New Group Proposal - No Reconstruction post Breast Cancer Surgery
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Hi all, if we are to go with the 'Flat Chat' group name, the below description can be used for the group. Hopefully this makes it clear whether the group is suitable for the person before they decide to join and inclusive for various situations (Members can also leave the group at any time). Loving the conversation that has been generated from this discussion.
This private group has been created to support people who for various reasons are considering or have chosen to stay flat after breast cancer surgery (i.e. single or double mastectomy). There may also be people who have not had a choice due to potential barriers. There are different challenges and questions faced by people who are considering wearing a breast form or prosthesis (inside the bra or attached to the body to wear under clothing) or ‘Going flat’ (not wearing a breast form).
We welcome you to this safe place to connect with other people, ask questions, share your experience and support others who are going through a similar journey.
You may find this My Journey article useful Choosing to stay flat after mastectomy
The information and discussions in this private group are personal opinion and lived-experience, and should not be considered medical advice. You should seek medical advice by the qualified health professionals in your treating team.
TRIGGER WARNING: Photos of breast surgeries may be shared by other group members. Sometimes words or images can cause sadness, distress, or trigger traumatic memories for people. Please contact the BCNA Helpline 1800 500 258 if you need to talk to someone.
Please note this is a private group. You have to apply to join or be invited by the BCNA moderators.
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Oh well, I won't join as I am not flat and the mastectomy side is not flat either.0
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Hi @June1952, the above is a draft for the group description and nothing is finalised. Please let myself know and others in the thread about what additional descriptive information would make you feel confident in joining the group? For example would the addition of words in brackets (unreconstructed) in the title be appropriate?
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As William Shakespeare wrote..."A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"....I'm happy with whatever is chosen, so long as people know it's a group for those of us who are, or will soon be without a breast or breasts. Technically speaking, I'm not 'flat' either. My chest looks like a motocross track for BMX cyclists, with a squiggly line traversing from one armpit to the other over mounds and dips. Sometimes I think I look like a pale, cylindrical bratwurst sausage that someone tried to take a bite out of, other times it looks like a huge shark had a go at me, then spat me out after one chomp as I was too sour. Whichever and whatever, a back and forth of semantic debate could go on until forever, and there would still be some who would not be happy. Another quote by poet John Lydgate..."You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time".6
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Thanks everyone for all of your input, sounds like the consensus is that as long as people know what the group is for and it creates the conversation, then the name is secondary to that. We will try Flat Chat - No Breast Reconstruction. Hopefully this captures the different terms that people may search for when seeking support. I'll will get onto the group creation today and post link in this chat and share to the rest of the forum thereafter4
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You can find the new group here https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/29-flat-chat-no-breast-reconstruction (Apologies for the stock banner image - I have asked our graphic designer for something appropriate).
I have also asked the technical team to add it to the 'Groups' drop-down menu for easy access. For now, the group can be viewed when people click into 'Groups'.
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This is so wonderful @Mez_BCNA thank you so much for making this happen!0
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Thanks @Mez_BCNA. Looking back at old posts I see one from many years ago. BCNA had such a group but it was not active and must have fallen away when they changed the system 7 or so years ago.
I am sure many ladies will have some great discussions re this complication to one's daily life.0 -
How do I join this group1
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Hi @Active
Please follow this link to join. Once you select 'join' myself or one of the BCNA moderators will welcome you to the group https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/29-flat-chat-no-breast-reconstruction0
