Forum Discussion

kazfoz's avatar
kazfoz
Member
12 years ago

DECISIONS DECISIONS!

Well since getting my diagnosis of DCIS, the day before my 51st birthday I have had to make a lot of decisions.  Not only has this been confronting, upsetting, but also at times empowering, but mostly overwhelming, and confusing!

My next decision is to whether I choose to only have one breast removed or two!

The right breast is the only one affected but both my oncologist and plastic surgeon gave me factual information to assist me make this decision.  Each day since, I will convince myself one way or the other.  Then I will read something, or just have a change of heart and change my mind.  I'm booked to have the surgery on 28 March, but need to advise my specialists ASAP of my decision, as they need to book the appropriate amount of operating theatre time for me.

My surgeons have given me all the factual information to ponder, but I still feel like I am making this decision emotivally - which may not be the best idea! 

If anyone has any thoughts on how they made this decision, I would love to hear from you.  

8 Replies

  • Chris's avatar
    Chris
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi, I have had a bilateral mastectomy, and have no regrets. My first cancer in the right breast was invisible on mammogram, and it was only a 6th sense and a probable house move that sent me off to recheck an old lump that I started to worry about again. My previous mammo only 3 months before was clear. This time I had an ultrasound and the lump was unchanged, just fibrous tissue, however a small cyst underneath was noticed. We did a fine needle biopsy, but no one was concerned. This was invasive breast cancer, so a repeat mammo was done, and still it did not show. I had a lumpectomy within 6 days of this. The tumour was much larger than expected, and very aggressive. With a little bit of time to think things though I opted for a mastectomy. No nodes were involved, but I needed chemo, but now could avoid radiotherapy. As it was right on Christmas 3 years ago, my surgeon suggested I wait till chemo was over and then consider reconstruction and or second mastectomy. Because nothing showed up on mammo, it was going to be hard to trust a mammo again, and also with reconstruction I figured it would be best to do it all together. I went back 9 months after my diagnosis and had a second mastectomy and insertion of tissue expanders. The mammo I had just prior to this surgery was clear, but the ultrasound showed a highly suspicious lump which required some core biopsies. I was lucky this time that the lump was benign, but it convinced me that I was doing the right thing for me. I have been very happy with my choice. On the reconstruction group you can see photos of my reconstructed breast in the photo stories section. good luck with your decision making. Go with your gut feeling. There is no rush, so take your time. Many Drs prefer to wait till the mastectomies heal, so give your self time to consider what is right for you. Love Chris xx
  • Chris's avatar
    Chris
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi, I have had a bilateral mastectomy, and have no regrets. My first cancer in the right breast was invisible on mammogram, and it was only a 6th sense and a probable house move that sent me off to recheck an old lump that I started to worry about again. My previous mammo only 3 months before was clear. This time I had an ultrasound and the lump was unchanged, just fibrous tissue, however a small cyst underneath was noticed. We did a fine needle biopsy, but no one was concerned. This was invasive breast cancer, so a repeat mammo was done, and still it did not show. I had a lumpectomy within 6 days of this. The tumour was much larger than expected, and very aggressive. With a little bit of time to think things though I opted for a mastectomy. No nodes were involved, but I needed chemo, but now could avoid radiotherapy. As it was right on Christmas 3 years ago, my surgeon suggested I wait till chemo was over and then consider reconstruction and or second mastectomy. Because nothing showed up on mammo, it was going to be hard to trust a mammo again, and also with reconstruction I figured it would be best to do it all together. I went back 9 months after my diagnosis and had a second mastectomy and insertion of tissue expanders. The mammo I had just prior to this surgery was clear, but the ultrasound showed a highly suspicious lump which required some core biopsies. I was lucky this time that the lump was benign, but it convinced me that I was doing the right thing for me. I have been very happy with my choice. On the reconstruction group you can see photos of my reconstructed breast in the photo stories section. good luck with your decision making. Go with your gut feeling. There is no rush, so take your time. Many Drs prefer to wait till the mastectomies heal, so give your self time to consider what is right for you. Love Chris xx
  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    12 years ago
    I am the same as Tonya.I have a prosthesis,and I run every day.It is well fitted,so I don't notice it.A lot of days,I don't even wear it,and it doesn't bother me in the slightest that I only have one breast.For me personally,I couldn't even consider having more surgery,I just wanted the cancer gone,and that was it.However,I have small breasts(breast!) and this probably makes a difference.It is such a personal decision,and I know for me,right in the beginning when my surgeon asked would I be considering reconstruction,I said very quickly,and very definitely,no.I have never changed my mind,as it was my decision only,not someone else trying to influence me.All the best with your choice.xox Robyn
  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    12 years ago

    I've had a few friends have the DIEP reconstruction (both breasts)and it's very long surgery and long recovery but they are happy with the natural results.You would need to have time out from your sport.If you just get one breast done this way then you use all your belly fat and there's no going back if you ever needed another breast made this way.Once I get my prosthesis and bra on,I forget about it.I'm not sporty so can't really tell you what it's like to run with it. I swim ok but use a foam insert -have to remember to wring it out when I get out of the water! I guess the other worry might be that if they don't get clear margins from the mastectomy and they needed to do more surgery.That happened to a friend of mine and she had to go back a week later and have more cut out of her mastectomy scar. This might depend on where the cancer is located in the breast and I would think your surgeon has factored that in?You know,it's a difficult decision whichever way you turn and all you can do is keep asking questions until you feel in your gut what's right for you at this time.Then don't have any regrets,just look forward.There is no right or wrong answer.Keep probing!!!! Tonya xx

  • Christiania's avatar
    Christiania
    Member
    12 years ago
    I am 45 years old and had my mastectomy in October last year. I felt really stressed with the desicion right up until the day of surgery. I had DCIS in the left and they did 10 biopsies in the right which found nothing. My breast tissue was very dense and I was paranoid about the right but nothing was found. The surgeon didnt want me to have bilateral when I was so stressed and emotional. He wanted me to think about it more as he felt the right was not necessary since left was DCIS. I had lat Dorsi recon on left but because I am thin so they still needed to put a small expander which will eventually be an implant. My symmetry is ok, the left is slightly bigger but that will be corrected when they change it to an implant later this year. In a swimsuit I actually look ok. I was dreading summer but I came through it well and people genuinely claimed they couldn't tell the difference. After these few months I'm still not sure what to do with the right. Im happy enough with the outcome today but I think I'm going to wait until after the annual check up. See how I go at the mammogram then make a choice. It's really hard. Some people are really clear about what to do. I wasn't and I understand your struggle with it because I'm still not sure! I'm sorry I'm not much help but I guess my doctor pushed me to one direction. Was this the right choice? I'm not sure. Maybe only in a few years I will know. Good luck! Chris
  • kazfoz's avatar
    kazfoz
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Tonya,  Thanks for your response.  Yes I am having the reconstruction at the same time - Diep method.  I only decided to do it all at the same time as my oncologist has advised that it is extremely unlikely that I will need radiation or anything else after, so I am just keen to get it all over and done with in one operation.  I might not go back again if I dont do it all at once.  How do you go with the prosthesis?  I play a lot of sport and thought I might just feel unbalanced.  My plastic surgeon has suggested the diep method would work for me and that my ability to play my sport etc would be better this way.  Yes I think your motto might be right.  Leave alone what doesnt cause you trouble and if not 100% sure dont do it!

  • kazfoz's avatar
    kazfoz
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Tonya,  Thanks for your response.  Yes I am having the reconstruction at the same time - Diep method.  I only decided to do it all at the same time as my oncologist has advised that it is extremely unlikely that I will need radiation or anything else after, so I am just keen to get it all over and done with in one operation.  I might not go back again if I dont do it all at once.  How do you go with the prosthesis?  I play a lot of sport and thought I might just feel unbalanced.  My plastic surgeon has suggested the diep method would work for me and that my ability to play my sport etc would be better this way.  Yes I think your motto might be right.  Leave alone what doesnt cause you trouble and if not 100% sure dont do it!

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    12 years ago

    There is alot to factor in when making this decision.Are you intending to have reconstruction at the same time or later or not at all? Do you have large breasts?-because the lopsided thing might be more annoying.I have one breast(c cup)and just wear a prosthesis in my bra.I'm ok with it but get abit fedup sometimes.I'm not ready for recon as I don't know whether to have the other breast off or not.So when in doubt,don't do it-that's my motto. Tonya xx