Decisions... Help and Advice Please
I was diagnosed with a high grade DCIS on 22/3/2011 and had a lumpectomy last Wednesday 6 April. Prior to the surgery I had "wires" inserted. It took almost an hour and a half for the procedure and...
Forum Discussion
Hi Anne-Maree,
How you will decide might depend on your age,your pathology,treatment choices,boob size,where you live etc..I had my first bout of breast cancer 7yrs ago at the age of 47.It was one small lump so opted for a lumpectomy,full lymph node clearance,followed by radiotherapy for 6wks.At that age I wasn't ready to part with my boob.However,it was never the same after radiation.It was alot smaller and quite alot of discomfort.So it was really only there to fill a bra and have abit of cleavage- not for touching! But I was kinda grateful and really didn't think it would come back.How wrong- last year it came back in the same breast,same spot.Apparently I was in the unlucky 8%.These are the odds after lumpectomy and radiation.So I had to have a mastectomy this time- the cancer had grown 3cm in a year.I then had chemo and am now on Tamoxifen cos the cancer was estrogen+ve(not aggressive).I had to have full body and bone scans which were scary but all clear.Psychologically it's hard to look at my chest scar when dressing but once my prosthesis is on you can't tell and I forget about it.I've had to alter necklines and clothes shopping can be abit trickier. Chemo was harder to do than radiotherapy I thought losing my hair was hard to take.I had really nice straight blonde hair all my life and now it's dark and curly.It has taken 8 months to grow 2cms and I have just stopped wearing headbands.Your self confidence takes a real hammering. If I ever want a reconstruction there might be problems because the skin isn't elastic after radiation.At 55 I was more ok about losing my breast than at 47
Looking back,I suppose if I'd had a mastectomy in the first place I may have avoided radiation and chemo.But you can't forsee what's ahead.My advice to you is to gather all the information you can and then go with what feels right for you at this time.Everyone will have their own personal slant on it and how they feel about the various treatments. I'm so sorry you have breast cancer but this site will be a great support to you in the coming weeks/months.Good luck with your decision and also for Wednesday.
luv Tonya xx