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 :-)

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

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

So sorry you are facing this again. I had a single mastectomy in May last year. I was not able to have immediate reconstruction and did think initially that I would have the other breast off and double reconstruction after chemo and radiation. But at this stage I have made lots of changes to my life and I am satisfied with using a prosthesis and keeping my 'good' breast. I recently had to be refitted for a prosthesis as I had lost about 9 kilos. I had gone down 2 sizes and it did run through my head that this would have been a problem with a single implant reconstruction. You can always do further surgery later on but make sure whatever you decide is what you really want. Things can change. Take care. Deanne xxx

I had a mastectomy on my right breast in 2008 and felt good about everything then had a few scares with lumps in my left breast so decided to have it off on 1st of April 2010 and have felt comfortable since not lopsided only have to be aware of the shirts I buy. I now have secondary breast cancer on my lungs and liver and am having treatment which seems to be going slowly but working. Hope you keep well. Maxine

Not sure what's to come... | BCNA Online Network

13 Replies

shmoo
Member
12 years ago
Good luck with your decision. We are all different and we need to do what we feel most comfortable with. I also wanted to feel symmetrical with my reconstruction and knew I would get a much better result with a bilateral mastectomy. My chances of recurrence to the other side was slightly increased and this was enough to prompt me to chose a double mastectomy.

All the best for your surgery in October!
Purplediamond
Member
12 years ago
Thanks for taking the time to answer x

I have definitely decided to go with the bi-lateral mastectomy. I have wieghed up all the pros and cons, and more importantly, spoken to 2 friends who have had singles. I also met with my breast care nurse from my last 2 surgeries. All of these people agreed that I was making the correct decision. I am very large busted and the task of 'balancing' my remaining breast with a prosthesis means that I would have quite a heavy prosthesis.

Plus, I live in Qld, so my two friends that use a prosthesis have indicated that it is very hot to wear, and very sweaty in our climate. As I do not work in aircon, I took this on board.

I am not 'precious' about my breasts. They are very uneven now because of my previous surgeries. I know that everyone is different, but I think that my choice is right for me. My husband aggrees that I am making the right decision.

If I decide to reconstruct...I'm not even sure if I can...or will want to... I'll be doing the two together, and not dealing with a massive size difference to rectify.

I can only do what feels right. so, wish me luck...I'm booked for Oct 8th...scary, but I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed that my sentinal node/s come back clear, or I'll have a different battle to fight.

Janet xx

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Not sure what's to come...

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