Wondering if this will ever be over
Not a good day today. I had a lumpectomy on Monday and went back to see the surgeon today only to find out that one of the margins was not great enough so am now scheduled for another surgery on the ...
Forum Discussion
Hi @SuzyG,
I had a mastectomy before chemo and radiation back in 2013. I also asked about immediate reconstruction but was told that I had to get on with treatment ASAP. Honestly at that time I just wanted to get onto treating the cancer so I had the mastectomy with a view to having reconstruction later.
I am a C cup and found that I adapted to life with one breast amazingly well. I lead a very active and full life. I swim, exercise and travel without it being a problem in the slightest. After I got through treatment and started tamoxifen I decided to just leave it be. I know that I can have reconstruction if I ever wish to at any point but am happy with my life at this point.
It has not stopped me from doing anything including trekking in Nepal last year and again in a couple of months time. I was 47 when I had the mastectomy. That was almost 4 years ago and I still feel happy with my choice.
But we are all different and the important thing is to understand all your choices, have doctors who understand your concerns and then make your choice based on the very best info about your unique situation. I know that I always have the option of reconstruction and I have learned that things can change, so that helps me to feel ok. Whatever your situation you deserve and need to feel ok about it. Like the others have suggested, keep asking questions. I know many women on here have had expanders put in at the time of surgery and still had radiation. There are all sorts of possibilities. Hope that you can find an option you are comfortable with. Take care. Deanne xxx
PS if you have any questions about the practical side of living with one breast just ask.
I had a mastectomy before chemo and radiation back in 2013. I also asked about immediate reconstruction but was told that I had to get on with treatment ASAP. Honestly at that time I just wanted to get onto treating the cancer so I had the mastectomy with a view to having reconstruction later.
I am a C cup and found that I adapted to life with one breast amazingly well. I lead a very active and full life. I swim, exercise and travel without it being a problem in the slightest. After I got through treatment and started tamoxifen I decided to just leave it be. I know that I can have reconstruction if I ever wish to at any point but am happy with my life at this point.
It has not stopped me from doing anything including trekking in Nepal last year and again in a couple of months time. I was 47 when I had the mastectomy. That was almost 4 years ago and I still feel happy with my choice.
But we are all different and the important thing is to understand all your choices, have doctors who understand your concerns and then make your choice based on the very best info about your unique situation. I know that I always have the option of reconstruction and I have learned that things can change, so that helps me to feel ok. Whatever your situation you deserve and need to feel ok about it. Like the others have suggested, keep asking questions. I know many women on here have had expanders put in at the time of surgery and still had radiation. There are all sorts of possibilities. Hope that you can find an option you are comfortable with. Take care. Deanne xxx
PS if you have any questions about the practical side of living with one breast just ask.