Triple Positive and Pregnant

DaniJ

Hi everyone, 
I found out recently that I have triple positive breast cancer as well as being nearly 8 weeks pregnant. I have made the decision to keep the baby as I'm 35 and no children which means surgery first and chemo from trimester 2. I guess the biggest thing I'm struggling with at the moment is how do you decide on lumpectomy or mastectomy? So far all the information I have hasn't really helped me with what to do and I'm terrified of making the wrong choice.

Locksley

Hi @danij so sorry to find yourself in the club noone wants to join.

I had a lumpectomy.  After surgery dr told me I needed a mastectomy.   I didn't make the choice it was made for me.   But 2 years on I do feel it was the best course of treatment for me.

Wishing you and your baby all the very best.  

Julez1958

Hi @DaniJ
So sorry to hear of your situation but this website is a wealth of information and the forum is very helpful.
In terms of lumpectomy versus mastectomy , my situation was I had a large lobular tumour in my left breast that was not picked up on mammogram 18 months prior.
After MRI turned out to be 5.5cm.
My breasts were E cup and my surgeon said that a mastectomy was recommended due to the size of the tumour and I was going to just have a single with reconstruction and a.reduction in other breast with aim of C cups.
In the end I went with a double mastectomy and double reconstruction ( DIEP flap).
My understanding is lumpectomy is suggested depending on the individual circumstances of the patient ( everyone has a different situation) and the larger the tumour the harder it is the save the breast.
My surgeon also discussed with me at the first meeting ( when we didn’t know exactly how big the tumour was) lumpectomy and how sometimes it doesn’t work and a mastectomy is ultimately required  in a further operation.
Its a very personal decision after weighing up all the medical advice from your team.
Take care🌺

DaniJ

Thanks so much @Locksley and @Julez1958 I really do appreciate you commenting and sharing your stories. Hopefully when I see the surgeon tomorrow I have more of an idea of what's coming. 

arpie

So sorry to see you join our exclusive club and all the best with your Surgeon's appt tomorrow @DaniJ.  Do you have someone to go with you as an extra set of ears and support?  Consider recording the meeting on your phone, as it is very difficult to remember all that is said. 

Hopefully you will have a Breast Care Nurse as backup/support as well - sometimes they sit in on your appts with you - and help arrange other appts & explain stuff to you.

Your surgeon will guide you re your choices of surgery - I had a lumpectomy, skipped chemo & had Radiation & now hormone tablets.  My 5 year Mammogram/Ultrasound checkup is in a week or so.

Where abouts are you?  If you add your Town/suburb to your profile, we may have members nearby who can point you to services available to you xx. You could also catch up for a coffee & a chat, now the covid restrictions have lifted (with care .... ) 

Feel free to check out this post - lots of info re the forum & also link to what to take to hospital with you & 'tick lists' that may help with your ongoing medical appointments .....
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest

take care & all the best xx

Cath62

Hi @DaniJ,  I had hormone positive cancer but her2negative. My cancer was about 18 mm. It was a grade 3 so very aggressive. I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radium plus hormone therapy. I did discuss both types of surgery and went with the lumpectomy in the end. I was lucky my bc was contained and no lymph involvement. I am large breasted so plenty to work with  as my surgeon advised. If I had been small breasted a lumpectomy would not have been an option for me. I went with my surgeon advice ie the lumpectomy and so glad I did. Good luck with your decision.

Kabee

Hi @DaniJ,
First of all, a big congratulations on your pregnancy!! And sorry that you have to share what should be the most magical time of your life, with what will be the hardest time. But I know that you’ll muster every inch of strength you have in you because of the beautiful life you having growing inside of you. 

My specialist and oncologists advised that there wasn’t really any difference in terms of survival when deciding  whether to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy. I believe size, type and location will mostly determine this. Your specialist will give their recommendations and why they believe this is the best way forward. Sometimes you’ll get a choice and other times they will advise why you can’t choose the procedure you may want. 

Although my tumour was quite big, I had a lumpectomy and re-excision as I’m really big busted so my surgeon had lots of tissue to work with. If I was small busted, this wouldn’t have been an option. She said cosmetically she wanted me to have the best outcome as possible and if she didn’t think she could achieve that, then she would have recommended a mastectomy. 

All the best with everything :-)