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 @Sdenm, I have opted for a mastectomy with skin/nipple sparing and immediate reconstruction. I too am having this done at the Mater. As it's been nearly 6 months since the DCIS was discovered, I'm having a mammogram and ultra sound done on both breasts this week to be sure all else is ok. I go in on 14th May.
Since I last posted I became aware of a type of radiation that's done at Monash in Melbourne. At the time of lumpectomy they can do a one dose radiation treatment that preserves breast tissue for further radiation or surgery if years down the track it's needed. I did qualify for this as I had clear margins, but.....here's the very distressing bit.......the original surgeon who did the lumpectomy didn't tell me about it, or a lot of other information for that matter. I'd have flown to Melbourne in a heartbeat. Finding this out had me fall into a very dark place for a while.
There are a couple of reasons I've decided on surgery vs radiation. First, I have a niggling heart issue that may have doctors think twice about surgery later on if it's needed and although I shouldn't be thinking this way, I want as many arrows in my quiver so to speak as insurance..!!
Do you mind if I ask who your doctor is?
At your age I expect I'd do exactly as you're doing.
thank your for your response and all the best..
An aside.....It's my belief having been through the information gathering process, that all women should have an independent place to be referred to by doctors, that discusses ALL options prior to making decisions. I certainly didn't get all options on the table from my GP, first surgeon, or radiation oncologist. I had to google, gain 2nd and sometimes 3rd opinions on everything to get to this point. I was given very conflicting information, was even told no surgeon would operate on me, didn't know what questions to ask in the beginning and was being ushered down a path at lightning speed until I decided to put the brakes on. This process has cost me a lot of money and taken months - lucky I had time............!
This site is of enormous value and I only wish I had come across it right up front.
Since I last posted I became aware of a type of radiation that's done at Monash in Melbourne. At the time of lumpectomy they can do a one dose radiation treatment that preserves breast tissue for further radiation or surgery if years down the track it's needed. I did qualify for this as I had clear margins, but.....here's the very distressing bit.......the original surgeon who did the lumpectomy didn't tell me about it, or a lot of other information for that matter. I'd have flown to Melbourne in a heartbeat. Finding this out had me fall into a very dark place for a while.
There are a couple of reasons I've decided on surgery vs radiation. First, I have a niggling heart issue that may have doctors think twice about surgery later on if it's needed and although I shouldn't be thinking this way, I want as many arrows in my quiver so to speak as insurance..!!
Do you mind if I ask who your doctor is?
At your age I expect I'd do exactly as you're doing.
thank your for your response and all the best..
An aside.....It's my belief having been through the information gathering process, that all women should have an independent place to be referred to by doctors, that discusses ALL options prior to making decisions. I certainly didn't get all options on the table from my GP, first surgeon, or radiation oncologist. I had to google, gain 2nd and sometimes 3rd opinions on everything to get to this point. I was given very conflicting information, was even told no surgeon would operate on me, didn't know what questions to ask in the beginning and was being ushered down a path at lightning speed until I decided to put the brakes on. This process has cost me a lot of money and taken months - lucky I had time............!
This site is of enormous value and I only wish I had come across it right up front.