My journey heading to double mastectomy
Hi Everyone,
I shared my journey a couple month ago, I would like to update where I am up to on this roller coaster.
My journey started with one lump on right breast I felt in December 2016. Had ultrasound and mammogram. When I went in for biopsy, another lump was found in the same breast. Biopsy from both lumps were positive. I was 40 years old very healthy and living in a very happy life. I was shocked, angry and very upset. I had wide local excision with sentinel node biopsy. My pathology report was hormone positive, lymph nodes clear, but indicated lobula carcinoma in situ (LCIS) across the specimen. My breast surgeon discussed about options with radiotherapy or mastectomy. It was the most difficult decision to make. After seen by plastic surgeon, I realised that reconstruction with flap is once only in a life time. I started to worry more about my left breast and gathered more information about LCIS which has a high chance bilaterally. I expressed my concerns to my breast surgeon, then I got referred to genetic counselling and MRI. I was so devastated when I was told that an irregular lesion was detected in my left breast with MRI. Now I have no choice, but participating bilateral mastectomy. I am very upset about losing both of my beautiful breasts, but very grateful that my surgeon listened my concerns and referred me for MRI. Otherwise that sneaky lesion wasn't detected by ultrasound and mammograms could thrive happily for a period of time. I am waiting for biopsy now, and gathering information about reconstruction. I would like to hear from anyone who had mastectomy or double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.
There are a lot to think, decisions to make and challenges ahead. I know I am not alone. There are a lot of women and men riding on this roller coaster with me. Hope we can get over all the scary twists and turns, get off it and get our life back again.
Lots of love and hugs for everyone!
I shared my journey a couple month ago, I would like to update where I am up to on this roller coaster.
My journey started with one lump on right breast I felt in December 2016. Had ultrasound and mammogram. When I went in for biopsy, another lump was found in the same breast. Biopsy from both lumps were positive. I was 40 years old very healthy and living in a very happy life. I was shocked, angry and very upset. I had wide local excision with sentinel node biopsy. My pathology report was hormone positive, lymph nodes clear, but indicated lobula carcinoma in situ (LCIS) across the specimen. My breast surgeon discussed about options with radiotherapy or mastectomy. It was the most difficult decision to make. After seen by plastic surgeon, I realised that reconstruction with flap is once only in a life time. I started to worry more about my left breast and gathered more information about LCIS which has a high chance bilaterally. I expressed my concerns to my breast surgeon, then I got referred to genetic counselling and MRI. I was so devastated when I was told that an irregular lesion was detected in my left breast with MRI. Now I have no choice, but participating bilateral mastectomy. I am very upset about losing both of my beautiful breasts, but very grateful that my surgeon listened my concerns and referred me for MRI. Otherwise that sneaky lesion wasn't detected by ultrasound and mammograms could thrive happily for a period of time. I am waiting for biopsy now, and gathering information about reconstruction. I would like to hear from anyone who had mastectomy or double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.
There are a lot to think, decisions to make and challenges ahead. I know I am not alone. There are a lot of women and men riding on this roller coaster with me. Hope we can get over all the scary twists and turns, get off it and get our life back again.
Lots of love and hugs for everyone!
