Mastectomy surgery and scar

BonnieR · 10-14-2007, 11:48 AM

I have been thinking about your question since I read it earlier. I had a double mastectomy as soon as I could after diagnosis. I wanted the cancer GONE, whatever it took. Did not think twice about it. (I took longer deciding on tile for our remodeled house!) The surgery represented part of recovery rather than a loss. And it helped in staging the cancer . And the scars are, I guess, battle scars. I never felt "amputated". What an unfortunate term to use. I felt liberated that I had taken action. I suppose I am just pragmatic about it. It may make a difference that I am in my early 60s. But I am just accepting the way it is and being grateful the surgery went well and I recovered from it pretty uneventfully. I might feel differently if I were younger.

Jeanette · 10-14-2007, 11:55 AM

I too do not feel like an amputee, like someone else said , it is my battle scar and I intend to win this fight. I did not have reconstruction, mainly because I was 65 at the time and did not feel the need. My husband is fine with this, the way we look at it ,is it only a boob., hugs to you all, jeanette

Mary Jo · 10-14-2007, 12:19 PM

I must say that I, too, didn't feel "amputated. I simply felt incredibly thankful the cancer was gone. Honestly, when I first looked at my mastectomy side, my reaction was "oh, it doesn't look as bad as I thought it would."

I've never had a day though that I was sad over "losing" my breasts. It just is a fact - had to be and my life goes forward. Those were my feelings.

Thanks for letting me share.

Mary Jo

cafe1084 · 10-14-2007, 01:40 PM

I also felt relieved, but after my double mastectomy, I couldn't bring myself to look at the scars. I was bandaged for about 3 weeks, then it was several more weeks before I could look at them in the mirror. I did feel amputated and disfigured. It's been a year now and they have just become part of the "whole" me....my red badge of courage, so to speak. I wish you good thoughts, you'll do great!

pgoddard · 10-14-2007, 03:28 PM

Hi Ceesun I had a double masectomey 3 weeks ago I am 42, and for me well it is Hard ( I loved my boobs). The first time I saw my chest Yes I cried i couldnt belive i lost them but you know every day is a healing process and it gets better. now I do not even miss them and cannot wait for the end of all of this when I do get my new tatas

, Keep your chin up girl we are here for you. I will add you to my prayer list