Last Tuesday I had my lumpectomy (wide incision). Yesterday I got my results. Well the are was bigger than first thought and a few of the convicts had escaped (now its invasive) and they aren't happy with the margins on the superior side. The goods news is that it looks like they got all the convicts in the procedure, but now the discussion will be further treatment. Because of the margins they want to go back cut out some more and do a first node biopsy. I have asked for a scan (MRI) so they can get a better picture hopefully, I am deciding do I just bite the bullet and get a mastectomy or just go in for my surgery and hope that this time they got it all and that no more little convicts are out and about. I know they plan to do radiation after, and that this will get the convicts if this is the case.Has anyone had a similar experience to me, is a mastectomy an overkill? Is having the MRI worth it does it really show if there are any more areas especially if its as small as they say it is, should I just go straight to surgery?

Hi @Blister For what it's worth, no-one is going to stare or ask questions. I know it's something we all worry about, but in my experience it just doesn't happen. People stare at ginormous boobs on full display, but if that is not your usual presentation you won't find life any different, regardless of what option you take. I've got the rattiest set of 'foobs' ever, and in 15 years of public change rooms at pools and gyms no-one has ever commented. Not once. Mxx

Well my surgeon phoned, even though the MRI and ultrasound suggests the nodes are clear she wants to do the sentinel node biopsy, I have told her I want the mastectomy, I don’t want to have another wide excision with the possibility more has to go, and I don’t want to wait and see what the 2 other areas do in 6 months time. I’m happy with my decision, will wait and do the reconstruction next year, as there is still a possibility of me having to have radiation therapy.so next week I’m booked in

@Blister. I think if we have been diagnosed with DCIS we are by far the 'luckier' group of ladies as the rotten sod did not venture too far around our body and a mastectomy, whilst not the prettiest, does mean that they can quickly get the blighter off and away. Like @Fraser I have only one boob and as droopy as she is I have no set plans to go through more surgery to have a matching set as she'd also need a nip and tuck. I prefer to count my blessings and get on with my life. No-one seems to notice even when I am braless and throughout a recent long stay in the sunnier climate of Qld I just seemed to be one of a crowd. I agree with the comment by @Zoffiel that unless you want to have them on display then just go with what feels right for you. Good luck with your decisions and surgery.

@Blister I had one node removed on left side, and two on right side as my cancer was bilateral. It wasn’t a prophylactic double mastectomy. I don’t feel major changes, except for some numbness in my armpits, but it’s already getting better. Now, I just need to say that at the age of 60 you are still very young. And regardless of age, you have every right under the sun to want to have nice looking, even breasts that will allow you to wear what you want and look pretty and be comfortable. These are all your rights as a human and as a woman. Especially after having gone through bc. It is NOT vain, and you deserve it. Women have breast augmentation just for self confidence, well imagine us, after having our poor breasts cut in pieces or cut away completely! We deserve it more than anyone I think. And having bc can make you feel like you’re not woman enough and it can also make you feel very unattractive, so you end up thinking why should I bother. I know because that’s how I felt after my diagnosis. But after some work on my mental and emotional health I feel and think differently. I now believe I am deserving of all the beautiful things this world has to offer, including nice breasts, and so should you! 👊🏻👌🏻. Partial reconstruction is possible, as is mammoplasty, so that might be a good option for you. If you’re in Sydney, I can give you the name of my surgeon who is fantastic at it. Let me know and good luck 😊❤️

I agree with @Zoffiel - it’s entirely up to each individual to do what they most want, go for it, but as someone who didn’t do any reconstruction at all over her missing boob, no-one has ever mentioned it. I look perfectly normal dressed, wear whatever clothes I choose, get changed in change rooms and have stripped off entirely in a shared Icelandic hot pot shower room, without anyone batting an eyelid. We tend to worry about it far more than anyone else, and once you stop doing that, it’s a non thing! Best wishes.

DCIS treatments | BCNA Online Network

47 Replies

Zoffiel
Member
5 years ago
@Blister I remember a conversation with a reluctant surgeon (in 2006, we did not remove breasts if we didn't have to) where I asked if I had to chew the fucking things off myself.
FLClover
Member
5 years ago
They sound like pretty nasty side effects @JMC26. Definitely have a talk to your onc about them
Blister
Member
5 years ago
@JMC26 I don’t know the answer, but maybe talk to your doctor or your breast care nurse. I hope you feel better soon, if it doesn’t they might be able to help or start you on a different treatment.

I’m not looking forward to starting these drugs.
JMC26
Member
5 years ago
Hello Everyne,
I am day 9 of 1mg Anastrozole. Already I have headaches, nausea and mouth ulcers. Is this normal? Will I get used to it or will become my new normal. Feeling confused and would love your feedback please.
ddon
Member
5 years ago
Well done for standing your ground and making your own decision. We have to be satisfied in our own hearts that we did the best we could for our health.
FLClover
Member
5 years ago
I fully support your decision @Blister. I think in your case it’s more invasive to keep having wide excisions, as well as those suspicions areas. 6 months is too long to wait for an aggressive cancer. I’m surprised your surgeon didn’t propose a mastectomy straight away. And you do have every right to make a big deal of it. Your life, your body, your right. Waiting for recon is also a good idea.
Good luck with the surgery next week 🍀❤️
June1952
Member
5 years ago
Well done @Blister - you go girl ! Us women just have to be proactive and once we've made up our mind and got the result we want then we do feel so much more at peace. All the best for next week. Keep us posted.
Blister
Member
5 years ago
Well my surgeon phoned, even though the MRI and ultrasound suggests the nodes are clear she wants to do the sentinel node biopsy, I have told her I want the mastectomy, I don’t want to have another wide excision with the possibility more has to go, and I don’t want to wait and see what the 2 other areas do in 6 months time.

I’m happy with my decision, will wait and do the reconstruction next year, as there is still a possibility of me having to have radiation therapy.

so next week I’m booked in
Blister
Member
5 years ago
@Afraser I have extra ears at the appointments but it’s a bit difficult when she calls, as I’ve either been in the car (hands free) on my own, or at home on my own. I’ve also come to realize my hubby doesn’t always retain stuff, I don’t think he has quite come to grips with my BC yet.

@Leia I’ve talked to my daughter this morning, as my husband will support my choice but not talk it through with me, have decided I don’t want to go in for another wide excision to be told I have to go back in for surgery, and I don’t to sit and wait 6 months to find out what these suspicious areas do. Since they have told me my cancer is aggressive.
Leia
Member
5 years ago
So many choices to make! When I was diagnosed with IDC I had the same choice as you. I pondered (agonized?) over getting rid of everything with a mastectomy, or go with the lumpectomy and radiation, and that nagging little worry it could recur. My surgeon recommended the lumpectomy but stressed he was happy with whatever decision I made. I decided on the lumpectomy, really a personal choice that fear aside, I’d rather have what I considered the less invasive procedure. Thinking of you at this time. Whatever you decide, you’ve obviously thought it through, and it will be the best for you.

Forum Discussion

DCIS treatments

47 Replies

Recent Discussions

How soon after mastectomy can unusual scar be "tidied"

Predict - Breast Cancer app

What to expect - AC after Carbo/paclitaxel/pembro

Monash Health or Peter Mac

Microcalcification biopsy