mastectomy and reconstruction

Of course you are terrified. We all were when we got the same news. If you weren't, then I'd reaally be concerned, lol.

I don't know what all ur abbrev.'s mean, but BC is BC, no matter.

I was told on a Thurs. i needed the same as u, and it was literally gone by the next Thurs. You are having a loss, but instead, we get to keep YOU!!

I didn't get to do reconstruction til 2 yrs. later because they needed to be sure I was still gonna be around. And, THERE I WAS, still pestering away at them. lol.

Having your reconstruction done right away will help enormously, and I am so happy u can and u are!

My first run-in w/this BEAST was 15 yrs. ago, and I can assure you what they had then to help fight your mother's BC doesn't even come close to what they have now. I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. She would so approve of what you're doing.

My only daughter was 5 when i was diag. in '91. She is now 24. I worry about this exact scenario occuring, but then I pray.

That was #1,(about the diff. in the meds.), #2 it sounds like they have caught this early, albeit the loss of your breast makde it feel not early to you, and I am very sorry it has to happen, i know EXACTLY how this feels, as do many others here, and it is a painful loss.

In the week I had to wait, I began thinking of my left breast much like in the movie "The Alien", and that if Maest. didn't happen, it would burst out of me as in the movie and consume me. And I have to say when I saw that movie the 1st time, it scared the crap out of me,(I would have used another word there normally). Maybe that visualization will help you.

And if you don't have any nodes involved, you will be so deliriously happy over that you won't feel the loss of the breast as badly, and if they are some, you will have the same reaction, I think.

But now they will be following you closely, very closely, as they have me, and that will save you're life, if you are as religous about it as they are. These rigorous follow-up's have saved my life twice since then. Both re-occurances were caught v early in '04 w/an MRI of r/breast, 7mm. mass, encapsulated and the out in lumpectomy. And now in '06 a 4cm. mass, encapsulated nodes, caught on CAT scan and PET scan, out and I am now w/NED.

BECAUSE YOUR MOTHER DIED, IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU WILL, OK?

My heart goes out to you, stay close to your friends that make you laugh and will cry with you too.

I stay hopeful because I have seen the miracles.
I also pray a lot and get a lot from that, perhaps you already have a spiritual aspect to your life. It was paramount to me.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Huggggs, Kathy

Well welcome to a whole new group of friends. I just had my surgery in sept and will see my oncologist next week. i opt not to have reconstruction and not to have a lumpectomy, both were offered. I was told that radiation makes the skin tough and harder to feel for lumps and being a worry wart i didnt want to go thru that. Your age i think has alot to do with the choices you will make (im in early 50's) and i already breast feed so they did their job. one thing i have noticed with this disease is that everyone's circumstance are different but we all are ready to fight the fight to live another day. The positive out look is that fortunately we dont need our breast to breathe, eat or think. They are just window dressing and unless you'll be walking around naked you can still dress the windows (lol) My heart goes out to you. Take good care of yourself and may God Bless you and your family. Keep the faith !!!!!!!!

I had my mastectomy on 9/27 with immediate reconstruction. I did have a postive node so I will have to have chemo and I see my new oncologist in 2 weeks. You stay hopeful because the people on this board will help you through it.
When I was first diagnosed, I has just sold my house in NJ, bought a new one in SC and had 6 weeks to make the move AND deal with the surgery!
These are the people that made me believe I could pull it all off and enjoy my new life. Will you have bad days, sure. But there are good ones too. Two weeks after my release from the hospital I was out to dinner with my family.
Family, friends, & faith will get you through.
You may have cancer but it doesn't have you.
Hugs & Prayers
Kathy

susabella said:

Hi Kathy,
I'm a "Bill's wife" too! How are you feeling? You said your surgery was 9/27, and it's been 4 weeks? What type of reconstruction did you opt for? Are you happy with the results? I'm really sorry about the chemo. I had the nodes checks on the left when I had my lumpectomy in August, but they will check them on the right when they do the bilateral mastectomy. So far, negative. I can't believe you had to move on top of this! I have no reason to complain, my hat is off to you. You are one tough cookie!

Hugs right back,

Susan

Hi Susan
It will actually be 4 weeks this Friday.
I've tired a lot of the time but I'm doing OK. I had a FLAP from the abdomen ( 2 muscles) and so far, so good. I was very impressed with my plastic surgeon from the get go. He took a lot of time explaining everything to me and my husband. He also was willing to work with us by letting me return to NJ for the additional stages of the surgery ( I need a reduction on the other side, and then the fine tuning) This was a BIG help in not having to look for an additional doctor in a new place.
I've been staying in NJ with my family while I recuperate but my husband made a quick trip to SC to get the furniture set up in the new house. Hopefully Nov 1 will find us in the new home , ready to face the next part-- the chemo. I meet my new oncologist Nov 9th

Gtgrama11-I have a web page and part of my story is on it. I too had mastectomies with reconstruction 11 years ago. I had saline implants not the flap my Dr. advised me against the flap. I will not lie to you it was painfull but they do give you pain medication and if you use it, it will definitly help. I was glad that I had it all done at once. and the surgery to replace the expanders was a snap for me I did not have a lot of pain with it. I did not have the nipple surgery I just wanted to have some shape so clothes would fit. Guess this is vain but it has helped me deal with this loss. This is definitly not a easy decision to make for anyone. God bless and my prayers are with you.