Funny how life can be cruising along so nicely and then in the split of a second it all turns upside down. After discovering a rash on my right breast, itchiness, and nipple discharge 2 weeks ago I was sent of for stereotactic biopsy. The next day I had just finished taking my 5,7 and 8 year old to the dentist. We were sitting in the car ready to leave when I received the phone call that would change everything. The doctor said results showed cancer. I was so calm on the phone, listening to her talk but the next few hours and days were hard, very hard. Anyway, now after my hospital appointment, my emotional breakdown, I am booked in for lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I am so scared, I have never had operations, broken bones or rarely got sick and now this. They gave me the two options of lumpectomy or mastectomy and when I asked my doctor what's best, she said she would just do mastectomy. I just can't believe one week they can be there and next week gone. My breasts are quite large, double E cup so I feel like half of me would be missing and if I had that done I would rather both gone considering the size. Anyway the nurse said just do the lumpectomy and radiotherapy first and then go from there. I hope I am making the right decision. I just wonder is its better chances to just get the mastectomy done instead? Or will lumpectomy be enough. Like I said my mind keeps spinning I am starting to feel dizzy.

To start. I had my lumpectomy some 12 years ago. 10 years later I had double mastectomy . Slow and steady wins the day. Don't forget you can have a second opinion and I would recommend you speak with a cosmetic surgeon now before you book surgery. The first part is always the hardest, take a couple more weeks to get more advice and research. Good luck Toni, you will survive all this and you have found your way here where you can ask and talk about anything xx

Hello.This is such a stressful time,but believe me,you will get through this.I had a mastectomy and chemo,12 months ago now,and I feel fantastic.It is such a personal choice,as to whether you choose lumpectomy or mastectomy.I chose mastectomy,after asking my surgeon what he thought,He explained to me ,that because my lump was very deep,and directly behind my nipple,my breast would have looked very deformed with just the lump removed.Perhaps you can ask your doctor more questions,before you make your final decision.It will make no difference if you take a couple of extra weeks.Please stay in touch,as the ladies,on here always have such great advice .Cheers xox Robyn

I am so sorry that you have had your world tipped upside down by this diagnosis. The other ladies are right when they say take your time and find out as much as possible before deciding on what is right. I had a mastectomy in May last year when I was diagnosed with both DCIS and invasive DC in my left breast. I have been a DD even an E at various stages of my life but after making lots of healthy lifestyle changes I have lost weight and am now only a B cup in my remaining breast. I manage very happily with a prosthesis at the moment but can always do reconstruction at some stage in the future if I wish. Reading other people's stories on here helped me to realise that there are pros and cons with every situation and it is important to think about what is most important for you. As Robyn says it is a very personal choice. I hope you can find out what you need to to make the right decision for you. Take care. Deanne xxx

Thanks for your reply. After your lumpectomy did the cancer return? I wondered if the radiotherapy would have an effect on reconstruction. My op is Monday and they said after I get results on Thurs, I can decide if I want a mastectomy. Do you think if you had the choice again you would of skipped the lumpectomy and gone straight for mastectomy?

DCIS | BCNA Online Network

16 Replies

Toni_Christense
Member
11 years ago
Thanks Robyn. First I am so happy to hear how fantastic you re feeling. I wonder how that would look on me too as both tumours are in different places but nearby each other. I still think it's going to be a big chunk. Everyone seems so positive and happy and I am grateful this has been detected early but at the same time it's all just so sudden.thank you for replying
Toni_Christense
Member
11 years ago
Thanks for your reply. After your lumpectomy did the cancer return? I wondered if the radiotherapy would have an effect on reconstruction. My op is Monday and they said after I get results on Thurs, I can decide if I want a mastectomy. Do you think if you had the choice again you would of skipped the lumpectomy and gone straight for mastectomy?
Deanne
Member
11 years ago
I am so sorry that you have had your world tipped upside down by this diagnosis. The other ladies are right when they say take your time and find out as much as possible before deciding on what is right. I had a mastectomy in May last year when I was diagnosed with both DCIS and invasive DC in my left breast. I have been a DD even an E at various stages of my life but after making lots of healthy lifestyle changes I have lost weight and am now only a B cup in my remaining breast. I manage very happily with a prosthesis at the moment but can always do reconstruction at some stage in the future if I wish. Reading other people's stories on here helped me to realise that there are pros and cons with every situation and it is important to think about what is most important for you. As Robyn says it is a very personal choice. I hope you can find out what you need to to make the right decision for you. Take care. Deanne xxx
Deanne
Member
11 years ago
I am so sorry that you have had your world tipped upside down by this diagnosis. The other ladies are right when they say take your time and find out as much as possible before deciding on what is right. I had a mastectomy in May last year when I was diagnosed with both DCIS and invasive DC in my left breast. I have been a DD even an E at various stages of my life but after making lots of healthy lifestyle changes I have lost weight and am now only a B cup in my remaining breast. I manage very happily with a prosthesis at the moment but can always do reconstruction at some stage in the future if I wish. Reading other people's stories on here helped me to realise that there are pros and cons with every situation and it is important to think about what is most important for you. As Robyn says it is a very personal choice. I hope you can find out what you need to to make the right decision for you. Take care. Deanne xxx
Robyn_W
Member
11 years ago
Hello.This is such a stressful time,but believe me,you will get through this.I had a mastectomy and chemo,12 months ago now,and I feel fantastic.It is such a personal choice,as to whether you choose lumpectomy or mastectomy.I chose mastectomy,after asking my surgeon what he thought,He explained to me ,that because my lump was very deep,and directly behind my nipple,my breast would have looked very deformed with just the lump removed.Perhaps you can ask your doctor more questions,before you make your final decision.It will make no difference if you take a couple of extra weeks.Please stay in touch,as the ladies,on here always have such great advice .Cheers xox Robyn
SusanF
Member
11 years ago
To start. I had my lumpectomy some 12 years ago. 10 years later I had double mastectomy . Slow and steady wins the day. Don't forget you can have a second opinion and I would recommend you speak with a cosmetic surgeon now before you book surgery. The first part is always the hardest, take a couple more weeks to get more advice and research. Good luck Toni, you will survive all this and you have found your way here where you can ask and talk about anything xx

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DCIS

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