Hi all
Apologies - long post...
Is anyone out there able to share what it's like having a single or double mastectomy with reconstruction either with tummy fat/ muscle or saline implant?
My dsis has to decide by Tuesday what surgery to have.
The short version of a v long story is:
Primary breast cancer found in mammogram in Nov, confirmed grade 2 in Dec and she started on Tamoxifen because ER and PR positive and HER 2 negative.
Lumpectomy Jan 6th and just expecting radiotherapy.
Two weeks post op we were told cancer was grade 3 and she would probably need Chemo.
Onca type testing came back 18 so no chemo and back to radiotherapy.
New mammogram then found new area of concern so biopsy and diagnosis of DCIS - pre cancer - in same breast she had had surgery.
So she definitely needs a single mastectomy. First surgeon seemed to suggest double with saline implant would make her feel safer and would make it easier to get cosmetic symmetry and recover. So we thought that was what we should do.
Saw different surgeon yesterday who said chances of getting cancer in other breast were small (though it was possible) and she could have a single mastectomy using tummy fat/ muscle...which would match the remaining breast.
We are now totally confused.
My sis is a single mum of 6 year old twins - so recovery time is important but most important is obviously staying around to be there for them. Our mum died of this bastard disease aged 50 within 20 months of diagnosis. She just had single mastectomy - no other treatment. Our maternal grandma also died of it but sister is negative for BRACA gene.
We would love to speak to anyone who has had mastectomy with reconstruction - any pros and cons for the way you did it, anything that could help her decide! Anyone had a double mastectomy with saline?
Any advice very welcome. Thanks and apologies for long post.
x