masectomy

Hi Sandy,Julia,Celeste and Leanne, Last Wednesday I had a precautionary mastectomy and the insertion of bilateral tissue expanders, and do not have any regrets. Nine months ago I was diagnosed with BC, after having 2 normal mammograms 3 months apart. I was in the low risk category, having breast fed 4 babies in my 20s, and having no family history. Like you Sandy, my lump, when removed was a lot larger than expected, 21mm instead of the 4 mm they were after. I had a lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy, followed by a mastectomy and 9 more nodes removed, ( none involved) and chemotheapy. I spent the next few months considering a second mastectomy, as I was always going to find it difficult to accept a normal mammogram when my last one actually hid a large grade 3 cancer. I didn't want to go through any of this again, or lose my other lymph nodes. 2 of the 3 plastic surgeons I visited thought it rather odd to remove a healthy breast, but my breast surgeon was quite happy to do this for me. Six weeks ago I booked both surgeon and plastic surgeon to have this done, with the start of reconstruction. I was relieved to have finally decided, and felt a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and that I would now be able to move forward. After locking in the date, I went and had another mammogram and ultrasound so I could have very new results for my surgeon. I felt like history was repeating itself when the mammo was clear, but a lump was found on ultrasound. They said it looked suspicious and I needed a core biopsy. After 2 dreadful days awaiting results, I was lucky to get the all clear. This for me was the strongest sign that a second mastectomy was the right thing to do. After this scare, the date couldn't come fast enough, and now that it has been done I am happy, and feel now that I can get on with my life and put this year behind me. To have a precautionary mastectomy is a very personal thing, and only you know what is right for you. Like you I didn't want to take the chance that it might happen again, and through this site, and from people I know, it does seem to happen. Good luck with your decision. Love Chris xxx