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Nok's avatar
Nok
Member
8 years ago

Being diagnosed with breast cancer - mastectomy and reconstruction???

I am only 46 years old. I am skinny and helthy. I eat lots of vegi and fruit and a bit of chicken. I do not eat meat. 

I felt the pain in my left breast in March. I got a shock as the lump is so BIG. my GP said just cyst. I do not have family history. I went to have ultrasound and mammogram, followed by biopsy next morning. I went numb when I have heard that I have breast cancer. My GP did not explain anything to me. I read the report myself that I have DCIS. I went to see many specialists, but they had quite different opinions. I have decided to have mastectomy as the tumour is giant (only 2 months - > 5 cm) and sentinel lymph node biopsy. While I have been waiting for the operation (held next month), the tumour is getting bigger (2 times).

I eat lots of vegi and drink carrot juice as I am trying to keep my body in base condition to delap growth of cancer cells before the operation. 

Could you guys give me an opionion? What to do! About reconstruction, which doctor is good. I am so stressed and lost weight 7 kgs. Thanks.
coping
diagnosis
surgery

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  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    8 years ago
    You need to be referred to a surgeon or settle on one that you have seen. If you wish to share where you are living, some members of the network may be able to give further advice. But it is in your own interests (medical and emotional) to arrange surgery as soon as possible. You can talk to the surgeon about reconstruction too, but you can always wait and do this later if you are uncertain. Sadly the reasons why people get breast cancer are, in the words of my surgeon, "still a mystery but we are getting much better at treating it". Fit, healthy people can get it. Being fit and healthy may help you get through treatment better so that's a good thing. A partner or family member, or a good friend to go with you when you see specialists would help - there is a lot of information, most of it is often new and unfamiliar and anxiety makes it hard to take it all in. Someone to write notes and ask questions is very helpful. This diagnosis is an awful shock but many people get through this and get their lives back. Best wishes.
  • Nok's avatar
    Nok
    Member
    8 years ago
    They all are surgeons. I have changed to the second one becuase the first one wanted to talk for only 10 minutes and was seemed more interested in legal than the operation. They all told me to have a full mastectomy. I think the tumour is big, so it makes sense to cut the entire breast.  
  • Sister's avatar
    Sister
    Member
    8 years ago
    There are many surgeons out there and when you get one you will get advice as to how what sort of treatment to have.  It seems as if you have gone to a number of specialsists.  Have any of these been a surgeon and have you changed due to not getting on with one?

  • Nok's avatar
    Nok
    Member
    8 years ago
    Moreover, the tumour is very painful. Hurt all the time.