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Not sure what's to come...
Hi all. This is my first entry on this faulous site.
I was first diagnosed with DCIS breast cancer in Sept 2001. A successful lumpectomy followed.
I was diagnosed again (DCIS, same breast, same s...
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I am sorry to hear of your situation at the moment but will fill you in on what I went through. At the end of July this year after a routine mammo/ultrasound they located a very small IDC which intiially required a lumpectomy followed with 6 wks of radiation. I was then sent for an MRI which then showed an area of DCIS. I was advised that now that there are 2 areas of concern in the one breast it was necessary for me to have a mastectomy. As it is apparently difficult to detect changes in my dense breasts I decided on a bilateral mastectomy and concurrent reconstruction. The surgeon did not try to talk me out of it and I think he was somewhat agreeing with me, though these days the drs are all for breast conservation. After being sent to a psychologist by the dr to assess my mind set, he was satisfied that I was ready for this mammoth surgery.
Let me tell you that it was the best decision I have ever made. At no time have I ever thought that a wrong decision was being made and I am thrilled that I made the right decision for me.
No longer will I need any mammograms, ultrasounds and MRI's as this would have been the story for me on a regular bases to keep an eye on the other breast.
I want to live my life without fear and not have to go through the worry of waiting on results for each future scan. I was a double D and would have needed extensive surgery on the other side to match the newly constructed breast. So off they both came and have not looked back.
I am currently undergoing the reconstruction process with the expanders which are not a piece of cake but it's only for 3 months (which seems a lifetime, but will be behind me before I know it). Then will drop a couple of sizes and become a C cup. Something I am really looking forward to!!
When I read and hear stories from others who have had recurrences I wonder whether they would all be in the same boat had they had a more drastic approach.
I am one of the luckier ones who did not need any chemo, radio or hormone therapy due to the drastic measure of removing both breasts when I did. I would recommend it to anyone who asked me and though it is not a walk in the park, it is a comforting feeling that all will be well soon and the cancer has gone!
Good luck with your decision and let us know what you decide.