Hi there - I have been diagnosed with lobular cancer. When checking to measure the tumour they have detected another mass and so I’m now waiting for an MRI to find out what that is. Haven’t got a date for that which is panicking me a bit. After the MRI follows the surgery and I have been warned that it is 99% probability will mean a mastectomy. I have to decide on whether I have a reconstruction immediately or have that some time in the future. Can anyone who has decided either way tell me why they made their decision and how they feel now? Thanks.
Hi, Sorry you have been diagnosed with this s***y BC. I just wanted to say to you that if I could have have immediate recon, I would have,(presumably you do want recon at some stage having posted the question) for a number of reasons:-
Reduces further sugery (major surgery at that)
I would have thought that you dont feel quite like you have lost something.
Prosthesis are heavey (well mine is)
Would save on expensive mastectomy swimwear
You dont have to worry about wearing lower cut tops, as I do as Im scared that when I bend down you can see the prosthesis.
I will be having my recon, all being well on 19th Aug, and the date cant come round soon enough for me. Everyone’s different, some choose not to have recon at all, its a very personal thing and no right or wrong thing to do. I wish you well with your decision. Take it you wont be needing any radiotherepy after your surgery then? That was the reason I could not have immediate reon so my surgeon told me.
Ness1. x
Hi Pasman
Sorry you have had to join us, please remember that this site is an excellent place for support and friendship.
I had a mastectomy in July 2008, I wasn’t offered an immediate reconstruction, and I must admit that I hated only having one breast.
I looked into reconstruction, I went to a presentation given by a surgeon, with a viewing of some very kind ladies who had had delayed reconstruction.
Two things stayed with me, one the surgeon said that the majority of ladies who have the delayed are usually happier with the end result. He believes this could be because after having no breast you are content with “what you have”. (I know this is his opinion only)
The second thing was the viewing; the outcome I saw was amazing on these ladies. They looked like real breasts.
I opted for a diep, (remove fat and skin from your tummy and transplant) which I had 3 months ago. The results are fantastic, (the nice surgeon also made me 2 cup sizes bigger, and I have a super flat tummy. I am due to have an augmentation in 3 weeks)
I know it’s a shallow thing to say when some of us are facing a terrible terrible time, but I have never felt more feminine.
I don’t regret my path, if I could go back, I would still have the delayed, but obviously each of us have our own reasons for our decisions, some others may be happier with an immediate recon.
I wish you well with your treatment and good luck with your choice.
Deb
XXx
Thanks for advice. I feel a bit silly now…was I listening properly last week??
The nurse talked me through the various types of reconstruction and whether I would want it straightaway but also talked about probably having radiotherapy. Feel like I’ve got a long way to go to understand …
Hi
Sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis.
I too must have a mastectomy and have decided to have immediate recon. I am having mine on Monday. Although my first choice was the DIEp and tummy tuck option I’ve been told that there is quite a wait for this so I’m having a tempoaray implant first and then the DIEP later. This is also becuase I’m also having genetic testing so might eventually want a double mastectomy anyway.
Hope this helps
Love Freddie xxxxxx
hya,
i have grade 3 multifocal and after my chemo finishes I am going for a bilateral mx with immediate reconstruction with the tummy tuck option !!
This is a personal choice for me as i have size double j breasts on a size 14 frame i wouldnt feel right without them.Its a 12 hr operation for me which im having to fight for as they are taking one healthy breast off.For me there is no choice I would rather it all done in one go.Good luck with what you decide ,take care sharon x
Hi
I was the same as you, lobular and multi focal. They did offer me ‘immediate’ recon but the snag was i would have to wait and it could have been weeks/months. Having already gone 3 months from finding lump, i felt i couldnt wait any more and opted for mastectomy.
It was probably a wise decision, It turned out that i had 19/24 lymph nodes infected. I dont know why they hadnt spotted this but up until the operation they were telling me that they didnt think any were infected. This news meant that as well as chemo, radiotherapy was needed to. The doctor said that radiotherapy is not good on recon boobs.
I have just finished chemo and now awaiting dates for radiotherapy.
To be brutally honest i loathe my scar and not having a boob. I hate my prosthesis. However, what keeps me going is the thought that if i had waited it could have spread more.
I think you need to ask some questions before you decide.
Hope this helps
Linda
Hi
I’m very sorry that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was diagnosed with BC in Dec 06 at 28. Due to my family history and age my surgeon offered me a bilateral mastectomy or a lumpectomy. I was also uncertain as to whether I had the BRAC gene and had to be tested. So I opted for the lumpectomy and had it within 10 days of being diagnosed. I recovered very well from the op then I started Chemo and had RT. In July 07 I had a BRAC test which confirmed that I have the BRAC1 gene. Once I got the diagnosis I decided to have the bilateral mastectomy and in Fed 09 had it done with immediate reconstruction. I have no regrets, I recovered well and I’m very happy with the results, my breasts look really good. I’m not going lie to you I have my ups and downs but there are far more ups. I think a decision about treatment is a very personal one and there is no right or wrong decision. The decision about which surgery to have was a big one for me at that time and I’m glad I got to choose.
My surgeon wanted me to have the bilateral mastectomy from the start but did not pressure me.
Your probably still in shock at your diagnosis and making a decision will not be easy. Breast cancer care and Cancer backup do some really good booklets which may give you more info than you already have and help you make the right decision for you. Also their helplines are very useful and it may be beneficial for you to talk to some who isn’t directly involved.
I got diagnosed at time when things were really good. I was a single mother of two 9 and 8 yrs old at the time. I had just started doing an access to computing course and was very happy. For a while during and after treatment I thought I would never get my life back on track and would always feel the way the whole cancer situation made me feel. Try and always remember things will get better. I have my final op to replace my expanders with permernant implants in Aug. I’m due to start an access to Social work course in Sep my youngest is starting secondary school. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. You are at the beginning of your journey and you will to. Just give yourself time allow yourself to have your ups and downs and try not to beat your self up.
With the best of wishes.
x
Heard today that my MRI is next Thursday. The letter says it will be 10 days after that before my Consultant gets the results. From getting the lump checked out really quickly it all seems to be slowing down now which worries me. Feeling very tearful tonight which comes in waves. Getting huge support at work but one guy today pushed the wrong buttons. Would have usually fronted it out…but instead I retreated. Decided he’s not worth worrying about.
Thanks you all for your advice and lovely support. Night night xx
Hi all I had multifocal and had a mastectomy in nov 2007 …Only opion for me at the time was temp implant that had to be inflated ver a period of months due to being a skinny bint ! had saline injected monthly and then in Jan 08 had this removed and the permanent one in …to be perfectly frank it never looked or felt right it was very uncomfortable but I just put this down to the healing process until I could not stand the discomfort no more so returned to hosp in Jan this year and saw a new plastic surgeon …he advised that I had a grade 4 capsular contracture on the verge of rupturing so had to be removed …this surgeon gave me the option of the LD FLAP op with an implannt …which I had in March this year …had alot of swelling seroma on my back where they took the muscle from and the scar is a lot bigger than he had anticpated as I lost even more weight prior to the op …but it has been worth it …even though I am still in a bit of discomfort at times …it eels more natural than the other implant but will never look like a natural breast but this is my last attempt so fingers crossed .
Hope that you get your head round it all …it takes awhile but you do eventually xxxxxxxxxxgood luck Maz
Hi all,
I am new here and was diagnosed with BC on June 4th and have been lurking on the forums ever since.
This post struck a cord with me as I am also in the process of deciding on which reconstruction to have.
I had originally opted for an immediate reconstruction (to be left without a boob for the least time possible) and my nurse too mentioned the possiblity of radiotherapy.
At reconstruction clinic the surgeon said we don’t know whether or not you will need radiotherapy; it’s 50/50, but if you do, then an immediate reconstruction would not be advisable.
I now have to decide what to do - have an immediate reconstruction which may not work if I have radiotherapy or opt for a delayed recontruction using my own tissue, which I might not have needed to have if I didn’t need radiotherapy.
To Pasman, I think the decision depends on what you are looking for and will feel comfortable with. It has to be the right choice for you.
There is a very good leaflet on this site that tells you all about the different reconstructions. I found it really useful.
Take care.
Annabel
Hi Tinkerbelle, and welcome.