DECISIONS DECISIONS!

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