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ScorpionQueen's avatar
ScorpionQueen
Member
9 years ago

decisions...decisions

Morning all....I've been quiet on here.....my computer didn't seem to like this site!....hopefully it's a bit faster loading it now.....but have still been blogging on FB....so here's my post from the other day. Hope you are all travelling along nicely. Hugs to all! Xx

 Day 13 after round five.

I have been sleeping pretty well the last few nights. But that doesn't mean that my energy has returned to normal :(
It's taking me much longer to come out of these last three rounds, but I'm told that normal.

The skin on my toes and fingers still feels like its been burnt. I also have a patch on my face under my eye that feels the same. My skin is also peeling...my lips have peeled about 6 times now!

I just take it in my stride, I have no choice.....but I know it will all go away (I hope) after treatment stops.

So today was my appointment with my surgeon. My appointment was bought forward by my Radiation Oncologist. He wants me to have surgery asap so I can have radiotherapy sooner rather than later. Todays discussion outlined my options and what the surgeon himself though would be best for me.

He has maintained from the beginning that a mastectomy of my right breast is the best possible way to deal with it as the tumour was so large and had positive node involvement. Now I have the decision...

1. Single mastectomy - no reonstruction
2. Bi Lateral mastectomy - no reconstruction
3. Single mastectomy - with reconstruction. Then reduction of left breast to match. This option means I will have to be vigilant and still have mammograms and scans on the healthy breast every year.
4. Bi lateral mastectomy - with immediate reconstruction. This entails removal, then expanders are put in and filled weekly with saline to stretch the skin over three months to the size I'm happy with. Then another surgery to remove the expanders and put implants in.

This is being planned to happen at least a month after my last chemo. All of these procedures come with their own issues and healing times of course are all different. So I asked a lot of questions and now have a referral to see the plastic surgeon once chemo is finished.

I have thought about this part of treatment from day 1, but have pretty much made up my mind based on all the information and the statistics of my cancer returning in my breasts.

My mind is still reeling from the thought of this next phase and I don't think it will stop until I wake up and it's done. But I think it's a no brainer that option Number 4 is the best way to ensure that cancer will not return in my breasts. I definitely DO NOT want to ride this rollercoaster again! So I'll leave that in my thought bank until I see the plastic surgeon...

I had a pretty good weekend...spent some time with friends having coffee and then a delicious roast pork spit..

It was good to get out but it seems too many outings takes it's toll and after todays appointment and going into work for a bit...it really hit me....I had a 4 hour nap today! I was so tired I felt sick....

So that was my day...I going to eat some ice cream to calm my nerves :)

 

2 Replies

  • Ne's avatar
    Ne
    Member
    9 years ago

    I've also commented on your post under the reconstruction group, and I totally feel that you are making the right choice.  I am so happy that I ended up having my 2nd mastectomy (I wanted both done and removed at the same time initially but my BS at the time didn't want to remove the healthy breast).  After my BRCA2 diagnosis she changed her mind and the other one was removed as a precaution.  I have more peace of mind with both gone and aesthetic wise it is so much better.  I too don't want to deal with it again and if I had kept the healthy breast I would have always worried at the slightest lump and would have had to look at one nipple getting undressed (which I did for a while in between surgeries and I hated it).  I don't look as mutilated now, the symmetry and aesthetics is so much more 'normal' looking than what I had before.  I posted photos in my reply to your other post, you will see what it looked like with one mastectomy and a lobsided breast compared to both breasts removed with tissue expanders.  Best of luck with your final treatment/s.  Hope all goes well and looking forward to your before/after story x

  • ChrissK's avatar
    ChrissK
    Member
    9 years ago

    Personally, I think you have made the right choice.... I too was scared as when going in for my op but that was 7 weeks ago and yes it is a long recovery (but everyone is different), BS was actually pleased that I did have the mastectomy as they did find another microscopic cell.  Now having radiation every day for 5 weeks (only up to my 3rd one, long way to go).  Only problem I have now is that the radiation can affect the implant which will mean the PS will have to operate again and put another in - URGHHHHHH!!!!!! Praying nothing happens to implant.

    If you need anything or have any questions let me know.... Who is your PS? 

    Chriss xx