Soon having a double masectomy, possibly reconstruction, and very scared and confused about it all.

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poeticrevolver
poeticrevolver Member Posts: 7
in Breast Cancer #1
I am a newbie here. I am facing soon a double masectomy, according to the first surgeon I have seen. Going for a second opinion soon.

I already went through a lumpectomy last year, actually in June. Already , not even a year later, I am having issues.

I am scared I will feel so different about myself. I also just finished chemo for Hodgkins last month.

So, I have gained lots of weight from the steroids, lost my hair, (2ft of it) and now facing loosing both breasts. Truly shocking!

I am praying the Lord will get me through. I'm also concerned that I may have to go through chemo for the bc this time.

Feeling confused, and not sure which way to go with this, especially when it comes to reconstruction. My ins. does cover it. So, that's good. But, I have already had several , major surgeries due to cancer, and do I really want to go through all of what this will entail?

Is it worth it ladies?

With Love to you all,

J

Comments

  • Folliculitis Horse
    Folliculitis Horse Member Posts: 8
    #2
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    Second Time - Second Opinion
    I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis and all the hurdles you have already jumped and are still facing. I can relate. My best basic advice is to get a second opinion. I got one my second time with breast cancer to find out (when the new hospital reviewed the original pathology/tissue ) that there had been a mis-diagnosis in round one. I would never had known this if I had not gotten a second opinion. It was mentally horrfic but may have lead the next team of doctors going forward giving me the most aggressive medical options to fight the disease. There is a word in the oncology world called "protocal" and it is VERY powerful. Get a second opinion and make sure they see your pathology from number one -- a good hospital would require it anyhow, and it is important as you are facing very difficult decisions. I wish you the best!!!
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #3
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    J,
    I had a bilateral
    J,
    I had a bilateral mastectomy in March. I am giving myself a year to recover and decide if I even want reconstruction. It will depend on the ease and comfort of the prosthetic, how I feel with out anything and how my body is coping with the assault it has had to endure this year.
    So far, I have not worn any bra or pads even in public. Mostly I wear scrub tops or men's t-shirts. After the surgery, it was too uncomfortable and radiation did not help. I am just now getting to where I can wear regular clothes with out much discomfort. (I just finished rads last wed)
    You may want to give yourself some time after surgery to heal before attempting reconstruction. If you have radiation, you may also want to delay it.

    All the best,
    Cindy
  • Chickadee1955
    Chickadee1955 Member Posts: 355 Member
    #4
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    mamolady said:

    J,
    I had a bilateral
    J,
    I had a bilateral mastectomy in March. I am giving myself a year to recover and decide if I even want reconstruction. It will depend on the ease and comfort of the prosthetic, how I feel with out anything and how my body is coping with the assault it has had to endure this year.
    So far, I have not worn any bra or pads even in public. Mostly I wear scrub tops or men's t-shirts. After the surgery, it was too uncomfortable and radiation did not help. I am just now getting to where I can wear regular clothes with out much discomfort. (I just finished rads last wed)
    You may want to give yourself some time after surgery to heal before attempting reconstruction. If you have radiation, you may also want to delay it.

    All the best,
    Cindy

    Hi J,
    Welcome to the Board.
    Hi J,

    Welcome to the Board. No one wants to be here, but you have found a wonderful site for information and support.

    I am 14 months out from bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy and reconstruction. I can't say its easy, but it is do-able. There are physical and mental/emotional issues to deal with through the journey; some more difficult than others, and each of us has a unique experience.

    I had my reconstruction about 8 months after mastectomy and am going back to a 2nd plastic surgeon next week to discuss revision and final reconstruction. For me it was best to deal with one thing at a time, so I didn't have immediate reconstruction. Some folks have had great results with immediate reconstruction, it just wasn't right for me.

    Best of luck and please feel free to post your questions. The women on this site (and the men) are phenomenal!

    Chickadee
  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
    #5
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    Chickadee1955 said:

    Hi J,
    Welcome to the Board.
    Hi J,

    Welcome to the Board. No one wants to be here, but you have found a wonderful site for information and support.

    I am 14 months out from bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy and reconstruction. I can't say its easy, but it is do-able. There are physical and mental/emotional issues to deal with through the journey; some more difficult than others, and each of us has a unique experience.

    I had my reconstruction about 8 months after mastectomy and am going back to a 2nd plastic surgeon next week to discuss revision and final reconstruction. For me it was best to deal with one thing at a time, so I didn't have immediate reconstruction. Some folks have had great results with immediate reconstruction, it just wasn't right for me.

    Best of luck and please feel free to post your questions. The women on this site (and the men) are phenomenal!

    Chickadee

    Hi J,
    I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. My surgery consisted of a skin sparing procedure. After removal of my breasts my plastic surgeon put in tissue expanders. I chose the route of implants for myself, but my exchange surgery won't be for a few more months. I am happy with my choice so far, I think waking up out of surgery and taking off those bandages wasn't quite so hidious since there was something there. Then watching the girls grow each week as they were being inflated made me feel more "normal".

    Everyone handles the loss of their breasts differently, me personally I never was happy with my large sagging double D's I'd been carrying around. Unfortunately now I will have implant worries for the remainder of my life. So far I'm happy with my choice.. when it comes time for my exchange though, I am leaning towards saline implants.

    Best of luck with your decision,
    Lorrie

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