Mastectomy or Mastectomy plus reconstruction
Hi, I am trying to make a good decision regarding this. I thought I would be ok with a double mastectomy, no reconstruction, but I am finding it tough to make the call. This is my third breast cance...
Forum Discussion
@Gazgin12
Hi. Firstly, I am so so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It's such a hard and shocking thing to deal with.
I'd be very happy to message or talk to you about mastectomy and Diep Flap reconstruction surgeries - I am five weeks out from having had these procedures.
Personally, I found it very difficult to face the mastectomy surgery and the loss of my breasts. I went through a lot of mental and emotional anguish about this (my one and only post on this forum so far is in relation to that if you want to read it). I was also really frightened about the Diep Flap surgery itself.
I am in Melbourne Victoria and I'm 53 - married with two young adult children living at home. I work fulltime in a demanding role. I haven't yet returned to work and I have one more week of sick leave remaining - just over 6 weeks off work in total and I'm returning on a staggered hours basis for the first week or two.
I was diagnosed with Grade 3 (high grade) DCIS with comedo necrosis in my left breast in February this year. Imaging indicated that the size of the DCIS lesion was extensive however, I really struggled with the idea of having a mastectomy - although my surgeon did indicate that I was borderline to consider any other option
My surgeon undertook a lumpectomy to try and save my breast with 60mm of DCIS excised during that procedure. Unfortunately I did not have clear margins. Then we did a nipple shave to see if the nipple and areola were clear of disease. Again, unfortunately not with another 5cm DCIS excised. The final mastectomy pathology confirmed another 40mm DCIS in the left (total of 100mm+) together with LCIS found in both breasts.
I have very dense breast tissue and a strong family history of breast cancer - mother diagnosed at 44 years old with mastectomy/radiation and died at 47 years old of metastatic disease. Sister diagnosed at 42 years old with double mastectomy/chemotherapy and thankfully still currently NED. This is what lead to the decision to undertake a double mastectomy (also the issue that diep flap surgery can only be undertaken once).
I am very happy to answer any and all questions you might have about my experience of the surgery itself, mental and emotional impacts, recovery progress, current surgical results, what you might like to pack or have on hand at home - just whatever you would like to know really.
Sending you all the very best wishes and thoughts
Hi. Firstly, I am so so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It's such a hard and shocking thing to deal with.
I'd be very happy to message or talk to you about mastectomy and Diep Flap reconstruction surgeries - I am five weeks out from having had these procedures.
Personally, I found it very difficult to face the mastectomy surgery and the loss of my breasts. I went through a lot of mental and emotional anguish about this (my one and only post on this forum so far is in relation to that if you want to read it). I was also really frightened about the Diep Flap surgery itself.
I am in Melbourne Victoria and I'm 53 - married with two young adult children living at home. I work fulltime in a demanding role. I haven't yet returned to work and I have one more week of sick leave remaining - just over 6 weeks off work in total and I'm returning on a staggered hours basis for the first week or two.
I was diagnosed with Grade 3 (high grade) DCIS with comedo necrosis in my left breast in February this year. Imaging indicated that the size of the DCIS lesion was extensive however, I really struggled with the idea of having a mastectomy - although my surgeon did indicate that I was borderline to consider any other option
My surgeon undertook a lumpectomy to try and save my breast with 60mm of DCIS excised during that procedure. Unfortunately I did not have clear margins. Then we did a nipple shave to see if the nipple and areola were clear of disease. Again, unfortunately not with another 5cm DCIS excised. The final mastectomy pathology confirmed another 40mm DCIS in the left (total of 100mm+) together with LCIS found in both breasts.
I have very dense breast tissue and a strong family history of breast cancer - mother diagnosed at 44 years old with mastectomy/radiation and died at 47 years old of metastatic disease. Sister diagnosed at 42 years old with double mastectomy/chemotherapy and thankfully still currently NED. This is what lead to the decision to undertake a double mastectomy (also the issue that diep flap surgery can only be undertaken once).
I am very happy to answer any and all questions you might have about my experience of the surgery itself, mental and emotional impacts, recovery progress, current surgical results, what you might like to pack or have on hand at home - just whatever you would like to know really.
Sending you all the very best wishes and thoughts