TKS
7 years agoMember
No Idea what to do
Hi, I'm only newly diagnosed and not sure which way to go. I have a second meeting with my breast surgeon today and I'll see the oncologist for the first time tomorrow. I have a 6cm Invasive Lob...
Hi @TKS
Sorry you have found yourself in this situation, no one really wants to be here.
I've also had invasive lobular carcinoma, first diagnosed when I was 43 in 2006 and most recently a recurrence in 2016.
Treatment plans vary according to your individual circumstances, so it's impossible to predict what will be recommended for you.
You will have to listen to your medical team, but I would be surprised if you can't go on your holiday since you are not going to be away for very long. Lobular carcinoma can be very difficult to detect, which is why many of us have quite large tumours by the time anyone figures out exactly what is going on. In my case it took months so I can understand you feeling that a few more days are not going to matter. Still, it does depend on many things, particularly the results of the next round of tests, but you should discuss that option first with your surgeon and then with your oncologist if you have the chance. They will give you the best advice they can, but your situation is not that unusual--there is never a good time to be diagnosed and many of us had plans we didn't want to delay, which requires a bit of juggling and negotiation.
In my case, because I opted for a double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction, I was advised to have chemo first after I'd had the lump removed. That is quite common.
Choosing what to do regarding reconstruction is complicated. I preferred to do the whole lot at once and, as I opted for a 'simpler' expander/implant procedure, it was reasonable easy to organise. I just wanted everything out of the way as soon as possible. I also had limited options due to my circumstances at the time (sole parent living in the country) and felt that more complicated procedures would involve too much time off and far too much toing and froing to Melbourne. If you live in Sydney, you will have wider choices.
One of the other ladies will, no doubt, pop up some links to resources that may help you decide what to do (I'm hopeless at doing anything like that on my tablet)
Anyway, good luck, Ask as many questions as you like. we know what it is like. Marg xx