Paget's Disease of the Breast Update #2

I hope my little posts are giving some of you hope out there. Here's my latest update. It's been about a year and a half since my surgery for Paget's Disease of the Nipple. I've recuperated completely. I go in every 6 months for mammograms, blood tests, and a visit with the oncologist. I've graduated. My next visit is with the nurse practitioner. No problems so far.

I did just have a breast reduction done on my right breast so my breasts would be symmetrical. I debated about doing it, but finally decided to. I knew it would bother me  that one breast was much larger than the other for the rest of my life. It made it hard to get a bra to fit well, and I was always self-conscious about it showing when I was dressed. So, my insurance covered the surgery and I did it. 2 weeks ago. There was very little discomfort and I only took pain pills for 3 days, then stopped so I could drive. I'm still supposed to take it easy, but I'm back to all social activities. The plastic surgeon is even more careful than the original surgeon was. She doesn't want her great surgery messed up, so I'll do as she says. I'm VERY glad I did it. I walked out in a tank top this morning and my husband said, "Wow. They really did a good job". That's good enough for me.

So ladies, vanity is fine. It's hard to go through a cancer diagnosis and anything you need to do to feel better about yourself is worth it as long as it isn't going to further damage your health in any way.

PAGET'S DISEASE OF THE BREAST UPDATE

I was just talking with my husband tonight about a new diagnosis of his, and I recommended he look for blog posts. Then I realized I haven't posted since my diagnosis more than a year ago! Shame on me. So, here's the update and it couldn't be better.

I had surgery, basically a lumpectomy with removal of the nipple. Once it had completely healed (and it healed really fast) I went for 27 radiation treatments. No chemotherapy needed. The radiation treatments were relative easy and were prescribed as preventative measures only. I was tired, and in fact, it was probably 6 months before I got all my energy back. My skin got slightly burned during the final treatments, but that went away quickly. Overall, it was really easy. I still have to go for mammograms every 6 months and I see my oncologist every 6 months. This will go on for 5 years. I don't think it is necessary, but I will do it anyway. Better to be on the safe side.

Today they called me from surgery scheduling to schedule a breast reduction for the other side. Medicare mandates that when you have breast cancer surgery, you are also covered for plastic surgery to "even things up". I've thought about not doing it, but I'm only 68 and I don't want to live the rest of my life having to deal with clothing problems. I'm uneven, so that limits my choices in what I buy to wear, and I don't like having to "stuff" one side of my bra. Swimsuits are another issue, and I live in California. We swim here! So, I will go confidently into surgery in September to get things fixed. Hopefully I'll remember to update.

Funny, but when I first got my diagnosis it seemed earth shattering. Now it's just something I'd like to forget about and move on. I hope that will be the way it is with you, too.