After lumpectomy, my breast was heavy and swollen and I couldn’t wear a bra so I tied a long strip of gauze into a handy breast-sling. I did not have drains but a painless procedure of aspirating the accumulated liquid three times at the hospital. Later, only a seamless bra without underwire was comfortable enough. Even now, two years later, underwire bras press on my scar tissue and hurt.

I have small breasts so even the lumpectomy was disfiguring. I have a hard time finding bras that fit correctly.

The worst news, a week after lumpectomy, was that they didn’t get clean margins around the tumor. I was devastated. I thought, “You didn’t kill me the first time so you’re going to give it another shot.” My incision was healing beautifully and I wanted to get on with the rest of it. But I bit the bullet and went back. For the first time since the kids were born my husband and I went to the zoo and county fair like we were dating again. Surgery loomed like an island and I was stranded at sea. I both welcomed and feared it. The worst part was the pre-op insertion of two wires (tumor markers). This was done on the ultrasound table under local anesthesia. Then I walked down the hall with the two wires sticking out of my breast about six inches feeling like I was receiving AM and FM radio. Then ouch they did a mammogram with the wires in—fun, fun, fun. The site healed quickly. The underarm area was another story. Besides numbness, one night I was awakened by shooting pains and needed pain medication to get through it. This is from someone who rarely takes an aspirin.

After a lumpectomy, I had to have a second surgery as they did not have clean margins. It was very easy to recover from. I did not require a prosthesis; it is amazing how the breast fills in naturally. Sometimes while doing the exercises I could hear water sloshing and it was the fluid in my breast. It does eventually get absorbed. I used only extra-strength acetaminophen and sometimes after exercise would take one. Mostly I drank herbal tea, and I listened to relaxing music while taking deep breaths. Even a lumpectomy can leave you feeling apprehensive. Daily positive thinking can help.

Being as young as I am, I was concerned how my breast would look afterwards. I was happy to find that my breast was still quite “whole” once it healed. The pain was really not too bad after the first couple of days. A soft comfy bra is a very good thing.
(Jennifer, diagnosed in 2001 at age 27)

The stereoscopic biopsy was very nice. The nurse even massaged me with scents and there was pleasant music! Calcifications are very small and impossible to see except with biopsy after the surgery. I had two lumpectomies and then had to do a third surgery, this time a mastectomy. I read Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book a lot, always needing to read new chapters after each call from the doctor.
(S.R., Columbus, OH)

I had the standard treatments with chemo, radiation and a lumpectomy in between. I was told that I might have some pain and to give it three years. Sure enough, in three years the pain was gone. I think it was a good thing to know.
(Esther Matsubuchi, North Vancouver, BC)

I was surprised at how little discomfort I had after the lumpectomy. I was back at work the following week but could have gone sooner. I found that it was important to massage the breast as it helped to keep adhesions from forming. I didn’t do this soon enough on a later excisional biopsy in the same area, and now my depression is more noticeable because it is
attached to the chest muscle.
(Rita, Palos Verdes, CA)

I have not used a prosthesis, and I can’t tell the difference between my breasts unless I really look carefully. The worst part was the anticipation. The other difficult part for me was having to go with my son to the pre-surgical appointment so he could learn how to deal with the drain if I needed one, which I didn’t. He’s a good guy, and he made jokes throughout the appointment to keep it light. I wore a short-sleeved heavy-knit shirt that buttoned down the front when I came home from the hospital, which was the same afternoon that I had my lumpectomy. Selecting something roomy and fairly dark that I could button myself was a real challenge. I live in Southern California and it was very hot. I just wanted to be comfortable.

My breast deflated a bit and had a dent where the scar was, but a year later the breast has filled out almost entirely. I am very happy with the physical form results. The most uncomfortable part after the surgery was dealing with the drains.
(Dikla, North Hollywood, CA)

I had a lumpectomy with an axillary node dissection. My underarm was very sore and no one had prepared me for this. My arm was stuck to my side. I could barely drive my car and function properly. Since my margins were not clean, it was necessary to remove more tissue. This time I was awake. It was a frightening experience to hear and feel what was happening.
(Lorraine Zakaib, Kirkland, QC, diagnosed in 2002 at age 49)

The doctor who removed my tumor thought he was removing a cyst. He was a plastic surgeon and took very little tissue, yet he obtained clear margins around the tumor. There was no scarring and no pain, and only a local anesthetic was used.

I have no prosthesis. My arm that had the lymph nodes removed will never be the same. It will always be weaker than the other one, but I sure can live with that. That arm also gets tired faster than the other one.

After two cancers in the same place, I wear a small balance prosthesis in the bottom of my bra.
(Bev Parker, Naperville, IL, diagnosed in 1985 at age 40, recurrence in 2001)

The best advice I have is try not to baby the arm once the incision is healed. I got a massage about 3 weeks post-op, highly recommended. The incision is healed and the range should start to come back in the arm. A massage can take care of many of life’s problems.
(Cindy, Cedarburg, WI, diagnosed at age 41)

No pain or discomfort! I would have liked surgery to leave both breasts looking the same but truthfully, in time, it stopped bothering me.

Not that much tissue, it just looks like a small bite was taken out! No prosthesis needed, but I do feel more comfortable in padded bras and swimsuits with a soft cup bra in them, especially because my nipple doesn’t face forward anymore. Pain is almost daily, but you just learn what feels good and what doesn’t.
(Peggy Scott, Waldorf, MD, diagnosed in 2002 at age 46)

I wear a bathing suit prosthesis, just need a little something to give my breast some shape. I had no discomfort or pain.
(Chris Lengert, Campbell River, BC, diagnosed in 1996 at age 52)

I never thought of a mastectomy because my cancer had already metastasized. All through life I felt my breasts were too small. However I remember looking at my breasts in the mirror after my ultrasound and thinking how perfect they were and that I should be happy with them. They served their purpose, as they allowed me to breast-feed my daughter. They didn’t define me as a person, and they were exactly the size they were suppose to be. After surgery I wasn’t too upset over the loss. After all I only lost a small part of my left breast, and it could have been worse. Now as I go on with my life I have some anxiety around my loss of part of my breast. I am single and it is something I would have to discuss if I were to pursue an intimate relationship with a man. This hasn’t happened yet, but I think this is something I would struggle with. I do not need a prosthesis, and a padded bra can usually camouflage the missing area. I would like to get a prosthesis to wear with my bathing suit, as I am self-conscious. I found the pain after surgery bearable but became very nauseated from the medication, and that was hard to control. The drain I was sent home with caused me problems. I also found that my incision would leak at night, and I would wake up with a big wet spot and have to go to the hospital to have the dressing changed.
(Kathy Reeve, North Vancouver, BC, diagnosed in 2000 at age 32)

I did not need reconstruction, but I do recommend a prosthesis to all women. For years I used several shoulder pads in my bras. It wasn’t until last year that I requested a prosthesis from the Cancer Society. How dumb on my part! I believe every woman should feel good about herself and should definitely look into getting a prosthesis. What makes us look good, makes us feel good. I live a healthy good life, life that is full of exercise from swimming to walking. I am not ashamed about losing a portion of my breast and speak freely about it to those who ask. Life goes on and I want to partake of everything that is out there.

My second surgeon, a woman, really respected my femininity by leaving only a tiny scar on my breast and virtually none under my arm. I thank her to this day for that beautiful job. Things healed up nicely, aided by my husband’s rubbing Vitamin E oil into the scar every night for several months. This not only helped the skin, but also gave him something constructive to do to aid in my healing (instead of worrying), which was very important.

I had three lumpectomies total, all in the same breast. Now my breast is about half the size of the other one. I am not that big-breasted so I did not need a prosthesis. I thought the lumpectomies were very easy to recover from and really no big deal at all. I did have an axillary node dissection, and that was much tougher. I had a tube under my arm for ten days, and my underarm has just never been the same.

Margins were not clear in the partial mastectomy so I had to go back for a total mastectomy. I had a saline implant as I was not a good candidate for the TRAM flap and did not want the Dorsi flap. I did not have any regrets and really did not feel any remorse about losing part of my body, probably because there was so much cancer in it that I was glad to do whatever was necessary to rid my body of this hideous growth. To this date, I do not feel any remorse or regret over the loss of the breast. This could be in part due to my age (almost 64). I am content to live alone. If I do find a special person and they can not accept me as I am, they are not good enough for me.
(Sharron, diagnosed in 2002 at age 62)

Avoid listening to bad stories. The experience can be devastating if you let it. Have your pity party and move on.

Be kind to yourself. If you feel like spending the day on the bed, do so. I asked about reconstruction and was told to deal with that later. My age, as well as some of the reconstruction problems my friends have had, helped make my decision to do nothing. I am still happy with my decision. I was 58 years old and my husband was very understanding. To this day I still wear a prosthesis and it hasn’t fallen out yet, and the dog hasn’t tried to eat it! Emotionally and physically I am completely content without my breast.
(Joan Fox, Victoria, BC)

I opted for a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, which I did one month after this whole nightmare began. I was happy and it was helpful to wake up from surgery with “mounds” in the place of my breasts (at least I still had a cleavage). My oncologist suggested that I have my ovaries removed because of the strong family history of cancer. I was both sad and devastated, because I had seen what my sister had gone through and looked into the faces of my young sons and husband, who were all terrified. I had a combination saline and silicone implant. I did have to have my implants later removed and replaced (due to problems with the radiation) and I’m happy to say that I now have breasts complete with areolas and nipples. I don’t mourn my breasts. They had fed my children, entertained my husband and rounded out (no pun intended) my sex life.
(Dawn, North Hollywood, CA, diagnosed in 2001 at age 47)

Regular mammograms did not show the cancer. The surgeon did MRI of both breasts, which found an additional tumor. Chemo was used
before surgery to shrink the tumor and the lumpectomy was performed successfully with good cosmetic results. My surgeon just happened to take an extra piece of tissue at the end of the guide wire. This biopsy determined more cancer. I opted for a bilateral mastectomy with implant reconstruction and did the full drill of nipples and tattoos, too. I then completed six more rounds of chemo. Nobody can tell you what it is like to remove your breast(s). There is a lot of input from your friends and family with, “Well, if I had breast cancer, I would...” Bottom line is they don’t and can’t relate to making your decision so unless their input is solicited, ignore it. If you have reconstruction at the same time as surgery, rent an electric lounge chair from a hospital supply company, since it will be difficult to lay down on your bed without assistance.

I opted for bilateral mastectomies with TRAM flap reconstruction after my second breast cancer. Because I had already had radiation on the left side, this was a good option for me. I also liked the idea of using my own tissue for the reconstruction. Although the recovery was difficult, I’m glad I made the decision I did and am happy with the results. I was glad my plastic surgeon was able to do the reconstruction at the same time as the mastectomies so I didn’t have two major surgeries. I just had to go back later after chemo was finished to have nipple reconstruction, which was a simple surgery.

I had a fairly large lump removed. Three sides did not have clean
borders so I had a full mastectomy and reconstruction surgery. I am starting to feel better although still get tired very easily.

The route to go into surgery is a very personal and of course emotional decision. My decision was fairly clear-cut from the start. I was determined to do as much as I could to eradicate the cancer. I chose a double mastectomy with reconstruction. My mother passed away at 43 years old from this disease. I was 13 years old. I hadn’t even had my period yet. When it came I had to have my best friend and her mother come over to help me out. This was such a hard time in my life, since I had been so close to my mother. I do not want my daughters to have the same experience. Following surgery I was extremely sore as if I was wearing a coat of armor, stiff, restricting, and heavy. Having drainage tubes hanging on to me was disturbing and made me feel like a patient. I had a hard time with getting out (raising my chest up) of bed and taking showers. My husband helped me through all of this. We have a double-headed shower and he would bathe me. This was a very endearing and close time for us.
(Carolyn S. Olson, diagnosed at age 37)

I was glad to have the mastectomy, as I wanted the cancer gone. I worry about intimate relationships, not feeling sexy. I have a prosthesis and I don’t like it. If I were older, I would have the other breast removed. Clothes fit funny. I tend to wear button-up big shirts.
(Cordelia Styles, Quesnel, BC)

I played golf six days after mastectomy. No reconstruction was done immediately because of tumor location. I was in good shape before which aided in recovery. I hated my prosthesis and felt totally unfeminine, so I had prophylactic mastectomy (removing healthy breast) and bilateral reconstruction 18 months later.
(Deb Haggerty, diagnosed at age 51)

I had a mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. This was a good and viable option for me. The plastic surgeon was so helpful and showed me pictures of both implants and TRAM flap reconstruction. We decided this would be the best option for my lifestyle.

The first time, I only had a lumpectomy and radiation. But four years later, I had a recurrence and, at 37 years old, was facing a mastectomy. Devastated, I consulted with five different doctors and they all had the same recommendation. Finally one said, “It is your breast or your life.” I caved in. I chose a TRAM flap reconstruction, but the doctors suspected a blood disorder and put an implant instead. The previous radiation to the breast prevented the skin to be stretched enough so I needed a partial prosthesis. Not ideal or sexy but at least I could feel comfortable in baggy clothes at night without the prosthesis, because there was a bump on that side. Seven years later, my implant ruptured. In one day, my reconstructed breast went flat. TRAM option is a more difficult
surgery but, if successful, will be permanent. I had the implant removed and replaced two weeks later but had an infection and had to remove it. My options now are to have a TRAM flap, another implant, or have the surgeon just fill the hole and close it up.
(Donna Tremblay, diagnosed in 1992 at age 33, recurrence in 1996)

Take your time with decisions. Reconstruction is a large surgery. Excellent prostheses are available while you decide. Exercise as much and as often as you can.

It’s been two years and I will soon have a second mastectomy with bilateral implants because I had two tumors. I have never regretted my decision and would do it again in a heartbeat.
(Yvette, Victoria, BC, diagnosed in 2002 at age 47)

My entire breast was removed. It was very painful. At my age, I didn’t have reconstruction. I wear a special bra now with a prosthesis. I’ve become used to it after all these years.
(Marie, Co. Mayo, Ireland, diagnosed in 1987, recurrence 13 years later)

A year after I was diagnosed, my younger sister had a lump. One of my other sisters suggested genetics and all of my sisters tested positive as well as one of my daughters to date. I then chose to have my healthy breast off and hysterectomy and oophorectomy (the surgical removal of ovaries), all at the same time. I was not prepared to go through the chemo again. The balance problem went away, I did not have to wear the hot prosthesis anymore, and I did not have reconstruction. Two of my sisters did choose to have preventive surgery as well and a reconstruction.

After my mastectomy, I was kind of nervous the very first time I saw the result of the operation. I was not shocked, because I had asked in advance how my body would look (scar, nipple or not). I felt my body was out of balance, which still persists today. And I cherish my other breast much more than before. I wore a stick-on prosthesis for one year. Then I decided to have a reconstruction for the practical part of it and for balance. This reconstruction is well done when I look at myself clothed, but naked, it is not the same. The difference with my real breast is enormous. It feels partially cold, it is not soft (a blown-up balloon), and sometimes it hurts when I have done too many efforts with my arm. I do respect the doctor that did the operation, really, but in comparison to perfect nature the result is rather clumsy.
(Annemie D’haveloose, Belgium, diagnosed in 1999 at age 45)

Life without a breast is different and not easy to accept. I have simply tried to put this loss into perspective. A breast is a small price if you can continue your life. Reconstruction should be carefully considered. Many people say that through reconstruction they have got back their confidence in life as a woman. Others might not be willing to go through this very big and also painful procedure. I think that the most important thing is that your medical system allows you to choose reconstruction if you so decide and also without waiting for years.
(Katariina Rautalahti, Järvenpää, Finland, diagnosed in 1999 at age 41)

My surgical oncologist believed a mastectomy was the best option but, at my insistence, agreed to do a lumpectomy (this decision was approved by a committee of doctors) with radiation therapy and tamoxifen. In May 2000 another mammogram revealed the same cancer had returned at the exact same spot. There was no option but a mastectomy. I had just turned 46 years old and, without hesitation, I decided to have a TRAM flap reconstruction. My surgical oncologist recommended a brilliant female plastic surgeon that could identify with female vanities. After 11 hours in the operating room (each case is different), a day in intensive care, an 11-day stay in the hospital, 3 weeks of daily nursing visits, a home physiotherapist, and feeling at my sickest and weakest, I did not regret my decision for one moment.
(Susan, Brossard, QC)

I don’t think I am allowed to have reconstruction because I am at high risk for recurrence. Life without a breast—so what, I have a life!

A radical mastectomy was my choice after I was evaluated by my doctors, because I had very large breasts and the tumor was so deep. After my initial healing, I have used a regular bra with a prosthesis and don’t even think about it or ever felt self-conscious except with male nurses.
(Marilyn R. Prasow, Long Beach, CA, diagnosed in 2001 at age 60)

What helped me with recovery was time. This is a hard thing to do. At first you think it is a no-brainer, I’ll just have it off. But as time goes by, you miss your boob and begin a mourning period. I hate not having a boob, but I don’t want to go through reconstruction right now, it is too much for my young family to handle. I have a total prosthesis and it is heavy. It is hard to believe that our boobs are that heavy.
(Jacqui, Courtenay, BC, diagnosed in 2002 at age 38)

I don’t mind having lost the breast as much as being without hair— weird but true. I think it was harder losing the nipple than the breast and I hope that they continue to refine nipple-sparing mastectomy. Luckily my husband has been very supportive, he is warm and affectionate and touches my “boobette” as we call it, though sometimes it hurts a little.

Accept your new body, embrace it even, and begin moving on. Breasts do not make us who we are. I had a mastectomy without reconstruction. I chose this route because of the young age of my daughter—I did not want to be out of commission any longer than I had to be. Chemo, radiation, and tamoxifen followed. I did have a prophylactic mastectomy and lateral flap reconstruction a year and a half after initial diagnosis.
(Julie Austin, Little Rock, AR, diagnosed in 2000 at age 30)

Lumpectomy didn’t seem to change the breast significantly. Ultimately, it didn’t matter much since the breast was going to go anyway. I certainly miss my breast... most of the time I am just so glad to still be alive. Sometimes, on rare occasions, and in my most private moments, it really hurts that it is gone. What helped in recovery was to finally have a day where I didn’t think of cancer. That took much longer than I thought that it would. In fact, physical recovery took plenty of time, but the surprise for me was how long emotional recovery takes.
(Janel Dolan Jones, Fort Worth, TX)

It helped having my family close by to visit and talk to. I did not have a reconstruction. I was 44 at the time and my husband and I talked it over—he said he did not marry me for my breast but for what I was inside. I wear a prosthesis, but if I had to do it all over again, I would have had both breasts taken at the same time. My life is fine without my breast both emotionally and physically.

I opted for the lumpectomy and radiation treatment. I told the surgeon that I was only 40, and I figured out I had at least 10 years to look good in a great-looking dress! I wish someone had told me that the problems surrounding the lymph node removal would last far longer than any other surgical issues. Now I wear a small pad in my bra to even out my chest; my mother and my husband say they can’t tell the difference, but I can.

Probably the energy work from my mother-in-law, called jin shin jyutsu (ancient art of harmonizing body, mind, and spirit), was the most important recovery help. Reconstruction begun during mastectomy. The intention was to have an implant after recovering from chemo and radiation. I decided against implant after reading about silicone and saline implants. So I did TRAM reconstruction. Long recovery, not at all what was described to me (two years, not six weeks). Now, three years out, I am finally able to say I’m glad I had it. I am able to wear anything I want and look normal. A breast made from belly fat and muscle is incredibly perfect. Take advantage of the professionals out there who can help with the prosthesis decisions and undergarments, they are really sophisticated now. It’s hard to recommend reconstruction, it is a devastating surgery, but as I said I am finally happy I did it. Sad about hip to hip scar across belly, since belly was fine before reconstruction.

I did not have reconstruction during initial surgery. I still have not made that decision. My reasons for hesitating are the excessive amount of time and number of surgeries involved to replace a breast and ensure both are the same. Surgery and satisfaction are not guaranteed, and there was restriction of some activities (I golf and curl) for the type of reconstruction I selected. I wear a total prosthesis. While healing, I wore loose-fitting garments, then a sports exercise bra and then special bras with the prosthesis. I have accepted the lack of a breast both emotionally and physically, probably more easily than I thought, due to the support of my significant other. Without the muscle in the right side of my chest, my strength and my golf game are not up to par.

As soon as I learned I would lose my breast I knew I would have reconstruction. I chose the TRAM flap reconstruction—what a way to get a tummy tuck! The surgeon asked if I wanted to be bigger. I knew that there was no way I wanted an implant in my body so I happily still have my small breasts. I was very sore from my abdomen to my underarm. Then, after the chemo treatments, I had the nipple reconstruction. The surgeon took some skin from my thigh for that. What surprised me was to have no feeling in my left breast.

I did not know I would need radiation until weeks after my surgery, otherwise I would not have been given the option of the reconstruction/expander at the time of surgery. I know that I will have scar tissue issues. I loved my pull-on bras for months after surgery. No rubbing or constricting. No underwires! My husband is very supportive of my
recovery and my self-image. One breast or two, I am still the same woman he married! He reminds me all the time, so I don’t worry about him seeing me differently or finding my body unattractive!
(Lori Hughes, diagnosed at age 35)

Recovery was a breeze, I had to keep telling myself to take it easy, as I was supposed to be an invalid. Ha! I may not have had to do housework thanks to my sister, but I drove my boys all over for their ball games. I haven’t decided about reconstruction yet, but if I do get it done, I’d like the other breast taken off and a TRAM flap surgery done. I’ve watched it twice on TV, and I think that’s the way I’d like to go with no synthetic parts to worry about. Life without a breast has been interesting, to say the least. I think my husband has had a difficult time with it, but he denies it, of course. I find using a prosthesis very hot in the summer, especially wearing the expensive one, so I bought a cheapie from a department store, which isn’t as heavy and doesn’t make me sweat. My attitude about only having one breast is, I’m glad the bad one is gone, so emotionally I haven’t grieved for it. There are times when I’d like to wear low-cut tops, but then, I’m 55 years old, not looking for attention from the opposite sex, so why worry about it?
(Cheryl Otting, Elkford, BC, diagnosed in 2002 at age 53)

A lumpectomy and lymph node dissection followed, then a mastectomy and second lymph node dissection, TRAM reconstruction, reduction for other breast, chemo, skin grafts and reconstruction repairs, staph and strep infections, nipple reconstruction, repairs and liposuction, nipple tattooing, and then I stopped! My treatment lasted a year, doing reasonably well, with mild lymphedema and extensive scarring. Think hard about reconstruction. I had no idea of the possible complications. If I’d known ahead what was in store for me, I’d have chosen just a mastectomy. It has been very hard to accept the state my body is in now, and I still have days when I weep about the mess I ended up with. Investigate. There are web sites now with pictures of reconstruction results. Remember that what they are showing is usually the best outcome. It wasn’t the mastectomy that bothered me; it was all the complications from reconstruction. After six months I was considering having the reconstructed breast removed. If you decide on a TRAM, be aware that you can’t stand up straight for a long time after, because the tummy tuck is the most painful part of it. Plan to spend a lot of time lounging in a C-curve posture, and needing at least three pillows to sleep. Make sure your doctor tells you the warning signs of seroma (swelling caused by accumulation of serum) or infection.
(Judith Quinlan, diagnosed in 2001 at age 52)

I had a total mastectomy of my left breast with implant immediately after. It has been over 20 years so much of the pain and discomfort have been forgotten.
(Roberta R. Nordby, Redmond WA, diagnosed in 1984 at age 29)

Life without a breast is not a problem for me. Full prosthesis is a pain, but life could be worse! I will not consider reconstruction.
(Pat Eveleigh, Vernon, BC, diagnosed in 1995 at age 52)

I was a bra size E and, with the breast gone, I was walking lopsided. Until I finally had a prosthesis, I many times went braless, which didn’t exactly look proper. Yet, it did not stop me from going out in public.
(Beverly Vote, Lebanon, MO, diagnosed in 2002 at age 37)

I don’t wear a bra. I know it is not the popular choice but I am what I am. I guess I am making lemonade out of lemons, but I decided that I can get by without wearing a bra. I always thought they were so uncomfortable anyway. With no breasts, I guess the biggest thing that I have to be aware of is my posture. I tend to slouch... or lean forward. I guess I am not having too much of an emotional reaction about having lost them. I live my days, tell my story if people want to hear it, and go on. I have a greater reaction when I get afraid that I might get it again and have to go through chemo. Sometimes I wonder if I am a freak because I don’t care about my breasts being gone. I think that I fed my babies and they served their purpose, and it was okay to let them go. Two years later, my chest and underarm are numb. I also had a second mastectomy because the symmetry or lack of it bothered me. I have excellent range of movement in my arm. I have had to deal with the lymphedema, which is an ongoing problem and requires constant maintenance.
(Deborah, diagnosed in 2002 at age 46)

I had very large breasts and had always joked that I wish I could just “cut them off”—well I did, but I didn’t want to do it this way. I had gone to my doctor for a regular checkup to look into reduction surgery on my breasts. When I had surgery after chemo, they removed my left breast and lymph nodes, but they also did a reduction on my right breast. So I came out of surgery thrilled with my new baby boob, it was so cute. Reconstruction on my left side would come later after I healed from radiation. If I hadn’t had the reduction, I would have been so miserable with that one huge breast. Recovery was much easier being able to go braless and let everything heal. So I never looked at it as losing something because what I gained as a result of this was something I had always wanted.
(Linda Bryngelson, New Brighton, MN)

Surprisingly, I didn’t mourn the loss of my breasts. I hurriedly scheduled the mastectomy two weeks later and felt empowered now for the first time in over six weeks.
(Catherine, Pointe Claire, QC , diagnosed in 2001 one month before age 40)

Now I tell people to get a prosthesis because its weight makes you
balanced. I didn’t for the first while and had to have physiotherapy to get everything back in line. In hindsight, the surgery was the easiest part and yet my most fearful.

I am lucky I had no attachment to my breasts. My husband and I put money down on a new house. Our new house kept me from crying many a night. Every time I was having a bad day, I would just let my husband know that we had to go look at the progress of the new house—he understood what was going on, and we would take the drive with the kids. It was no walk in the park after the surgery. I had a two-year-old at home that wanted mommy to pick her up.

I was obsessed with looking at breasts wondering if they were real. I am glad the mastectomy was my decision so that I was not left with anger at the medical folks for taking my breast. I have never had reconstruction. I decided it was more than I wanted to put myself through. My husband talked me out of it. By the time my doctor told me it was okay to have reconstruction it was no longer necessary.
(Gloria J. “Mimi” Winer, Point Pleasant, NJ, diagnosed in 1974)

I had trouble with movement of my right arm for quite some time, and I babied the arm. In time I learned I was hurting my situation instead of making it better.

My surgeon took out 39 of my lymph nodes. They all came out negative, but that result was inconclusive because my surgery occurred after I had chemotherapy—the doctors said that the chemo probably cleaned out the lymph nodes. Because of all the lymph nodes that were removed, my arm mobility was severely limited after the surgery and hurt greatly to move even slightly. I went through a month of physiotherapy and exercises at home to increase my arm mobility to its full range.
(Dikla, North Hollywood, CA)

It is critical to start the exercises right away. My aunt had had breast cancer, and both her arms swelled to double their size. I did not want that to happen to me. It was amazing during recovery how even reaching up for a plate out of the cupboard hurt so much. I wondered if it would ever end, but it did. No one told me it would take so long.
(Carole, Victoria, BC, diagnosed at age 57)

The worst was the lymph node dissection. Sentinel node biopsies weren’t yet the norm. I had no idea that I would have a tube or that I wouldn’t be able to move my arm without physical therapy. It took a month before I got my range of motion back.

I had a mastectomy and an expander placed under the muscle in the same surgery. Now, ten months post-surgery, I have about 1/4 of the feeling back in my armpit, but the back of the arm is numb. I lie on the floor on my back at least once a day with my hands behind my head to stretch under the arm. After a few minutes, both elbows are touching the floor. It is very important to keep up with stretching to have full range of motion.
(Lori Hughes, diagnosed at age 35)

Probably the best advice I got from my cosmetic surgeon (I had a
simultaneous reconstruction) was to use my arm, no heavy lifting, but not to baby it either. Still now, after eight years, there’s some stiffness and numbness especially if I’m tired.

For underarm numbness, I went to physio between surgery and radiation. Then after I recovered from radiation, I went twice a week for half an hour. In all, I went 100 times. I now participate in a dragon boating team of breast cancer survivors, paddle on both sides and am almost equal.

I started with eight rounds of chemo to try to reduce the size of the tumor, then I had surgery to remove the left breast. It’s hard to explain that numb feeling under my arm and left side. It’s gotten a little better than it was, exercises have helped. I got myself some small weights to lift and just kept working at it.

I read everything I could get my hands on and talked to other women going through this mess. My arm was incredibly painful for a long, long time after surgery. I have to admit I wasn’t prepared for the level of pain I had for an extended time. I found physical therapy helped loosen up the scar tissue and helped decrease the pain. Now, at six years out, I have permanent numbness but full use of my arm.

The numbness under my arm is still there four years later, but one gets used to it.
(Joan Fox, Victoria, BC)

I remember my arm being very numb and that I felt like it was sticking to my side. To this day, there are times when it still feels like that. All the nerves haven’t regenerated so there are still some areas where I’m numb. And I have a nice attractive dent!
(Leslie, Springfield, VA)

Being in good shape before surgery helped me. I had to be careful about lifting and driving, but I was quickly back to normal. I had to push myself to “walk the wall” to regain my arm mobility.
(S.R., Columbus, OH)

I was told not to use my arm too much, but I did not follow this advise. I started playing tennis after three weeks, slowly, and today I have no problems.
(Karen Lisa Hilsted, Denmark)

After mastectomy and treatments five years ago, the underarm numbness is still a fact, and I don’t feel any positive evolution anymore. I will have to live with that. It’s sometimes even more than numbness alone. When I have used my arm a lot, there is some kind of tiredness that installs in the whole region. It helps when I do a gentle massage in that area. But, of course, I pay attention not to overburden my arm, and I had six months of physiotherapy after the operation as well as lymph-drainage to regain arm movement.
(Annemie D’haveloose, Belgium, diagnosed in 1999 at age 45)

I went to physical therapy after surgery. It was the best thing I did. The physical therapist pushed the arm further than I ever thought it should go. It really helped me regain my arm movement.

The lymph node dissection under the arm was the most painful. As soon as possible, start doing a range of motion exercises to avoid tightening of this area. Walking fingers up the wall in the shower and doing arm rotations are good for this.

My get-well cards not only made me feel better, but they helped me get more motion in my arm. I found it difficult to brush my teeth or comb my hair. So, I taped my cards to the wall. Each day in the hospital, I moved the cards a little higher on the wall until I could raise my arm above my head.