Thank all that is good and right in the world!

For this section of threads, and the threads about lobular cancer.

I am thrilled to see/read you all!

I first came to this site in Sept. '03.

I had been diagnosed with lobular breast cancer in my left breast. I was 58. I had a pea sized nodule in my right, which was to be 'checked in 6 mo.'. Well.. that's how I came to be having a mastectomy.. I had been told to come back in 6 mo.. it grew so much that I could not get by with a lumpectomy.

There was little information about not doing reconstruction. I started posts, and had very little response from women that decided agains it.

There were no threads on lobular cancer, of any sort. There was little information to be found at that point. What I did find out was that it was more likely to appear in the other breast than ductal.

That was enough for me. Besides the fact that I had fairly large breasts, and felt I would be .. as my husband said.. always listing to the right, I knew that I did not want to go through all this again, in 6 months.

I knew I did not want reconstruction. I don't wear make up or dress up much as far as that goes. I'm a pretty down to earth person. I'm retired and live out in the country.

My husband is a family practice doctor, so I had other doctors and surgeons to to pick their brains.

My husband agreed with me. It was sort of a screwy deal, cause our insurance/my husbands employer was changing in Jan.. 3 months into my journey. Not feeling like I had a lot of time to figure out my options, I went with the recommended breast cancer surgeon. He was more about reconstruction than he was about getting me cancer free. He damn near refused to remove both breasts, even with my husband, a doctor, sitting right there saying he agreed with me! He went out, came back to the room saying he did not think that my insurance would pay for the other to be removed. We still stood our ground. He said I'm giving you more time to think about it.. think about bla bla bla.. as if I had not already thought about all those  things and many more.

He came back after about 15 min. We said, nothing has changed. He said he had talked to his older partner, who said.. "I let women do what they want, it's their body". So, reluctantly,  he  did it.  I  came  to  dislike him.  It was tough, and anyone that gets thru that, and comes out to reclaim their lives deserves a trophy!

Then, again, the lumps come, 3 on the scar line, and 5 lymph glands with cancer were wrapped in scar tissue, right under where the sentinel node test was done. I think that was wrong. I feel that the cancer was indeed there, when he did the surgery... but, I'm not a suer.  pun intended...
So, another surgery, by my friend and local general surgeon. He was glad that the "dog ears" of skin were left "in case I changed my mind about reconstruction". I'm stretched pretty tight now.

This is the end of week 3 of 6 & 1/2.  

It took 7 3x7 telfa pads to cover it at the height of the burn. I couldn't believe they would continue.. but they did.. and on cancer # 2, I felt that I had to do what the docs said. I also couldn't believe that it seemed that it was very unusual and only one of the nurses really knew how to dress it.. and there was such office politics that she seldom was allowed to do it... even when I requested her.

But, I survived.. I thrive.. I now have 4 grandkids, and usually keep 2 of them at a time, on the weekend.
I've finally recouped a large portion of my energy level. Tho a lot of things I took for granted just don't work well any more.. bringing in firewood, groceries.. carting grandkids around, hoeing, pulling weeds are things that cause me pain.

I take a lot of photos, and have applied for a tax id, in order to sell some photos online.

I posted my version of home made prosthesis on that thread.. cabbage patch titties.. not official.. that's just what they look like.

I surely waited too long to come back here. I don't know what has taken me so long to reconnect.

I am thankful for all of you being here.

Riverwoman

Thank you, ladies. I feel sure that your own stories would also be powerful and inspiring.

I've been gone from here for a while. At the time I was visiting, I did not feel that there were any women on here that were having similar experiences.

I'm sorry I went away. I could have kept at it, til someone in our .. bras.. would see and join in.

I'm so glad that this conversation is going on. I don't personally know anyone that has forgone reconstruction, so it is very empowering to find women that feel as I do about it. Or at least some that acknowlegde that recon is not for everyone.

As I catch up on reading, I hope I come across your stories.

hugs and love,

Patt 

Thank you! 

Yes, I did, my first day back here... I've already written to her to thank her for setting up this site.

I can't stress enough how wonderful it is to communicate with like minded women! 

Love your avatar, Paulette!

I'm a recovering Texan myself.. Austin. We are talking about spending Christmas there this year.

SLH, I'm sure you are brave and gutsy, too.. hopefully, prayerfully, you will never have to test yourself!!