Hi, just wondering if there are any younger ladies in a similar position I’m 38 and have bilateral breast cancer having my double mastectomies this week and sentinel node biopsies. Feeling unsure and a bit scared to be honest! Xxx
5 Likes
It’s natural to feel like that. Try not to get overwhelmed. I know that meditation helped me cope. I’d never done it before but when I couldn’t sleep and thoughts were intrusive I just listened to YouTube sleep meditations and it turned off my thoughts. Sending you love and positive vibes. You can do this. X
1 Like
Hi, it perfectly normal to feel scared. I was diagnosed 12 yrs ago with Bilateral BC aged 40. I had 3 areas of DCIS right side and 2 areas of Invasive BC with lymph node involvement on the left. I too had Bilateral mastectomy with lymph nodes removed. I was petrified having my surgery but I knew it had to be done. To be honest afterwards it really helped me knowing that all my breast tissue was now gone and this helped ease the worry of reoccurrence. Im a volunteer for BCN and theres a service you might benefit from called Someone Like Me. Have a look on the homepage for the link. You will be matched with a trained volunteer who has had a similarly experience, who you can talk to. x
2 Likes
Hi 
sorry I’m not in the same position with the bilateral breast cancer, but I’m 32 and I have been advised that a double mastectomy will be “risk reducing” in my case. I’m not really sure how I feel, but I have heard from many women that the surgery itself is not as bad as they were expecting. If everything goes well then recovery is manageable too. I think it will be a pain and there may be some emotional impact but I suppose we won’t know how we’ll feel until it’s done? My family have massively let me down with support during chemo so I’ve asked friends to help me post surgery and I feel relieved that there will at least be someone making sure there’s food etc! Hopefully you have help in place too. Best of luck!! Xx
1 Like
Hey anon I was 50 when I had bilateral mastectomy, I had tnbc and had cancer in one breast. The second breast was removed as risk reduction due to brca gene. I went into the op with a big smile on my face as it was the last part of my treatment plan. I now have implants which look really good. Can wear a bikini and even went topless on beach in Spain. For me it’s finding the positives in each situation. I’m alive and living my life. It’s OK and very natural to be scared, just don’t let it take over you . I’m sure you will be fine with the op, it’s not painful just restricting. Sending you lots of love and positivity. 
2 Likes
I‘m 35 and still going through chemo but it looks like I would also need a double mastectomy because of my BRCA gene. I‘ve found a lot of support on this forum and the ladies described it as something manageable and less horrific than chemo. If everything goes well, the recovery is comparable to any surgery. Good luck! 
1 Like
Hi @tinatin, I hope your chemo is going as smoothly as possible. Please remember we are here if you ever need to chat anything through.