New diagnosis and confused

thank you everyone for your comments. What a beautiful group this is vWith all your comments I am going to speak to my surgeon again in the next couple of days. Results from the mri should be to him today so that should provide more information.  It can be so confusing can’t it. My surgery is 20/5 so I still have time for more thinking and getting more information. Once again thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Sending so much love and strength to you all xxx

Hi Lisa,
I am 53 this year and was diagnosed with BC after a mammogram/biopsy. It was Grade 3 invasive cancer and Her 2+
Lymph nodes were negative. 
I had a lumpectomy followed by chemo. I was then offered a choice between doing radiation and another small surgery to remove a further margin on one side where the surgeon wasn’t happy with the clearance or to do a single/double mastectomy. 
After much consideration, praying and with talking with others who had mastectomies,I have decided to have the double to reduce chances of recurrence and continued tests over the coming years.Although there are no guarantees of course, I feel that this is the right decision for me. As the others have rightly said,its a decision that you have to be comfortable and at peace with. 
I would definitely get more information from your doctor about the details of your pathology results and ask him to explain everything until you are satisfied. In any case it took me awhile to process it all and understand what was happening to me.I was in so much shock as well.I found the information and suggestions here very helpful and made a huge difference to me.
My surgery will be end of May or early June,will have dates this coming week when I see the doc. 
Hope you get all the information you need to help you make the best decision for yourself.
Saying a prayer for you and sending you best wishes,
Cheryl x

Hi @Lisa_E66,
A lot depends on your pathology report(s). It may not be as bad as you fear, fingers crossed. I encourage you to be your own advocate. I am very glad I followed advice to get copies of ALL test results and pathology results and my GP later gave me copies of the letters from the surgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist. I went entirely through the public system and have been very well looked after. However, one intern made a mistake which I was only able to pick up because I knew my own pathology results. Anyway, I take my folder with me to every appointment now, just in case. Doing research and organising my data helped me calm my racing mind. Just keep to reputable sources and medical journals. I read Breast Cancer: Taking Control and DCIS: Taking Control by Professor John Boyages. Others have recommended The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer, How to Feel Empowered and Take Control

I originally had a lumpectomy with clear margins.  I have dense breasts which makes detection difficult, so a few months later I decided to have bilateral mastectomies. The surgeon did not think I needed to have a mastectomy at all but I am a bit of a worrier and decided to do it anyway.  Having a mastectomy does not still prevent any possible metastasis.  I am a few years older than you and not having boobs does not matter to me, I just wear prosthetics when going out.  Having a mastectomy/mastectomies is a very individual decision with no right or wrong answers so think about yourself.  I did not have radiation but I had chemo as my BC was HER2 positive.

Good luck with your treatment.

Hi @Lisa_E66
Welcome to the network. We all wish we weren’t here but it’s still a very helpful place. Much as it is disappointing to find that the lumpectomy did not clear the problem, you may still want to consider taking things step by step. I had a mastectomy but no radiation. To a large extent, it depends where the cancer is located. Chemo may be suggested if there are lymph nodes affected, to ‘mop up’ any cancer cells.  Perhaps you might consider having the mastectomy, find out about recommended further treatment and see how you feel about further surgery at a later time? I had large breasts and have had no reconstruction. I wear a prosthesis, which I find comfortable and have no back pain at all. The post operative pathology will give better information on the cancer removed and will inform better about any risk with your other breast. Essentially my oncologist and surgeon could see no good reason to remove the other breast and so I haven’t. The worry does recede as time goes on. But you can always take that step later if you feel it’s best for you. It’s a lot to take in and process at once, so bit by bit may help. Best wishes.