How to cope when you need a mastectomy

Another devastating discovery
I had five years without cancer and then, in the fall of last year, a routine mammogram found new cancer in my left breast. Because of my history of multiple cancer sites, I opted to have a second mastectomy.

I could have had a lumpectomy (surgery to remove only the part of the breast containing the tumour and some normal surrounding tissue), but I would then have faced years of mammograms every six months, MRIs and probably more lumpectomies.

Again, I was devastated, and again, I had to make a fast choice about reconstruction. This time, Tate felt that since I couldn’t have another reconstruction using tissue from my abdomen, a tissue expander followed by a gel prosthesis was the best option. It required weekly injections through the skin into a metal port that was incorporated into the tissue expander.

Another procedure
I wasn’t prepared for the amount of pain the port generated, especially at night, and I’m glad that part is over. (A permanent gel pouch was implanted after removal of the dreaded tissue expander.)

We decided to enlarge the breast only to fill a B cup (I had been a C) as it involved a shorter expansion period. Then I had liposuction on the other breast to make them the same size. I actually like the smaller size; frankly, I was getting tired of my blouses gaping. And I feel just as attractive with slightly smaller breasts.

I’m really happy with this second new breast. It looks natural. Once it “settles,” I’ll have nipples and areolas tattooed on both breasts – I never got around to it the first time. That’s just as well, because now it will be easier to make the two symmetrical. I could have reconstructed nipples but that would require another general anesthetic. Going under anesthetic is hard on the body, so I think it should only be used when medically necessary.

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