DCIS - Mastectomy or Lumpectomy
Hi everyone, - well here I am.... joining this amazing group of supportive women and wishing I wasn't here!! I have just been diagnosed with DCIS (2) in one breast. My mum and her mum both had B...
Forum Discussion
Hi @MelMac,
I’m so sorry you find yourself here. You are at the scary,anxious start of this crap journey.I will say that every decision you have to make is an awful one and neither right or wrong.Also it will be difficult to predict how you are going to react/feel along the way.The odd meltdown here n there is normal.
In a nutshell- In my 40’s I had a lumpectomy and full node clearance for a 2cm invasive cancer, followed by radiation.(no family history)I was a mess-didn’t want to lose a breast and wanted cancer out of me real quick.My breast was never the same-rock hard,don’t touch it!! I was left with lung scarring from radiation.So 7yrs later(in my 50’s) cancer comes back in the same spot-had to have mastectomy and chemo. Can’t have implant cos of previous radiation. Don’t want recon anyway because now I’m paranoid and watch my scarline like a hawk! It’s now 12yrs on (in my 60’s) and I’ve just had the other breast removed to be flat.My remaining breast kept growing and I was sick of being so lopsided and the worry. I’m not sorry but I’m not glad I did it- it’s just different.The recovery for a lumpectomy or a mastectomy is very similar and really not too bad. You’ll possibly be in hospital for 2 or 3 days and have a drain. Pain is managed with drugs for a few days and then Panadol helps after that. I was pretty good after 2wks and allowed to drive after 3wks. I doubt that I’ll do recon at my age- boobs don’t seem quite as important as they did in my 40’s. I’m still adjusting to being flat and am wearing smaller soft forms in Best n Less bras which I’m really happy with for now. Ultimately, go with your gut after you’ve done your research and asked all your questions.Best wishes to you hun xx
I’m so sorry you find yourself here. You are at the scary,anxious start of this crap journey.I will say that every decision you have to make is an awful one and neither right or wrong.Also it will be difficult to predict how you are going to react/feel along the way.The odd meltdown here n there is normal.
In a nutshell- In my 40’s I had a lumpectomy and full node clearance for a 2cm invasive cancer, followed by radiation.(no family history)I was a mess-didn’t want to lose a breast and wanted cancer out of me real quick.My breast was never the same-rock hard,don’t touch it!! I was left with lung scarring from radiation.So 7yrs later(in my 50’s) cancer comes back in the same spot-had to have mastectomy and chemo. Can’t have implant cos of previous radiation. Don’t want recon anyway because now I’m paranoid and watch my scarline like a hawk! It’s now 12yrs on (in my 60’s) and I’ve just had the other breast removed to be flat.My remaining breast kept growing and I was sick of being so lopsided and the worry. I’m not sorry but I’m not glad I did it- it’s just different.The recovery for a lumpectomy or a mastectomy is very similar and really not too bad. You’ll possibly be in hospital for 2 or 3 days and have a drain. Pain is managed with drugs for a few days and then Panadol helps after that. I was pretty good after 2wks and allowed to drive after 3wks. I doubt that I’ll do recon at my age- boobs don’t seem quite as important as they did in my 40’s. I’m still adjusting to being flat and am wearing smaller soft forms in Best n Less bras which I’m really happy with for now. Ultimately, go with your gut after you’ve done your research and asked all your questions.Best wishes to you hun xx