Bilateral Mastectomy

Hi Julia,

You will not regret your decision.  I unfortunately was not given the choice. 

Lump was found by ultrasound not mammagram, couldn't be felt. Lumpectomy was chosen because biopsy was unconclusive with no DCIS.   Tumour was twice the size 20mm, Grade 2 Stage 2, Invasive DC with DCIS, ER+, PR+ HER2 Neg. Clear margins with no lymph node involvement.  6 weeks radiation followed.

You were very lucky to have your mother fighting for you.  My husband  and I were in shoc, zombie mode and at no stage did we think I had any other option as none were given.  When I told my surgeon I wanted both off - (even based on biopsy results), he said it was not necessary and was not an option. My surgeon was recommended to me by 2 friends who are nurses in the operating theatre. He has done a wonderful job with the lumpectomy, looks like I have had a boob lift with slight reduction. Now a C cup with right DDorE.

I had no contact from the McGrath nurse, I contacted her when I couln't find a bra suitable for radiation.  By this stage I had already started radiation.

 My oncologist is wonderful,  Was decided I have ovaries removed, menopause in my family not until 55, on my GPs suggestion have full hysterectomy as well, at 49 I don't think I need my uterus, it has served its purpose (3 beautiful children, all breast fed for 1 year each), my onco was 100% behind me and quickly got me into a gyno,  Hysto & Ooperectomy 9th October.

On my last radiation session I mentioned to the radiology bcn that it would be a relief to have this op, and just wished that they had removed both breast, to which she said "it's your choice, have them removed". I was never given the choice,

My radiologis Oncologistt has stated that I have the best outome 1 - 2% risk of recurrence in the left breast.  So this is what I have to keep my thoughts on.

The big issue that I have is I was never given a choice/options, if I have recurrence then I will end up with a masectomy anyway, and I will be limited to the reconstruction options because of the radiation, no where in my research did this pop up. 

I received all the info from BCNA too late, I think this was because the McGrath nurse didn't activate anything, on speaking to her she said my name kept on poping up here and there?? Why not contact me??  I asked her had she been involved from the very start and if I had insisted on double masectomy would she have backed me up to which she said yes, and I would have to it.  However, she also told me if you had a splinter in your thumb you wouln't cut off your thumb would you??  To which I told her if it was toxic and trying to kill me I would.

I will now wait until I have recovered from my next op and will be finding a surgeon who will remove my so called healthy breast., which I call my ticking time bomb. Strong family history of cancers-I am one of four grandaughters all with cancer, one deceased, two breast and my sister bowel cancer,  so sad., 

I will be writing to the the BCNA and the McGrath foundation just to let them know that their system is no working, not in rural Victoria anyway. 

All the very best to you, and give your mum a big hug and kiss for being your support team.

GO TEAM  MUM

VivW

ps. I am prone to rambling on.