thread. I loved my sisters doctors and she did too. And I love my plastic surgeon. And the true gem of a man was my sister's palliative care doctor, Dr. Bogglin of Murrieta Valley, CA Hospice. Dr. Bogglin was just amazing he loved my sister too. He was so kind and patient and provided so much comfort for her and me too.

I hope you turn the corner soon, Nancy.  I felt the same way at 4 weeks out from MX but felt worlds better by 5.5 weeks.  Just when you are absolutely SICK of it all, you start feeling a little better every day.  You'll be rocking a halter dress before you know it!  

Please give it time. I always found that the first two days after a fill were the worst and then the pain dissipated. The tightness never went away but I got used to it as best I could. I had the expanders in for 5 months and had 7 fills during that time. Most fills were 60 cc's. I had a total of 680 cc's when finished and that last month of waiting for the exchange was looooooooong! The one thing my ps did not tell me was that after the exchange the tightness would not go away. It is wonderful having the expanders out but I guess I will have to get used used to feeling like I am wrapped in an Ace bandage; my new normal. Has anyone else been told that the tightness will never go away? It has only been a month since the exchange and my incisions (about 12" on each side) are still healing. The implants are soft and feel way more comfortable than those crazy expanders but the feeling of tightness is annoying and is a constant reminder of this bc journey. I am very disappointed in that. I guess my next challenge is nipple reconstruction, if I decide to do it. UGH! I am very weary of decision making.

Oh Suzanne, you are so welcome!

I keep reading things on this site that give me goosebumps, and this new post of yours, is no exception. How amazed and grateful will your surgeon be when he sees all that wonderful "stuff". He has a very special gift, and his generosity amazing.

You are a truly wonderful soul! You are very fortunate to have made contact with this lovely man, and together you make a difference to so many lives. I don't believe in coincidences!

I can relate so well to your description of your Father. I was so close to my Dad too, and he was a tower of strength for me whenever I had anything going wrong in my life, or with my health. I miss him every day too. My husband is wonderful too, a real rock, but I know exatly what you mean. 

You take care, and I would love to hear how the surprise goes!