ILC and bilateral mastectomy
Posted on behalf of @Eily
Forum Discussion
Hi, I hope I can help in some way as I know how overwhelming everything can be. Great news that you are almost done with chemo. š
I am 53 and was diagnosed just before Christmas in 2019 with ILC. The MRI showed it was about 5cm. It was decided that I would have neo adjuvant chemo involving 4 x AC and 12 x taxol. I knew from the moment of my diagnosis that I wanted a bilateral mastectomy as I have dense breasts. I did not even ask if breast conservation was an option. I have had annual mammograms and ultrasounds for at least 10 years which caused me a lot of stress. I had a clear mammogram and ultrasound in February 2019 and was diagnosed in December of the same year. My surgeon fully supported my decision of a BMX and thought I had made a good decision.
I should add that I spoke with a psychologist about everything and I found that extremely helpful in giving me some clarity.
I finished chemo (no issues) and then had a 5 week break to recover. I had the BMX 6 weeks ago - the MRI was accurate, the tumour was just under 5cm and I had no node involvement and the surgeon got clear margins. I had expanders put in immediately. I could not have the DIEP reconstruction as I have had a previous abdominal surgery.
I got the pathology back a few days post surgery and it showed that I had abnormal cells in my good breast - not cancer, but cells that would have needed attention. These cells have never shown up on any imaging so I am guessing they would have become a problem further down the track when they were large enough to be picked up on imaging.
I have definitely had to recover, but everything has been very manageable and if I am very honest, I just feel absolute relief. I knew that moving forward I would have anxiety every time I had to have a mammogram and for me personally, I knew that was not going to serve me well. I will be starting on Femara and taking it for many years to come.
This is a very personal decision. I am wishing you well. Take care of yourself. Whatever decision you make will be the right decision for you and I hope you are well supported. Mary-Anne x
I am 53 and was diagnosed just before Christmas in 2019 with ILC. The MRI showed it was about 5cm. It was decided that I would have neo adjuvant chemo involving 4 x AC and 12 x taxol. I knew from the moment of my diagnosis that I wanted a bilateral mastectomy as I have dense breasts. I did not even ask if breast conservation was an option. I have had annual mammograms and ultrasounds for at least 10 years which caused me a lot of stress. I had a clear mammogram and ultrasound in February 2019 and was diagnosed in December of the same year. My surgeon fully supported my decision of a BMX and thought I had made a good decision.
I should add that I spoke with a psychologist about everything and I found that extremely helpful in giving me some clarity.
I finished chemo (no issues) and then had a 5 week break to recover. I had the BMX 6 weeks ago - the MRI was accurate, the tumour was just under 5cm and I had no node involvement and the surgeon got clear margins. I had expanders put in immediately. I could not have the DIEP reconstruction as I have had a previous abdominal surgery.
I got the pathology back a few days post surgery and it showed that I had abnormal cells in my good breast - not cancer, but cells that would have needed attention. These cells have never shown up on any imaging so I am guessing they would have become a problem further down the track when they were large enough to be picked up on imaging.
I have definitely had to recover, but everything has been very manageable and if I am very honest, I just feel absolute relief. I knew that moving forward I would have anxiety every time I had to have a mammogram and for me personally, I knew that was not going to serve me well. I will be starting on Femara and taking it for many years to come.
This is a very personal decision. I am wishing you well. Take care of yourself. Whatever decision you make will be the right decision for you and I hope you are well supported. Mary-Anne x