Re: new to website

[Guest guest]

Hi Kimmy and welcome! This is definitely a happening place

for information and support.

- Jen

On Tue, 3 Oct 2006 22:43:25 -0700 (PDT) kimmy

writes:

> Hi, My name is kim (kimmy as my friends call me). I was 45 years old

> when I went for my routine mammo. They found DCIS (stage 0) and

> suggested that I have it biopsied. When I met my surgeon the

> following week, she found a lump on the far side of my left breast.

> I already knew about it and told her that my doctor had told me that

> I was " lumpy " and there was nothing to worry about. I had noticed it

> over 2 years before that. My surgeon chose to remove the DCIS and

> the lump at the same time of my surgical biopsy. The DCIS was stage

> 0 but the lump was IDC (invasive ductal carcinoma)

>

> I am very small breasted AA but had implants in 2002 to bring me

> up to a full B which I was quite satisfied with. Needless to say,

> when you are having breast cancer surgery, they only deal with the

> REAL thing. Not implants.

> Because I needed two separate incisions in two separate areas, I

> chose a full mastectomy. I have a very demanding job and 6 weeks of

> raduiation would have leveled me.. I would not have been able to

> perform my job effectually.

> I went to breastcancer.org. and read all I could on my

> condition. I weighed the pros and cons and when I went back to my

> surgeon and gave her my decision she totally agreed. She felt that

> the lumpectmies on 2 sites would have left me greatly disformed and

> because of the radiation I would not have been such a good

> consideration for reconstructive surgery.

> I am very happy with my choice. As long as I wear a padded bra,

> no one can tell. I can no longer go braless as it is quite

> conspicuous. I have several bathing suits that fit fine and no one

> is the wiser.

> I feel fortunate that I have always been comfortable in my own

> body.I have been with 2 men so far that don't seem to be bothered by

> the fact, although all men lie, (even though I don't think they

> did.)

> A breast does not make a woman. (lol I should be the one to talk

> since I got implants, but you have to realize that I was a shapely

> woman with 0 breasts. I felt I needed to round myself out.) That is

> why I only went to a B-cup to match my 5'3'. 94lb frame.

> Anyways, that is my story in a nutshell.

> I would like to be able to answer questions to the newly

> diagnosed. I know how overwhelming and scary it can be. But if you

> have the right resourses to educate you, you will do fine.

> REMEMBER...KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!! AND POWER IS STRENGTH!!!

> Read, read, read!!!!!!! Learn all you can. There are so many

> choices today for women with breast cancer! We are survivors because

> we are informed!

> peace....................kimmy

>

>

>

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