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Chorsell's avatar
Chorsell
Member
11 years ago

Where to next

Well I had my appointment today to discuss my treatment plan....

My diagnosis was extensive high grade DCIS following a wide local excision biopsy (30mm x 70mm x 50mm) so a fairly decent chunk!! And they did not get clear margins...

Now I know I am in the public system... so I shouldn’t be surprised.....  But what good is offering a mastectomy if you cannot offer any recon? So if you don’t have private cover you go without boobs?

Now I was pleased that I had already come to the decision that I wanted a double mastectomy and the Dr agreed it was appropriate... however what I don’t understand is why he seemed so surprised that I wanted immediate recon and that if he couldn’t do it then could you please refer me to someone who can?

No I don’t want to wait 12 months to get boobs again... why is that surprising?

I can only thank my lucky stars I found this site as it has been a great source of comfort and information, and my heart breaks for those women who get this news and are not prepared and are not given any information to help them make an informed choice....

The one thing I have learned is that in this situation one size does not fit all and there are so many variables that impact choices and options....

So where does that leave me….  I have a referral to another public hospital that can do mastectomy and reconstruction…. So again we wait!!!

I just want it done….

 

(BTW I live in South Australia and I am 51)

 

26 Replies

  • MaresW's avatar
    MaresW
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Sue, very well! The surgery went well and the surgeon was so positive I'll go with the flow. I have Panadol and I'm quite comfortable. I have to call tomorrow for my results but I'm not stressing about it at all. I have confidence in him, xxx Mary
  • MaresW's avatar
    MaresW
    Member
    11 years ago
    Sue, it's worrying to read how many girls have had this happen to them. You are a strong woman ! To have to go through all of this so quickly. Fingers and everything else crossed that my surgery goes as we hope. My eyes are open to what can happen thanks to reading yours and the other girls posts here. I've got the info and I'm going to try to put it at the back of my mind or I'll be a mess. I've got my appointment at Bensons tomorrow to get all the dyes etc ready for Friday. Gulp ! To take my mind of it all I have booked an on line photography workshop that lasts for 4 weeks. By the end of that I'll find out what will be happening. My project this week is to get some self portraits before surgery. I've had a good few days since I booked it. No falling in a heap ... So far.... All the very best, Mary
  • Sueb's avatar
    Sueb
    Member
    11 years ago

    I was a mess when the surgeon told me I needed a mastectomy. It had gone from being told I "only had a little bit of cancer & needed an operation" to a 2nd operation (not enough margin) & then a mastectomy (more cancer was found). There have been lots of shocks & tears & lots to learn in a short time, but no regrets for any of the decisions I have made.

    Good luck Mary.

    regards

    Sue

  • MaresW's avatar
    MaresW
    Member
    11 years ago
    Sue, I'm so sorry to hear you have gone through all that but you must be so relieved that you don't need either treatment. What a stuff up he made, I'd be running away fast. At least the horrible C is out of you though. The more I read the more fearful I'm getting! I wish I could hibernate for the next three weeks and deal with it then. Oh well, toughen up princess for me I suppose!! Best wishes, Mary
  • Sueb's avatar
    Sueb
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Mary,

    Im new to this too - boy what a learning curve!

    My cancer is a grade 1 & it was only a small lump (originally about 1cm, but in total, probably closer to 2cm).

    When they did the mastectomy, there was only .8mm of cancer left in my breast - & it was next to the original lump. I guess because I then had clear margins & the glands were all clear, they didn't feel that I needed chemo or radiation. I am just going off my specialists advice.

    As my oncologist stuffed up my original diagnosis (had me as Stage 3, rang back a week later to appologise for getting it wrong. We spent many days & nights agonising over this!) & is hard to get hold of, I am in the process of changing oncologists.

    Regards

    Sue

  • MaresW's avatar
    MaresW
    Member
    11 years ago
    Sue, I'm very new here, can I ask why you didn't need chemo or radiation? Very small & low grade? I hadn't heard of that before Best wishes, Mary