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I Have Been Diagnosed
After my Partial Mastectomy- I'm look almost
the same as I did (if I stand the right way)
Margaret separated from her husband in December 1999. In
November 2000, aged 47, she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
The surgeon recommended a partial mastectomy and radiotherapy.
She had about 1/3 of my her breast removed. She also had her
lymph nodes out. The lump was on the outside of her breast.
'I had seen photos of the results of others and it looked
almost like normal. I really didn't have a choice anyway and
was glad I didn't have to have a mastectomy. After the operation,
the surgeon said there was some spread and I might have to
have a mastectomy. I was in shock as I thought I had finished
with surgery, at least for now. Anyway, the spread was not
as bad as first thought so I had no further surgery.
For a few months my breast looked like the right one. But
when the swelling went down I had lost the curve on the inside
of my breast and they only looked the same if I stood slightly
sideways. I've got used to it now and I really don't notice
it. I still look good in low cut dresses and don't need a
pad in my bra. I am lucky and happy to be alive. '
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I have got very used to my prosthesis,
it is a part of the family
Lesley is married with two sons in their twenties and was
in her late forties when she was diagnosed. She had a mastectomy
and chemotherapy .
It was February when I had a mastectomy. It was not until
after my last course of chemotherapy in late May that I decided
to buy a prosthesis. It was winter so August seemed a good
time to address my self image. I was small breasted and did't
feel the need to wear one sooner.
The scar had healed well and my hair was beginning to grow
back and I guess I felt like facing the world again!
I went off to the Strand Arcade the shop called Jayem where
they specialise in fitting you with a prosthesis and bra.
The women are warm and caring and make you feel comfortable.
I also went to David Jones Elizabeth St where the women are
also the same. I both shops they have special fitting rooms
where you can sit and be shown all the latest garments, gadgets
and "boobs". All the women attending to you have
had training in this specialised area. It is a real industry!
I went with two friends and they were allowed to go through
the whole process with me. It was important to have them with
me, to make me feel normal.
I was not all that happy with the mastectomy bras so I chose
one from the general range at DJs and took them to Jayem where
they would sew pockets in them for me. I was told that most
bras would be suitable to fit a pocket in. It made me feel
more like me.
There are different prosthesis for different needs and you
should check out which one is best for you. Ones for swimming,
ones that adhere to your skin, light weight ones and just
plain ordinary ones.
They are expensive so you need to choose carefully. If you
are privately insured check out with your fund how often you
can buy one and what the rebate will be. This is so important
as the health funds vary a lot. Mine (Manchester Unity), of
course, is the worst and so I am now taking up the issue with
them!
Now nearly 3 years down the track I can laugh and joke about
my situation. I have two sons in there 20s and sometimes when
they are feeling low about there relationships with women,
or lack of, I will give them my "spare" boob to
snuggle up to in lieu of the "real" thing! They
were an integral part of the whole process and had been the
ones together with my husband to encourage me to have a mastectomy
after very careful consideration of the facts given us.
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I had both breast removed after the cancer
came back in my breast
Twelve years ago , after Inge underwent a biopsy, they confirmed
the lump she had found was malignant. Then followed a lumpectomy,
four weeks of daily radiotherapy and two years of Tamoxifen
which she chose to discontinue because of the side effects.
The cancer came back in the same breast two years ago.
I felt, that at age 40, I was too young for menopause!.
Then I went through the reconstruction process, just at the
time when silicone implants were being withdrawn, but the
plastic surgeon said "trust me" and I did!
Two years ago I found a new primary, three months after the
mammogram and the visit to the oncologist. One week later
I was undergoing a total mastectomy, and after the six months
of CMF chemo, I elected to have my other breast removed. Neither
the oncologist nor the surgeon told me I was hysterical!!
Not only have I been able to watch my daughter grow up from
being a beginning teenager to a mature young woman, we celebrated
my 50th birthday just before the end of the course of chemo
with a catered sit-down dinner for my support team of 20!
I've given the prosthesis the flick, most of the time I walk
around flat chested, but hey the face isn't young any more
either!
Currently I am undergoing genetic testing as my little sister
has also been diagnosed with breast cancer this year. I need
to do this for the next generation - my daughter, and my six
nieces.
Hey, there have been some very very dark times, I saw the
psychiatrist for both episodes, I popped all the antidepressants
and spent much time crying and sitting and thinking.
But now, I'm back at work, I'm well and still alive and kicking
after all of this. I keep reminding my female colleagues of
the need to be very careful and vigilant. I remind them to
seek a second or third opinion if they aren't happy. I remind
them that they are the customer and they have to be satisfied
with the way they are treated and spoken to.
I'm looking forward to retirement in three years less three
days,and best, best, best of all, I NEVER EVER HAVE TO HAVE
A MAMMOGRAM AGAIN!!!!
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If I had checked earlier I may have saved
my breast
Marion had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. She then had a
follow up mastectomy.
I saw a good surgeon who explained I would need a lumpectomy
and radiotherapy. Now that I knew my situation, I was completely
open with my work colleagues, and that helped them cope with
the situation. I had the lumpectomy on 20 April, and spent
five days in hospital.
When I went back to my surgeon, my then 18 year old son and
a friend came with me. The pathology showed that I had three
grade 1 tumors and one grade 2 tumor and would need a mastectomy.
It struck me forcibly that if I had done breast self examination
regularly I would have saved my breast.
I went home and fell into my husband's arms and asked could
he still love me with just one breast. He assured me he would,
so I felt better.
I had the mastectomy on 4 May. I was very frightened before
the operation, but I got beaut support from family, friends
and work colleagues.
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