Mastectomy this Thursday..

Hi @Fernweh, I was diagnosed 2 years ago but I did chemo first - very stressful as I really didn’t have a definitive idea of my actual pathology for 6 months. I had ILC and I knew from the moment I was diagnosed I would have a DMX and my treating team supported me. I also wanted immediate reconstruction and this was the stage I was possibly not going to be able to have done as it is considered ‘elective’ and the pandemic had really kicked off. The plastic surgeon explained that because of Covid, all elective surgeries were postponed. He explained that it was about minutes in the operating theatre and keeping them available. There was never any question about the removal of my non-cancer breast - I was worried it would be deemed elective.  I was fortunate that surgeries opened up and was able to have my planned surgery and start the recon process.  The pathology of my non-Cancer breast showed unusual cells, not cancer, just cells that would have needed monitoring. I am still not sure how that would have happened, but long story short, I have never regretted my decision. My recovery was excellent, far better than I anticipated. Keep up the pain medication for as long as you need it - good sleep helps you to heal. My advice, and I am not a doctor, is go with what your doctor is recommending, have the surgery, do the treatment and then you have time to really think about what you want. Remember, I had 6 months to really process everything. If you want the second SMX, find a surgeon who supports you - advocate for yourself. There are surgeons who will support your decision. In the meantime the priority is to remove the cancer do the treatment and get on with the business. Wishing you well 🌺