I have just sent up a prayer for exactly what you wish for Babs... and I'm delighted you've found a sister soul in your surgeon, this is going to make things a whole lot more comfortable for you being able to speak with her about your condition and fears, and know she will understand completely , that's wonderful.
I am glad that you have a surgeon that you like and trust, and I think that this makes a whole lot of difference when having a serious operation like this. I know that I felt better about the heart procedure because I trusted my heart doctor, and knew that he would do the best job he could on my heart. Keeping you in my prayers, @Babs Hunt !
As I understand from people I know who have gone through it, the only real reason to reconstruct is that it makes it far easier to buy clothing that fits correctly.
I'm with you, Babs. (Although if faced with the dilemma in my 20's I might have chosen a different route.) I admire your upbeat attitude and I hope for the very best outcome for you.
@Babs Hunt , you are a beautiful woman. Judging from the pictures you have posted, you take pride in your appearance; rightfully so. I believe that the implants can be done when you have the original surgery, sparing you the need to have another surgery later. They would be so natural looking that no one would ever notice that you had had surgery. Talk to your surgeon before you make a final decision. I'm sure you will anyway but I just thought I'd mention it.
Thanks for the compliment @Shirley Martin. I'm really a very simple woman when it comes to style. I don't mind dressing up if the occasion calls for it but most of the time I live in T-shirts and jeans or my pajamas. I really don't want reconstruction and I'll still be a beautiful woman even if I do end up flat chested. This breast cancer adventure is really a roller coaster ride and if it wasn't for my faith in God providing me with everything I need each day I don't know how I would have made it this far. I've never been through so many emotions at one time in my life. I think one of the things I hate most of all is how "pressured" I feel to do everything "right now"....the Medical profession brings that pressure but I'm also feeling it from my children. But I've always made my decisions in life by praying about it and waiting on God to show me which way to go...and that's how it's going to be this time too. This isn't an adventure I would have chosen...but I'm going to (with God's help) do the best I while on it.
I can understand both sides of the equation babs.. your wish to not be pressured and to be able to take time to understand what;s going on and weigh up your options, and just try and get your head around it all.. and otoh, your doctors and your families wish for you to get the medical help as soon as possible they are extremely worried for their wife, mama, and grandma and sister , ...I get that!!..frustrating and worrying as it must be for your family, you can only do what's right for you when you're ready...
You sound so brave, Babs. And you certainly have to handle this in your own way. I'm afraid if this were me, I'd be yelling at the doctors to hurry up!!
As a Christian I believe we are not going to die one minute sooner than our time is up in God's Book of Life...and anything I do here...having God's peace about is the most important thing to me. My faith and trust is in Him first...not the world's opinions. Believe me I'm not brave, I have fear and anxiety every day since my diagnosis...yet when I hand these fears and anxieties to my Lord...He does fill me with His peace and the comfort of knowing He's got this and He will walk with me all the way through it...or all the way to my eternal Home with Him. We're all going to die sooner or later...there's no way to stop that for anyone of us. But my God offers Life after death....and my faith embraces that eternal life whenever my life on earth is over with. We can all have that assurance...all we have to do is accept the gift God offers each and every one of us.