Am I over reacting

Hi!!

I believe it will be your choice, just reading your post...I'm in the same boat as in...I was diagnosed 2011, had a lumpectomy, radiation and tamoxifen 4yrs and was told lumpectomy was more than enough. I had a recurrence last year at the 4yr mark, 3rd stage aggressive and again lumpectomy quite large, lymph nodes clear and told it was enough. Since finishing chemo in December..now I am told to have a Mastectomy. Its made me furious as maybe if I had that 5yrs ago I wouldnt have gone through a recurrence. No crystal ball unfortunately. So now I am facing a Mastectomy early next year just the left side. Ive never had any trouble in the right and the recurrence came back in the scar tissue of the previous lumpectomy??? really!!!!! Hmmm makes you wonder doesn't it??

Melinda 

You have to do what is right for you ask all the questions you need to be able to make an informed decision.  I had a 1.3cm IDC (ended up being grade 1, 2 sentinel nodes clear) and was given the option of lumpectomy or nipple sparing mastectomy.  I am small breasted so a lumpectomy would not have been a good cosmetic option and there was a danger that the margins may not be cleared.   I am happy that I chose a mastectomy (with immediate implant reconstruction to match the other side).  6 weeks on I need no further treatment other than Arimidex, am healing well and have the peace of mind that another cancer will not pop up in the same breast.  Yes, my new breast feels and looks a bit different but it is now part of the new me.
Sending my very best wishes to you
Jane xx

Good morning ask all the questions and make a decision that is right for you. I had dcis and had 2 lumpectomy and when they couldn't get clear margins I had a mastectomy,. In hindsight I wish they had have suggested mastectomy first. It was  hard losing a part of my body but now I'm used to my new look. I have had immediate reconstruction good luck with your choice. Take a list with you when you go with the positves and the negatives

Sorry to hear the dreaded day has arrived.

I can only speak from my own experience. I had a bilateral mastectomy two weeks ago, although lumpectomy was on the table too. I  had dcis, but in both breasts. I felt that there would be issues with margins with lumpectomy and didn't want to worry about that. I am healing well so far. I had never had surgery before, so it was a full on process. But I don't regret it at all.

Our bodies change as we age anyway, this is just more dramatic. I lost my nipples too. I just had a chat with my husband about my non-nipples. We are already working on loving my new body together and I still have some bandages.

Take care,
Jen

Just wanted to add that ask your Dr to explain both procedures, risks etc. One of the other reasons I chose mastectomy was that I had very dense breast tissue... so I found out. My cancer was undetected by mammogram because of this. Statistics though show no difference in outcomes with mastectony or lumpectomy if appropriate if followed by radiation. But it is your choice.

I don't think you're over reacting. I was diagnosed 3 years ago, low risk, small tumour, no nodes, stage 1, but I chose a single mastectomy and reconstruction. No family history. I have yearly scans, and my anxiety levels skyrocket a couple of months before the scans. We all live with the shadow of recurrence sitting on our shoulders, and i think anything you can do to reduce that fear is a good thing. You can only go with your gut instinct and what you feel is right for you. Don't let anyone dissuade you from your decision, particularly not the medicos. They are concerned with medical outcomes, not emotional outcomes, as I have realised over the past 3 years. Are you planning reconstruction? I had immediate implants, both breasts to even things up. Yes, it's affected my sex life because my mastectomy nipple has absolutely no feeling in it, and that has affected my libido/responses during foreplay. You and your husband will both have to adapt to the changes, but you say your relationship is strong. But ultimately it's about reducing your fear and anxiety. Put that first, then work around the rest. Best of luck, and I really feel for you.

It absolutely is your choice.

It's your body. You get the tell them what is going to happen, not the other way around.

I'd consider that while the risk of recurrence is there, mastectomy takes much longer to heal from and can leave you with much more drastic complications. It can all be quite traumatic.

This really is a matter of what you want, and what makes you feel safe. :heart:

I asked for a mastectomy and stated my concern. After discussing family risks ...and you have 2 at least....my surgeon even suggested a bilateral. ..which I had with immediate reconstruction. Mine was stage 1. I still await gene testing but do not regret my decision even if comes back negative. Hope all goes well. Kath x