Introducing myself, mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

Hi Cordelia, I'm sorry about your recent diagnosis, but am glad you finally came out to say "hi" and get support. I had bc (and reconstruction) on one side only at 38. I had a lx with the plan of follow up radiation (I was ER-/PR-/HER2-, so no endocrine therapy for me), but when a post lx mri discovered more DCIS in other quadrants, my bs recommended mx instead. I guess, to be honest, I never really considered bmx. I was a bit shocked by the news of more DCIS, and at that point just wanted to be sure we got it all, so I was only focused on the DCIS side.

I have been NED for 14 years (yay!). Overall, I have been pleased with my reconstruction, however, I do have differences in the recon vs regular sides which have gotten more significant over time. One breast ages (as normal) and changes if I gain or lose weight and the other doesn't. That is certainly something to consider. I'm not sure I would have done bmx, even if I would have known this, but I just want you to have all the info you need to make the best decision for yourself. I don't have particularly small or particularly large breasts, so the difference over time may be different for you. I would talk to the PS about your questions, concerns and options. Think about bringing a friend to take notes (one who can stay really calm, listen and write) or a recording device so that you don't miss anything. It is quite common to be a bit overwhelmed and that can make us miss or mis-remember things.

If you think of other questions, please ask. The amazing women on these boards have a wealth of knowledge and can be a tremendous support for you. If you'd rather ask questions privately, please do message me.

Sending you healing light and hugs! You carry us all "in your pocket" when you go in to see your team.

Hello Anne and welcome to OUR lives.. I'm happy to hear you have been gaining information and it has been helpful. Although I have had children,I still have fairly young kids 7,8,16,17,21.. obviously talking about my littlest 2. All of my kids are still living at home and we are going about our new found situation . I will not offer insight to your situation because ,to be honest, I do not feel educated enough to help. I just wanted you to know I read your story and I'm happy to have you here . It would have been better under different circumstances we will do with what we have been given,right?

Hi Anne:

Hugs to you and I am sorry about your diagnosis. It sounds though that things are happening and you are starting to have a plan of treatment. Its the not knowing what treatment is like too that causes anxiety. And the waiting, waiting, waiting.... its torture.

I can tell you from personal experience that though tiring, chemo will not be wretchedly horrible if you need it. Its doable and okay. You will find tons of support here. Lots of women work thru chemo too.

As for reconstruction, I had a mastectomy on one side and did not have reconstruction because I felt like you - it seemed horrendous to go thru all that surgery and risks for a less than stellar result I thought. However, I am now facing another mastectomy on the other side. So, this time I am going to have the tissue expanders and implants. I also have very small boobs by the way and was told by my Plastic surgeon that I can have any size implants I want as long as they are not too big because they will not fit on my body.

The reason I chose to have reconstruction is because I found with a one sided mastectomy that when I wore a bathing suit or any lowcut (v-neck even) top, I was self-conscious of my prosthesis shifting or showing. It never did, but I worried about it. Plus the prosthesis was larger than my other side and I even had it fitted to me. They didn't have the right size prosthesis to match. I love swimming and I found that the prosthesis in the pool was too much so I stopped swimming. Other women I know personally and others I have heard of, have had reconstruction and they can now wear bathing suits, low cut tops etc and look fantastic. And they LOVE it. So I am going to go for it. I have been assured by the plastic surgeon and others that I will be able to wear a bathing suit with ease. I am 54 now, and still consider myself "youngish" enough to look good in a bathing suit.. at least a one piece. It would be nice to have cleavage. LOL

Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss or need support. We are all here to help each other.

Hugs

Wallan

Anne - I agree, don't be put off by reconstruction. If you don't want to be flat, it's a well recognized procedure and perfectly safe MOST OF THE TIME. (sort of like it's perfectly safe to walk across the street most of the time) It is certainly not any less healthy an option now that implants are cohesive gel & can't leak like the old kind. Personally, I could not live with being flat. Further, I know myself well enough to know that I would be deathly unhappy & depressed with one boob left. So because I had DCIS in both breasts, I had a double mastectomy at the beginning, with expanders and then exchange later.

What your PS (plastic surgeon) has recommended is certainly a conservative way to go.

You will still need to post as much of your diagnosis as you know - type, kind, stage, hormone status, etc. You can do that at "my profile". Don't worry that the MO (medical oncologist) didn't want to talk much at this point. He can't plan w/o the information. But it doesn't sound like a good personality fit, so I would get a second opinion before committing after you have all your information.

I hope you'll check out some of the links the MODS posted. Also there is a thread for 'newbies' that lists all the abbreviations.