First can I say a brave well done to all you ladies that have accessed this site because they have to. Breast Cancer is so daunting on diagnosis and I could have written pages about my pathway to where I am at the moment. This forum is so helpful; I have a lot of family and friend support but I still find much comfort in being here with all you ladies going through the same thing.
Ok, found a lump on top part of left breast (when playing dominoes with my Grandson!!) fast forward to breast clinic (the waiting is just AWFUL) mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy, more waiting and now ductal carcinoma. Options are LPF or mastectomy? I am not precious about my boobs, actually I would rather have them both taken away but apparently healthy breast tissue (i.e. the right one) must remain intact. So I would like a mastectomy because I KNOW I will be forever checking every little lump or bump to see if there is any change if stick to the Flap option. However, if I take the mastectomy route I would be lop-sided. I am not big breasted but neither am I small breasted, so I have read things about people having to accommodate being lop-sided by having neckache, shoulder pain, uneven posture and so on. Is there anyone out there amongst you all who can give me any advice. If you read this then thank to you because I really don’t know what to do. x
Tomboy7 please ring the number on here and try the someone like me option and also speak to nurse, you will be able to speak to someone and they will be able to answer questions you might have. I am sure others will be along to offer help on here too. I had therapeutic mammoplasty where boob was reshaped smaller after cancer removed, so I can’t advise on mastectomy or flap. You always remember you do what’s right for you along the way Shi xx
I can sympathise with your quandary. I too was offered the choice between mastectomy or WLE. In my case my tumour was virtually behind the nipple so, since the central part of the breast would have had to be removed, there didn’t seem to be much sense in preserving the rest. Your lump is higher so presumably the cosmetic outcome would be better and you would keep the all-important nipple. That may affect your decision.
Like you I am pretty average in the breast department - 36D. Unlike you, I suppose I have always been quite precious about my boobs. But, surprisingly, I now find that I don’t really care two hoots about having just the one. In the vast scheme of things it seems almost immaterial. Again like you, I was keen to get rid of the whole thing and minimise the anxiety and constant checking. So I had a mastectomy without reconstruction and wear a prosthesis. I am in my mid sixties; I suspect I may well have made a different decision had I been younger. The silicone breast that is eventually supplied post-surgery is supposed to be the same weight and density as normal breast tissue. It is surprisingly heavy! But I try to persevere with it rather than use the original ‘softy/ comfy’ too often in order to hopefully ward off the posture problems you talk about.
Hopefully others will come along with experience of the other route in order to give some balance ( ie not quite so lopsided!)
Good luck with all your treatment. Once you feel comfortable with any informed decision that you make and your treatment gets under way, you will feel much better about the whole process. The truly AWFUL waiting part is behind you.
