Recurrence of breast cancer

Hi Dee,

You will need to check with your doctor about all those pills.I know with some vitamins you have to stop before surgery eg.vit.E, it thins your blood slightly. The first time I was diagnosed(2003) I had surgery 2weeks later. The second time -took about 4weeks till surgery.That's because I had to wait for core biopsy results and then have all those fun body scans.The first time,I was like you,worried that the cancer had been disturbed and was travelling everywhere. With the second time,I gave myself a self talk:well it must have stayed put the first time cos 7yrs later,although back in the same breast,it was nowhere else in my body.I must have convinced myself this time cos I haven't worried as much! It's not so much vanity but rather losing and grieving for a part of your body that you've had for a long time. It's also an emotional loss- a smaller breast from a lumpectomy is one thing but to look down and see nothing but a scar takes some getting used to.You are forever reminded of bcancer.Wardrobe is another thing to consider-no more cleavage so you may have to "doctor"some of your necklines. I've just had my first mammogram since surgery last year and I was quite anxious about it..It's like I have to start all over again just when I'd become quite ok about mammos.And it has made me think about  having the "good"breast off in the future so as not to face that anxiety every year. Talk to your surgeon about having both off and if you can decide down the track about reconstruction.I mean,you want to have options later.If there is one thing I've learnt  from this journey - you can't always predict how you are going to feel and react. These decisions are so difficult aren't they but you'll get there.

                                Tonya xx