That didn't go as planned

Karen,no doubt you will have radiation cos you've had a lumpectomy.We are all different and our experiences and age contribute to our decisions.At 47 years of age I opted for a lumpectomy - couldn't bare the thought of losing my breast.At  55.when it came back,I had to have a mastectomy and I was more ok with it.You have to do what feels right for you at the time.Certainly living with a mastectomy scar is alot harder(for me)but other women may feel differently. Because I had radiation in the past,this limits my reconstruction options should I choose to go down that path.After radiation there is an 8% chance of recurrence in that breast.These are all the sorts of questions to ask your doctor.Write all his answers down cos you tend not to take everything in and then get home trying to remember what he said.You might be still in abit of shock and now you are on a steep learning curve with not much time to study up.Be guided by your surgeon and if he is ok with the margins then it must be ok.

                                        Tonya xx

Karen,no doubt you will have radiation cos you've had a lumpectomy.We are all different and our experiences and age contribute to our decisions.At 47 years of age I opted for a lumpectomy - couldn't bare the thought of losing my breast.At  55.when it came back,I had to have a mastectomy and I was more ok with it.You have to do what feels right for you at the time.Certainly living with a mastectomy scar is alot harder(for me)but other women may feel differently. Because I had radiation in the past,this limits my reconstruction options should I choose to go down that path.After radiation there is an 8% chance of recurrence in that breast.These are all the sorts of questions to ask your doctor.Write all his answers down cos you tend not to take everything in and then get home trying to remember what he said.You might be still in abit of shock and now you are on a steep learning curve with not much time to study up.Be guided by your surgeon and if he is ok with the margins then it must be ok.

                                        Tonya xx

Tonya, Margins were very good 10mm and greater on all margins for the scattered DCIS except 0 mm for the deep and superficial margins. Given they can go no further with the deep... The margins of the three tumours were also >10mm except the smaller 8mm tumour Grade 2 at the deep margin also 0mm which is of more concern. My understanding of this is that they cannot go deeper and as rest of margins good a mastectomy is not considered at this stage. Would that seem sound to you? Had a great talk with the surgeon and have full confidence in who I am seeing but loads of other questions now I have digested the report more. Full node clearance will be scheduled very soon. Hope this bring nodes 2/2 to 2/20 which would be good Plenty more questions to sort yet. Trying to get my head around it all.

Tonya, Margins were very good 10mm and greater on all margins for the scattered DCIS except 0 mm for the deep and superficial margins. Given they can go no further with the deep... The margins of the three tumours were also >10mm except the smaller 8mm tumour Grade 2 at the deep margin also 0mm which is of more concern. My understanding of this is that they cannot go deeper and as rest of margins good a mastectomy is not considered at this stage. Would that seem sound to you? Had a great talk with the surgeon and have full confidence in who I am seeing but loads of other questions now I have digested the report more. Full node clearance will be scheduled very soon. Hope this bring nodes 2/2 to 2/20 which would be good Plenty more questions to sort yet. Trying to get my head around it all.

I dont want to burdon you with any extra advice, just wanted to let you know ther are people out here thinking of you and sending warm hugs and empathy your way

Cheers Narelle

This bloody bc journey never goes to plan -sorry to hear you are up for more surgery and have cancer in the nodes. E and P positive is a "good"thing  in the cancer world.Let's just hope that you are hercept neg cos that would be good too.You'll get your head around it this weekend(a few cries,a few wines)and come out fighting.Did they get clear margins or do you need a mastectomy? I gather you are having a full node clearance- any questions, then fire away.

                                                 Tonya xx

This bloody bc journey never goes to plan -sorry to hear you are up for more surgery and have cancer in the nodes. E and P positive is a "good"thing  in the cancer world.Let's just hope that you are hercept neg cos that would be good too.You'll get your head around it this weekend(a few cries,a few wines)and come out fighting.Did they get clear margins or do you need a mastectomy? I gather you are having a full node clearance- any questions, then fire away.

                                                 Tonya xx

Hi Karen

You go girl !!! Don't let this s*** get you down. I know it won't get me down.

Let us know how you go. Will be thinking of you. Love JulieXX