Bilateral Mastectomy BOOKED !

I just wanted to wish you all the best for your bilateral surgery on 30th July.  I also had bilateral mastectomy as a preventative measure 2 years ago, and also opted for no reconstruction immediately (and now feel quite comfortable without it.)  There was no pain after the surgery due to the wonderful meds for the first couple of days, and after that Panadol was quite enough. I spent 4 days in hospital (under suffrance as I wanted to go home earlier) and left with one drain still in for another 24 hours.  With your very busy lifestyle I thought this might be useful information!  My scar is a fine white line, and my wonderful husband is happy with whichever choice I want to make.  A plus is that exercise is so much easier without a large bust - and my 4 sons tell me that it looks very youthful (bless their hearts) - I have never regretted the decision and think I will stay de-constructed (sounds like a salad!).  It just happens to suit me personally.  Keep in touch.  Michelle xxx

Thanks very much Robyn.  Yes, "ready" is an enormous understatement lol.  I was told by a BC survivor friend, that a vast majority of this journey is waiting, waiting, waiting.  Never a truer word has been said.  At least now the surgery date is booked and I can work towards preparing the family and house for my down-time post-op ie. freeze some meals, chores around the house, tend to some farm animals etc ... this will make my recovery and more importantly, the permission I need to give myself to 'just take it easy', all the more smooth sailing.  

Hi Candy and thank you for your kind words,

The Doctor at Breast Screen Qld (in Cairns) where I have my mammograms, told me that all mammograms are reviewed / assessed ("read") by two specialists (yes, I assume they are Radiologists). 

In my instance, the 1st reader (Radiologist) looked at my mammogram films and determined : "no abnormality detected", and they were then passed onto the next person to review.

It was indeed this "2nd reader" who found the tumour on the films ... pullled up my mammogram from 2 years prior to make a comparison, realised the tumour was not evident back then, hence determined that the "high risk breast lesion" (as it is often referred to) required further investigation. 

I received a phone call from the Brisbane office, offering me the next available appt in Cairns (which was the following week) ... at this next appt, I bounced back and forth between the mammogram and ultrasound technician.  You see, my tumour is so deep within the dense breast tissue (and I am big breasted) that the ultrasound was not able to visualise the lesion in its entirety ... yet the mammogram was able to identify it to the size of about a fifty cent piece. After 4 hours I was sent home (1.5 hours drive away) as the situation required further review by the Brisbane Radiologist ... then I was back to Cairns the following week for a Core Biopsy under Mammography (my left breast was squished in the mammogram machine for 20 minutes, while the biopsy was conducted). 

I share this info with you without hint or intent of complaint .... again, I am so very grateful for the diligence and care demonstrated by the Breast Screen Qld team.  If it were not for their astute dedication, I would not have been diagnosed and about to receive treatment.

I hoped I explained this clearly to you Candy ... I found it very interesting to learn about the "2 readers" policy.

Wishing you all the best with your op and treatment.  You sound like you are ready to hit this head on.  And yes, we do have a wonderful public health system. You sound like you have a supportive team looking after you, and a loving hubbie.

I do have one question?  What do you mean by "second reader", 2nd radiologist to lookt at film??  

Candy