Bilateral mastectomy

So sorry that you are facing this, but welcome to this network and I hope that there will be some ladies who have had bilateral mastectomies without immediate reconstruction who can tell you of their experiences. I had a left mastectomy due to a 3cm IDC and 3cm area of DCIS. Like you I was unable to have immediate reconstruction due to chemo and radiation being part of my required treatment. Firstly, it was my experience that it was surprisingly not that painful. I had some issues with swelling but was healed and able to start chemo within 3 weeks. My husband has been wonderful about it and we were all just glad that the cancer was gone and that with chemo etc there is every reason to think that that will be the end of it. I had my mastectomy in May and have finished chemo and radiation 2 months ago. I feel very well and am enjoying a new lease on life. Hazel is right that the absolute best advice is just to take it one step at a time. The most important thing is to do what needs to be done to get well and stay well. It is natural to worry about how your husband and son will handle things but I found my family just wanted to do all they could to support me. Letting them help helps them to cope with it all. This is one time when you just need to put yourself first. As Hazel has said, there are some great resources for partners available through BCNA. There is also some great info on how to handle things with children. Do you have your My Journey Kit yet? I hope that everything goes well with your surgery. Just remember that when you wake up, the cancer will be gone. Everything else will sort out. If you have questions as you go along, there are many ladies on here who will do their best to help you through everything. Let us know how you go. Take care. Deanne xxxx