Hi Everyone, My name is Haylee, I'm 32 with a 14 month old, I got diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma stage 2 on Monday, since then I've seen the surgeon, had MRI's, Mammo's more ultra sound, seen the surgeon again, who told me that there was the tumour 2cm, but some more suspicious areas that could be pre cancer cells. She said that I could have more biopsy done to determine if it is, or lumpectomy and biopsies to see if it is, or mastectomy. I always said that if I ever had breast cancer I would have the mastectomy, but it's alot harder to say yes when you have to. So I signed the consent form for mastectomy. I'm still scared bout that. My partner is awesome and SOOO supportive!! Infact everyone I know is extremely supportive. And I know that I get new ones in the future. AND really I would rather have no boob and no cancer then a boob that has suspect areas that could grow it at any time. But should I go for the other options first? Thanks Guysxx

Welcome... I also went straight for the mastectomy when given a choice (I was borderline for lumpectomy or mastectomy, but as soon as I was told I have Breast cancer I said to my husband I don't want them - either of them, I will have a double mastectomy (they would only do the cancerous one to begin with but they are doing the other after I finish chemo etc - due to my family history etc). I personally didn't want to keep something that was trying to kill me. I am also having my other one removed after I finish chemo, as I am high risk of it due to family history etc (awaiting genetic testing for BRACA genes) and therfore could get it in the other breast, so I don't want that one either. I am 41 (40 @ diagnosis - 22/12/11- stage2 ductal cell carcinoma). I had a nipple sparing and partial skin sparing mastectomy with an immediate silicone implant reconstruction (didn't know at the time if I was having the any of the skin or nipple spared, but my surgeon decided to keep what he could because they were clear) (the skin near my tumour was removed becasue the tumour was puckering the skin so it was probably close to the skin (I was happy tfor them to take everything if they had to as long as they would start the process for reconstruction. I was supposed to have a skin/tissue expander put in but when my surgeon did the surgery he said things were good enough for the implant to go staight in saving me another surgery in the future. It ireally is up to you if you want to go for the lumpectomy first or the mastectomy, as you are the one who has to live with the decision (breast, no breast, chace of regowth and everything). Reconstructions can and do look really good these days - if I didn't show my scars you would have NO idea that I had, had a reconstrcution done, and my scars will fade overtime making them a lot less obvious than they are (I only had the surgery on 03/02/12, so they are very new, but they will fade and even if they didn't I don't care - scars are the least bother to me - getting the tumour out and reducing my risk of it coming back was my first (and only) choice really, anything more was a bonus. You are right it is totally different when you talk about it hyperthetically, and then have to deal with it for real. You are being very strong - the initial diagnosis is the hardest, because they tell you , you have cancer and then they throw everything at you so quickly - surgery, tests, options and everything and your brain and body are still in shock from hearing the - You have cancer line. Next hardest is the waiting for things - surgery, results etc and then to see if you need more treatment like radiotherapy or chemo. If you want someone to talk about more about options, the breast care nurses are wonderful - a lot of hospitals have these are they are worth their weight in gold - It depends on where you are in Oz of course, but your hospital may have one (or more) or have acces to one in your area. You WILL get through this. Take a deep breath and you will be fine. Good Luck with you upcoming appointments and surgery (do you have a date for surgery yet?)

Thanks Shazinoz, Date for surgery is Thursday 3rd May. I would be extremely happy if she was to do reconstruction at same time. But I asked and she is not keen to do that. I think I might ask again, but in the end I agree, take it all. And ultimately I would like the other one gone to. Just in case. I have such a great support network from everyone. And mum had a lumpectomy almost 2 years ago now. So she is extremely supportive. Lots of big breaths have been taken. I am almost excited to get the treatment process started, so we can finish it!! Thanks again and good luck.xxx

Good Luck to you too Joey (NOt that you will need it either) for your surgery on Thursday. Of course it is a hard decision to make (I made the same decision and had my mastectomy on 3rd Feb 2012) your boobs have been a part of you for 37 years, but like you said there isn't a whole lot of options (2-3 really - Ignore it (Not a good option, because we know where that will lead), Lumpectomy (if offered, and depending on more factors - I was given this as an option but I wanted my boob GONE, if it was gone it couldn't try to kill me, and Ibelive that the more that is gone the less likely it is to come back), and Mastectomy (again I believe the more that is taken the less likely it is to come back or cause more complications, like repeat surgeries, and the like). You can have a reconstruction, if you want one (sometimes at time of surgery, and sometimes later) and believe me they look GREAT - I had an immediate silicone implant reconstruction when I had my mastectomy, and I LOVE it. I am having my other breast removed and reconstucted when I finish chemo etc as I am at high risk due to family history etc (and am awaiting genetic testing for the genes, because breast cancer is in both sides of my family). There is lots of help and support out there for you, your husband, family and kids (and in explaining things to the kids etc), so if you need it take advantage of it (if you need help, talk to your surgeon, breast care nurse, or the Cancer council etc and they should be able to put you in contact with any services you might need), also online groups like here can help you (and your family) a lot too, as can the litriature out there (I was given so much reading material, my head nearly exploded, but it helped, and I still go back and look through it as new things pop up). Again Good Luck - not that you will need it, and I will be thinking of you (and Hayley) as you have your surgery on Thursday.

Thanks Shazinoz, it is comforting that I am not alone on this journey, even thigh it is a lonely one! Hugs

New Diagnosis | BCNA Online Network

18 Replies

spiel
Member
13 years ago
Very best of luck Jo!! Here if you ever need a chat!
Joey_36
Member
13 years ago
Hi Haylee, Won't know much until the pathology comes back but they took all the lymph nodes to be sure. I guess I wasn't expecting that so feel a little depressed and like you had a good cry. All I can do is stay positive that all will be ok when the pathology results come in. Glad to hear you are recovering. Jo x
spiel
Member
13 years ago
Jo, I was thinking of you Thursday when we went into surgery together. It is so confronting to look at your self in the mirror afterwards. The surgeon had to take 4 sentinel nodes, cause I lit up like a Xmas tree on the nuclear med scan, so was shitting my self for many hours prior to the surgery and had a good cry to myself in the anaesthetic room. I found out today that all 4 were clear. And the tumour size was 2cm but I had 8cm of preinvasive all around the breast. So mastectomy was the right choice. And as I sit at home with my drains I feel ok bout it. I wish you all the best with your next step, did they take more lymph nodes? Huge hugs Haylee
Joey_36
Member
13 years ago
Well, surgery went well, although my anxiety levels are through the roof after finding out that my sentinel nodes were positive. I feel like I am back at square one and have just been diagnosed! Really sucky day Jo
Joey_36
Member
13 years ago
Well, surgery went well, although my anxiety levels are through the roof after finding out that my sentinel nodes were positive. I feel like I am back at square one and have just been diagnosed! Really sucky day Jo
Joey_36
Member
13 years ago
Well, surgery went well, although my anxiety levels are through the roof after finding out that my sentinel nodes were positive. I feel like I am back at square one and have just been diagnosed! Really sucky day Jo
Joey_36
Member
13 years ago
Nat,

You are 100% right and like my sister keeps telling me Jo, it will be your battle scar and you can tell everyone you kicked Cancer's arse.

Just hard is all.

Jo

x
BirdGirl
Member
13 years ago
Joanne,

I know what you mean. It is a bit confronting at first but if you are prepared for that fact it will be easier in time. I still get a reminder about cancer every time I step into the shower or look in the mirror. It sucks, but so does dying. At the end of the day we need to do what is best to give us a longer life with our kids. And if that means foregoing some cosmetic beauty then so be it I say.But that doesn't mean I am completely concrete inside and don't hate every minute of it!! We just gotta ride this roller coaster as best we can!

Nat :)
Joey_36
Member
13 years ago
Thanks Natalie,

As the time draws closer I am absolutely terrified, I am worried about what I will see, look like and most of all depression and my mental health. I know I am strong but thisis huge......

Joanne
BirdGirl
Member
13 years ago
Hi Girls

I had a mastectomy of my left breast on the 12th January this year. I am 39 with two boys, 6 and 9 years. I am going through chemo at the moment. A link to my blog is below. I talk about my journey this year. Feel free to message me if you have any questions or just need to vent!

http://www.bcna.org.au/user/8223/blog

Take care, thinking of you,

Natalie, Cairns :)