I was diagnosed last month

2»

Comments

  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    Hey Calleen
    I am glad that you seem to have some peace now in your decision. It is a difficult decision to make.

    I just want you to know that I have had breast cancer twice in my lifetime too and I am still here and doing fine. I first had it over 23 plus years ago and then I had a NEW cancer in the other breast this year. I had a small lumpectomy with rads, both times. I am very grateful for the choice that I had and the choice that I made.

    One thing I will caution you is that you will be having reconstruction, not breast enhancement. Several on here have discussed openly how they went into the surgery thinking enhancement and then realized it wasn't. Be sure and see lots of pictures and even talk with other bc survivors who have had the surgery. I think that will help you too.

    Good luck to you!

    Love, Jeanne
  • Calleen
    Calleen Member Posts: 411
    Jeanne D said:

    Hey Calleen
    I am glad that you seem to have some peace now in your decision. It is a difficult decision to make.

    I just want you to know that I have had breast cancer twice in my lifetime too and I am still here and doing fine. I first had it over 23 plus years ago and then I had a NEW cancer in the other breast this year. I had a small lumpectomy with rads, both times. I am very grateful for the choice that I had and the choice that I made.

    One thing I will caution you is that you will be having reconstruction, not breast enhancement. Several on here have discussed openly how they went into the surgery thinking enhancement and then realized it wasn't. Be sure and see lots of pictures and even talk with other bc survivors who have had the surgery. I think that will help you too.

    Good luck to you!

    Love, Jeanne

    I understand
    The book I mentioned above has both pictures of breast that have reconstruction and implants... I just hope I have enough belly fat to make them a bit bigger... just wishful thinking.. I've been eating lots of ice cream hoping to fatten up for my surgery but I think it's going to my rear too!!!!
  • jk1952
    jk1952 Member Posts: 613
    Calleen said:

    It's a tough decision
    But it's your personal Journey...

    I was diagnosed on May 8th with IDC. it's under 2 cmm. My Mother lost her battle with breast cancer...hers recurred 2 times... I was with her the whole way.. and it's still hard to think about... My Aunt had a lumectomy 5 years ago and is now having side effects from the radiation...I made the choice to do a skin sparring bi-lateral with immediate reconstruction using my own tissue... I chose this so I could have peace of mind and not worry if it will come back in my breasts. I also will not have to have radiation because there wont be any tissue left.... I will have surgery next Wed.... I tease my friends that I'm getting a new body for my birhday which is in about 3 weeks and hopfully for Christmas I will get new nipples!!! I think they are jealous!!! LOL... But what helped me make my final choice was my visit with my Plastic Surgeon.. I told her I felt like I was taking advantage of Cancer by getting new boob's (hopefully a bit bigger since I'm kinda small) and when I expressed this to her she said .. Heck why not get something out of having Cancer!! It invaded you!!! And ya know what she's right... None of us would chose to have BC but we do..

    I want to reccomend you to read a few books it really helped me with my choices...
    one is "Dr Susan's Loves Breast Book" its the bible for Women with breast cancer.. it's easy to find at any book store... and the other is called "Reconstructing Aphrodite" by Lorant*Eskenazi...It shares stories of 21 Women with BC. It has beautiful photograhs of their reconstructed breasts..

    I also had the genetic testing which my insurance paid for... very simple blood test...

    You will find your perfect choice .. Pray about it... Talk about it with your Family and Friends (us too!!!)... and it will come to you!!!

    Calleen.....

    For anyone who wants great,

    For anyone who wants great, reliable answers about breast cancer, Dr. Susan Love's book has been the bible for many, many years. The last edition was the fourth edition in 2005, and I hope that it continues to be updated regularly, even though Susan Love has retired. It was my major source of information in 2000, when I was first diagnosed.

    She also wrote a menopause book (2003 edition) which is also very good. My breast surgeon had a copy in her waiting room, and I had to wait long enough that I read all of the sections that interested me.

    Joyce
  • brenda247
    brenda247 Member Posts: 124
    Hi Tina
    Yes like they all say that decision has to be yours.. but i will tell you my doc gave me that decision and i thought about it talk to him about what was best for me.. everyone is different but i think i done the right thing i had a masectomy which i didnt want it just was safer for me.. so you do whats best for you.. prayers are with you!!!!!
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    brenda247 said:

    Hi Tina
    Yes like they all say that decision has to be yours.. but i will tell you my doc gave me that decision and i thought about it talk to him about what was best for me.. everyone is different but i think i done the right thing i had a masectomy which i didnt want it just was safer for me.. so you do whats best for you.. prayers are with you!!!!!

    Yes, sending you lots of
    Yes, sending you lots of prayers!