Forum Discussion
Newly Diagnosed
Well after being recalled to breastscreen for further testing i was given the news that I had breast cancer on the 3rd Sept 2013...oh my what a brick wall i hit:)
So this is how my "journey" started ....now after a few tests and a visit with a surgeon I'm off for a "Bilateral Mastectomy" which is happening next tues.
I dont have any doubts about doing this but my head sometimes strays and negative thoughts creep in....so i think I'm just needing some reassurance from those who have been through it especially those who did not have reconstructive surgery straight away.
Thanks and am looking forward to your comments:)
18 Replies
Humour is how I dealt with my cancer journey. You have to deal with it the best way you know how. Keep your spirits up.
Humour is how I dealt with my cancer journey. You have to deal with it the best way you know how. Keep your spirits up.
Humour is how I dealt with my cancer journey. You have to deal with it the best way you know how. Keep your spirits up.
Humour is how I dealt with my cancer journey. You have to deal with it the best way you know how. Keep our spirits up.
Humour is how I dealt with my cancer journey. You have to deal with it the best way you know how. Keep our spirits up.
Humour is how I dealt with my cancer journey. You have to deal with it the best way you know how. Keep our spirits up.
WOW....i can't thank you all enough:) It is truely inspiring to read your comments. Yes I do feel my breasts have betrayed me and they are the enemy just like you Janey so am feeling quite 'pumped' about them going. But i guess the hard part will come in the following months once reality hits and I know what further treatment I will need etc.
I received my berlei bra and cotton prothesis today and it gave me a good laugh...here i was thinking i was going to get rid of my huge bust and bra but they look about the same size lol I think my breast care nurse must have recommended the wrong size and the thought of pulling the stuffing out and possibly being lopsided made me laugh even more.
I'm sorry if I offend anyone with my sense of humour but its whats getting me through this:)
Keep the comments coming it is lovely to know there are others out there!!
WOW....i can't thank you all enough:) It is truely inspiring to read your comments. Yes I do feel my breasts have betrayed me and they are the enemy just like you Janey so am feeling quite 'pumped' about them going. But i guess the hard part will come in the following months once reality hits and I know what further treatment I will need etc.
I received my berlei bra and cotton prothesis today and it gave me a good laugh...here i was thinking i was going to get rid of my huge bust and bra but they look about the same size lol I think my breast care nurse must have recommended the wrong size and the thought of pulling the stuffing out and possibly being lopsided made me laugh even more.
I'm sorry if I offend anyone with my sense of humour but its whats getting me through this:)
Keep the comments coming it is lovely to know there are others out there!!
- Hi Sharl, I have had bilateral mastectomies as well. Initially I just had the breast removed that had cancer present. I had chemo, and once I recovered from that, I went ahead and had a second mastectomy, and the beginning of reconstruction. My surgeon recommended that I should give my body 6 months to recover from the chemo. I used an external prosthesis for the 9 months up to this surgery, and it was quite ok. Having the reconstruction at a later date, lessens the risk of complications, and isn't as painful. I never found my first mastectomy to be painful, and when the expanders were put in 9 months later, it wasn't too bad. The painful one was the immediate reconstruction side, and this felt like I had a truck sitting on my chest. I also had a major bleed on this side 3 weeks later and needed surgery to drain the clot. This has healed without issues, and this immediate recon side is more natural looking than the delayed side. So, what I am saying is, there are pros and cons with either way, but for me the least painful way was delaying the procedure. I have photos on the Reconstruction site if you want to have a look. You will need to become a member, but that is easy. Just find the group on this site, and then request membership. Take care, and good luck with everything. Love Chris xx
- I had a mastectomy (left side only for now) in May this year. It has been full speed ahead since then with 4 months of Chemo (finished 2 weeks ago) and 5 weeks of radiotherapy to start next week. I had little trouble recovering from the surgery (had 8 nodes removed as well) and only spent 1 night in hospital because I had excellent support from family at home. I manage well with the temporary prosthesis still at this stage (with radiation to get through) but hope to be fitted for a proper prosthesis next week, as I want to get back into swimming. You can get special ones for swimming I am told. Medicare also reimburse you for $400 of the cost of prosthesis and you can get this for replacement ones every 2 years if need be. I think that I will probably investigate into having a second mastectomy and double reconstruction down the track but need to give my skin time to recover after radiation. If there is anything else you are wondering about I would be happy to answer your questions if I can. I do know there are a few other ladies who have had double mastectomies without immediate reconstruction just recently. Hope your op goes as well as possible. Take care. Deanne xxx
