[Sheila]

Emelie

It is common to feel sad...you are losing a body part, with fear of losing femininity. I believe most of us have had those feelings. It has been 5 years since I had mine. But on the other side, I felt that although I was "losing" part of myself, it was diseased, and I didn't want it there to ruin the rest of my body. So while you are losing a part of yourself, you are gaining your health and your life in return. Depression and a sense of loss is very natural at this point....but the outcome you will have is much more important than the loss. Breasts don't make us women, its what is underneath in your heart that makes you an attractive person. Plus there are many alternatives, reconstruction can make you feel and look whole again. It is a personal decision. I hope you will try to look beyond the loss, you are still a woman, with or without breasts. I remember a point where I would get so irritated when I heard comments about women's breasts, I felt degraded as I no longer had both. But that has faded and a new life begins...without the cancer. Hope this helps...we have all been there.