four years ago but had to have a mastectomy a few months later. It was not easy and I had some problems afterward like lymphedema in my hand and arm from the radiation where nodes had been taken out but healed well and have been in total remission since. I feel breast cancer is one of the few cancers where progress has been made and the survivor percentage is very high unlike some like lung and pancreatic. They do not use much radiation now. I chose to not have reconstruction and wear a bra with a prosthesis. I hope and pray your surgery will go well and that you will heal and recover quickly.

Your story is a condensed version of my own. In 2011 I had a lumpectomy with radiation and chemo and was cancer-free until Sept. of this year, when I began to have a discharge from my nipple. This new cancer has grown alarmingly fast, and I will be having a mastectomy on Oct. 23. I originally planned to have no reconstruction because I'm an old lady with saggy breasts, and I didn't want one saggy one and one pert one, but then my oncologist suggested I have a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction on both sides, which is what I've decided to do.

I know I would have been happy with one mastectomy and no reconstruction, but honestly the idea of getting rid of both breasts really appeals to me at this point. The less breast tissue I have, the happier I'll be.

Thank you for your kind thoughts.

you are all very strong individuals my thoughts go to you

I just had an abnormal pap and have a colposcopy scheduled in a few weeks. Waiting is driving me nuts.

I hope your surgery went well and that you are healing. Best vibes, hugs, and DU magic dust!

Surgery went fine--clean margins on the tumor and no spread to lymph nodes, so I thought I was done, but at the surgeon's office I just found out I have to have chemo (again--I had it with the first breast cancer), so that's kind of a bummer, but I handled it fine last time, and the best part is I rock a bald head!

Oh, I'm sorry about your pap--but maybe it will turn out to be nothing serious (fingers and toes crossed for you). You're right--the waiting is killer! I suffered more during the time before my surgery than I have during my recovery. I wish that somehow the surgery, or the invasive testing (like your scope or a biopsy) could be done immediately you know there may be a problem. I literally gained 20 pounds during the 6 weeks I had to wait for the surgery. Hang in there, dear back.

I hope you will get some nice drugs--seems like that's the least they could do for you!

I'll be thinking about you--let me know what happens.

You must be strong and brave to fight all obstacles and be healthy again!!!

I'm doing my best--and welcome to DU!