Mastectomy no reconstruction

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Hi,

I’m new here, I’m all over the place in my mind at the moment so forgive the rambling.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 30th December 2022, it had spread to my lymph nodes. Despite the shock and tears and being terrified at the C word I was relieved to discover it hadn’t spread further so would be relatively straight forward, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy…

However, although I’ve now been sober for 7 years come March, I have irreversible damage to my liver and have been managing my compensated liver disease successfully til now.

I also have low blood platelets and clotting issues.

This has lead to the MDT suggesting that anymore than one surgery is a high risk and that a “simple mastectomy “ would be their advice.

My surgeon has given me the option of flap reconstruction or even a breast reduction to conserve what he can of my breast.

This however is all on the basis of more than one surgery and he could do it and then not be able to complete matching the other one because of surgery risks.

I know it’s just a boob and my health is more important, so why am I struggling so much with this. I have til Thursday to decide. I keep thinking I’ve made my mind up but then get blindsided by a wave of emotion.

I have five adult sons and my first grandchild due in April and I’m trying to stay positive and I’m forever grateful for the life I have.
I’m just wondering if the choice was taken from any other ladies and how you got through or getting through, it certainly feels like there will be a grieving process.

Thank you for reading

Daisy53 over 2 years ago

Hi Nanasaurus

Welcome to the forum and sorry to year that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It's perfectly understandable that you are struggling to make a decision about what kind of surgery to have after all you are facing losing a part of yourself, it's not an easy decision to have to make.

Wishing you the best of luck with your surgery whatever you decide to do.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Zappa over 2 years ago

This sounds so hard for you. I did have a choice initially, but that changed once my BMI result was in - I did end up having a mastectomy with immediate (implant) reconstruction (although the clinical decision would probably have been a simple mastectomy), but had previously been given the option of a double mastectomy. I was kind of glad to have the choice taken away (and am glad I only had a single one now). It is a grieving process - or a readjustment process. Don't expect too much of yourself! It sounds like you do have some options, but that you perhaps need more discussion with your Breast Care Nurse? I found talking, reading the info, then going away to think about it and having another conversation if I needed it helped. It can be difficult to take in too much all at once.

Wishing you well as you go through this journey.

Diane.

Nanasaurus over 2 years ago in reply to Zappa

Thank you,

Its like being given a destination with no map. I’m glad I joined this forum, I really hope that you are recovering well from your surgery, physically and mentally.
kindest regards xx

Nanasaurus over 2 years ago in reply to Daisy53

Thank you,

I do feel that it’ll take me a long time to recover mentally. I fed all five of my sons myself and it seems so sad to lose the thing that did that.I’ll probably look back one day and realise how insignificant it all is but at the moment it’s all consuming.

take care, kindness regards xx

Zappa over 2 years ago in reply to Nanasaurus

Thank you. All in all, I am recovering well. I have odd 'pains' and mentally I suspect I've a long way to go yet. But I'm coping, and enjoying life again. I still get more tired (but that could just be age!).

I know what you mean. I think I saw it as a mystery destination with clues to the next stop on the line but not the full route.

Take care xx

Cancer girl 36 over 1 year ago

Hey Nanasaurus

Im having my mastectomy of my left boob next month they are removing my boob and my lymph nodes and I'm not having reconstruction until a later date

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