Hi Kel,
Thank you for your post as I too am thinking about having my other breast removed. I was diagnosed in June last year (at the age of 34) and had an immediate mastectomy and following this surgery I had my lymph nodes removed, as cancer was detected. I went on to have 6 sessions of chemo, 5 weeks of radiation and am now on Tamoxifen.
My next goal is reconstructive surgery. I am giving my body a good 7/8 months break (I finished radiation in January) and hope to have my other breast removed and a double reconstruction at the same time. I have 2 little girls and I also want to eliminate the risk factor.
I know exactly how you are feeling right now - so many decisions. I have started the gene testing process and will find out my results around July however despite the results, I know that I will still have my other breast removed. It is more out of fear than anything else - just don't want it to come back ever!
Thinking of you
x
Hi Kel,
Thank you for your post as I too am thinking about having my other breast removed. I was diagnosed in June last year (at the age of 34) and had an immediate mastectomy and following this surgery I had my lymph nodes removed, as cancer was detected. I went on to have 6 sessions of chemo, 5 weeks of radiation and am now on Tamoxifen.
My next goal is reconstructive surgery. I am giving my body a good 7/8 months break (I finished radiation in January) and hope to have my other breast removed and a double reconstruction at the same time. I have 2 little girls and I also want to eliminate the risk factor.
I know exactly how you are feeling right now - so many decisions. I have started the gene testing process and will find out my results around July however despite the results, I know that I will still have my other breast removed. It is more out of fear than anything else - just don't want it to come back ever!
Thinking of you
x
Hi Kel
I had a bilateral mastecomy and reconstruction (by expanders) in April last year. The lump I found was identified in one breast, however I elected to have them both removed as my mum is also a bc survivor and she only had one removed. She is 7 years remission - which is fabulous, however she still stresses about it returning . My choice proved to be the right one for me. The pathology post surgery was that there was another small tumor in the same breast 2mm, and there were pre-malignant cells in the other breast. I have had no regrets whatsoever. But this is a very personal choice, it is not for everyone. My relationship with my old sagy breasts was not fabulous and I shed no real tears about losing them. I think that seeing my mum (who had chemo and has not been reconstructed) contributed to this. I was 40 when diagnosed and my cancer was stage 2 and there was no lymph node involvement. I have been so very lucky to have escaped chemo - however am on Tamoxifen for 5 years. At the end of this month is my first anniversary since diagnosis. I can't believe almost a year has gone. I am fully reconstructed now and are very happy with the result. I wish you all the best on your journey. I am happy to answer any questions you may have - just ask
Hugs
Liz x
Hi Kel,
I had a mastectomy in June and next month I am going to see my surgeon for a referral to a plastic surgeon for reconstruction. At the same time, I will be having the other breast off. I have not had any genetic testing and do not know if there has been anyone in forebears with it as they have all died.
I am having it to reduce my worry about it coming back in other one and also as the one I have left is large and saggy and it would be hard to match up. There have been many women on this site who have had a breast reoccurance and that scares me.
My surgeon says that I will probably have a DIEP flap which is a long op.(10 hours or more for two breasts)but he says they have been getting good results and is happy to support my decision.
I have heard that medicare only pays for cancerous one and that health funds dont give much back but have not enquired yet.
Julia
Hi Kel,
I had a mastectomy in June and next month I am going to see my surgeon for a referral to a plastic surgeon for reconstruction. At the same time, I will be having the other breast off. I have not had any genetic testing and do not know if there has been anyone in forebears with it as they have all died.
I am having it to reduce my worry about it coming back in other one and also as the one I have left is large and saggy and it would be hard to match up. There have been many women on this site who have had a breast reoccurance and that scares me.
My surgeon says that I will probably have a DIEP flap which is a long op.(10 hours or more for two breasts)but he says they have been getting good results and is happy to support my decision.
I have heard that medicare only pays for cancerous one and that health funds dont give much back but have not enquired yet.
Julia
No worries, Kel. We don't mind creative spelling. :) But if you do want to change what you've written (any time), you can just click on the 'edit' tab at the top of your post, make the changes, then scroll down and save.
