Forum Discussion
It's back again :(((
I'm a BRCA 2 carrier. Had DCIS the first time (2013) at 22 years old. I had a lumpectomy back then, no radiation no medication, have no idea why.
Now 2017 my DCIS is back again in the same breast (the right). At first, I didn't want to have a mastectomy, but my DCIS is in different locations and I saw two surgeons and they highly recommend it, so I have no other choice. I'm not married, and after this don't if I ever will be. I still wanna keep my other healthy breast and I pray to God every day that it stays away from the devil CANCER. Would love to have the joy of breastfeeding my kids, if I end up having any, although I don't know what the future has for me. It's so hard to be forced to let go of a very precious part of your body and feminine.
My concern now, I don't know if I shall get implants or not because I don't have much on my body to take from. I'm worried about implants due to the complications that so many women had in term of illness and so on.
I would really appreciate if anyone of you ladies with implants or had single mastectomy and implants share their experience both negative and positive.
Thank you in advance.
Now 2017 my DCIS is back again in the same breast (the right). At first, I didn't want to have a mastectomy, but my DCIS is in different locations and I saw two surgeons and they highly recommend it, so I have no other choice. I'm not married, and after this don't if I ever will be. I still wanna keep my other healthy breast and I pray to God every day that it stays away from the devil CANCER. Would love to have the joy of breastfeeding my kids, if I end up having any, although I don't know what the future has for me. It's so hard to be forced to let go of a very precious part of your body and feminine.
My concern now, I don't know if I shall get implants or not because I don't have much on my body to take from. I'm worried about implants due to the complications that so many women had in term of illness and so on.
I would really appreciate if anyone of you ladies with implants or had single mastectomy and implants share their experience both negative and positive.
Thank you in advance.
23 Replies
- @mum2jj could you approve @"Hope 2013" into the beast reconstruction group. :D
- Hi @"Hope 2013" sorry to hear its come back. I was 30 when I was diagnosed earlier this year and my decision for a mastectomy was immediate as I'm a brca 1 gene carrier plus my mum passed away from BC a few years back. I immediately decided this as I didn't want to die like my mum and having already got BC at a young age and being a carrier of the gene. I was drawn to the implants straight away as I didn't want any other part of my body touched or scarred. I personally don't worry about the complications with implants. At the moment I still have my tissue expanders in and have had no trouble at all. In a few weeks I'm having my implants put in.
I'm single and don't have any kids. For my personally it doesn't bother me if I can't breast feed.
I'm just glad that there are reconstructive options now because being young you still want to have some kind of boobs. To be honest I thought I'd be upset about losing both my boobs but I haven't been at all. I'm really liking my new ones and they'll look even better when my implants are in.
Once you join the recon group, take a look at my photos I've posted on my expanders.
I hope you find a decision that yoy are happy with.
Xo - @iserbrown @Summerhill38 @Mira @Zoffiel @alexinbrisbane @primek Thank you so much ladies every word helps alot. It's so supportive to know that am not alone. Yes I have requested to join the reconstruction group, just waiting for approval. @Zoffiel I'm sorry to hear that too. Good luck to you too. God bless us all.
- Please join our breast reconstruction group. In that we have many photo stories of women with implants (including my own) and can give more first hand experience. If you can save your nipple it woukd be fantastic. I wasn't able to.
- Hi @Hope 2013
So sorry to hear this news. I had a double mastectomy with expanders and implants and I've seen some great work and heard some stories of "no issues" at all.
As iserbrown suggested, you should request to join the reconstruction group. You'll find lots of ladies sharing their stories and it may give you some clarity, info and any questions that you may have.
Alex xx Hi @Hope2013
My cancer came back too. I'm a lot older than you but I know how frightening, and frustrating, it can be to find out you are not free of the disease. My heart goes out to you.
Regarding marriage and tits, I've got to agree with the other ladies--keep looking for someone who is more interested in what is going on between your ears than under your shirt. I know that may sound a bit trite, but I can tell you from personal experience it is possible to not only start a relationship but to grow it into a fabulous rounded experience even when your chest looks like someone took a stack blender to it. Which mine does. I don't like it, but if that's the biggest problem I have, I can live with it and my partner has never batted an eyelid.
Good luck, Marg XXX
- Hey Hope, I don't have any advice re the mastectomies but as for not ever getting married, trust me if anyone's main concern in a partner is whether you have breasts or not they're not worth having!!!
- Hello @"Hope 2013"
Sorry to hear your very sad news but you are in the right spot to get some advice to help you. There are many younger ladies on this site who will no doubt be in touch with their stories and opinions.
If you were my daughter I would recommend you listen to the advice of your medical team and if possible keep Miss Leftie there for mothering purposes in the future.
If you are concerned about implants then don't do it as it will do your mind in with every change. Just be sure your medical team knows you are thinking of a future reconstruction so they keep as much skin and the nipple if possible. Over time you can go down the reconstruction road but don't rush into it - besides, future weight gain may mean DIEP is possible then.
Good luck with your decisions and keep in touch.
From a fellow Leftie !
Summer :) - @"Hope 2013"
What a bummer that you're back on the roller coaster! Anyhow it is what it is!
You may benefit from joining one of the groups, if you haven't done so already
http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/10-young-women
http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/1-choosing-breast-reconstruction
I've had a mastectomy and implant. Everyone's experience is different and being a member of the private group Choosing Breast Reconstruction may give you a better understanding.
There are lots of resources on the website as well as the forum, one I have copied here may help with your deeper understanding of the type of cancer that you have been diagnosed with and or help you to formulate questions for your specialist and or Breast care nurse - do you have a breast care nurse? They are the best thing out as they are like the go between who can find out information or direct you where to go as sometimes when you are with the specialist you are so overwhelmed with information that questions don't come until you have left the appointment.
https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/types-of-breast-cancer/
Take care x - @Brenda5 That's so sweet. I have thought about freezing some eggs, will look into that after my surgery. Thank you <3
