What decision to make? by Babyboo
What decision to make? by Babyboo I have posted this in here on behalf of Babyboo
Kind regards
Forum Host
Breast Cancer Care
Had an operation to remove a papilloma but now require further surgery and:
There are two options…
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Cut more of the booby away so it will be very much smaller and then have radiotherapy or;
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Take the left breast away and have reconstructive surgery.
Niether is an option I like to think about. I am, as you can well imagine, in a state of absolute shock.
Lars wasn’t with me when I got the news as niether of us thought this was going to happen. I burst into tears and have been crying ever since, well…on and off.
One thing if I have the breast removed…I can’t get cancer in it can I
Boobies are so feminine and personal…
After a bit of advice really… what should I do? How much pain is there after both kinds of operation? Will I look Ok, not that I am vain.
Feel a bit lost in the wilderness on this one. Any advice gratefully recieved.
Babyboo
Hi Babyboo I can completely understand where you are coming from…i was thought to have a tiny papiloma behind my nipple and it has been subsequently found that i have DCIS…i am due to have a mastectomy and DIEP recon (you get a tummy tuck thrown in) which is rather a big op!!!
www.optionsforbreastreconstruction.com and www.diepflap.com are very useful websites…can you find out what types of reconstructions your hospital performs??? I have a long thread with a lady called beverley on here, under DCIS/LCIS forum and titled “newly diagnosed with DCIS” it might be worth reading as she has been through the whole journey of recon…
I am having no further treatment after mastectomy and recon so i think that means bc will be ruled out now…as there will be no breast tissue left…
Im 37 and scared too about my looks afterwards…but have seen pictures on the web which look good!!!
Hope this helps abit…its really scary and i completely know where you are coming from!!!
Love Anna
Thank you Anna for your reply, made me feel so much better knowing I was not alone as that what it feels like at times.
I am not sure what I am having straight after the mastectomy and my husband and I have to go back and chat to the surgeon. Nice to know there are options other than a silicone(sp?) jelly implant!
I keep thinking I am going to wake up from this bad dream and nothing at all will be wrong with me.
I will be talking to the doc on Wednesday over the phone so shall ask her a few questions… feel very silly with some of the questions I have though!
When is your operation?
Thank you so much for replying!
Love Nicola x
Hi Babyboo
I can’t tell you what option to choose that will be up to you and the advise of your surgeon but I can answer a couple of questions. If you decide to have your breast removed and decide, and are able, to have an immediate skin sparing DIEP reconstruction your breast should still have all the skin except for where the nipple was, that will have the skin showing through from your tummy. Your tummy will have a scar from hip to hip and your tummy button will have been moved. I have been left with a very flat tummy - there are advantages to everything! A nipple can be reconstructed and tatooing done to give the same colour as the other breast.
As far as pain is concerned you are given a button to self administer morphine for the first couple of days so it kept under control and I found it is mostly discomfort from the drains that I felt and they are usually removed in a few days. It is a major op with quite a long recovery time but my breast has a very natural shape and if I have a bra on no one would know. It will increase in size and decrease as I put on or loose weight just like my other one.
There are other reconstruction options but make sure that your hospital is able to give the full range of reconstruction because many can’t and you can ask to be refered to one who can.
This is a very difficult decision to make. I had no options but it makes it very difficult when you are given some.
I hope you make the right decision for you.
Hope all goes well.
Love
Beverley
Hi Nicola Glad to have been able to help…this site has really helped me get thru the last few weeks…im feeling much calmer now…and Beverley has just answered another question for me too…i was sat in the bath thinking my belly button is going to end up in my knickers…ah! they move it and make a new one…amazing!!
Dont worry about asking silly questions everything is relevant…ive aked some really odd ones…
My op is 2 weeks 2moro on the 10th May…
Kind of looking forward to it now…new tummy, new cancer free boob, new belly button…its all been a bit weird really…i had 48hrs 2 decide on my recon and found it relatively easy…luckily my plastic surgeon does lots of diff procedures…however have chosen the most complex (requires micro surgery of blood vessels) and very lengthy…and in my case they have to take skin from my breast aswell as nipple and areolar…this isnt always the case tho…i think its because lots of my DCIS is near the surface…
My reasons for not implant was they would prob need to lift other side to make it look same, implants eventually need replacing and dont alter size if your weight changes…
Once you know whats happening make sure you continue posting here you will get loads of support from this site…
Good luck with your telephone conversation with your cons 2moro…let me know how it goes!!!
Love Anna x