Discussion about surgery with Surgeon
Hi all, I have been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and I have my first meeting with the surgeon on Thursday. I know to expect surgery soon but dont know if this will be lumpectomy or mastectomy. I know that this will be one of the things to discuss on Thursday but I am curious if there is a 'choice' - in a sense part of me just wants to be told which option but I wondered if anyone here made a decision one way or the other and how they felt about that? Am also putting this query in the treatment thread as I have not posted before and not sure which is better for this. Thanks for any thoughts.
To take Tamoxifen or not to take it.
Hi, Im awaiting my oncology appointment which will clarify if I need to take tamoxifen for my situation : Grade 1 tumours, bilateral masectomy recently done, less than 7mm tumours each in size (multifocal) no lymph. Hormone receptive cancer. Does anyone have a similar profile above and been told they won’t need tamoxifen? I am dreading taking this drug. If I have grade one tumours and a bilateral mastectomy my chances are already so low of recurrence…🤞
Telling my toddler and child I have breast cancer
Hi All, Last month I was diagnosed with IDC and 2 weeks ago I had a single mastectomy. I have a 3 and 5 yr old who I am struggling on how to discuss this with them. So far for all the surgeries and appointments we have told them 'Mummy has a sore booby' which has been enough for them. However I am likely to need chemotherapy and I with the likelyhood of hair loss I will need tell them more about what is going on. I have done reading online into how to do this however it seems to all be directed at older age groups. My children I dont think would understand cancer or even cells. We tell them to brush their teeth so they doing get bugs eating their teeth so I am worried to say I have a bug in my booby to them and scare them of bugs! Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I was wondering if anyone had found a good little video or book to help them understand what cancer is?
Mental health and new diagnosis.
Hi all, been struggling really bad finding out i have cancer in my right breast early diagnosis. I dont know what sort as i cant cope with the details of it all. I have seen the doctors and waiting MRI appointment and surgery date. I am really struggling with the anxiety and the moving forward bit. I suffer with anxiety and depression quite badly. I was given the option of just having the two lumps removed or the whole breast. I cant decide which option will help me move forward better. So firstly is there any mental health accept to this organisation? I only have my hubby to rely on who is also classed as my career. I am unsure which option to go with as my mental health plays a big part in my descion. I need to make a descion that i can be happy with and wont make my anxiety worse. Unsure of who to talk to or where to go for help.
Newly Diagnosed
Hi My name is Victoria, I'm 42 years old and I have been newly (well, 5.5 weeks ago) diagnosed with breast cancer. It is is located underneath the nipple on my left breast and it is invasive ductal carcinoma, ER+, PR- HER2-, Stage Two. (Sorry if I don't have all the details but that is what I have interpreted it as). The tumor is 2.5 cm. I have seen my surgeon twice and I will be having a single mastectomy next week some time followed by 6 months of chemotherapy. We had discussed a lumpectomy so he could try and save the nipple but I opted for the mastectomy, just for a clean break. I'm dealing with it okay- I'm a bit concerned I haven't cried yet- and everyone else around me is very supportive and very shocked. I just wanted to introduce myself and hopefully be able to contribute something to these groups. Thank you Victoria
Newly Diagnosed WA
Hi, I have just been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. I have decided to have a double mastectomy. I live in a regional town in WA so I will be flying to Perth for the surgery. Any advice for preparation for surgery. Will I need propping pillows to sleep post surgery. I am staying in Perth post op for 14 days to allow for the nurse care of drains. Has anyone else done this in Perth?Not sure
I was diagnosed with invasive ductal BC stage 2 ER+PR a couple of weeks ago lymph nodes do not seem affected for now ( biopsy was negative). My breast are small and MRI showed ~4cm cancer. I was wondering if mastectomy + reconstruction and possibly no radiation therapy was better than lumpectomy + radiation. Not sure what to do🤔Emotional speed bumps
Hi, I'm trying to figure out how to prepare for life post-mastectomy. I got my diagnosis a week ago and have been managing well, but then I tried to join a FB group for people going flat and got hit hard by a gatekeeper question. The question was something like, "Have you had a mastectomy?" Options: 1. Yes 2. No, but I'm looking at my options 3. No, but I am supporting a loved one who has. The curious thing is that I felt completely left out by this option list. I wanted the option: No, but I am about to. I got all teary and had to write about it. Funny what sets us off. Anyway, I would love some tips about clothes to wear during recovery that are easy to manage and don't make me stand out.DIEP reconstruction or going flat
Good morning, I'm new to this site and I'm so glad I was referred to it. I've been diagnosed with HER2 positive last week and need to have a complete mastectomy on my left breast. Everything is moving quickly with my various appointments which I'm really thankful with. I'm now faced with the decision whether to have a DIEP reconstruction or going 'flat'. I realise this is a personal choice and everyone is different but I'm keen to hear how you made the decision to go flat and if you have any regrets as I'm leaning towards this option. I'm fairly active with swimming at the beach in Summer, weekly aqua aerobics, gym, walking. Thanking you for your support 🙏
Looking at the 3rd surgery in 1 month
Hi all, I have been diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer with two less than 2cm but fast growing grade 3 tumor in mid Sept and had the lumpectomy surgery to remove the tumor . however pathology report came back saying they found DCIS cells at the margin. So I quickly done a re-excision surgery in mid Oct. The second surgery hit me really hard for not only I felt more pain but also i felt way weaker. But this tues, the surgeon told me they find IDC cancer cells at another margin. Now the surgeon is saying you should do another lumpectomy re-excision surgery. Emotionally I am devastated. But I cannot understand why can't they do a MRI to double check the margin? Or is this newly grown mass? My surgeon was not very open in sharing information. I am now seeking 2nd opinion. But i am so worry it will delay my whole treatment process. Anyone has similar experience to go through multiple surgeries?
