new to bcna
Hello all I've just joined the network. This is my status. Lumpectomy after DCIS insitu highly invasive, nuclear high grade, too small to be able to get hormone readings. Yes, I'm lucky....sort of...
Forum Discussion
Hi There
In my first post earlier today I only told a part of my story.
I've had the lumpectomy but no sentinel node biopsy.
But, the tumour was so small they couldn't tell anything more than it was a nuclear high grade malignant carcinoma. I'm still learning all the letters and numbers beyond that.
The reason I chose lumpectomy only (sentinel node intact at this moment) is that the initial biopsy showed random high grade cells outside the tumour. I wanted to know just what it was before I had any other bits removed.
I was very lucky to have clear margins and am most grateful.
Also, I've had conflicting options from 2 different breast specialists. One said radiation is my only option, as I have a heart abnormality no one would operate on me. This specialist said emphatically that I didn't qualify for a nipple/skin sparing immediate reconstruction mastectomy either due to breast size.
I checked with the cardiologist who did an angiogram, so I was back in a cath lab theatre 4 weeks after the lumpectomy.
He said I'm ok to proceed with my choice of radiation or mastectomy.
I've also had radiation dye CT scans as there is a small amount of fluid around my heart that is a sign there is a secondary cancer somewhere - not found yet and hopefully never is. Another dark cloud hovering though and more cardiologist follow ups to come
The second breast specialist said I did qualify for what would be the only type of surgery I would proceed with at this stage - conditional on my heart being ok which it is at the moment.
The past 2 months have been hell. Cancer, surgery, cath lab, then finding I had a heart abnormality, then differing opinions from specialist and differing opinions from 2 different radiation oncologists about how many treatments I would have.
At 67 yo with a heart issue that has the possibility of deteriorating over the years ahead, leaves me with one hell of a choice to make. Surgery while I can? The cancer was found on the right side by the way.
Or radiation. In my circumstance tram flap surgery, if it was ever needed in the future isn't an option - too long in theatre for my heart.
I'm torn apart with stress over what to do. Any both my children suffer watching me agonise. No one can make the decision I know but ............... xx to all the wonderful women out there going through some form of breast cancer
In my first post earlier today I only told a part of my story.
I've had the lumpectomy but no sentinel node biopsy.
But, the tumour was so small they couldn't tell anything more than it was a nuclear high grade malignant carcinoma. I'm still learning all the letters and numbers beyond that.
The reason I chose lumpectomy only (sentinel node intact at this moment) is that the initial biopsy showed random high grade cells outside the tumour. I wanted to know just what it was before I had any other bits removed.
I was very lucky to have clear margins and am most grateful.
Also, I've had conflicting options from 2 different breast specialists. One said radiation is my only option, as I have a heart abnormality no one would operate on me. This specialist said emphatically that I didn't qualify for a nipple/skin sparing immediate reconstruction mastectomy either due to breast size.
I checked with the cardiologist who did an angiogram, so I was back in a cath lab theatre 4 weeks after the lumpectomy.
He said I'm ok to proceed with my choice of radiation or mastectomy.
I've also had radiation dye CT scans as there is a small amount of fluid around my heart that is a sign there is a secondary cancer somewhere - not found yet and hopefully never is. Another dark cloud hovering though and more cardiologist follow ups to come
The second breast specialist said I did qualify for what would be the only type of surgery I would proceed with at this stage - conditional on my heart being ok which it is at the moment.
The past 2 months have been hell. Cancer, surgery, cath lab, then finding I had a heart abnormality, then differing opinions from specialist and differing opinions from 2 different radiation oncologists about how many treatments I would have.
At 67 yo with a heart issue that has the possibility of deteriorating over the years ahead, leaves me with one hell of a choice to make. Surgery while I can? The cancer was found on the right side by the way.
Or radiation. In my circumstance tram flap surgery, if it was ever needed in the future isn't an option - too long in theatre for my heart.
I'm torn apart with stress over what to do. Any both my children suffer watching me agonise. No one can make the decision I know but ............... xx to all the wonderful women out there going through some form of breast cancer