posted by FH2
17 August 2010
Double mastectomy soon
Last reply:
10 December 2010 22:55
Hi everyone,
I need tips, help, advice on the following:
I was diagnosed with BC four years ago (2006) at age 36. After treatment I found out I had a BrCa2 mutation. This explained to me WHY I had gotten BC so young - it gives you a lifetime risk of approx 85% for BC and approx 25% for ovarian cancer. My mother, her only sister, their mother and their maternal grandmother (my great, grandmother) all died in their 50s from BC.
Since my BrCa discovery, others in my family have tested. My sister and my cousin have so far been the only others to positive for it but BOTH have since been dx'd with Breast Cancer. I tell you all this to show just HOW high the risk is in our family (currently seems like 100%, not 85!!).
Because of our very high risk, we are able to have preventative surgery to reduce our it. For the ovarian risk, this involves removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes (and sometimes the womb as well). For the BC risk, this involves a bilateral mastectomy.
Because my original breast cancer was Oestrogen receptor positive, I chose to have the oophorectomy (tubes and ovaries removed) in April 2008. I eventually decided last year to have the double mastectomy with implant reconstruction and was put on a waiting list. I got called last wk and am now due to have it done next wk or the wk after. I will be in the hospital for a week and then will have limited mobility (mainly arms) for another 3-4 wks.
I am a single mum with one (almost) 6 year old son. I have no living parents, aunts, etc who can help out. My main source of support is my sister who will be unavailable because she is in the middle of her chemo. I have decided to go ahead regardless of this problem because I have been waiting for so long.
I'm going to set up the house before i go in to hospital so that I don't have to stretch to reach plates, etc. I have told Kevin that he will have to get himself dressed, etc in the mornings and evenings. I will make up dinners in advance and freeze them so we've something to eat. I have transport sorted for getting Kevin to school. I will rest every day when he is gone. I've accepted that there will probably be a lot of Xbox, DVDs and rubbish for the next few wks.
Can you all wrack your brains and think of other stuff I might need to prepare for? I am certain there are lots of things I am missing and I need to get it all sorted before I go in.
Many thanks,
Flo.
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