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I had a lumpectomy at the surgeon's suggestion.  I am glad I did.  I had an overnight stay in hospital and healed well.  Yes I have scars but they will fade in time.  Yes I have questioned my decision on occasion, but honestly, no surgeon is going to recommend a lumpectomy if it is not a good solution.  It does make getting dressed and being naked easier.  The life expectancy is the same.  Yes you have to have radiation as well as chemo.  However some  women who had a mastectomy also have to have radiation.  There are downsides to mastectomy for women who play sport etc.  I think it's best to take the advice of highly trained smart experts like surgeons than very kind well meaning friends and family who simply don't know as much.  And it will drive you mad trying to work out if what you decided was right.  Good luck through this difficult journey, may it go well for you.  Karen

Hi Kester

I had lumpectomy on 14th April. 

The doctor would not suggest it if the he/she did not think a it was a good idea.

My scar is quite good. My overall boob size is not too different, and i feel better in myself.

The decision is yours!

Keep intouch with us all on this network it is amazing the support and feedback you will receive. 

Vx

Hello - trust you are well considering where you are at and getting your head around treatment options from your surgeon. 

Families gotta love them!  They mean well but goodness this is now about you and what you and your medical team are comfortable as the best option for you, not what they think they would like you to have. 

For me personally it was mastectomy, due to size of tumour, placement of tumour and clear margins.

For you it is about lumpectomy.  A decision that was arrived at after careful consideration.

Need to keep the negativity out of your mind so that you can be ready for the 31st in a positive frame of mind.

Just nod and smile and give them a hug and let them know you are in the best of hands.

You said in your post you were feeling down, I hope that is only for a short time.  Remember you have us here who are either in the middle of it or on the tail end of treatment to support, to read your posts and send you a virtual hug!

Take care

Christine xx

I would go with the lumpectomy as your surgeon recommends. They aim for a one centimetre area clear of cancer/dubious cells margin around what they take.  If they don't get that in the pathology results, your surgeon will go back in and take a bit more on the dubious edge, again aiming for the clear one centimetre margin.  That happened with me with cancer cells near one edge the first time, and again there were dubious cells one and a half millimetres from the edge the second time, so at that stage the surgeon recommended a mastectomy, which I had.  All of this took place within five weeks.  I just was unlucky that the surgeon didn't get it all the first time, but pathology on what was removed picked up what the human eye couldn't see both times.  If you are really torn about what to do, either ask another surgeon for a second opinion, or have an in-depth discussion with your sisters, and then take the points that they raise to your surgeon for discussion.

Hi Kester

Sorry you are feeling down. Hope you are feeling happier soon.

Sounds like you've made your own decision about surgery - which is a hugely positive step forwards! Like you, I weighed up the pros and cons of my surgery choices.Some choices were scarier than others! but I carefully considered them all, including the potential risks and consequences.

We are all different - and unique! Other people may have different opinions, based on their own knowledge, experience and needs - but they are not you.

If their 'advice' isn't helpful, let it go - destress! Just politely agree to disagree with them - and encourage them, in your own way, to accept, and respect, your decision.

Once I'd made my surgery decision, with support from my medical team, I had a clearer focus on me - with a future! I learnt to listen to my needs more closely and to be kinder to myself, especially post surgery - which, I'm sure, nurtured my resilience.

So keep taking good care of yourself.

All the best for your surgery - and beyond!

Cheers

Di

Hi. I haven't had a lumpectomy but just wanted to say that this is your decision not your sisters. If the surgeon thought you needed a mastectomy they would have told you so. I doubt that they would have suggested a lumpectomy in the first place if it wasn't appropriate.

I'm sure your sisters just want to be supportive but that doesn't mean they are right even if they are nurses.

Discuss again with your surgeon and make YOUR decision.

Good luck x