Double mastectomy

Thank you Chris, I am feeling better about my decision now. I will do what it ever it takes to try and beat this disease, so if it is bye bye boobies, so be it. 

Hi Lorraine

It is a big decision. I am currently 6 weeks post op from a bilateral mastectomy with immediate TRAM flap reconstruction and I am doing very well. I had a small DCIS in my left breast in December 2013, so small that I did not need chemo or radiation, so I was very fortunate in that respect. However, genetic testing showed I was positive BRCA2 gene, so I decided to have a double mastectomy so that I can prevent this horrible disease from coming back. For me it was the right decision as the pathology from my surgery showed atypical change in both breasts which if left would have turned cancerous down the track. It is a personal decision that only you can make, but personally I was glad that I had the opportunity to prevent breast cancer from returning. If I hadn't made that decision and I got breast cancer again, then I would have really been annoyed with myself for not taking the opportunity when I had it. There's always going to be nay sayers out there, but you are the one it is happening to, not them, and that's the difference. My advice would be to listen to your surgeons, they know what they're talking about. I had great surgeons and I knew I could trust them implicitly and they have looked after me extremely well. I wish you all the very best, love Louise xx

Hi Lorraine, it certainly sounds as though you've made the right decision for you. It's weird, but once you've been diagnosed with breast cancer all sorts of people decide that they need to pass on their opinions about what you should or shouldn't be doing. This whole ordeal can be confusing and overwhelming enough without these  "experts", so I tended to say "ok thanks but my dr/medical team have said that xxx would work best in my case." Having said that, I do appreciate hearing from others who have been down this path and happy to talk about their experiences, something this site is so good at. Jane xx

Hi Lorraine, never doubt your decision because that is the best one for you.  I would have had a double but my surgeon didn't want to do it as there was no cancer in the other breast.  I didn't really care about that I just don't want to have to this  a second time. Having said that we are talking about it now so my boobs match.  I had a goldilocks mastectomy which has left me with what the surgeon described as a 'man boob'.  It is really good so we will even me up.  I don't care what anyone thinks of my decision because I will be happy to reduce my risk of recurrence.  Maureen

Hi Lorraine. It is a difficult decision to make. I had a double mastectomy 10 months ago. I decided to follow the advice of medical staff..I wanted to look  back and think that I had done everything I could to stop this terrible 'thing'. I know it is a personal decision....we all have to do what is 'right' for us. Best wishes.Chris.x

Thanks Nicole, I am happy to live with my decision as long as I get to live. A comment from a relative, who happens to be a nurse, has just caused me to doubt my decision.  I had chemo first to reduce the size of the tumour, it was quite large. I won't need anymore chemo, but will be having radiation therapy.  I am not on a journey either, but I do plan on going on one with my family once I finish all my treatment.

Thank you Rowdy, I do think I have made the right decision, but a comment from someone has made me doubt my decision and the idea of  having surgery petrifies me. I just want this nightmare to end.  I can't call it a journey either, it just seems such an odd word to use. 

Like Rowdy, I call this an ordeal not a journey. Right or wrong the decision is yours alone to make.  Once made you have to live with it so be comfortable with your choice & if you're still not dure seek more information I say. Good luck Lorraine x May I ask why you had chemo first?  I did too. Before and After but haven't come across anyone else who has.

Hi it is always a tough time to make decisions, especially when we feel so vunerable.I'm sure you have thought long and hard about your decision, you wouldn't be normal if you didn't have doubts. Only you yourself can decide what you want ,it is your body. I had to a mastectomy with immediate  reconstruction this was the right choice, for me but maybe not for others and beleive me I had many doubts about my decsion.

Go with what you feel is right for you, good luck it is another bit of your trip. (sorry I can't call it a journey it has always been a sh.... trip for me). Sending you positive vibes and hugsxxx