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Hi Jacqui

Damn those stubborn cells  :O( On the other side of the coin? If you have a bi-lateral mastectomy (both breasts), it takes chances of re-occurence down to less than 10%, according to my surgeon. And upside - perky new boobies that won't sag like your peers will  :OP

It's goingto be a tough time but one step at a time. Like Colb says, if it is too much at once, step back and look at the big picture and you will find your focus again.

As for the mastectomy and reconstruction, I had mine started in the same operation. I had a bilateral mastectomy. This meant that although she took everything (skin, breast tissue,nipple, areola) I didn't have a muscle flap taken from the back or abdominal area, she has used my chest muscle for the pocket. For this I was incredibly grateful as I had read ans since learnt from people going through thistype that is a much longer recuperation time and can be more painful/uncomfortable. First the surgeon placed tissue expanders in (then regular trips to get them inflated with saline to expand them and stretch the skin), the next step is permanent impants. After that (a couple of months for them to drop) she will do a nipple reconstruction with tattooing to follow.  My costs are zero as I have top level private health insurance (thank goddess for hubby's company throwing that into the renumeration package!) and between that and Medicare, I have no out-of-pocket expenses and that includes staying in a private hospital. So I don't know if that helps unless you have private health insurance, make sure you mention that and check your level of cover with the provider.

As for when, I think that is a combination of when you are ready for it and whether your surgeon advises that you could go ahead with it straight away or need to wait after radiotherapy.

I don't know if any of this helps but all my thoughts are with you and your family.

Hugs Ree xxx