Latest results - decisions to make
Hi all I'm 48, with 3 children aged 19-26. My breast cancer was discovered during a routine pap smear and breast check that I have every 2 years. I'd never had a mammogram and the Dr suggested I h...
Forum Discussion
Hi Tracey
I was also 48 when diagnosed with DCIS in my left breast after a routine mammogram in Dec 2013, I then had a lumpectomy in Jan 2014 with clear margins. In June 2014 I had an MRI which detected nothing further. In Oct 2014 I decided to have genetic testing and tested positive to the BRCA2 gene. Like you, I didn't want this horrible disease hanging over my head for the rest of my life, so I made the decision to have a double mastectomy with immediate free TRAM flap reconstruction. That was 9 weeks ago and I am doing very well. I feel almost 100% and I am very happy with the result, a nice flat stomach (after giving birth to 3 children it's nice to have a flat stomach again!) and new breasts. Not sure where you live, but I live in Brisbane and my breast surgeon was Dr Jenny Gough and my plastic surgeon was Dr Eddie Cheng, they have both done an excellent job and are very good surgeons. I think it's really important to have good surgeons around you. No one can tell you what decision to make, but for me this was definitely the right choice, as the pathology on both my breasts came back with atypical change in both breasts, which would have turned cancerous if left there. I can now look forward to a life without breast cancer, I don't even need to have mammograms or MRI's anymore. To look at me in my clothing, you would not know anything had been done. Thanks to my great Physio, Lorna Golombick at Lime physiotherapy at Northlakes, I actually feel much stronger and fitter than I did before my surgery. So for me, I don't regret a single thing. I have 3 beautiful sons aged 16 to 22 and a wonderful husband, and I'm just glad that my decision will now mean that I can hopefully live a long life with them and any future grandchildren. I'm happy to talk to you further about my procedure if you like, it was a big operation, almost 13 hours, but I am very glad I did it. I wish you all the best with making your decision, listen to your surgeons, they know what is best. Take care.
Love Louise xx