Long Time Gone

ImWorthIt

I have been a hermit like so many others for the past year. It's nice to be back. It has been a little over a year since my diagnosis and my surgery. I have an appointment with my surgeon next month to discuss whether to continue with a prosthetic or get reconstruction. I am doing okay without having the real thing, but there are days it is so sad to look at myself in the mirror. I have had a lot of tearful days in the past couple of months, but I'm doing a lot better in the past few weeks.

It's so quiet here now. This place used to buzzing with activity. Where did everybody go?

Carool

Welcome back!

I hate to be the bearer of sad news. Greg died maybe eight months ago (not sure of the date). WhatNext hasn’t been the same since, though some of us are trying to keep it alive.

We have a new moderator, ColbyR.

I think that WN is still attracting new survivors. Let’s hope this site will stay. The pandemic has also changed things here, of course.

Good luck with your deciding whether or not to get reconstruction. Please keep us posted.

Teachertina

Yes, welcome back! Glad to hear you’re doing better! Keep posting and sharing what you are doing and how things go with your appointment.

MarcieB

My neighbor had a reconstruction and she said the recovery was much more painful and involved than her cancer surgery. I had a breast reduction (so I would match) and found the same thing - much more painful than I anticipated. So be aware you may be looking at some painful days if you decide to go for the reconstruction.

That said, both my neighbor and I are thrilled with the results! Even knowing about the pain (it's temporary) we both agree we would make the same decision in a heartbeat! Some things are worth it and feeling good about how you look is a big deal, it really is.

ImWorthIt

That is definitely sad news about Greg. He seemed to be the glue that held it all together. I am sure everyone misses him a lot. Nothing ever seems to be the same after someone passes away, and especially someone as special as Greg seemed to be. Given the changes that have gone on this past year, I am sure that many people miss the familiarity of Greg's banter with everyone.

The pandemic has changed things everywhere. I think the level of change and approach has been dictated largely by the needs of the population in various places. The population in a large city might need more strict guidelines than say the wide open fields of South Dakota or someplace like that. I have never thought I would want to live in such a secluded location, but now I think maybe a ranch in a wide open state sounds pretty nice. I just need to embrace the desire to become self-sustaining and grow my own cows, chickens, veggies, etc.

I am really not wanting to do surgery, but then sometimes when I look in the mirror I consider it. I guess I just need to talk to my care team about what to do and what options I have at this point in time.

Carool

ImWorthIt, I got a laugh out of your “grow my own cows....” I hope that the Covid situation near you has improved so that those sparsely-inhabited places don’t beckon so temptingly. Then again, I’m a big city gal 100%.

You said it about Greg. We miss him. A lot. I hope WN will continue.

I hope your care team helps you decide on surgery or no surgery. Please let us know how you’re doing.

Carool

I just wrote a note to everyone on that list I’d sent (above): “Hi, [name]. Some of us WN oldtimers are writing to others who haven’t been on WN recently, to find out how they are. We’d love to hear how you’re doing.” The only person on the list whom I couldn’t find was Ydnar2xer.

I spend my days on my iPhone, so this kind of thing is very easy for me to do.