Forum Discussion

Purplediamond's avatar
Purplediamond
Member
11 years ago

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 scare opened) in Sept 2004 with 30 sessions of radiation. I have been clear ever since...that is until Tues. I went for my yearly Mammo and ultrasound. There was a 'suspicious" area. l had 3 core biopsies taken. Bottom line, IDC this time...same breast...different spot...Sept again! I can see a pattern here that I don't like :-)

My appointment with my breast surgeon is on Monday. I'm prepared for the whole mastectomy, chemo thing. Frankly, I don't think he will have any other options.

I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here, but I have thought through (over the last few years) what my response woukld be to a mastectomy. I think that a double would be my choice. The main reason is that I am a DD cup, so on the large side, and large isn't all it's cracked up to be. Plus, I'm not that precious about "the girls"...they've been a worry for a long time.

I think I'd opt for no reconstruction, and eventually a couple of cool tattos to cover the scaring.

Sorry for the immense amount of info, but if anyone has any thoughts/experience, I'd be grateful of the feedback.

Janet :-)

biopsy
chemotherapy
lumpectomy
mammogram
mastectomy
  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    11 years ago
    I am sorry also that you have to go through this again.I had a single mastectomy 12 months ago,and I am small breasted.I definitely know now that I should have had both breasts off,but at the time,I wasn't so sure.Hindsight is a wonderful thing right? Like Tonya says,if you are not sure,you can always decide later about the other one.All the best with your decision.CheersxoxRobyn
  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    11 years ago
    I am sorry also that you have to go through this again.I had a single mastectomy 12 months ago,and I am small breasted.I definitely know now that I should have had both breasts off,but at the time,I wasn't so sure.Hindsight is a wonderful thing right? Like Tonya says,if you are not sure,you can always decide later about the other one.All the best with your decision.CheersxoxRobyn
  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    11 years ago
    So sorry to hear you have to go through this crap journey again.The same thing happened to me.I had a lumpectomy,full node clearance and radiation back in 2003. Well so much for clear margins and 6 weeks of radiation- cancer came back in the same spot 7 years later.It was a 3cm area picked up on my routine mammo. So in 2010,I had a mastectomy,chemo and then Tamoxifen.I didn't really think about having the other breast off or recon at the time- just wanted the cancer gone ASAP. I''m a 16c and I wear a prosthesis to balance me.I'm used to it now but I hate being lopsided when I take my bra off. My mastectomy side is very puckered which is probably due to the radiation. I can't wear low necklines-have to alter my tops.I think about recon but can only have the DIEP type which is very big surgery and I'm not ready for that.I'm also not so sure about having the other breast off.So status quo for now. Good luck with your decision and if you're not sure then just have the one off .You can always decide later on about the other breast.Big hug, Tonya xx