I have got two large lumps and multiple other areas of cancer in my left breast ( and Also in the lymph nodes). I had the final chemo session just over two weeks ago and I am booked for a mastectomy on Tuesday 20th January. However i have always been adamant that I wanted a double mastectomy because of my fears of the cancer coming in the other breast and not being able to spot it (I didn’t find the current cancer until the lump was very large, the chemo has shrunk it by a third so it is is still quite large but I now cannot locate it). My consultant agreed on Wednesday that I could have the double mastectomy if I wanted it but this has now thrown me into a flat panic and I really don’t know what to do. He has alternatively said I can have a mastectomy and reconstruction of the healthy breast at the same time I have the reconstruction of the other breast. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Any words of advice please?
Hi Jules x such best wishes to you. I’ve PM d you x
Sarah
Hi Jules
I just wanted to let you know that I had a double mx on Monday and have no regrets - from your post It looks as though you might be postponing reconstruction? I wasn’t sure? My journey went from “we are sure this is nothing…to lumpectomy…to mx of right breast” as they kept finding more and more lumps on more and more testing… So in the middle do December I had to have another ultrasound because they had then found lumps from MRI on left breast also. I was told by the ultrasound consultant that he wasn’t worried and would just monitor me so we booked right mx. I was OK with this and after understanding recon and just wanting to get rid of my cancer in the first place ( I have twin girls 15 I’m 45) decided to delay reconstruction. My personal circumstances are difficult as my 20 year marriage broke down just before diagnosis and I was completely emotionally drained - hadn’t sleep since my husband left at start if November. However, the hospital then phoned me and called me back on Xmas eve to say that they had disagreed over the left breast (radiologists) and wanted to know if I would go to addnebroojes for a MRI biopsy which might be inconclusive anyway. A this would have delayed surgery on right and to be honest I completely broke down. I suddenly realised I couldn’t deal with the fact their might be cancer in my left - I just had to try to move on and if au hadn’t been called back Again I might have managed - I would have gone insane checking etc. also, strangely when the decision was made I was glad as I thought it would be easier then being lopsided. So I am now Twiggy flat and it’s honestly been fine. I joined some amazing women on a Facebook group flat n fab who are inspiring ( be warned though some post mx photos there) .
Its hard to process though and right up to the op I was worried - now I am in a much better place mentally and feel that if I do reconstin the future I will have nice matches up boobs, However, right now I can’t say I am bothered! I suppose it depends so much on how you feel you might feel when they are gone. Lots of women have mx iof one and then go back later to remove other and this would also be an option for you …it would give you time post op to think about it and see how you feel about the remaining breast?
I hope that this is helpful? I wish you every luck with your decision and just know that you won’t make a wrong one!
sarah
Hi Jules and welcome to the BCC forums
In addition to the support here our helpliners are on hand for you to call to talk your concerns over, please feel free to call 0808 800 6000, lines are open today 10-2 and weekdays 9-5
Here’s a link to further support ideas from BCC including our ‘Someone like me’ service which I hope you will find helpful:
breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-services
breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-services/someone-talk
Take care
Lucy BCC
That light? - its blazing!!! Xxxx