Decision time - lumpectomy or masectomy?

Hi Terrie, wishing you all the best for next Wednesday.  The waiting is hard, I hope the next few days pass quickly for you.  I am also on the Gold Coast - if you need to talk or want to catch up for a coffee when you are up to it, just let me know.  Take care, Jane x

This forum has helped so much. Thanks Nadi. I'm learning so much from the forum. Due to my aversion to surgery (poor experience/reaction after bariatric surgery) I decided not to consider reconstruction. My mastectomy is booked for 25 January. I must say the closer it gets the more anxious I become, trying hard to manage it all. I know from reading about the experience of others that this is perfectly normal...so onwards we go! Thanks again Terrie 

Hi Terrie, sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Having to decide on a type of surgery can be quite daunting. I too had a choice and decided on a lumpectomy because I had a strong desire to keep my nipple. Having a lumpectomy meant that I had to have radiation which wasn't too bad. But it was only after radiation that I was told should my cancer ever return  some time in the future then I will have fewer options for reconstruction after a mastectomy due to how radiation changes the breast tissue. You might want to ask about that.

Thats reat to hear!! and yes you are right, so many are thriving post Mastectomy and that too, helps me enormously! x Melinda 

Best wishes for all your treatment and a cancer free future.

Good luck with your decision. I hope you have the very best outcome, and I wish you strength through your recovery.

Good luck with your appointment!  Take care xx

Thanks so much for all your comments. It has made a world of difference. My appointment is this morning and I've decided to request a mastectomy. It's all a bit overwhelming but comforting to read that I share a common experience with wonderful women who are getting on with their lives and thriving ❤️

Hi Terrie, I had a 1.2cm invasive tumour.  I had a lumpectomy and the surgeon offered that she could do the incision around the nipple so that I wouldn't have a big scar.  I opted for that and have no regrets.  I only have small boobs and with clothes on you cant even tell I had anything done.  Naked, the colour around my nipple is a bit wonky and theres a small dent (if you really look hard) but that and a small scar under my arm are the only signs.  Its been 2 years now and I have no regrets.

Hi Terrie, Welcome to the forum. I think the thing to remember is we each make our decisions based on multiple factors that are occurring at the time of diagnosis and the options that our surgeons present to us and these are very individual reasons. I don't believe that anyone just goes into this kind of surgery willy nilly without having a feeling for what is best for them.  You will do your own research, make your own judgements, weigh the pros and cons of each thing and then make a decision that is right for you. Believe it nor not your next 6 days are going to be ruled by this decision (unless of course you have already decided. Wishing you all the best with this. Please if you do need to ask questions to assist you everyone on the forum has their own personal experience and no one decision is right or wrong. Big hugs Xx Cath