New Member

Akiss4me

martharuiz said:

Cancer
Good morning ladies
Just wanted to share my story also. Took me a few weeks to even do this. My name is Martha and am 41 years old. June 2, 2009, I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ which spread within the same breast. My surgeon then ordered a breast 3D MRI of both breast to check on the other breast. Originally I was going to have a lumpectomy but things changed after the 3D breast MRI. I had a mastectomy performed on June 24, 2009 with immediate reconstruction of the breast. The reconstruction was taken from the stomach muscles. I didn't realize how painful this procedure actually was until I had it done. In a way I regret doing it this way. I should have had the implants done instead but I didn't want to deal with it leaking, deforming and changing them every ten years. When I came home from the hospital i had three drains also. Two in the stomach and one in the breast. They are very uncomfortable and had them removed 8 days after coming home from the hospital. What a relief to get them out. It has been a though road but am getting better day by day. Breast cancer runs in my family. My mother had a mastectomy when she was 58 and is doing fine now. Her sister had a mastectomy in her 70's also and now I got it at age 41. I thought if I were to get it I would be a lot lot older but you have to deal with what is given to you. Thank god I have a very supportive family and friends. I have to have one more surgery maybe the end of August to finish the reconstruction. Doctor has to put in a nipple and areola which he is taking from the other breast and readjust the new breast to match.

Thank god I did not need chemo or radiation, just Tamoxifen for the next five years.

Welcome Martha....
You've come to the right place as I'm sure you know. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It does not discriminate over age. Sounds like you have been through the big hurdle and need to rest and heal now. I think if I'd had to do reconstruction, I would do it the same way. I was able to have a lumpectomy, but I also am going through radiation. I am debating over the tamoxifen. Will have another discusion with my Oncologist on the 17th.
Please visit anytime and for any reason. We also welcome inputs on any topic. Hope to see you post again. -) Pammy

jk1952

martharuiz said:

Cancer
Good morning ladies
Just wanted to share my story also. Took me a few weeks to even do this. My name is Martha and am 41 years old. June 2, 2009, I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ which spread within the same breast. My surgeon then ordered a breast 3D MRI of both breast to check on the other breast. Originally I was going to have a lumpectomy but things changed after the 3D breast MRI. I had a mastectomy performed on June 24, 2009 with immediate reconstruction of the breast. The reconstruction was taken from the stomach muscles. I didn't realize how painful this procedure actually was until I had it done. In a way I regret doing it this way. I should have had the implants done instead but I didn't want to deal with it leaking, deforming and changing them every ten years. When I came home from the hospital i had three drains also. Two in the stomach and one in the breast. They are very uncomfortable and had them removed 8 days after coming home from the hospital. What a relief to get them out. It has been a though road but am getting better day by day. Breast cancer runs in my family. My mother had a mastectomy when she was 58 and is doing fine now. Her sister had a mastectomy in her 70's also and now I got it at age 41. I thought if I were to get it I would be a lot lot older but you have to deal with what is given to you. Thank god I have a very supportive family and friends. I have to have one more surgery maybe the end of August to finish the reconstruction. Doctor has to put in a nipple and areola which he is taking from the other breast and readjust the new breast to match.

Thank god I did not need chemo or radiation, just Tamoxifen for the next five years.

Martha, I had a surgery

Martha, I had a surgery similar to yours (but bilateral) on April 22, two months before yours. It does take a while to start feeling better, but you should start to see significant improvements each week. I went back to work 8 weeks after surgery, and it was tough for about a week, but I can honestly say that I've felt good since then. I do hit a wall about 8:00 or 8:30 in the evening, but the rest of the day is great.

Your nipple surgery is very quick: mine isn't until the beginning of November, because of my doctor's schedule.

Joyce

cats_toy

very late welcome Mollymouse
Sorry for the delay, I am still trying to catch up from taking time off the boards and missed this post completely (probably a lot more too). Sounds like you have already received lots of good advice and information, just wanted to welcome you too.
Cat

Christmas Girl

martharuiz said:

Cancer
Good morning ladies
Just wanted to share my story also. Took me a few weeks to even do this. My name is Martha and am 41 years old. June 2, 2009, I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ which spread within the same breast. My surgeon then ordered a breast 3D MRI of both breast to check on the other breast. Originally I was going to have a lumpectomy but things changed after the 3D breast MRI. I had a mastectomy performed on June 24, 2009 with immediate reconstruction of the breast. The reconstruction was taken from the stomach muscles. I didn't realize how painful this procedure actually was until I had it done. In a way I regret doing it this way. I should have had the implants done instead but I didn't want to deal with it leaking, deforming and changing them every ten years. When I came home from the hospital i had three drains also. Two in the stomach and one in the breast. They are very uncomfortable and had them removed 8 days after coming home from the hospital. What a relief to get them out. It has been a though road but am getting better day by day. Breast cancer runs in my family. My mother had a mastectomy when she was 58 and is doing fine now. Her sister had a mastectomy in her 70's also and now I got it at age 41. I thought if I were to get it I would be a lot lot older but you have to deal with what is given to you. Thank god I have a very supportive family and friends. I have to have one more surgery maybe the end of August to finish the reconstruction. Doctor has to put in a nipple and areola which he is taking from the other breast and readjust the new breast to match.

Thank god I did not need chemo or radiation, just Tamoxifen for the next five years.

Welcome, martharuiz
We're glad you found us, though regret the reason. Thanks for sharing your story. Yes, your surgery was very invasive. Good to know you're now beginning to feel at least a bit better. I'll be hoping you continue to recover, more quickly and without complications.

I was 45 when diagnosed. There are some amongst us younger - in their 30s, and even 20s. The disease does not discriminate.

Best wishes to you. Visit us often, whenever you need or would like to.

survivorbc09

cats_toy said:

very late welcome Mollymouse
Sorry for the delay, I am still trying to catch up from taking time off the boards and missed this post completely (probably a lot more too). Sounds like you have already received lots of good advice and information, just wanted to welcome you too.
Cat

Welcome Mollymouse! Sorry
Welcome Mollymouse! Sorry that you are here because of cancer, but, you will find lots of support from the survivors here.