The next meeting with the consultant is
less intimidating with no other medical staff. He takes time to explain the
procedure and reinforces that the cosmetic outcome should be good with an
immediate reconstruction. I am encouraged by some of the photos he shows me,
although less by others. My priorities come to the fore again as we discuss
treatment options - we agree that a simple implant would give me the quickest
recovery time and would meet my top two priorities but would also give a good
cosmetic result, if less natural. The opportunity to ask the many questions I
have is helpful but I am focused predominantly on the sentinel node biopsy the
consultant refers to. I will have a five-day wait after the mastectomy to find
out if the cancer is invasive and has spread out of the ducts. This would be a
whole new ball game with chemo and/or radiotherapy and other stuff that I
really don't want to consider.
We agree a date for my operation in the
following fortnight and even manage a joke or two about whether the years of
expensive organic food were wasted. I'm amazed that the procedure is so
quick and only an overnight stay. The consultant suggests a fortnight off work
would be advisable - that sounds positive if slightly bizarre for what I had
assumed would be a major procedure. I'm encouraged.
My husband asks whether there are
support groups we should consider to help us cope. The consultant is in tune
with my thought processes when he replies that there are some excellent
networks but generally aimed at sufferers undergoing more extensive and life
changing treatment. As my treatment is mostly preventive I may not wish to be
part of that world. I selfishly agree and hope that he is right.
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