Would love support and words of encouragement.....

I am a double M survivor.
I am a double M survivor. It will be OK. It's now three years without reconstruction. I waffle still - sometimes I want to go ahead and do it, other times I'm just as glad there's nothing there to worry about. No matter what, you will be fine! xoxoxo Lynn

DianeBC said:

Wishing you the best of luck
Wishing you the best of luck with your surgery on Wednesday Sue!


Hugs, Diane

i'm going in for the second
i'm going in for the second half of the double m on dec 5, with reconstruction on both at that time (DIEP). it is scarey, but for me, the right decision. i'm a 46 yo wife, mom and grandma. i want to feel normal again! i had the first side done in june.
hoping for the best outcome for you, whatever you decide!
Suzanne

Lighthouse_7 said:

Best of luck Sue
I had a lumpectomy but just wanted to wish you all my best.
Hugs,
Wanda

Wishing...
You a speedy recovery....what ever your choice...only you can decide what's best for you....I didn't have to make this choice...lumpectomy here...but my sister in law is a 22 yr survivor..she had bilateral m at age 39...no reconstruction...she says she has never regretted her decision....she said one surgery was enough for her....

Sending prayers and best wishes..
Hugs,
Nancy

I had to have delayed
I had to have delayed reconstruction so went a year after my mastectomy. I never wore prosthetics. It didn't bother me. My choice to have reconstruction was because I did want to and there was a huge part that wanted things to look as close to normal for my 3 year old daughter...didn't want her to ever feel "different". I very easily could have left things the way they were. To be honest, the "wake up" was way easier than I expected.
Good luck to you!!
Dana

smalldoggroomer said:

I had a right side
I had a right side Mastectomy last Nov. It wasn't as bad as I though it would be. I never had reconstruction and am not going to. Now a year later I wish I had removed both. Then I would have been even. for me that would have been better. I'm sending you prayers and strength. You will be in my thoughts on Wed. Please let us know how you are soon as you are up to it. I felt great the next day. Only spent one night in hospital. You will be fine. We always imagine things worse then they turn out to be. take care Darlin Kay,

Hi Sue Relays
I had double mastectomy at age 49 (2 years ago). I have not had reconstruction, but would consider it at some time in the future. My MD indicated that most local recurrences of my kind of BC occur within the first 2 years, so I decided that I would wait at least 2 years before making any decision regarding reconstruction. I have no regrets at this point.

Good luck with your surgery and healing. Jane

Chickadee1955 said:

Best of Luck. Its a hard
Best of Luck. Its a hard thing to face and so easy to second guess. I had bilateral mastectomy; delayed reconstruction. I am actually going in tomorrow for a revision of the reconstruction. Anyway, just wanted to add my best wishes.

One operation is enough
I had a right mastectomy with no reconstruction. I don't regret it but I do have to be carful not to pick a top with a v neck or scooped neckline. It can be tough finding a top at times depending on what is in style for the season.

Prayer and hugs,

Ticky

Hi Sue,
I did the bilateral
Hi Sue,

I did the bilateral Jan 14 of this year, no reconstruction. I was told for my dx (IBC) no reconstruction for a year. As you may know, I had a local recurrence this August. So I also had the re-excision for that.

Between Jan and Aug I had been bouncing back and forth between reconstruction and staying with my prosthesis...more often feeling that enough was enough and no reconstruction. The recurrence has solidified that feeling. I'm done. No more surgery if I can help it. I do sometimes wonder if I would have found the recurrence as quickly if I'd had reconstruction.

I am satisfied with the prosthesis. I feel like I have a good fit and a shape that works for my body. I do strongly recommend that you see a certified fitter once you have healed enough.

I hope all goes well with the surgery. Take care of yourself and let others do for you for a little while.

Hugs,

Linda

Gabe N Abby Mom said:

Hi Sue,
I did the bilateral
Hi Sue,

I did the bilateral Jan 14 of this year, no reconstruction. I was told for my dx (IBC) no reconstruction for a year. As you may know, I had a local recurrence this August. So I also had the re-excision for that.

Between Jan and Aug I had been bouncing back and forth between reconstruction and staying with my prosthesis...more often feeling that enough was enough and no reconstruction. The recurrence has solidified that feeling. I'm done. No more surgery if I can help it. I do sometimes wonder if I would have found the recurrence as quickly if I'd had reconstruction.

I am satisfied with the prosthesis. I feel like I have a good fit and a shape that works for my body. I do strongly recommend that you see a certified fitter once you have healed enough.

I hope all goes well with the surgery. Take care of yourself and let others do for you for a little while.

Hugs,

Linda

Sue .. Best of luck with your decision, and surgery
As stated above, it is a personal decision and we all live with our decision rather we opt for reconstruction, or not.

take pain medication when necessary. Multiple pillows in various, sizes help with sleeping on your back.

Please make sure the RN's teach you how to milk your drains before leaving the hospital. Just a suggestion.

Please have cups, saucers, plates at arm level - as well as re-arranging your fridge for more commonly used items at arm levels. Tide/Downy small container sizes - also at arm level. Reaching up and grabbing heavy items -- will tear your stitches, as well as hurt your arms. Muscles and tissue in breast, as well as arm areas will be cut,moved and sewn back together.

I tried to take a bath ..but hence could not pull myself out of the our spa tub, no muscles or strength in my arms after bilateral mastectomy.. It took my husband, and daughter some time to pull me out of the tub == without hurting me. Not a pretty time, or sight to say the least. So I opted to shower ...My husband removed our shower head, and replaced it with a flex hose type so I could shower maneuvering the flex hose from waist down, as well as place shower water under my arms.

Lastly, please make sure you do your exercises as prescribed by Plastic Surgeon, and Physical Therapist.

Strength, Courage, Hope and Speedy recovery.

Vicki Sam

poplolly said:

Hi Sue. I had a mascetomy
Hi Sue. I had a mascetomy in Sept. 0f 2010; I did not have any reconstruction. November 22 I will have my other breast removed and I don't want any reconstruction.
The surgery is not nearly as bad as I had imagined it. I will say extra prayers for you tonight.

Hugs,

Judy

sorry
double post which means double the luck and hugs!

Gabe N Abby Mom said:

Hi Sue,
I did the bilateral
Hi Sue,

I did the bilateral Jan 14 of this year, no reconstruction. I was told for my dx (IBC) no reconstruction for a year. As you may know, I had a local recurrence this August. So I also had the re-excision for that.

Between Jan and Aug I had been bouncing back and forth between reconstruction and staying with my prosthesis...more often feeling that enough was enough and no reconstruction. The recurrence has solidified that feeling. I'm done. No more surgery if I can help it. I do sometimes wonder if I would have found the recurrence as quickly if I'd had reconstruction.

I am satisfied with the prosthesis. I feel like I have a good fit and a shape that works for my body. I do strongly recommend that you see a certified fitter once you have healed enough.

I hope all goes well with the surgery. Take care of yourself and let others do for you for a little while.

Hugs,

Linda

Good luck Sue on Wednesday
Good luck Sue on Wednesday with your surgery. I wish you didn't have to face this.


I will be praying for you as the others are too!


Hugs, Leeza