Comments on: One Year Post Bilateral Mastectomy

By: Josie Kelsh

Josie Kelsh — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 02:16:46 +0000

In reply to Vicki.

Thanks Vicki, I’m glad I can help. It really does make this all worthwhile for me.

I often get questions about DMX vs Lumpectomy and I always say it’s about which fear is bigger: recurrence or losing your boobs. For me (and you) it’s recurrence, and our mental health is just as important as our physical health.

Good luck with your surgery. I promise it’s not as bad as we imagine beforehand.

By: Vicki

Vicki — Sat, 06 Jul 2024 18:54:39 +0000

Thanks for this amazing blog as I am in the “reading, reading, reading, waiting” game right now. I am really just starting my journey. Regular mammogram in late Feb 2024, abnormal results, diagnostic mammogram April, biopsy in May. I have invasive carcinoma with lobular and ductal features in my left breast. I can’t bear the thought of leaving potential bad cells behind so I am having a double mastectomy with possible direct to implant but probably expanders on 7/15 so surgery is coming up fast. All 4 doctors I have seen have encouraged lumpectomy but I can’t get my head around that. I am curious to compare my US surgical experience with your Aussie one. I have been told that I will prob have one night in hospital. Here in the US that protocol has changed post Covid because of hospital bed availability during the pandemic. Most Surgeries during Covid were done as outpatient. I understand but it blows my mind that going home might be standard procedure. Thanks for being so open and for all the good info. All the best.

By: Josie Kelsh

Josie Kelsh — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 22:23:29 +0000

In reply to Dana. They would have been sticking out almost a centimetre I would say! Not a pretty sight for of sutures too :-)

By: Josie Kelsh

Josie Kelsh — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 22:22:11 +0000

In reply to JMad. Thank you so much. Good luck with your reconstruction :-)

By: Josie Kelsh

Josie Kelsh — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 22:18:19 +0000

In reply to Julie. Thanks Julie :-)

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 18:00:47 +0000

Thanks for sharing! I had a mastectomy for DCIS in 2020. I can relate to the Survivor Guilt.

By: JMad

JMad — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 07:47:53 +0000

Thank you for sharing your story. I also got cancer during Covid and didn’t need to do chemo or radiation. I only had one (34G) breast removed, but after 16 months, I am finally starting reconstruction. You look great!

By: Dana

Dana — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 03:17:09 +0000

I had my nipple reconstruction almost 4 weeks ago and they are HUGE! When you said yours were huge, how big were they? They look perfect now.

By: Josie Kelsh

Josie Kelsh — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 06:32:13 +0000

In reply to Joyce Howe. Thank you Joyce. I will be putting something up in the next week or two about the nipple tattoo process. Good luck with your continued treatment.

By: Joyce Howe

Joyce Howe — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 05:16:04 +0000

Josie, I have to thank you for being so open and sharing your story. My journey started in July of 2020 when I was diagnosed with DCIS, originally in one breast and then both following an MRI biopsy. I had triple lumpectomies and similar to you, they did not achieve a clean margin on any of the 3 areas. My surgeon strongly recommended a bilateral mastectomy. It was a tough decision but I knew I had to do it. Mine was done Dec. 15th. They were able to do one implant, but had to do a tissue expander on one side. I have one more fill on that side before the final surgery and my plastic surgeon has recommended we swap the existing implant for a slightly different size based on how it has settled. Your descriptions of pain levels and progress have greatly mirrored mine. I reread your section on the swap surgery today and it gives me great comfort going into this next phase. I’m anxious to hear about the tattoo process, as the nipple reconstruction decisions are next on my radar. Thank you so much for being so open and honest about your experience. It has helped more than you know. Best wishes for continued success in your journey.