Decisons on surgery

Hi Maria, I also had to make a decision between a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. My first surgery in early December last year was a lumpectomy to remove a 4mm tumour. No other options were spoken of, and I was so shell shocked at this stage that I just went with the flow. Pathology showed an aggressive grade 3 cancer that was 21 mm long, and although the margins were clear, they weren't great. With my history, ( clear mammogram 3 months before plus still clear at consultation) and this cancer being larger than expected, more surgery was required. My surgeon was keen to do a mastectomy incase some other surprises lurked within. For peace of mind I also had an MRI. This showed nothing else suspicious, so I could have opted for another lumpectomy. However by this stage I had done some research about radiotherapy and reconstruction, and I decided that I didn't want to have have radiotherapy. The Dr of course couldn't guarantee this, but felt that it would be unlikely in my case to need this following a mastectomy. I chose to have a mastectomy and 9 more nodes removed. (sentinal node was clear). This was the right decision for me, and I have never regretted doing this. I was 52 years old. My surgeon arrived on Christmas morning last year to tell me that no other nasties were found, and that all my nodes were clear. That was about the very best Christmas present I could have wished for for my family. I've since completed chemo, 4 rounds of Taxotere and cyclophosphamide, and am on Tamoxifen at present. I'm now seeing Plastic surgeons about reconstruction, and all options are open to me since I've not had radiotherapy. I'm almost 100% sure that I will also have a prophylactic mastectomy at the same time as reconstruction. I can't control if the cancer comes back in my body, but I can reduce my risk by not having any breasts. I also will always doubt the results of a mammogram for me, as nothing showed before.

Good luck with your decision making.

Chris xx

Dear Maria

Wow, I can't believe chemo is nearly over for you!  That's terrific.

I never thought twice about having the mastectomy my surgeon recommended, so I've never been in the position of having to choose between two options.  Tough decision for you!

As soon as the surgeon told me of the second lump, I wanted the whole bugger off.  No question.  I think it would have been very difficult going through the next few years, and the rest of my life, with a potential time bomb in my chest.  I couldn't wait for my chemo to  be finished so I could have it taken off.

I think that, aside from the medical considerations, peace of mind was the most significant reason for me to feel so comfortable with having a mastectomy.

Good luck with your decision

Helen.

Dear Maria

Wow, I can't believe chemo is nearly over for you!  That's terrific.

I never thought twice about having the mastectomy my surgeon recommended, so I've never been in the position of having to choose between two options.  Tough decision for you!

As soon as the surgeon told me of the second lump, I wanted the whole bugger off.  No question.  I think it would have been very difficult going through the next few years, and the rest of my life, with a potential time bomb in my chest.  I couldn't wait for my chemo to  be finished so I could have it taken off.

I think that, aside from the medical considerations, peace of mind was the most significant reason for me to feel so comfortable with having a mastectomy.

Good luck with your decision

Helen.

Hi Maria,

I had 3 surgeries.  First was a lumpectomy -my surgeon said he thought it would not increase my risk of reoccurance.  then he said the pathology report indicated that they would have to do second lumpectomy as the margins of clear tissue were not good enough. So I had second one with the same result.  Then he said that there was then no choice but to have mastectomy.  While I hate having one breast I actually feel like there is less chance of getting it again over that side. 

Sometimes I think about having the other one off too, so I dont worry about cancer over there so much.  I am also aware that when/if I have a reconstruction they would probably need to make my remaining one smaller (18DD)as it would be hard to get enough flesh to make a new one to match it's size.

Good luck with your decision,

Julia

Hi Maria

I did not get an option of a lumpectomy. I had a LB mastectomy. I suggest chatting with your surgeon. Mine was wonderful and caring in explaining the pro's and con's of things to me. I guess to emotionally Im dealing well with things also. Like others have said, once you are dressed and have your prosethsis in place, no one knows a thing ;) Let the proffesional's help you to make a choice and be informed on your decision. xo Christie

Hi Maria

I did not get an option of a lumpectomy. I had a LB mastectomy. I suggest chatting with your surgeon. Mine was wonderful and caring in explaining the pro's and con's of things to me. I guess to emotionally Im dealing well with things also. Like others have said, once you are dressed and have your prosethsis in place, no one knows a thing ;) Let the proffesional's help you to make a choice and be informed on your decision. xo Christie

Maria - you just don't know what cancer will do - I had the lumpectomy, then the partial mastectomy and chemo, and now radiation therapy together with Herceptin for 12 months - but there are no guarentees.  I now know why they did the follow up with chemo etc - its doing every thing you can to make sure it lessens any chance of it coming back  - I'm a bit of a lemming, I just went with the advice of the doctor, now I am on the medical merrygoround - but hey, I am giving it my best shot - so can you, all the best dear, hugs Josie

Ok Maria,I'm your girl cos I've had both.At 47(first time)I was given the choice and I chose lumpectomy and radiation.I couldn't bare the thought of losing my boob.After radiation my boob was never the same-felt a discomfort.But hey,it filled my bra so it was just for show.Mammograms were painful.7yrs later it came back in the same breast,same spot.There is an 8%chance apparently.I had the mastectomy but reconstruction is a limited option because my skin lacks elasticity from radiation. Psychologically,it's much harder looking at your chest and seeing nothing but a scar. I don't do naked!!But I'm happy with my prosthesis and once Im dressed I forget about it. Both surgeries have their fors and againsts and ultimately,go with how you feel for the moment.That will be the right decision.

                                 luv Tonya xx

either way the cancer can come back unfortunately! I had no choice in the matter I had to have a mastecomy. either way its like flipping a coin I think, theres no way of knowing what will happen in the future. Sorry I could not be any more help! :) What ever u feel is the right decision go with it and stick with it! :) U can get cancer anywhere in your body, thats the truth of it unfortunatley there are ways ofourse of trying to prevent it, but even  with the best of odds, there is still somebody there that makes up that 1% :( This prob hasnt helped at all hehehe! prob making u feel worse: - well heres the upside, take what u can out of the experience and live everyday like it could b the last. Love. Live. Hope & enjoy every minute u are well. after Chemo and radiotherapy is done, sure u will feel much better. inside and out! :) 

either way the cancer can come back unfortunately! I had no choice in the matter I had to have a mastecomy. either way its like flipping a coin I think, theres no way of knowing what will happen in the future. Sorry I could not be any more help! :) What ever u feel is the right decision go with it and stick with it! :) U can get cancer anywhere in your body, thats the truth of it unfortunatley there are ways ofourse of trying to prevent it, but even  with the best of odds, there is still somebody there that makes up that 1% :( This prob hasnt helped at all hehehe! prob making u feel worse: - well heres the upside, take what u can out of the experience and live everyday like it could b the last. Love. Live. Hope & enjoy every minute u are well. after Chemo and radiotherapy is done, sure u will feel much better. inside and out! :)