I'm a newbie

Hi Aussie - yep, it's a terrible, awful, dreadful shock. I will pass on the best piece of advice I was given - by a nurse - you just have to take it one day and one step at a time. You will get through it. You can navigate it. You will find support. You'll go on a roller coaster for a while as you deal with the surgery and the aftermath, but the physical stuff will then begin to settle down, and you'll be able to deal with the emotional stuff. As far as you can, I'd park the emotional stuff until you've dealt with the  physical. I found I just couldn't deal with it all at once. You're probably still in shock - it can take months to wear off - so just focus on what you really need to focus on, which is the surgery. Yes, it's very sad to lose a breast, I did, but you will get used to it, and realise that it was part of you, but it's not who you are. It will take time to get used to the 'new you', and may take a bit of time for your partner to get accustomed too. But work on it together and you will get there. One thing I did after 6 months: a very challenging walk over a mountain in NZ. When I got to the end, I realised I had reclaimed my body from months of medical probing. It was a very powerful feeling. It helped enormously in me getting myself back together physically. And yes, I had difficulty looking at myself in the mirror for a time, but I have adjusted. I also have a new partner who really doesn't give a toss about the look of my reconstructed breasts.  Do seek counselling too - it can really help with the physical, mental and emotional adjustments. We've all walked the road you're starting on, and we've all got through it in our own way. You will too. Trust me. Take care of yourself, xx