Tag: bilateral prophylactic mastectomy

Day 18 Post OP

So made more progress on our Disney trip!  We will be staying at the Disney Animal Kingdom Villas-Kidani Village. I booked both the park tickets, dining plan and air transportation.  We decided after the year that we have had that we are going all out on this family vacation! Disney is still a company who understands the importance of customer service.  I spoke with a gentlemen, (Dante was his name) who was just fantastic.  I even spent the time to take the survey after to make sure I told them so..everyone takes the time when the experience is bad we all should make sure to say when it is good!

What is funny is when he asked “so how is your summer going so far?”  Of course he is just making pleasant conversation while waiting for the computer to process reservations.  What ran through my head was, well very busy to be honest Dante.  I recently spent a week in the hospital where I had my breasts removed and then refilled with fat from my abdomen.  I have an enormous amount of stitches that run from on end of my stomach to the other and my boobs are really a sight to behold.  NOW, people who know me know that often things will fly out of my mouth sometimes without thinking and other time just to get a reaction.  But in this case, I held back and gave the standard, “not too much”.  I wonder how our interaction would have changed had I given my actual thoughts as the answer?

Some people think that I am insensitive in how I discuss my surgery.  If I offend anyone I am sorry and it is not my intention.  I also realize I can not relate to anyone who has cancer and has been forced into certain decisions.  For me, especially after now having the final pathology reports know that I made the right decision.  The boobs are only flesh that can be pretty easily replaced…bottom line is that had I not removed them they would have eventually tried to hurt me!

Not too much to update today…the abdomen continues to heal nicely.  What a beautiful incision.  The boobs hurt still.  My mobility continues to improve.

My girls come home from their shore vacation today.  I have missed my babies!

Nap, Beach, Nap

I am so happy, today the last of the drains came out!  So much more comfortable.  I have my next appointment in 2 weeks to discuss the next stage.  The girls are still at the shore with my sister so the house is quiet.  I miss them but I have enjoyed the peacefulness.  I have napped, watched some bad TV, napped, walked a bit and napped some more.  It has really felt good!

My sister sent these pictures from the beach.  Looks like everyone is enjoying the last few days.

My Holy Shit Day!

This may be the first time I have ever done a double post.  I received my Pathology report today finally.  I must start with there was NO cancer as expected Thank God!  With that said, it was also a very scary call.  As I stated earlier in the blog, I decided to have the Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy due to the findings of Atypical lobular hyperplasia mixed with my mothers history which resulted in a 50-50 chance of cancer myself.  SO, we expected to find this in the path reports.

What we did not expect was what was also found.  Lobular Carcinoma In Situ.

“Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is technically not cancer; but, because it is a marker for the development of all types of invasive and non-invasive breast cancers, LCIS is often thought of as a form of breast cancer.”

Holy Shit!  It has been a day filled with emotion….obviously thrilled that I am cancer free!  BUT…one of the options given to me was increased screening blah blah.

“Lobular carcinoma in situ usually has no symptoms. Many times, it’s not even detected by routine screening mammograms. This is because, unlike other breast cancers and related conditions, LCIS does not result in the formation of calcium deposits in certain breast cells.:”

For anyone who is faced with the high risk decisions to have the BPM or not….do it!  Had I waited another year or two?  How different could things have been for my family?  I am blessed to not have to answer that question!