Hi everyone,I will have mastectomy soon but not sure about recontruction,too many side effects the doctor told me,I have to decide but need to know the experience of the people whi had that before please.
I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 12 years. Initially I had a lumpectomy, but a year later, I discovered a second cancer in the same breast. I haven't had reconstruction, but I have had a double mastectomy and thought that you might find it helpful to know that I cope well with an assortment of prostheses for different purposes. I consider my scarring a banner of the struggle that I've survived and have never looked back .
I found the mastectomy easier to cope with than the lumpectomy and, due to problems with general anaesthetic, was not a suitable candidate for reconstruction.
Whatever decision you reach, it has to be the best one for you and you alone. I sincerely hope that you reach the right decision and that it all goes well for you.
Please keep in touch and, remember that we are always here for you.
I have done my decision today so next Thursday will have the mastectomy without reconstrucion.
I said to my self dont any more problems,just want to get rid of this cancer.
Glad that you are 12 years cancer free,may I ask what stage did you had and what problem do you have with general anaesthetic please as I dont like that either ,looks like will have panic attac,it went fine on my first surgery no problems but I am still scared of it.
I had a mastectomy back in June with a reconstrruction implant. I am in my 40"s and wasn't initially going to get it done but I spoke to other people who had. I thought then that as I was going to be put out I may as well get it done when I would already be out.
Thankfulky I recovered really well from it with no major side backs. My aunt had breast cancer over 12 years ago and this was not available when she was getting her mastectomy and she said she found it hard not seeing anything, I have to admit as it has been traumatic going through this it has left it easier when I gobto put on clothes that I have a breast there.
Although saying that there are great bras out there if you decide not to get an implant. It really is your own decision in how you feel you can cope.
I am glad to hear that you have made the decision. I had a 3" gallstone, accompanied by a pustular pleurisy, 22 years ago and was told that it was touch and go as to whether my surgeon and his team could pull me through. They put me on to IV antibiotics for 2 weeks to try and reduce the infection first. However, I have a narrow windpipe and, with ordinary intubation I stopped breathing on the table. I came around to find one very worried anaethetist and had to wait a further 2 weeks for this to heal before they could operate again.
I now have to have fibre-optic intubation for any operation and have to swallow the camera without coughing, before they can put me out. I was diagnosed with grade 1 pure mucinous cancer on both occasions and had no lymph node involvment.
I was older than you at the time (60), so not as worried about losing my breasts as I would have been when I was younger. Like you, my main concern was to get rid of the cancer.
Oh darling you been through so many problems,but here you are strong and healthy thanks god.
My diagnose is DCIS, tumor still in milk duct but the grade of the cancer cells is grade 3 which means I am at high risk that the cancer might come back again soon,they said I had a 5mm tissue but after surgey they said it was a 11mm tissue with positive margins.So lets see .
Yes, there have been problems along the way, but the most important thing is that I am still here. I think that my lump was 12mm. Grade 3 is not so good, but is still teatable, so stay positive.
