What to do after a mastectomy?
Hi, i was diagnosed in oct 2016 and started chemo in nov 2016, 4 ac followed by further 12. I still have 5 sessions to go as I've had hiccups along the way. Then an op and 6 weeks of radiation...
Forum Discussion
Hi Im sitting in the hospital right now after having right mastectomy and immediate air expander put in 5 days ago.
Before the surgery
I was devastated and very anxious and manic b4 the surgery. My diagnosis had taken ages i waited 7 weeks for lumpectomy did all the pre op. Then 2 days b4 surgery they told me my last minute mri shows a much larger area of high grade dcis and now mastectomy is my only option. Then another month till i could get treated in brisbane. I definitely had plenty of time to consider the options. Almost 3 months. Personally i am tall and busty and do a lot of swimming as my chosen sport. immediate recon was the only option i ever considered because i know having a new breast will help me recover emotionally and feel confident to get back to the outdoor (and indoor) activities that make me happy. For me It was the easiest decision ive ever made.
At this stage an implant was the only type of recon the plastic surgeon was willing to do.They call it immediate reconstruction but its still quite a lengthy process. I liked the idea of plastic surgeon being involved in the mastectomy operation and in the end 4 surgeons worked together Scar is still covered but i reckon its going to look very neat. Surgeon says If i dont like implant or it fails or radiation wrecks my skin i can still have diep flap in future.
Another reason i wanted immediate recon is because i had no private cover if i dont get it done now while im a category 1 patient i might have to wait years to get back in the system. I have been told medicare covers the cost but you arent on the urgent list anymore once the cancer is treated. ???
After the surgery
to my suprise instead of seeing something scarey or awful in the mirror after my surgery i just saw myself. My eyes my face my hair my skin my body my own smile i was still me just without a breast. I realised that all the photos i had looked at started at the neck and ended at the hips they were only meant as clinical examples but behind each photo is an actual woman with a face and a heart and a soul and people who love her.
I felt so relieved the anxiety was over and the cancer was hopefully gone. I felt an overwhelming love and compassion for that me in the mirror .
I believe that the thought of having the next much smaller op to put in permanent implant in a few months and then my nipple tatooo later gives me a timeline to a sense of closure. Something to look forward to at what i hope will be the end of this so called journey. And this is what is making it easier to cope at the moment.
As everyone says this is your choice and yours alone. Whatever you decide suits you best at the moment can b changed later your heart will tell you what to do. And your surgeons wont suggest anything they think your body cant handle the care and compassion they give is absolutely amazing. I was so terrified of surgery of any kind i had my affairs all organised i had a box of goodies for each of my sons id given my fiancee my instructions in case i didnt wake up. Omg its such a stressful time to be making big decisions. Specially when there is no certainty no wrong or right answer and even when you find an answer theres no guaranteed outcome. Its good to b abl to come on here and see how others have got thru it .
Vicki xx
Before the surgery
I was devastated and very anxious and manic b4 the surgery. My diagnosis had taken ages i waited 7 weeks for lumpectomy did all the pre op. Then 2 days b4 surgery they told me my last minute mri shows a much larger area of high grade dcis and now mastectomy is my only option. Then another month till i could get treated in brisbane. I definitely had plenty of time to consider the options. Almost 3 months. Personally i am tall and busty and do a lot of swimming as my chosen sport. immediate recon was the only option i ever considered because i know having a new breast will help me recover emotionally and feel confident to get back to the outdoor (and indoor) activities that make me happy. For me It was the easiest decision ive ever made.
At this stage an implant was the only type of recon the plastic surgeon was willing to do.They call it immediate reconstruction but its still quite a lengthy process. I liked the idea of plastic surgeon being involved in the mastectomy operation and in the end 4 surgeons worked together Scar is still covered but i reckon its going to look very neat. Surgeon says If i dont like implant or it fails or radiation wrecks my skin i can still have diep flap in future.
Another reason i wanted immediate recon is because i had no private cover if i dont get it done now while im a category 1 patient i might have to wait years to get back in the system. I have been told medicare covers the cost but you arent on the urgent list anymore once the cancer is treated. ???
After the surgery
to my suprise instead of seeing something scarey or awful in the mirror after my surgery i just saw myself. My eyes my face my hair my skin my body my own smile i was still me just without a breast. I realised that all the photos i had looked at started at the neck and ended at the hips they were only meant as clinical examples but behind each photo is an actual woman with a face and a heart and a soul and people who love her.
I felt so relieved the anxiety was over and the cancer was hopefully gone. I felt an overwhelming love and compassion for that me in the mirror .
I believe that the thought of having the next much smaller op to put in permanent implant in a few months and then my nipple tatooo later gives me a timeline to a sense of closure. Something to look forward to at what i hope will be the end of this so called journey. And this is what is making it easier to cope at the moment.
As everyone says this is your choice and yours alone. Whatever you decide suits you best at the moment can b changed later your heart will tell you what to do. And your surgeons wont suggest anything they think your body cant handle the care and compassion they give is absolutely amazing. I was so terrified of surgery of any kind i had my affairs all organised i had a box of goodies for each of my sons id given my fiancee my instructions in case i didnt wake up. Omg its such a stressful time to be making big decisions. Specially when there is no certainty no wrong or right answer and even when you find an answer theres no guaranteed outcome. Its good to b abl to come on here and see how others have got thru it .
Vicki xx