Recurrence results

Hi Pauline,

Its always sad to hear of women going through multiple procedures for the same thing, my heart goes out to you. you're still here 8 years later and that's a huge achievement!!!

I'm new to this forum having been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma hormone positive in April 2015.

I chose with much thought and research to have a bilateral mastectomy to remove both breasts.  I too was lymph node negative and I'm on Arimidex, they say now for 10 years, as the instance of reoccurrences after 5 is increasing.

I know I haven't removed the possibility of a metastatic cancer, however I have removed the pain of going through several diagnosis and surgeries over years.  it was bad enough to get the diagnosis as it was without having to think about every little change in the remaining breast tissue for years to come. 

It was explained to me that they take the least invasive option first e.g. lumpectomy with Radiotherapy and chemo if lymph node positive, this they wouldn't know until surgery day.

It was my choice to have both removed, and backed up by my breast surgeon, once I had made the decision on my own as an educated choice.. 

I was lucky in the way that I illuminated radiotherapy and chemo.  also I was able to have skin sparing, immediate reconstruction with expanders, the complete process took 4 1/2  months.  I now have a very nice pair of replacement breasts that I'm really happy with, no one would pick that it is all silicone, not much skin left... I had implant reconstruction (not enough fat anywhere to build new breasts with my own tissue, so had to go implant) Great breast and plastic surgeons on my team, I can't thank them enough.

My biggest thing now is managing the side effects of the Arimidex for which I have multiple and nasty, however determined to stay on it for as long as I have to, I know of too many beautiful women who have surrendered and taken the chance or taken it for the 5 years and still ended up with other metastatic cancer.  I'm a survivor and want to stay that way....

Stay positive and make educated choices you can be advised but use your gut instinct, I did and it was right for me. gut instinct can be whatever decision and outcome is right for you, after all its your body.

Not sure if this helps or not??

Sandy