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I had invasive breast cancer just inside stage one...high grade. Her2+ and Es+. My mammogram was all clear 5 weeks prior myself finding a lump.
I have a family history of breast cancer but no gene linked to myself. I was a 14E breast which were dense.
I chose a bilateral mastectomy with tissue expander reconstruction. My nipple on the effected side was too close to save so I opted not to attempt to save. It was my surgeons suggestion for this surgery.
I do miss my breasts. I am happy with my decision...occasionally I fantasize about a diep reconstruction. ..but it's more about the tummy being removed than the need for better breasts...lol.
I had nipple reconstruction last year and have still to get a tattoo. I feel no rush to do this. Now I have a nipple my breasts look like breasts and I focus much less on them now than before..
If you join the reconstruction group there are photo stories of the various surgical options.0 -
Hi @Judithm I've just sent you an invitation to join the breast reconstruction group. If you have any issues, or didn't receive the notification to join please let us know.
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Hello @Judithm I was diagnosed with high grade DCIS in November last year from my first ever mammogram at 42 years old. I had a lumpectomy in December then was due to have radiation in January. They didn’t get a clear enough margin so more surgery is needed. Due to family history, my age and having 2 young children I’ve opted to have a double mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction in August. I’m having it done at the Mater in Brisbane. It’s such a confusing and stressful time. I found it very helpful reading posts from this forum. Best of luck with your decision.2
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Hi @Sdenm, I have opted for a mastectomy with skin/nipple sparing and immediate reconstruction. I too am having this done at the Mater. As it's been nearly 6 months since the DCIS was discovered, I'm having a mammogram and ultra sound done on both breasts this week to be sure all else is ok. I go in on 14th May.
Since I last posted I became aware of a type of radiation that's done at Monash in Melbourne. At the time of lumpectomy they can do a one dose radiation treatment that preserves breast tissue for further radiation or surgery if years down the track it's needed. I did qualify for this as I had clear margins, but.....here's the very distressing bit.......the original surgeon who did the lumpectomy didn't tell me about it, or a lot of other information for that matter. I'd have flown to Melbourne in a heartbeat. Finding this out had me fall into a very dark place for a while.
There are a couple of reasons I've decided on surgery vs radiation. First, I have a niggling heart issue that may have doctors think twice about surgery later on if it's needed and although I shouldn't be thinking this way, I want as many arrows in my quiver so to speak as insurance..!!
Do you mind if I ask who your doctor is?
At your age I expect I'd do exactly as you're doing.
thank your for your response and all the best..
An aside.....It's my belief having been through the information gathering process, that all women should have an independent place to be referred to by doctors, that discusses ALL options prior to making decisions. I certainly didn't get all options on the table from my GP, first surgeon, or radiation oncologist. I had to google, gain 2nd and sometimes 3rd opinions on everything to get to this point. I was given very conflicting information, was even told no surgeon would operate on me, didn't know what questions to ask in the beginning and was being ushered down a path at lightning speed until I decided to put the brakes on. This process has cost me a lot of money and taken months - lucky I had time............!
This site is of enormous value and I only wish I had come across it right up front.6
