I am so sorry to see you joining our select little group suziekellett360 xx …. everyone remembers the shock of hearing the ‘diagnosis: “You've got breast cancer” the first time, let alone the 2nd time. :( ..... I hope you have wonderful family & friend support as you go thru this again xx
As you know, it causes sadness, distress and even anger. It really mucks with your brain, sometimes even more than your body! It is highly stressful & upsetting in the early days of diagnosis - so if you feel a bit overwhelmed by it all, give the Helpline a bell on 1800 500 258 for a confidential chat with one of the Mods xx.
I only had a lumpectomy, rads and tabs 8 years ago, so can't give qualified assistance on the mastectomy/plastic surgery part of your post xx ......
Hopefully someone jumps on soon with their personal story xx.
I am guessing you'll really need to be 'lead' by your team re the reconstruction choices. xx. Having said that - Is there any chance of taking some of the fat from the 'good breast' to bring its size down quite a bit (instead of a mastectomy) - and add 'that fat' to the other breast, so that both may then be be a similar size? Could that be an option?
Re having had Rads previously - you can only be lead really by your plastic surgeon on the possible outcome as the stretchiness of the skin may be compromised by the rads - it is important that you are happy with an 'aesthetic, pleasing' look afterwards, no matter what procedure is done xx
BCNA has two private groups for those who've chosen Reconstruction and those who've chosen to remain flat ..... You can join both & have confidential chats with others who've had similar queries to yours xx. Click on the links below to join. I understand that both have 'before & after' pics to check out.
Group: Choosing breast reconstruction | BCNA Online Network
Group: Flat Chat - no breast reconstruction | BCNA Online Network
You know the drill already ..... but make sure you take a trusted friend or relative with you to your meetings from now on as moral and physical support & also consider recording them too, on your phone xx. It is almost impossible to remember everything that is said & this way you can go back over it in the quiet of your home & take notes. xx
Consider listening to Charlotte Tottman's Podcasts on her own experience with BC - as she explains it all very well xx She is a specialist breast cancer Counsellor who had a double mastectomy following her own diagnosis, choosing to stay flat. She was surprised at her own reaction to the news/surgery/treatment, as she'd been counseling others for many years & thought she 'knew it all'!
She has done 2 ‘podcast seasons' ... check out the 1st season, right from her diagnosis onwards and how she coped, then move on to the 2nd season. She is very easy to listen to & you'll probably recognise your own reactions in many of the podcasts.
http://www.drcharlottetottman.com.au/my-podcast.html
Check out this thread too - there is a lot of info on the forum - even 'tick sheets' that you can fill in to take with you to your appointments on your mental & physical health .... this info has been gleaned from many members over the years ... I hope it helps xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members#latest
take care & all the best
