surgery opitions

I had neoadjuvant chemotherapy in July-Sep. Followed by bilateral reduction ressection. Margins weren't clear and lymph nodes were involved so had 2nd surgery with full axillary clearance. Then was sent home (4hr drive over the mountains) with an infection that took hold for 4wks delaying my radiation and adding another chemo. My story is rare I'm told and worst case scenario. Your experience thus far sounds great in comparison. I tried to push through the fatigue as advised but think that's why Igot sick. So don't push the exercise if you're not up to it. Good luck and keep in touch. Nicole x ?

Good to hear that the chemo was very effective on the cancer. If you got through chemo not too bad then radiotherapy will be fine. Wishing you all the best for your surgery on the 9th. Take care. Deanne xxx

Hi all and thanks for your comments,

I had the MRI on Monday, and the results are really positive. I have been on a NEONAB trial. The majority of the cancerous tissue is gone - there is still a small area of malignancy, but it has shrunk. The lymph nodes that were affected now show no radiological signs of cancer.

Being very large breasted. my surgeon has recommended a bilateral reduction with the removal of the old cancerous area and the lump still there. I will also have a sentinel node biopsy.  I will also have radiation after surgery.  I was hoping to avoid radiatioin, but becasue of the large size of the orginal cancer, it is likely I would still need radiation after a mastectomy. So if I need radiation any way, I may as well have the breast conserving surgery followed by radiation - So that is what I have opted for.  The thought of the side effects of  radiation  5 days a week for 5-6 weeks) scares me but I got through chemo without too much trouble, except for the fatigue.

Surgery is on 9th January so I have two - three weeks to try to get a bit fitter.

Cheers and Merry Christmas to all.

 

Hi Dorothy, we are all individual so the choice is yours. My mindset was if the breast isn't there, there's a better chance it won't come back. After seeing so many women on here having to have mastectomies within a couple of years from lumpectomies, I wanted to get it right for me. I had mine off and am probably going to have the other off too rather than a reduction. I have a large breast remaining that is very annoying when trying to wear bra and prosthesis. A reduction is much more involved and can make it difficult to see new cancers due to scar tissue I've heard. It's just getting thru the "business" of treating the first and then time to manage the second. Boy will my shoulder feel the relief when it's done! Best of luck to you for whatever you decide.....let us know how you are doing xx

Hi Dorothy, we are all individual so the choice is yours. My mindset was if the breast isn't there, there's a better chance it won't come back. After seeing so many women on here having to have mastectomies within a couple of years from lumpectomies, I wanted to get it right for me. I had mine off and am probably going to have the other off too rather than a reduction. I have a large breast remaining that is very annoying when trying to wear bra and prosthesis. A reduction is much more involved and can make it difficult to see new cancers due to scar tissue I've heard. It's just getting thru the "business" of treating the first and then time to manage the second. Boy will my shoulder feel the relief when it's done! Best of luck to you for whatever you decide.....let us know how you are doing xx

I was diagnosed with Stage llla last year. I had a mastectomy due to extent of IDC and DCIS in same breast. Often I think those of us with stage lll disease will receive radiation even with mastectomy, I did. Tonya is right you should check with your doctors about the stats for your situation. We are all different with different choices to make. Wishing you well with your decision. Take care. Deanne xxx

Thanks Tonya,

I hope you are ok and clear now.   At my age I will not worry about a reconstruction, rahter a reduction on the other side ( too big not too!)  My oncologist used theterm radiation for the first time a couple of weeks ago, so I assume he is thnking more on the lines of lumpectomy.  I guess I need ot wait and hear from the surgeon before I make a final decision.  Dorothy XX

Welcome to this network but sorry you now face this difficult surgery decision.I had to make the same decision back in 2003 at the age of 47.I had a single 2cm lump and I opted for a lumpectomy,full node clearance and 6 wks of radiation.My pathology was oestrogen +ve but Hercepton -ve. After 7years, I had a recurrence in the same breast despite having had clear margins.So in 2010 I had to have a mastectomy and chemo. I'm restricted now with reconstruction options because of the radiation- skin is no longer elastic.You probably need to ask your oncologist what the stats are for a recurrence.In my case, the odds were 8%- unlucky me. Keep asking questions, be guided by your team but, in the end, do what feels right for you. Tonya xx

Welcome to this network but sorry you now face this difficult surgery decision.I had to make the same decision back in 2003 at the age of 47.I had a single 2cm lump and I opted for a lumpectomy,full node clearance and 6 wks of radiation.My pathology was oestrogen +ve but Hercepton -ve. After 7years, I had a recurrence in the same breast despite having had clear margins.So in 2010 I had to have a mastectomy and chemo. I'm restricted now with reconstruction options because of the radiation- skin is no longer elastic.You probably need to ask your oncologist what the stats are for a recurrence.In my case, the odds were 8%- unlucky me. Keep asking questions, be guided by your team but, in the end, do what feels right for you. Tonya xx

Welcome to this network but sorry you now face this difficult surgery decision.I had to make the same decision back in 2003 at the age of 47.I had a single 2cm lump and I opted for a lumpectomy,full node clearance and 6 wks of radiation.My pathology was oestrogen +ve but Hercepton -ve. After 7years, I had a recurrence in the same breast despite having had clear margins.So in 2010 I had to have a mastectomy and chemo. I'm restricted now with reconstruction options because of the radiation- skin is no longer elastic.You probably need to ask your oncologist what the stats are for a recurrence.In my case, the odds were 8%- unlucky me. Keep asking questions, be guided by your team but, in the end, do what feels right for you. Tonya xx