2nd Diagnosis

Hi Linda, I was very lucky, in that my surgeon mentioned early on, that he would happily do a second mastectomy if I wanted. 2 of the 3 plastic surgeons I visited expressed surprise that I wanted a second mastectomy, but in the end it was my decision alone. The scare I had just prior to this surgery made me realise that I didn't want to ever hear that I had breast cancer again, and I was so annoyed with myself that I hadn't done it with the first mastectomy. Maybe because I knew that mammograms had failed me, I felt like I would always be waiting for it to return, and would never really believe a negative result. As I said, I have never once regretted my decision, and my husband and 4 adult children were very relieved when I told them my decision. Good luck. Love Chris xx

Hi Chris, thanks for responding. I have just had a phone conversation with my breast surgeon which has upset me. Although he says he will support my decision if I choose to have a bilateral mastectomy he is doing his best to talk me out of it. I really feel I owe it to myself to minimise the risk of this happening for a third time. He is concerned that I will regret my decision - I think I will regret it if I decide not to go ahead. I understand that there are no guarantees whatever I decide but ultimately it is my decision and no one elses.

I am pleased that you have no regrets with your decision, peace of mind is very important. Thanks again for your support, Regards, Linda

Hi Linda, I made the tough decision to have a bilateral mastectomy, when a mammogram failed to pick up a 21mm grade 3 invasive ductal cancer. It was good fortune for me, that I decided to check out an old lump, 3 months after a normal mammogram. It was still ok, and the new mammogram still clear, but underneath it, and detected only by ultrasound, was a non suspicious looking small cyst. This turned out to be cancerous. So, a lumpectomy became a mastectomy and chemo. Following chemo, I decided to have the other breast off, as I knew I would find it hard to trust a mammogram again. A Pre surgical mammogram and ultrasound on this breast showed a very suspicious looking lesion, on ultrasound, but again a normal mammogram. A core biopsy later, and 2 anxious days showed a benign lesion, but gave me the best sign ever that a second mastectomy was right for me. I had this 15 months ago, and have now completed reconstruction with implants, and I have no regrets what so ever. Good luck with your decision making. Love Chris xx

Thank you Louie for your comments. I think you understand completely where I am coming from. Your comments about never wanting breast cancer again and the feeling of being balanced are exactly how I feel. It is comforting to speak with someone who really knows what it is like. The impact on family is enormous, facing it again for a second time is a real challenge for us all.

I wish you well with your treatment and appreciate your response,

Regards,

Linda

Hi, I have had recently 2 lumpectomy surgeries without clear margins and subsequently had MRI which exposed multiple high grade recurrence areas. I lost confidence that the surgeon and the diagnostic tools had any idea of what was going on in my breasts. Not their fault, simply just dont know. So I made the very difficult decision to have a bilateral mastectomy. While the cancer we knew about was only in the one breast, I have decided to remove them both for a couple of reasons. Firstly no diagnostic tool can detect early DCIS, so my untrained logic is that there might be cancer developing in the other breast; that I never want to possibility of breast cancer again, I have read so often about women who have had a lumpectomy and have recurrance or new primary; that I will be the same on both sides after reconstruction (or even if I don't reconstruct), a feeling of being balanced. Basically, I decided it was the best thing i could do for the best chance to never have breast cancer again. I felt I owed it too my family to do the most I could do. I hope my experience is useful. It was the hardest decision i have ever made, but as soon as i made it, i have never looked back and feel confident its the right thing for me. (my surgery will be March 2013). Good luck with your decision and your future treatment. Warm hugs, Louie

Hi, I have had recently 2 lumpectomy surgeries without clear margins and subsequently had MRI which exposed multiple high grade recurrence areas. I lost confidence that the surgeon and the diagnostic tools had any idea of what was going on in my breasts. Not their fault, simply just dont know. So I made the very difficult decision to have a bilateral mastectomy. While the cancer we knew about was only in the one breast, I have decided to remove them both for a couple of reasons. Firstly no diagnostic tool can detect early DCIS, so my untrained logic is that there might be cancer developing in the other breast; that I never want to possibility of breast cancer again, I have read so often about women who have had a lumpectomy and have recurrance or new primary; that I will be the same on both sides after reconstruction (or even if I don't reconstruct), a feeling of being balanced. Basically, I decided it was the best thing i could do for the best chance to never have breast cancer again. I felt I owed it too my family to do the most I could do. I hope my experience is useful. It was the hardest decision i have ever made, but as soon as i made it, i have never looked back and feel confident its the right thing for me. (my surgery will be March 2013). Good luck with your decision and your future treatment. Warm hugs, Louie