Uncertainty

Dear @Mags44

It’s a lousy time for feeling sure about anything, isn’t it? Very little is normal and in addition to everything else, you have had news of your father’s diagnosis which is additionally upsetting. 
But you have been firm on your path for several months and have had time to determine how you feel about your medical team. If you are still confident in their guidance and advice, then perhaps there is no new or vital reason to change your course of action. The current climate of uncertainty may be the dominant factor, understandably, rather than any change in your diagnosis or prognosis. 
At some stage, we all have to accept that there are no absolute guarantees about safety, now perhaps more than ever before. 
I had a slightly different diagnosis, immediate surgery then chemo. My choice was a partial mastectomy but with strong recommendation to a full mastectomy. That choice still leaves the potential for cancer in the other breast, or somewhere else. 
Little by little, I think we all learn to live with the reality that nothing is certain, however well we have planned and conducted our lives. Best wishes for next week whatever you decide. 

Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom @Afraser you are absolutely right. I think I am trying to control something I possibly can’t. Its also the environment and loved ones that I am thinking about which has influenced my discomfort. 

Thank you again

Hello @Mags44 it can be a very unsettling time moving into the next phase of treatment. I am so sorry to hear about your fathers recent diagnosis. All in all a very difficult time for you in current COVID 19 circumstances also. Please don’t hesitate to call the BCNA helpline to speak to a cancer nurse for support on 1800 500 258 Take care of you.

Thank you @Riki_BCNA, much appreciated - and will do. To be honest I was so focused on one step at a time I hadn’t thought that much of next stage of treatment, possibly because I loosely knew the plan and that was that. 

I had an initial lumpectomy on the advice of the breast surgeon in October 2019.  I had chemotherapy for 3 months after that and I am on 3 weekly herceptin for HER2+ BC until September 20.   I was meant to undergo radiation in February this year, however decided to have bilateral mastectomies as I have dense breast tissues.  The surgeon told me it was overkill given the low chance of recurrence in the same or other breast.  Her advice was that even if another BC is found then it can be successfully treated and having mastectomy does not have any impact on the cancer metastising.   I had the mastectomies as I felt I would have one thing less to worry about and I also did not want to have to go through mammograms, ultrasound and maybe MRI given that I have dense breast tissue.  

I think this decision is very personal.  Initially when I asked if I could have mastectomy, the breast surgeon had said that you are very emotional as you have just been diagnosed.  Her advice was to have a lumpectomy and then if I wanted to have mastectomy later she would be happy to do the surgery.  

I am happy with my decision, however there are many other ladies who are more than happy with their decision to have the breast conservation surgery.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience @PV123 . I feel like I am moving along a similar path and had similar medical team advice. I feel more uncertain as the surgery gets closer. My friend suggested to me perhaps I should get the partial first and if I still feel I need to, see if I can pursue the full mastectomy later. I can’t think of a time I have been more indecisive.  

Hi @Mags44

I am glad to be of any assistance, this journey is complicated and we are expected to make so many important decisions.  I would also like to point out that I did not have radiation as both the oncologist and the surgeon indicated that mastectomy healing and reconstruction becomes more difficult after radiation. I was advised to choose between radiation and mastectomy.  Have you already had radiation or will you be having that after the surgery.

Sorry to hear about your father, just adds another stress element.  I lost my mother to cancer a few years back as well.

All the best with your surgery, feel free to ask me any further questions.

Thank you @PV123 for your very kind support. For the partial mastectomy, the radiation is meant to follow. I am glad you raised that as I was not aware of that re impact on mastectomy later. I have a conversation planned with my surgeon tomorrow to assist me clarify my remaining concerns and I will ask him about that too. 

i am also very sorry to hear about your mother too, it’s not easy is it. 

Hi @Mags44 , my surgery is next week too. I’ve just had my recon cancelled but am going ahead with mastectomy. I’m ok with this, don’t want to be in hospital for too long at the moment.
Like you , I had a choice of lumpectomy or mastectomy after neo adjuvant chemo. It was a tough time deciding between the two, I spoke to several doctors and read as much as I could about it, including reading many stories on here. Eventually I went with mastectomy. My gut instincts  feel
 right with this. 
I have had radiation too, before recon, as apparently it’s not ideal to irradiate after recon.
There are so many factors to take in. I feel your pain. It did my head in , and all I wanted to do was read a good book and stop having to make decisions!!!
Also I think it’s normal to be feeling extra jittery at the moment. I certainly am. :/
Cazx 

Hi! @Mags44

Here's a couple of links that may help in your research if you haven't seen these already

https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/

https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/breast-reconstruction/

https://www.reclaimyourcurves.org.au/

The whole process is quite daunting however reading reputable sites as shown above will give you some better understanding as you go into appointments and suggested treatments and or surgeries are discussed

Best wishes
Take care