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bejuce · 03-29-2011, 10:42 AM

No reconstruction for me either, at least not yet. Not sure if I'll ever want it - I just don't want to go through another surgery after 3 c-sections, gallbladder removal, and a bilateral mastectomy. I miss my breasts but I'm really fine without them. I don't even own a prosthesis and wear a bra with a soft cup insert that works just fine.

After going through what I went through, I honestly could care less about what other people notice or think. But I do admit that I'm self conscious when people hug me, and also I wonder if some of my work colleagues know or can figure it out.

I used to be very open about my experiences - having a blog, and so on - but tried to make my info online as private as possible because I was tired and frustrated of having people treat me differently because of cancer. I changed jobs and at my new job I can go about my day as normal and be recognized solely for my work rather than be judged and have doubts on whether I can continue to be productive after having cancer.

Since I'm relatively young (40), I may still consider doing a DIEP and finally get rid of my pregnancy belly pouch, but that will take a lot of courage from me that I don't have yet. I think it'd improve my sexual image of myself somewhat, but I can let my mind do the work on that without my breasts.

What amazingly brave women we all are!!!

03-29-2011, 10:42 AM	#24
bejuce Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 510	Re: Bilateral mastectomy support group No reconstruction for me either, at least not yet. Not sure if I'll ever want it - I just don't want to go through another surgery after 3 c-sections, gallbladder removal, and a bilateral mastectomy. I miss my breasts but I'm really fine without them. I don't even own a prosthesis and wear a bra with a soft cup insert that works just fine. After going through what I went through, I honestly could care less about what other people notice or think. But I do admit that I'm self conscious when people hug me, and also I wonder if some of my work colleagues know or can figure it out. I used to be very open about my experiences - having a blog, and so on - but tried to make my info online as private as possible because I was tired and frustrated of having people treat me differently because of cancer. I changed jobs and at my new job I can go about my day as normal and be recognized solely for my work rather than be judged and have doubts on whether I can continue to be productive after having cancer. Since I'm relatively young (40), I may still consider doing a DIEP and finally get rid of my pregnancy belly pouch, but that will take a lot of courage from me that I don't have yet. I think it'd improve my sexual image of myself somewhat, but I can let my mind do the work on that without my breasts. What amazingly brave women we all are!!! __________________ ER+ (30%)/PR-/HER-2+, stage 3 Diagnosed on 02/18/09 at 38 with a huge 12x10 cm tumor, after a 6 month delay. Told I was too young and had no risk factors. Found swollen node during breastfeeding. March-August 09: neo-adjuvant chemo, part of a trial at Stanford (4 DD A/C, 4 Taxotere with daily Tykerb), loading dose of Herceptin 08/12/09 - bye bye boobies (bilateral mastectomy) 08/24/09 - path report shows 100 % success in breast tissue (no cancer there, yay!), 98 % success in lymphatic invasion, and even though 11/13 nodes were still positive, > 95 % of the tumor in them was killed. Hoping for the best! September-October 09: rads with daily Xeloda 02/25/10 - Cholecystectomy 05/27/10 - Bone scan clear 06/14/10 - CT scan clear, ovarian cyst found 07/27/10 - Done with Herceptin! 02/15/11 - MVA-BN HER-2 vaccine trial 03/15/11 - First CA 15-3: 12.7 and normal, yay! 10/01/11 - Bone scan and CT scan clear, fatty liver found now on Tamoxifen and Aspirin