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LacieH
LacieH Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Hi there,

I am Lacie and I just had a DM on the 19th with no reconstruction.  What did you ladies think when you took that first look?  I was/am in a bit of a shock. When does that first shock go away?  The Dr is going to give me a rx for foobs. Not sure if I will get them.  

I was DX with IDC and DSIC in Sept on 2013 Have done 6 rounds of chemo, Just had my DM, Then more chemo and radiation. Just got my pathology report back and I had 2 2cm tumors in my left breast. 6 nodes removed eith no cancer in them. No cancer at all in the right breast.  Margins are clear.

TIA Ladies,

~Lacie

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited February 2014

    Lacie, welcome! So many wonderful compassionate humorous ladies here to help you. We all think differently when we see ourselves flat, for me, I was impressed how flat and "neat" the surgery was. But I will say 4 years later I still can surprise myself by looking in a mirror and seeing missing breasts.

    As far as boobs go, I got them, but I never wore the silicon's for more than an hour. They hurt. Or more likely, the bra hurts.

    Congrats on the clear margins!!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2014

    Lacie, Welcome to BCO. You'll find a lot of good information on these boards, as well as some really wonderful people. Hopefully someone will be along to answer your question. Good news that nothing spread to your nodes, and you had clear margins. Best wishes to you.

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  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
    edited February 2014

    Lacie--welcome!  I'm one of the women who wears foobs with no discomfort.  I started cheap and then got more expensive ones through insurance.  There seem to be an equal number of women without recon who prefer to go flat.  I'm 2 years out of surgery, still be asked by the surgeon when I'm getting my recon, and still saying no!  I'd much rather have something I can remove rather than something I can't that might be uncomfortable.  

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  • GeorgiaRai
    GeorgiaRai Member Posts: 175
    edited February 2014

    Welcome, Lacie - so sorry you had to find us!  Getting used to the scars was a gradual process, and I'm still not used to seeing myself clothed and totally flat.  I just feel better and less conspicuous when I'm wearing forms.  I'm all for everyone doing what is right for them; for me, that's silicone prosthesis all day most days.  (As for seeing myself UNclothed and totally flat... I got a little tattoo that makes that easier than it used to be!)

    The funny thing is that I voluntarily had a boob job the year I turned 30 (I'm 53 now).  I had no objection to the surgery or foreign objects back then; I just have a whole different life with different priorities now.  Good luck to you!

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  • LacieH
    LacieH Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2014

    Thank you for your replies.  I am a little over a week out and I am having some swelling in my left bicep area. I am sleeping on that side and I also had lymph nodes removed from that side.  Has this happened to anyone else? If so, when did you see it going away?

    TIA

    ~Lacie

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  • Jennie93
    Jennie93 Member Posts: 1,018
    edited March 2014

    Lacie, I would ask in the Lymphedema section about the swelling.  But I was told not to lie on that side - ever again.  I can't even lie on my right side.  I was always a side sleeper and learning to sleep on my back has been one of the hardest parts of this journey.  

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited March 2014

    lacie, I was told never to sleep on the side with lymph nodes removed. I would also urge you to see an LE therapist for a check, a massage and tips. Mine was a lifesaver and she saved me from developing a serious problem in the arm. 

    The flat thing was weird. I expected to be all upset, and then I just wasn't. I do wear tiny foobs most days, but didn't today, for example. Play with it, experiment and leave yourself open to the possibilities. 

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  • lmtjmt
    lmtjmt Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2014

    Hi Jennie, 

     I'm new here and would like to know how many treatments of chemo you went through.  I just finished my chemo trestments on Friday.  I haven't dealt with any lymphadema at this point but its all so new. How do you stay positive?  I've been fighting depression so much.  I'm usually the funny girl trying to make everyone else laugh.  Did you go through radiation? I start rads in April. Does breast cancer run in your family?  I was completly shocked when diagnosed in October 2013.  I'm 46 and have a wonderful family.  This has been a very trying time for me.  Do you have any suggestions for mental wellness?  I took off work to get through chemo because I work with speacial education students and didn't want to get sick.  I return in April and am so glad.  Id like to chat more with you.  

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  • Jennie93
    Jennie93 Member Posts: 1,018
    edited March 2014

    lmtjmt, congrats on last chemo!  I had 6 rounds of chemo, last one a little over a year ago.  My hair is growing back nicely, about 3" long and weirdly curly, was straight before. Funny!  I'm sending you a private message too. 

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  • LacieH
    LacieH Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2014

    Thank you for the replies..I will look into an LE therapist. 

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