Hi Ladies, I have just been diagnosed with invasive DC and DCIS. I am told it has also spread to the lymph nodes. I had a biopsy two weeks ago and have my first hospital appointment on Monday. I just wanted to ask if anyone else has the same diagnosis and if they had a lumpectomy or mastectomy. It has only just hit me that I may actually lose one of my breasts and it terrifies me, as does the thought of the cancer spreading. Friends and family are being supportive, but no one really understands what I'm going through.

So sorry to hear about your diagnosis but welcome to this site where you will get lots of information and support.I think you go into abit of shock when you get a breast cancer diagnosis and everything seems to happen quickly that you don't get time to really digest it all.Once you have a plan then you feel less out of control.As to whether you'll have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy depends on the size and how many cancer areas there are.You don't always get a choice.I've had both.In 2003 I had a lumpectomy to remove a 2cm lump. Also had a full lymph node clearance followed by 6wks of radiation.Last year (7yrs later)it came back in the same breast,same spot. There is an 8% chance that this can happen with a lumpectomy.So last year I had a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and am now on Tamoxifen.I had no cancer in my lymph nodes(all 18!)the first time so didn't have to have chemo.back then.With either operation you are in hospital for about 3 days and probably go home with a drain in.The recovery is about the same.There is alot to consider if your doctor gives you a choice.From a physical aspect,lumpectomy lets you keep your boob to fill a bra.But radiation will cause your skin to be less elastic and limit your choice of reconstruction should you go down that path later.Mastectomy is more confronting psycologically.I wear a prosthesis and have had to alter all my low neckline tops.Once I'm dressed I don't think about it. My advice is to write down all the questions you want to ask your doctor on Monday and preferably,have someone with you.Try to just deal with the surgery first- abit at a time cos it can all seem overwhelming,does your head in.Cancer is a very scary word but it's no longer a death sentence.There are lots of us woman on this site who are surviving and getting on with our lives.You'll get through it too but you"ll need lots of love and support.Jump on here any time you need to chat or just vent as we understand how you are feeling. Tonya xx

Thanks for replying Tonya. There is a lot to think about. I will just have to wait and see what the doctors tell me on Monday and try to take one day at a time (easier said than done some days) and try not to think the worst. Thanks for all your advice, I will definitely be on here often in the coming months to chat. Thanks again Jo

Sorry to hear you have had to join us Jo B. Yes there is a lot to think about. We are a supportive strong bunch =) Tonya has given you the best advice. I had DCIS stage 2 and started with chemotherapy first then surgery. The reason for this was to conserve the breast, hence a lumpectomy so the chemo first was to try to shrink the tumour. I had a lumpectomy with a clear margin and 4 lymph nodes removed but the biopsy on the lymph nodes showed more cancer so back again for 2nd surgery to have more nodes removed. (In total 14). I had a hard time deciding which way to go - thinking if I had a lumpectomy what if the cancer came back again. I was so over all the worrying and wondering in the end I just gave up and left it in the hands of my highly qualified team to decide. I figured this is what they do, I will follow their suggestions. I am now at the radiation stage and start that in a couple of weeks. In the end I am pleased that I only had to have the lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed - having the worry of what to do after a mastectomy was just more than I felt I could cope with. You will find that we are all different but also we are all the same. Worrying does not help you at all - finding ways to feel positive and go on with your life the best way you can is the way to go. All the very best Jo B. Maria333

Hi Jo B. So sorry to hear about your cancer, and the decision you have to make. We have all been where you are now, so understand how you are feeling. Today is the first anniversary of the date I found out I had breast cancer. I can't quite believe a whole year has passed. I first had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. They were looking for a 4 mm tumour. On pathology this tumour was actually 21 mm, invasive and a grade 3 ( aggressive ). Though my lymph node was clear, as were the margins, my surgeon still wanted to do more surgery to make really sure that nothing was missed. This is where I had to decided to either have another lumpectomy, or mastectomy. As this lump never showed up on mammogram the Dr was concerned about other lumps in the future, or scar tissue looking like BC. I had a few weeks to research, and decided that as I would never be able to trust a mammogram again, the mastectomy for me might be best. I also realised that there were more reconstructions options available if I didn't have radiotherapy. Anyway I had a mastectomy, and 10 more nodes removed. There was no cancer in any nodes, or anywhere else in the breast, and I was delighted, but have never regretted having the mastectomy. I have had 4 rounds of chemo earlier in the year, and about 2 months ago decided to have the other breast off, and also started reconstruction with tissue expanders. In January I will have the expanders replaced with silicone implants. This is one of the easier reconstruction options. I have no regrets about either of my mastectomies. I never wanted to hear the words, " you have breast cancer" again. What ever decision you make, will be the right decision. Give yourself a little time to think through all options. It is very hard in the early days as so much goes through your mind. Hopefully this site will help you as you try to decide what to do. All the best with your decision making. Love Chris xx

Just Diagnosed | BCNA Online Network

19 Replies

Jo_B
Member
14 years ago
Thanks Hilary - it is quite hard waiting for results to come back, but I'm back at work today and feeling positive. Let you know how it goes xxx
pennyb
Member
14 years ago
I had the scans done too and was absolutely petrified waiting for the results, but you will feel so much better once you know. It's a relief knowing that cancer isn't anywhere else in my body. Mine didn't show up anything else, so maybe Tonya is right when she said it will show your bc. I know it's easier said than done but try not to stress Love Penny xxx
pennyb
Member
14 years ago
I had the scans done too and was absolutely petrified waiting for the results, but you will feel so much better once you know. It's a relief knowing that cancer isn't anywhere else in my body. Mine didn't show up anything else, so maybe Tonya is right when she said it will show your bc. I know it's easier said than done but try not to stress Love Penny xxx
TonyaM
Member
14 years ago
Maybe your surgeon means that the breast cancer or lymph node will show up.That's what happened on mine. The cancerous breast lump lit up like a light bulb but they knew that,Try not to over analyze ur surgeon!

Tonya xx
hilsandglen
Member
14 years ago
This is I think the worst time, all these tests and the worry of what might be.... as Tonya says have a glass of something tonight and maybe watch a silly movie. Once you get underway with your treatment you will feel more in control LOL . Keep in touch best regards Hilary
Jo_B
Member
14 years ago
The surgeon actually told me that I would have 'something' come up on the scans because everyone does - just hope that something is not cancer related.

Jo
TonyaM
Member
14 years ago
Those scans are scary and waiting on results even scarier.Mine were clear of cancer but I came out with all sorts of medical conditions I didn't know I had! Hope it's all clear results for you -have glass of something tonight !!

Tonya xx
TonyaM
Member
14 years ago
Those scans are scary and waiting on results even scarier.Mine were clear of cancer but I came out with all sorts of medical conditions I didn't know I had! Hope it's all clear results for you -have glass of something tonight !!

Tonya xx
Jo_B
Member
14 years ago
Thank you so much Penny. I love this site already and think I will definitely find it invaluable in the months to come. Good luck with your chemo and I love your profile photo by the way, very exotic location!!

Love Jo xx
Jo_B
Member
14 years ago
Thank you for all that information Chris. I feel better knowing someone understands how I feel and has had to make the same decisions that I face. I didn't realise you could actually have the other breast off as well and have both reconstructed. I hope everything goes well with your implants.

Jo xxx