Another Re-Excision or Mastectomy?

Hello Swisha 

I am sorry to hear what you are going through but will share my story in the hope that it helps. 

Please know that these decisions don't come easy and you are allowed to take some time to think about what's best for you. 

In July 2025 I noticed a part of my breast had hardened (no lump), after an ultrasound scan I was told that every thing was fine and what I was feeling was ' normal fibroglanduar tissue". I went back for a review again in dec 2025 as symptoms were getting increasingly worse. My GP then sent me for an Urgent ultrasound. I left for my holidays a few days after my ultrasound. On holiday I received a 'NON- Urgent' message from the clinic to discuss my results. I assumed that since the message was non- urgent id finish my international holiday and then go visit the clinic. On visiting the clinic post holiday I was shocked to find that the ultrasound results actually suspected malignancy and had requested a biopsy and mammogram. Surprisingly my GP still insisted that a biopsy would be too invasive and referred me for another ultrasound and mammogram. Those results also indicated I needed to have a biopsy and an MRI and my GP was still not too keen for me to have a biopsy. I had to push to get a referral for a biopsy. This was in feb 2026.

Long story short 7 months post me discovering the hardness in my breast - stage 3 Inflammatory breast cancer, which had spread to the nodes by the time biopsy was done.

I was not given a choice of anything but mastectomy for my Lbreast. I am however large breasted (D Cup) so having one taken out with the other in would just be too lop sided for me. I considered a lot of factors, e.g. alignment of my shoulders, neck and spine, back/shoulder pain due to being lop sided, constant need to wear a prosthesis and of course the fear of reoccurrence. I was also told that immediate reconstruction would not be an option for me for medical reasons, but could be something I possibly could consider down the line.

I decided on a double mastectomy and while it's a huge adjustment, I am slowly getting to be at peace with my self.  I got operated a few days back and am now recovering at home :) it's weird being without boobs as it normally would be without something you are used to having with you for a long time. There have been lots of tears but I am still healing. I have had my amazing nurses direct me to some amazing people who offer bras and prosthetics so i'm looking forward to getting fitted once the bandages are off and i'm well enough to do so.

I will still have to do radiation just purely because of the fact that there was nodal involvement and considering my cancer type. 

I am a mum with two small humans and an amazing husband, and what matters is I get to spend the rest of my life with them creating happy moments. 

I hope you find peace with the decision you make.