A lovely support

@Twiggyjumps it is overwhelming at the beginning. Im recovering currently from a Single Mastectomy/Diep Flap Recon, but it took a long time to get here from my first diagnosis in 2011. These beautiful ladies know only too well particularly my struggle the past few months leading in the surgery and were amazing! I had 2 major lumpectomies the other being in 2015 with my recurrence, 2.5cm ER+ only, clear margins and no node involvement. Grade 2, Stage 3, so had no choice but Chemo but couldnt have Radiation due to having it 4yrs earlier. At the time my Surgeon said in my case the Lumpectomy was as good as a Mastectomy absolutely zero benefit for me. It took 14 months from finishing Chemo to having this surgery and I only did PURELY because I had a recurrence and didnt want to gamble again I guess, eventhough I was healthy and Cancer Free. I had to have BRCA Gene testing to make sure before surgery as if positive I wouldnt have had a choice it would have been double. It was negative...Geneticists meeting with me said their opinion was absolutely not a double for me, my risk of BC in that breast was no different to randomly, it wasnt higher at all. I have zero regrets with it also, in my mind I figured why would I get rid of a perfectly healthy breast when there was no indication whatsoevever of it being affected. There are so many things to consider, and so very personal, it depends firstly on your definitive pathology, exactly what you have, sometimes there isnt a choice. Family history is another. So much to work through. For me it wasnt about intimacy at all, to be honest...6yrs of being ravaged through treatment, it was no longer useful, 2 major lumpectomies and radiation caused massive scaring, inside and out, the breast was always sore..so it became this boob that was there but useless. In that sense I didnt care. For me it was more about losing a part of myself and being the one to choose it when I was perfectly fine...and that psychological battle in your head where you go all this time they say you had this diagnosis different and twice, a recurrence and subsequent treatments both times that made me sicker than anything...and yet I was never sick, no symptoms at all, no lumps. NOTHING! the only sickness and pain etc., I had was from treatments. So it definitely plays with your mind. I am so glad I took my time, took a slow approach gathered alot of information and had numerous meetings with my Surgeon, Oncologist and Geneticist. Im in such a great place mentally now with zero regrets and knowing Im moving on and healing. I wish you nothing but the best, it is a super tough gig and hard for hubby too Id imagine so communication is everything and being well informed is peace. Big hugs to you Melinda xo