Hi @gerbera - I was diagnosed last year at 53, came through lumpectomy and 12 weeks of chemo/herceptin before tests indicated that a mastectomy was the best way forward because of the high risk of it coming back - so I had a bilateral mastectomy in June with delayed implant reconstruction. I've had my implants since March this year and have no regrets.
I've been on aromatase inhibitors for close to 12 months - with potentially another 9 years to go - and take a vitamin D supplement. I train 6 days/week so can't really tell whether the joint pain I do have is from the AI or from the level of exercise I'm doing! I have found that if I don't keep my hydration up, the joint pain is significantly worse.
In terms of recovery, apart from the downtime post surgery, my recovery has been really good. I have full range of movement (keep up the exercises the physio gives you!). I ran a marathon earlier this month (6 months post-final recon surgery) and posted a PB. I'm still not back to full strength with upper body weight training but I went in expecting that to take 12 months and I'm on track for that. I am also being cautious with chest exercises because I don't want to damage anything. Best recommendation I have here is find yourself an exercise physiologist and work with them.
I don't find the implants uncomfortable - the lack of sensation is a little weird, and if I run in the cold/rain, they have a tendency to stay cold longer, but outside of that, I don't really notice them. But I love not needing to wear a bra!!!!
I don't think you're being silly. For me, the relief of not having to worry about when the cancer came back made the decision an easy one.
Good luck with your decision - and with your treatment.
