Forum Discussion
Making The Hard Decisions
BreastScreen Qld used mammogram and ultrasound guided biopsies to diagnose a cancerous lump in my right breast close to the chest wall which was removed by surgery on 17 May 2019, all went well. When I went back about 10 days later for the post-op they said they did not get it all as it was unable to be seen on mammogram or ultrasound and I needed to have an MRI and he wanted to check both to make sure there was nothing else lurking in there. I was booked for surgery on 13 June with the results to be looked at prior to that, if nothing then he would take out the bit missed plus a margin using the current scar. I heard nothing about the MRI and when i arrived for the surgery i was told that my file said that it was going to be what had been discussed, so I thought great and was relieved knowing that one more surgery plus the radiation and possible chemo and we are on the home stretch. They were running behind so i waited 2 1/2 hours when the surgeon came to me and described what we both had discussed and i commented that it was great the MRI had showed nothing else, he said he had not seen it but one of his junior doctors had so he went to have a look at it, he came back and said he was sorry but he would have to cancel the surgery as there was a line (mass) in my right breast and he would have to take my MRI pics to the panel the next day and see me on Monday to discuss their findings. I had been very positive up until then, I was angry and cried myself to sleep that night and the next day was inconsolable, until I decided to get off the couch and get on with my life and not let them beat me. I was not called with a time for Monday, so Monday morning rang up to check what time and told no appointment had been made and when I explained they made me first cab off the rank for the clinic. Surgeon showed me the mass which they say is DCIS, I have the option of just getting a mastectomy next Thursday or having an MRI guided biopsy on Friday to see if the mass is cancerous or not and then decide whether to go for surgery to take out the bit they were going to do with a bit more then chemo and radiation or straight to mastectomy and no chemo and radiation.
Does anyone have any wisdom or insight into my situation to help me make this decision? I am so confused and upset by them upending my world.
Does anyone have any wisdom or insight into my situation to help me make this decision? I am so confused and upset by them upending my world.
20 Replies
- I hope all is going well for you.
- @ChrisF What wonderful news! I am so happy for you & to think you were well enough to go to your sons wedding tasting. That is sure reason enough to get yourself well! Stay positive as stress & cancer dont mix well. Onward & upward for you my dear. Take care. Love & Hugs xx
- @ChrisF I know how it feels to be mucked around and misled by health professionals. I'm glad you're now coming through this with less stress than you anticipated. All the best for your recovery. <3
- Thank you @Anne65. It was great I was home for lunch and now it is Saturday and I feel great, only a little pain and discomfort easily managed and today I am off to the wedding tasting for my sons wedding which I thought I may not be able to attend. Thank you for your kind words, it has been amazing to receive so much support from strangers, it has made me work really hard to get this right and the surgeon was very happy with the outcome. Hugs in return xxx
- @ChrisF Good luck today & to think you will be home sleeping in your own bed tonight. I am so happy that the outcomes have been so great & you didnt end up having to have major surgery that you didnt need. Let us know how you got on. Sweet dreams tonight & i bet you will feel like a weight has been lifted! Hugs xx
- Thank you, especially Anne65 your comments were right on. I have had the results back and the mass is benign and today I go in for a wide excision which is basically doing what they were going to do last time, take out the last of the cancer with a wider margin than they were originally, they say I can come home today which is awesome.I am so pleased that I had the test and that I didn't have to have a mastectomy when it was not completely necessary.
The support from this site has been amazing and I thank you all for your information on your personal stories it helps when it comes from real people not just medical professionals most of which have not gone through it. They mean well and have an expertise which is valuable but adding the personal information makes it a whole package which makes it easier to make the hard decisions needed to be made when facing any cancer and I feel that this type of site is so invaluable to cancer patients and family. Have a great day, I will be having a nice nap this morning and am looking forward to getting home this afternoon. - @ChrisF Glad to hear you have made your decision & are happy with getting that boxed ticked. It's so hard but we can only deal with what info is in front of us & I, like you, decided with a lumpectomy over mastectomy as did my surgeon. My medical team figured a mastectomy was overkill in my situation & I was happy with that too. I also had a family history so was gene tested but this came back negative. One thing I didnt realise early on, is if you have a lumpectomy followed by rad treatment, it is very hard to have a reconstruction following a mastectomy, if the cancer was to reappear at a later date. Apparently the effects on the underlying tissue following rad treatment makes the reconstruction more difficult.This is why my rad onc wanted my gene test results before he went ahead. I am still very happy with my decision, DCIS surgery, ovary/tube removal & rad treatment & I has passed my first yr anniversary mammo. Good luck with future treatment & try to relax & not plan or worry about what may happen in the future as things can change all the time. Be happy with your decision & move on to the next phase. I would have done the same thing as you. Take plenty of "me" time & take comfort from your family & friends support. Love & hugs xx
- Good to hear all that.
Hope the wait for results won't be too long - Good to hear that you were able to chill on the weekend.
- Good on you for getting out and about. My thoughts are with you.
