Just Diagnosed

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