would you have reconstruction? again?

[laurel3]

i'm a lurker. i am also a 42 year old single mom of 3 teenage boys. i was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago. at that time i had reconstruction on both sides. i did it all including the tatooing [i don't recommend, shows through a white t-shirt:cool: ] my cancer has come back in my bones, but with the help of radiation and chemo, it is inactive. it is stage 4 but it's been 5 years. heres my question; after 10 years my chest looks kind of shabby; i saw my plastic surgeon last week and he said he could fix them up. i feel like i've been dealing with this for so long i'm thinking i am just too old for this. but then i think of all the woman who are my age facing this for the first time, and i think how could i not do it. i wear a bikini top and boxer shorts when i sit outside so it would look better.:o i am wondering what you all would do?
. it is a pretty easy procedure and my plastic surgeon is gorgeous:D

soup fans- years ago i posted an afghani bean soup that is still my favorite.
i live in minnesota so still soup time except it was in the 80's yesterday and sunny:cool:

[donleyk]

I just wanted to send hugs your way. I don't envy your decision at all.

The last 10 years have made my chest look pretty shabby as well :D and it's gravity's fault. I don't plan on doing much about it other than my normal workout routine.

Best of luck to you for continued inactivity of your cancer.

[wallycat]

Your post made me extra nervous today. I'm going for a breast MRI and am TERRIFIED. I admire your courage and strength. I hope if I get similar news, I can be as strong.

DH and I were talking about "what if" and reconstruction.
I have 34/36D size chest and frankly, the only good thing about a nasty diagnosis would be to have a smaller chest :o :( :o .
I've actually considered zero reconstruction, but of course, it is easy for me to say that now and the last thing I am thinking about is how I would look but would I be alive to complain about it.

For me personally, I am ready to wear t-shirts with no bra or jog without having to wear expensive bras in sets.

If having the reconstruction makes you happier every day, you should do it. If it doesn't bother you as you are, leave it. Frankly, the less times I am under the knife, the better I like it.
I'll let you know how I feel if this actually all comes to fruition though :o

Best to you!!!!

[jmarie]

If it didn't affect my health, I would go for it.

You have lived through a nightmare and you deserve whatever it takes to make you feel better about yourself.

I am on the road to weight loss and you better believe, once I am through this journey if I need a nip and a tuck, I am getting it.....starting with my face.

I will pray for your continued remission.

God bless.
Joyce

[TKay]

Well, if your plastic surgeon is gorgeous...;)
I think it depends on how much your "shabby" chest bothers you. Would you feel better about yourself to have it done? Is it the recovery time you're trying to avoid? I can only imagine after all you've been through, that wouldn't be so appealing.
If it really is a simple procedure, maybe your down time would be minor compared to the initial surgery. And if it would give you a lift (no pun intended), it might be worth it to go for it. Is money an issue? That might help you make your decision. If it's going to be a strain financially, then I say forget it. More important to live a peaceful, financially sound life. Of course, that's easy for me to say.
I'm happy to hear your illness has remained dormant for so long. Here's wishing you great health for many, many years to come. Good luck with your decision.

[Robyncz]

but then i think of all the woman who are my age facing this for the first time, and i think how could i not do it.

I'm not sure I understand this comment. I'm don't see how other women play into your decision at all, but maybe I'm missing something.

I think the decision has to come from within you. Personally, I don't *think* it's the choice I'd make, but then again I'm not in your shoes. Similar to the previous poster, my breasts are looking pretty "shabby" these days, too. Last night while I was lying in bed reading, I realized that they were essentially laying in bed, too. On opposite sides of my body!

Good luck with a tough decision!

[LakeMartinGal]

That's a tough call, Laurel3... I think each of us can tell you what we think we'd do, but no one is walking in your moccasins! I think if I had been your age when I had BC, I might have gone for the reconstruction. I had what the doc's call a 'good cosmetic outcome' from my surgery, but perky it's not! I think it comes down to your self-image, and your feelings about that. If the rest of you is in shape to be in a bikini top and shorts, and if you would feel good about yourself, I'd go for it!

I think you have tremendous courage, and I wish the best for you in your remission! 42 is NOT old! Treat yourself well! And good luck to you!

[blazedog]

I am not quite understanding why you don't want to have more reconstruction -- is it pain? risk of surgery? economic issues?

Without knowing why you are reluctant to have a surgery that it appears that you want, it's somewhat difficult to offer meaningful advice.

[bunnyrabbit]

DO it Laurel! You are still young, and have life left to enjoy---with perky boobs! I have a sister-in-law who went through the same sitch (may have had your same doc---he's a HUNK) and she' thrilled with her results. She wears those low-cut tops and shows off that new cleavage proudly!