CHOICES

Thanks. I really appreciate your feedback. The more I read through the forum the more I gather, not all of course, but a lot of ladies returning for more surgery later and having more chemo :( In my case I'm treating the mastectomies as a small problem to avoid as much as possible later as I worry more about the cancer spreading to my other breast and other places. I'm trying to concentrate on the long term. Plastic sounds way more fantastic! But see there could be some issues there also. Nothing is ever perfect. I live on a small Farmlet on the Mornington Peninsula but very close to treatments. I'm feeling frightening right now. Not only from the surgery but from the scary chemo process. Can my little dog sit next to my bed in hospital? Lol she relaxes me.

Hi @Twiggyjumps and welcome to the forum. I had a single skin and nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using silicon implant last June so am now approx nine months post surgery. Was offered lumpectomy but was also told the amount of tissue that had to be taken would result in a very deformed breast even under clothing, there was also the possibility of a satellite cancer in the breast as well so for me it was a no brainer. Every one is different and chooses for very personal reasons. Gathering info to assist your choice is so beneficial and can help cement your decision. If I can be of any assistance in answering any questions you may have I'm more than happy to assist. Xx Cath

Our first responses can be the truest ones. So many women feel the way you do for good reason.
 It can be a bit tricky, depending on where you live, to get a double mastectomy organised. More a regional than metro thing, but I got some good advice about this years ago. Get your GP to sort out some visits with a counselor and talk to them about what you want to do. That way, if there is any mucking around, a phone call with your permission can demonstrate that you have thought it through and are making informed decisions. It should not come to that but an independent ear isn't a bad thing anyway. Seems like you have already been doing your homework. Good luck.

Thank you Paula. Very daunting and lot to take in.

Hi @Twiggyjumps ,
Welcome to the network. I know this may sound hard as you are still in shock and if you were anything like me at diagnosis, I was just cut it out now!! However you do have a bit of time to make a decision so take a breath if you can.  If you are having genetic testing and the results are not going to take too long then why not wait and then you can be guided by those results.  Either that or if the results may be a while and you are desperate for surgery then have the lumpectomy and then you have time on your side while you decide about mastectomy and or reconstruction.  I can imagine your head is spinning. The last thing you want to be doing is rushing into a double mastectomy and maybe regretting it later.  I have had a bilateral but it was only after a lot of weighing up pros and cons.  Speak to your surgeon and ask if having a mastectomy will negate having radiation?  it sometimes (not always) does. Also having radiation can limit some (not all) of your reconstruction choices. Some ladies choose mastectomy instead of radiation.  These are all things to discuss with your Dr.  If you are sure about reconstruction or even if you just want to do a bit of research  feel free to join our private choosing breast reconstruction group. We have quite a collection of photos and resource posts to have a look at.
Sending you a big hug.
Paula xxxx