Breast reconstruction begins on Wednesday

Hi Chris...All the best :-) ....you will be ok :-) You are a survivor! Hugs!

imelda

Hi Chris

Due to family history I chose to have a double mastecomy in April, which in my case proved timely as the pathology post surgery showed pre-cancerous cells in my 'healthy' boob.  I had expanders and recently had a second operation to replace them with silicone implants.  Yes the surgery is abit scary.....(well lets face it the whole breast cancer thing is scary!!!)....but I reckon the whole experience is not as bad as I thought it would be.  I have absolutely no regrets.  Sure it was tricky with two busy little boys, but with a positive attitude and my sense of humor still firmly in tact - I am now pretty much back to my old self....albeit with new perky boobs!!!!

Wishing you all the best with your surgery, I will be thinking of you....

xx Liz

 

Hi Chris

Due to family history I chose to have a double mastecomy in April, which in my case proved timely as the pathology post surgery showed pre-cancerous cells in my 'healthy' boob.  I had expanders and recently had a second operation to replace them with silicone implants.  Yes the surgery is abit scary.....(well lets face it the whole breast cancer thing is scary!!!)....but I reckon the whole experience is not as bad as I thought it would be.  I have absolutely no regrets.  Sure it was tricky with two busy little boys, but with a positive attitude and my sense of humor still firmly in tact - I am now pretty much back to my old self....albeit with new perky boobs!!!!

Wishing you all the best with your surgery, I will be thinking of you....

xx Liz

 

Chris, wishing you all the best for your surgery. Like you I am going to have the other breast off next year and implants. The thought of the other and being under for so long really sacred me,as I get so sick from it just for a few hrs.  I am going to my GP on Monday, as I have had constant pain in my left breast and under the arm , no lump. I will be glad to get it off as it is such a worry. Big  hugs Deb.

 

When it comes to reconstruction perhaps ignorance is bliss! Being a nurse does not always go in your favour.I can understand how you must feel but you just have to keep reminding yourself that to get to this point you must have carefully thought it through.I'm sure you did your"homework",weighed it all up,found good surgeons etc.I think it's hard knowing that this is not the final operation and that there's more to come.When it comes to breast cancer, it seems that any decision you have to make is a torturous one.If you don't have recon.then you have to live with an awful scar to remind you and continue mammograms and worry for the other boob.You look too young to have to do that.You'll be o.k -you're a breast cancer surviver AND a nurse so you are one gutsy chick!

                                   Tonya xx

When it comes to reconstruction perhaps ignorance is bliss! Being a nurse does not always go in your favour.I can understand how you must feel but you just have to keep reminding yourself that to get to this point you must have carefully thought it through.I'm sure you did your"homework",weighed it all up,found good surgeons etc.I think it's hard knowing that this is not the final operation and that there's more to come.When it comes to breast cancer, it seems that any decision you have to make is a torturous one.If you don't have recon.then you have to live with an awful scar to remind you and continue mammograms and worry for the other boob.You look too young to have to do that.You'll be o.k -you're a breast cancer surviver AND a nurse so you are one gutsy chick!

                                   Tonya xx

Hi Tonya, I looked into the DIEP and even saw Professor Pennington from RPA. That procedure gives pretty impressive new boobs, but like you, I was rather freaked out by the massive size of the operation, not to mention the length of the anaesthetic. Also, like you, I'm a nurse and as a nurse I understand the complications that could happen from such long surgery. I was very lucky to be spared needing radiotherapy, and due to only fairly small boobs now, B cup, and having 2 mastectomies, I was a good candidate for the implants. I'm still nervous though, and wonder what I'd be like if I had decided to go for the DIEP instead. Probably be a complete nervous wreck by now. Thanks for your good wishes. Chris xxx

I think any surgery makes you nervous.There is no getting around it,just stay busy ++till wednesday.I think you are very brave having the other boob off but it will be peace of mind in the long run and no more mammograms.I think I'd be abit anxious about having reconstruction of any sort but at least the expanders are a quick operation.I can't have them cos I've had radiation in the past and my skin hasn't much elastic.I'd have to have the  Diep recon.and that scares me.It's 16mths since my mastectomy and I still find it hard to come to terms with a missing boob.I hope all goes well for you on Wednesday and that you end up with nice boobs -you deserve it.Will be thinking of you so let us know how you go.

                                  Tonya xx