Comments on: Melissa My Journey to Prevent Cancer http://www.fightpink.org/survivorship-stories/melissa-my-journey-to-prevent-cancer.html Raising Funds and Awareness to End Breast Cancer for Good! Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:00:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: K.H. http://www.fightpink.org/survivorship-stories/melissa-my-journey-to-prevent-cancer.html/comment-page-1#comment-1192 K.H. Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:40:25 +0000 http://www.fightpink.org/wordpress/?p=181#comment-1192 I had a mastectomy October 2008. I had invasive ductal breast cancer and infiltrating lobular breast cancer so saving my nipple was not an option. I am just wondering if in nipple sparing surgery such as yours if your skin is still numb like mine. This is something that I think doctors avoid telling breast cancer patients....that you will lose all skin sensation completely for the rest of your life when the nerves between the breast tissue and the skin are severed. I went through reconstruction and have now had my silicone implant placed. Even though it feels natural "in" me, and fills my bra cup, I wish I could feel it on its skin. So on top of a lost libido from chemical induced menopause, I've also lost my erogenous zone. These are things that I wasn't prepared for emotionally when I was diagnosed. I think that just getting rid of the cancer was so focal at the time, and my doctors just dismissed how profound this loss would be. Can you tell I am still struggling with this issue? I think the media only compounds this myth that breast cancer patients get new breasts out of all of their suffering. That's just not true. I got a shape. I look normal in clothing. That's about as good as it gets. There's a lot more people don't want to admit to others but when reading about women like Leslie who posted above and are faced with this decision and have the time to really think about it, I would tell her to really absorb this reality going in to it so that she can be emotionally prepared that this part of her womanhood is really not going to be the same. Ever. I had a mastectomy October 2008. I had invasive ductal breast cancer and infiltrating lobular breast cancer so saving my nipple was not an option. I am just wondering if in nipple sparing surgery such as yours if your skin is still numb like mine. This is something that I think doctors avoid telling breast cancer patients….that you will lose all skin sensation completely for the rest of your life when the nerves between the breast tissue and the skin are severed. I went through reconstruction and have now had my silicone implant placed. Even though it feels natural “in” me, and fills my bra cup, I wish I could feel it on its skin. So on top of a lost libido from chemical induced menopause, I’ve also lost my erogenous zone. These are things that I wasn’t prepared for emotionally when I was diagnosed. I think that just getting rid of the cancer was so focal at the time, and my doctors just dismissed how profound this loss would be. Can you tell I am still struggling with this issue? I think the media only compounds this myth that breast cancer patients get new breasts out of all of their suffering. That’s just not true. I got a shape. I look normal in clothing. That’s about as good as it gets. There’s a lot more people don’t want to admit to others but when reading about women like Leslie who posted above and are faced with this decision and have the time to really think about it, I would tell her to really absorb this reality going in to it so that she can be emotionally prepared that this part of her womanhood is really not going to be the same. Ever.

]]> By: Melissa http://www.fightpink.org/survivorship-stories/melissa-my-journey-to-prevent-cancer.html/comment-page-1#comment-1166 Melissa Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:46:47 +0000 http://www.fightpink.org/wordpress/?p=181#comment-1166 Leslie, I sent you an email today with "Fight Pink" in the subject in case it goes to your spam filter. Thanks for your comment. Best, Melissa Leslie, I sent you an email today with “Fight Pink” in the subject in case it goes to your spam filter. Thanks for your comment. Best, Melissa

]]> By: Leslie Siegel http://www.fightpink.org/survivorship-stories/melissa-my-journey-to-prevent-cancer.html/comment-page-1#comment-1163 Leslie Siegel Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:30:17 +0000 http://www.fightpink.org/wordpress/?p=181#comment-1163 I have had the worst periods all my life, so when I tested high on the Bracca gene scale I just only slightly hesitated and fretted about losing my uterus, ovaries, etc...full hyst! But I went thru it and feel better than I've felt in years. Now my doc wants to push the breast removal. My sister had a bad experience, but I still am going thru with it, but my question is, okay, I do what they say, and remove it all, then what about if I get what my grandmother got "Pancreas cancer, or even intestines, bowels, ect," Do I cut out my colon next if I get a test and it shows that I have high rate of colon cancer? One organ at a time please, but seriously, I'm going thru with the breast removal sometime before the end of 2009, and then I'm done with this! I hope I am doing right thing. My cousin talked us all into this... My sister, myself, my other cousin, and even her aunt! So we'll see. Thanks. I have had the worst periods all my life, so when I tested high on the Bracca gene scale I just only slightly hesitated and fretted about losing my uterus, ovaries, etc…full hyst! But I went thru it and feel better than I’ve felt in years. Now my doc wants to push the breast removal. My sister had a bad experience, but I still am going thru with it, but my question is, okay, I do what they say, and remove it all, then what about if I get what my grandmother got “Pancreas cancer, or even intestines, bowels, ect,” Do I cut out my colon next if I get a test and it shows that I have high rate of colon cancer? One organ at a time please, but seriously, I’m going thru with the breast removal sometime before the end of 2009, and then I’m done with this! I hope I am doing right thing. My cousin talked us all into this… My sister, myself, my other cousin, and even her aunt! So we’ll see. Thanks.

]]> By: kelly http://www.fightpink.org/survivorship-stories/melissa-my-journey-to-prevent-cancer.html/comment-page-1#comment-409 kelly Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:56:56 +0000 http://www.fightpink.org/wordpress/?p=181#comment-409 Melissa, After reading this the first word that came to mind was "WOW".. I admire your courage and your determination to do what you did in order to reduce your risk. Honestly, I don't know if I could or would be able to do this. You are an amazing person..with an amazing will.. I am in awe of your strength.. I just wanted to let you know that.. I pray too that you continue your happy life.. for a very long time.. thanks for sharing this.. Kelly~ (My story..My life..Losing someone you love to cancer) Melissa,
After reading this the first word that came to mind was “WOW”.. I admire your courage and your determination to do what you did in order to reduce your risk. Honestly, I don’t know if I could or would be able to do this. You are an amazing person..with an amazing will.. I am in awe of your strength.. I just wanted to let you know that.. I pray too that you continue your happy life.. for a very long time.. thanks for sharing this..
Kelly~ (My story..My life..Losing someone you love to cancer)

]]> By: Sean David http://www.fightpink.org/survivorship-stories/melissa-my-journey-to-prevent-cancer.html/comment-page-1#comment-103 Sean David Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:30:28 +0000 http://www.fightpink.org/wordpress/?p=181#comment-103 Melissa, I want you to know that I love you very very much. Your Brother, Sean Melissa,

I want you to know that I love you very very much.

Your Brother,

Sean

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