Well, yesterday I made my big decision. I am going to keep the right side intact. For now. I spoke with my surgeon and got a woman's opinion on things. She said that she really saw no reason for me to have it removed except for peace of mind. Which, she says, is something very, very important - so if I wanted it off, she would take it off.
But we came up with a plan that really works for me. It's strongly suggested that reconstruction not take place for at least a year after having a mastectomy when you have aggressive cancer. (It's harder to get good test results through implants or new tissue.) So, what I'm going to do is wait to have my reconstruction until after the next testing cycle of my RIGHT side. That will be about a year and a half after my mastectomy. Then, if the right shows any problems, or if I mentally need it, I will have my right side removed and have everything reconstructed at the same time.
In the meantime, my surgery has been scheduled for February 1st. It should be an in-and-out procedure. She will keep me overnight, though, if I feel I need it. She said she will clear me for chemo between 2 and 4 weeks after the surgery. It sounds like I'll probably start chemo around March 1st. I will do four treatments - one every three weeks. I have to go over to Detroit for them; you just sit for three to four hours and then you're done. So I think I'll be done with all this cancer stuff by mid-May! Yippie!
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