Hi there , new to this ....Diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in my right breast . Had a lumpectomy 3 weeks ago , 2 nodes removed and 18mm Tumor .Nodes were clear . Had satellite nodules in my margins which were not seen in any scan or during surgery, so margins were not clear , so had a second surgery last week . Tomorrow is the day I get the next lot of results . Prognosis seems good but the last 4 weeks seem to be waiting for lots of results with always more results that I wasn’t expecting . My left boob feels like it has lumps and am getting paranoid . Feels like from now on there will be suspicious lumps and can’t help but wonder if a double Mastectomy is just better for peace of mind ....surgeon says there is no need . It’s more about lowering stress levels and just wanting to make the best decision now . I guess tomorrow’s results will determine what is best depending on if I get clear margins . So many questions why not just do an MRI now even if it’s just to check the left breast ....anyone have similar thoughts , stories ??

Thought I thought I would post here with an update . Tomorrow my last day of radiation . I can’t believe it’s the last one . I start on tamoxifen within 2 weeks . I had hoped to go away skiing this weekend but not feeling up to it and oncologist said no anyway .She prescribed flamazine silver cream for the burns which I am hoping will go quickly . I’ve worked through the whole time which has been good except the last week was tough . Needed some light at the end of these last 5 weeks ,hence why I had focused on a ski trip with my 12 year old daughter ), oh well . I am so glad I found this online network especially now as I feel like I am being pushed out in the big world again . I have an appointment with my surgeon in November to organise MRI ( due to DCIS in surgeries that did not show in my mammogram and ultra sound ). I hope all this radiation blasted it all away. Thank you everyone for all your posts , it’s been a huge comfort ( being a single mum it can get lonely ) . Am sure I will pop on again soon xx

Hi @Nicksta - welcome! Sorry to hear that you're going down this road - you've come to the right place for a supportive community with a ton of us who know exactly how you feel. The waiting is absolutely the hardest part and hopefully tomorrow, when you get some results, things will be a lot clearer for you and you will have a plan ahead of you. I didn't have the option of lumpectomy as by the time my invasive lobular carcinoma was diagnosed, it was too extensive so I've had a double mastectomy, which removed all the cancer, and I'm now going through chemo then radiation - for insurance and 'mopping up' purposes.Being confident in your medical team is really important. There are plenty of women and men on here who have had a lumpectomy and no recurrence, and many others who have had a recurrence - even after mastectomy. There is no permanent guarantee either way. Definitely 'making the best decision now' is great advice.Take your time, do all your research and make sure you feel 100% informed and confident about what you're going to do. You should absolutely request an MRI if that will give you piece of mind. I was very insistent about getting as much information as possible, and really went into my surgery and treatment plan feeling that it was the best way forward for me. Take someone with you - do you have a breast care nurse yet? - or record your appointments on a phone so you can listen back and feel that you've had all your questions answered - sometimes the info you get is so overwhelming. All the best for tomorrow! xxx

Hi @Eastmum . Thanks for taking the time to reply to me . Sorry to hear about your journey so far . I wish you strength and a positive outlook for each new turn on your journey . I hope the chemo is not causing you too many side affects that are uncomfortable . When I asked about MRI my surgeon said after core biopsy x3 , a lumpectomy and the wide incision surgery in my right breast all within 3 weeks , would show up lots of lumps that may not mean anything . So it could cause more stress . I am just paranoid there might be more if something there .....I guess I have to wait to see what tomorrow brings . I will talk with my breast care nurse after tomorrow . Thanks again for answering me . Wishing you all the best xx

Hey @Harvey1903. I'm glad you've found my photo story helpful. It's good to hear as that was the idea! I love photography and am driven to record. I actually wish I'd taken more... Stay in touch, here or in the Choosing Breast Reconstruction group, and hit me up with any questions you have. K xox :)

Congratulations on the end of radiation! It's a great feeling, isn't it?

Newly diagnosed invasive carcinoma stage 2

nikov
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Niksta
I was admitted into hospital New Years Eve 2016 so for 2 days all I had were ultrasounds and antibiotics. I had my mammogram on the 3rd of Jan 2017 and they initially diagnosed me with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. That week was just scans and biopsies. Eventually I was diagnosed with Microinvasice DCIS in my right breast. I had my right breast mastectomy (tumor 9cms) exactly 3 weeks later and they removed 7 lymph nodes. Those being all clear, I was hormone Negative and HER2+. I did my IVF treatment and straight after that I started the Zolodex and Chemo/Radio. I knew that at the back of my mind, I will always be worried with my left breast so I made an informed decision to have a prophylactic mastectomy on my left. A couple week before I was due to go in, I found a lump in my left while I was in the shower and I just burst into tears and thought "no, not again" so I quickly called my partner to come in and check, at this point I knew I had made the right decision of convincing my breast surgeon for 11 months and doing the requested psych reports and second opinions to finally get her to agree on doing my prophylactic. I think it's one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am hopefully having my exchange at the end of the year and then in 12 months I can look into nipple recon. Stay positive and be firm in making your decisions. Just remember if there's not one person out there wanting to do it, there is another person. My second opinion breast surgeon took the time read my report before seeing me and pretty much just sat down with me and told me that she agreed with me wanting to do the prophylactic so it was nice to think that I had a back-up if my breast surgeon refused to go ahead with it. Also, for anyone wondering, I am at Peter Mac in Melbourne xo
Nicksta
Member
7 years ago
Hi kitkatb ,
Sorry to hear you are going in for a third time too . Did you request the MRI or is it a suggestion by your surgeon . What did they find in your 2nd surgery?
I am trying to stay positive, but as I am new to all this it can be hard at times . I had my third surgery Friday and have my next appointment with my surgeon on Friday which is when I will get my results . If the margins are not clear it becomes a whole new scenario. I am positive but there are so many new things to consider . How long do you have to wait for your MRI .
Best wishes to you xx
kitkatb
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Nicksta like you I am waiting for a 3rd surgery . Still recovering from my second. This time I will be having an MRI before hand then back to the surgeon again. My thoughts are with you. It just sucks we all have to be in this position but deep breathe and one day at a time. Even though it was upsetting at the thought of number 3 I look on it now that at least they found the DCIS now instead of 2 years down the track. Thinking of you. xox
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@Harvey1903 I have PMd you.
Harvey1903
Member
7 years ago
PS Where did you go - I'm going to Peter Mac....
Harvey1903
Member
7 years ago
Thanks will definately do....
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Hey @Harvey1903. I'm glad you've found my photo story helpful. It's good to hear as that was the idea! I love photography and am driven to record. I actually wish I'd taken more... Stay in touch, here or in the Choosing Breast Reconstruction group, and hit me up with any questions you have. K xox :)
Harvey1903
Member
7 years ago
Hi guys - this is the path that I'm on. The waiting and waiting, go on Holiday for a week but even that didn't help! I am booked in for an MRI - it is a three week wait, which we have to pay for $600. But I thought that it would be better knowing whats there than to have another re-excise. It has been really helpful to follow everyone elses story and I am amazed that there are so many newly diagnosed since I came on board. Everyone is so helpful and informative. I would love to share my photo journey (as have @kmakm - thanks) I don't know how you managed all that whilst in hospital.

I am looking at having a double mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction. Sooner rather than later.

Thanks again everyone for sharing. Julie.
beccabecca
Member
7 years ago
@Nicksta
so sorry to hear that you have to go for a 3rd operation in the hope of getting clear margins. This is where you wonder if an MRI b4 the 1st surgery may have given a clearer picture, but nothing can be done about that now. That's good for you that you don't need a mastectomy as that just adds more healing etc and possibly harder to adjust to.
Anyway best of luck, 3rd time lucky hey for clear margins!
onemargie
Member
7 years ago
@Nicksta see after much thought you have a clear decision and plan now so thats great, all the very best for friday lovely, keep us posted how you go, fingers crossed, take care, big hug, margie xxx