Hello everyone
First post, I hope I'm in the right place.
I was diagnosed with a 2cm breast cancer (tumour?) and extensive DCIS in my left breast 5 weeks ago. No symptoms, routine mammo, no history of cancer in the family so biggest shock of my life. I feel extremely lucky that it's been caught early and is treatable however it's still an awful lot to process and I'm really struggling. I've been told I need a mastectomy and the breast surgeon thought I'd be a good candidate for a DIEP flap reconstruction. I'm quite slim and have large boobs for my frame (E cup) and so the plastic surgeon has told me that I don't have enough body fat to make a new breast of the same size and therefore I'd need a reduction on the other side if I wanted symmetry. I really dont want a breast reduction - I can cope with scars, loss of nipple, pain but a change in size was my biggest fear. My boobs are my favourite part of my body - I love them and while I understand and accept that I need to lose one and am so incredibly grateful this disease isn't going to kill me Im still devastated at the place I find myself. Ive explored the possibility of an implant in the hope that perhaps I could have one close to my natural size but that's been poo-poo'd by my breast surgeon and she's told me that if I insisted on that route she'd only implant roughly a B cup anyway.
Both surgeons and the nurses I've spoken to seem to not understand why I'm so upset at a) losing a breast and b) having to go considerably smaller to create any symmetry. In my first appointment with the plastic surgeon, a week after I was told I'd lose my breast, I became upset. I was asked why I was so upset and was then told I'd be referred to a psychologist. Today I was told by a nurse that I needed to 'reasses my priorities'. I feel like everyone thinks I'm massively over reacting and I should just be grateful I'm alive. Am I not allowed to be upset about this?
I guess I'm really struggling and feel completely unsupported and without answers. I wondered if there was anyone in my position who had to have a sizeable reduction and how they came to terms with that. I'm reluctant to attend the meeting with the psychologist as I'm afraid l'll again be made to feel like I'm making a fuss.
Sorry this is so long - if anyone has any advice I'd be so grateful x
