My journey of B C

@"Butterfly 40" So sorry to hear of your BC journey so far, its still very raw and new! Its great that you are early stage too and they are onto it so diligently. I was 43 at first diagnosis lumpectomy and rads and tamoxifen 4yrs. I had a recurrence at 47 inspite of those things, was devastating! It came back in my lumpectomy scar, undetectable, IDC Stage 2 Grade 3 ER+, did Chemo and now 1yr post and on Arimidex. I had 2 major lumpectomies and am big breasted, 2015 surgery had lymph nodes removed also. My Surgeon always recommended based on my diagnosis the lumpectomies that they were equivalent and I had nothing to gain by Mastectomy. BUT....whilst I am happy and healthy 18months on from diagnosis, I have to have a Mastectomy due to the recurrence. I had to pay $800 for BRCA Gene test and is negative, only my Mum is history. Genetic Counsellors said based on all that information that a single only is warranted. So I have opted for that pending next month. My Surgeon will do Mastectomy and Plastic Surgeon will Diep Flap recon as I had radiation 2011 so cannot save my skin for an implant. Lots of women on here had flap or implant, with loads of information which you'll find so very helpful! Join the Breast Reconstruction Group too. 

BC doesnt discriminate, no matter how healthy you are, or not...Big Hugs, its a tough journey! In terms of colleagues and friends, I only told who I wanted to know, it didnt bother me at work who knew, it became apparent when I lost my hair though had a fantastic Wig!!! but was off work for about 3 months due to being so incredibly ill on Chemo. So people became aware. 

Sorry you found yourself here, but you are in awesome company!!! with some incredibly courageous women!! Hugs Melinda xo