Surgery options & decisions

Thank you for your feedback @millie much appreciated. I will definitely ask about the StrataXRT. Also will consider Acupunture for fatigue if required. Thanks so much xx

Hi @Ella123, your situation sounds similar to mine. I’m self employed, managed to soldier on with work. Felt fatigued at end of first week, but acupuncturist sorted me out. I used MooGoo prior, during, and after radiation treatment. Oncologist also supplied StrataXRT which creates a film to help your skin. My skin held up well. Went from swollen, blotchy to tanned and flaky- I called it the lamington look. No blisters though. There is also mepital film. But my oncologist suggested it worked better for those that have had mastectomy, can be tricky to keep on for lumpectomy patients. Best of luck with your treatment. Xx

Hi everyone, been a while since I was last on;  I have had surgery, a lumpectomy. I had my follow up post surgery appointment and my results showed very small 6mm, margins and lymph nodes all clear. I’m due to have 16 sessions of rads in due course and was just wondering about others experiences in regards to some of the side effects such as fatigue and how this may have been best managed.  Did people work during treatment? Was there anything that helped? How did others skin hold up? I bought MooGoo moisturiser so will use this, Any other advice or tips in general would be so much appreciated. 
Thanking you all in advance xx

@"Patti J" Thank you so much for your your post! X

@Ella123. I was also given the option of having a lumpectomy or mastectomy. That was 16 years ago. 
I chose mastectomy. This was the correct decision because the tumour in my breast was so close to the nipple. 
I waited for a full month between time of diagnosis and mastectomy.
Very long story since but I am still here.
Be guided by your medical team.

Thank you thank you for your posts @Hopes_and_Dreams and @jennyss. Much appreciated. I’m also a small cup although I’m not so worried about the breast itself I guess,  the team are recommending a lumpectomy although giving me the option of mastectomy more for cosmetic reasons should I choose. Thank you all again x

Dear @Ella123, Great advice above. I like what @sister said, "Have you asked your team why they are giving you the option? It may help to make things clearer" 

from jennyss in western nsw

Hi @Ella123, welcome 😊 As you’ve already seen you will find loads of support and information here.

I was diagnosed in July 2016 from a routine mammogram.  Like you, my cancer was grade 1, stage 1 and 12mm.  Nodes clear.

My GP ordered an MRI so my surgeon knew the other breast was clear and had the size and location of the cancer confirmed before surgery.

I guess my choice was easier than some.  I’m only a small B cup so a lumpectomy would have left me quite lopsided and I was worried I may not get a clear margin with not having a lot of breast tissue to work with.  I would have needed radiation and to be honest my mind was reeling and I just wanted it to be over with.

I chose a nipple sparing mastectomy with an immediate implant.  I am completely happy with my decision but like all bc surgery it came with it’s own set of issues! Other than the mastectomy surgery pain, the implant goes under the pec muscle so there was some discomfort and tightness for a few months while it stretched. My fake breast look exactly like my real one but is completely numb and a few degrees cooler.  I don’t really notice it anymore though.

The decisions can be overwhelming, so much information and so many options!
Read our experiences but remember that we are all unique and even the same surgery can have different outcomes.

Be guided by your specialist team and go with your gut.

good luck with your decision.  Jane x

Thank you so much ladies for taking the time to reply and share your experience, really appreciate it! I have an appointment next week with with my surgeon, I’m getting there with my decision. Thanking you all once again. Xx

Statistically they're basically the same with effective treatment between lumpectomy  with radio and mastectomy. And you fortunately have a smaller cancer with lower grade. 

Having said that I chose mastectomy.  I had a small cancer that was aggressive. Mine wasn't visible on a mammogram 5 weeks before and even ultrasound was challenging. I was just lucky it was near breast surface and nipple so I found it. My surgeon informed me of my breast density and due to family history (1 sister, 1 niece and 3 Aunts) the decision for me was bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. My nipple couldn't be saved so a lumpectomy didn't seem a brilliant option. The surgery will reduce local recurrence or a new primary,  but not my risk of metastatic disease...which is unknown of course. 

Many women have little issues with radiotherapy. It often depends on location. 

Reconstructive surgery does take time and has risks so if you choose that option you should ask lots of questions. 

No answer is right or wrong. Only you can choose. Take care. Kath x