Diagnosed and waiting for surgery

Options
Cocolu
Cocolu Member Posts: 6
edited December 2016 in Just Diagnosed

Hi everybody! I'm just introducing myself and I hope I am in the right part of the Forum (if not, Moderator please move me...).

I am a 44 yo woman and I have been diagnosed with (probably) Stage I (IDC, 2cm, Grade I, ER+/PR+, HER2) in my left breast, with also another 1-2 areas of concern. I have opted for a double mastectomy with reconstruction, which will happen Wednesday (so 5 days away....) and I am freaking out reading all the posts on this forum. I am getting the feeling that the whole procedure will take a very long time, that the pain is excruciating and almost never ending and that complications are much more common than my two surgeons advised me.


I have come to this conclusion after the Oncologist surgeon said that a simple lumpectomy would have left me for the rest of my life with these 6-months recurring mammograms, sonograms, biopsies....etc

The plastic surgeon told me to get into the OR expecting to wake up with expanders, because he said he wants to get a perfect job done and if it is not possible, he'd put in the expanders. I am reading a whole bunch of posts with nightmare stories about the expanders and many infections. Are they this bad?


Thank you for reading and for all the help you will give!


Cocolu

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2016

    Dear Cocolu,

    Welcome to the community. We are sorry for your diagnosis but glad that you reached out. If you do not receive any timely responses then you might want to post in the Breast Reconstruction Forum. You can start a new topic and ask for positive stories.You also might want to check out our main site for more information on Breast Reconstruction and what is right for you. Let us know if you need any help with navigation. The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited December 2016

    Cocolu: I hope you will see mostly support on these threads. The journey isn't pleasant, although it is worse for some than others. And it takes longer for some than others. I'm a realist and wanted to know all the possibilities up front. I got through it. I will never be the same person I was. My life has changed - some for the worse but some for the better. But I'm out the other side and moving on with my life. Remember, many people that have no problems with their surgery or reconstruction or side issues never post on these boards at all, or drop out once they have a successful outcome. Others want more details and others appreciate the support & camaraderie.

    Hopefully you have doctors that you can trust. I wish you the best with your surgery & sorting through the options to come as you move through treatment. As the MODs have said, you are welcome to this club that none of us wanted to join.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cocolu
    Cocolu Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2016

    thank you both for your support and kind words!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories