southernchick

justkat, I am so sorry you are having to go through this.  But you have found a place where you can vent, talk, get support.  These boards helped me a lot this past year and a half.  No one wants to have to make these types of decisions.  If you talk to people about this, you will be given all kinds of unsolicited advice on what you should do.  But the decision is personal for each woman.  You have to do what you feel is right for you, regardless of anyone elses opinion. It is not an easy decision.  I had a terrible time making a decision for myself.  But once I made the decision, I felt like the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders.  I have never looked back and never once regretted the decision I made.  Becase I made it not listening to anyone but myself and I know it was right for me.   Good luck to you.

I didn't really have pain with the expansions.  I was filled to 150 cc's at the time of surgery and had 3 fills of 100 cc's and the last fill of 50 cc's.  I took 2 tylenol before each fill because the nurse at my PS suggested it.  I guess I was very lucky.  The hardest thing for me is sleeping because when I lay down the weight of the implants is uncomfortable.  I sleep on my side because I had back surgery several years ago and can't really sleep on my back.  It has been 8 months since my exchange and I still have some issues sleeping some nights.  I use a body pillow to help.  And if I've overdone something during the day and the chest hurts, I will wear an exercise bra to bed. That really seems to help.  Good luck to you.

Did they say why they wanted you to come back?  Maybe they didn't get good images for some reason.  Or maybe the technician didn't take enough angles for a baseline.  I'm sure it is nothing.  Good luck with the not worrying though.

you don't mention your type of tumor or anything.  That might have something to do with whether or not you have chemo.  I agree with BethNY that you should ask about an oncotype dx test.  I was stage 1 IDC with no lymph node involvement  ER/PR + HER neg.  My oncotype score was 17.  I had a bi-lateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction with expanders.  I was 45 at time of diagnosis and am taking Tamoxifen.  I did not have radiation or chemo, thank you Lord!!!!

The oncotype dx test was a BIG factor in making the chemo decision.

I have continued to use a regular razor in my arm caves.  My husband has suggested the laser  but I wasn't sure if I could do it because that has a risk of infection too.  Was it your plastic surgeon or your breast surgeon that recommended the laser?

My oncologist likes to do a PET scan 1 yr out.  That didn't seem odd to me so I didn't ask re: being only stage one.  I wanted the PET scan for peace of mind. My onco's office called and said that the PET scan came back clear with no sign of cancer.  Yay!!!!  But then they went on to say that there was something on my ovary that looked like a cyst.  Well, I had that last year, and since most cysts go away on their own, now I am freaking out again.  So, Drgnfly, i totally understand about your obsessing.  I  have to go for an ultrasound tomorrow.  Which means I probably won't hear anything until next week.  I am back to not sleeping well and getting teary eyed at everything.  Not as bad as when I was diagnosed, but I definitely am a bit scared.  I am trying to look at the positive side with the little info I have.  1) I have to believe if the cyst I had last year was a concern, my onco would have wanted me to have something done about it, at least a biopsy. Right?  2)  They did say that the PET scan can't definitely rule out cancer but that most of the time the area would light up a lot and this area didn't.  That's good, right?  3) Even if it is cancerous, it certainly could not have spread or the PET scan would pick it up, right?   So on one hand I am celebrating and then that stupid little voice in my head chimes in and makes me afraid.  But I WILL GET THROUGH THIS!!!!

Go get your mammogram done.  Chances are great that you are fine.  But if they do find something, it would only be to your benefit to find it and take care of it.  Most women that have breast cancer caught early have a very, very good prognosis.  If you did have anything, you would want to catch it before it spreads.  Ignorance may be bliss, but action may save your life.  You don't mention that you have discovered any lumps or anything.  But I am all for doing whatever it takes to get healthy. I found my breast cancer early.  It didn't show up on mammo, but did on ultrasound.  I just passed my one year anniversary and am doing great.  I Thank God all the time that I found it before it spread.  Give yourself the same chance.

I'm with you Angie.  I knew I couldn't live with the constant worry.  So I had both sides done.  I had immediate reconstruction with expanders.  I am pleased with my results, I am about the same size as I was prior to the mastectomy.  I know a few people that had a uni-lateral and are now fighting cancer in the other side.  I totally understand never wanting to hear "you have cancer" again. 

I got the results of my PET scan back.  They said it was all clear, with no cancer showing.  Thank you Lord.  But they also said there was a spot on my left ovary that looked like a cyst.  Well last year my PET scan showed that, I had an ultrasound and they said it was a cyst. Now they want me to see my OBGYN to see if he wants another ultasound on this cyst.  So I have two questions.  Can the PET scan for sure tell that this thing isn't cancerous?  Why would they want another ultrasound?  I know I will ask the OBGYN these questions when I see him, but I'm looking for a little peace of mind before then. 

My favorite comment I got was actually from a close friend.  When she found out I had to have a bi-lateral mastectomy she said, "Lucky you, you will have nice perky breasts and won't have to worry about sagging."  Yeah, like I couldn't just go get implants if I was so worried about that.  Like I would really choose to have cancer and have a mastectomy just so I could get "perky" breasts.  I really don't know how I didn't just go off on her.  Maybe I should have, it still bothers me that she said something that stupid.  With friends like that.........