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Experience with choosing lumpectomy or mastectomy
I am scheduled for a lumpectomy with reduction/lift in a short two weeks, and I feel like l am losing my mind worrying that I've made the wrong decision. When I was first diagnosed in June, I was totally ready to have a bilateral mastectomy and just get it over with. But, I was prescribed neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and -…
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deleted
Resolved and no longer an issue :)
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Anyone have nerve damage to leg during surgery? Turned out to be minor stroke
Hello all, I’m wondering if anyone has had similar issues following surgery Brief summary: July 2022: had a heart attack and stent placed. Began 1 year treatment with Plavix to prevent clotting of cardiac stent. September 2022: diagnosed with DCIS. Surgery delayed due to recent heart attack and Plavix. Began treatment with…
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How long did your discomfort last?
I am a little over two weeks out from lumpectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy. At the same time I had an oncoplastic breast reduction on both sides. I'm wondering if others have continuing irritation/pain on the biopsy side and how long I can expect it to last. I sort of expected the annoying irritation to be gone by…
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Tips for Bilateral Mastectomy with Immediate Tissue Expander AND Implant Exchange
My Breast Cancer Journey from the perspective of a physician/patient/wife/mom of 3 boys and 1 pup: Dec 2022- First screening mammogram (Age 45, no risk factors) found over a 5 cm area of microcalcifications of left breast near nipple, which then led to 4 additional mammograms and ultrasound biopsy. Biopsy showed DCIS, high…
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Some People With Early-Stage Breast Cancer Don’t Need Axillary Lymph Node Surgery
Some People With Early-Stage Breast Cancer Don’t Need Axillary Lymph Node Surgery Jun 10, 2024 Skipping axillary lymph node surgery may be an option for certain people with small, early-stage breast cancer, even if one or two sentinel nodes are positive for cancer. Read more…
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Post Surgery Recovery
I'm writing for help concerning my Thai 30+ year old friend who just had a radical double mastectomy, her second cancer surgery in 6 years. She is not getting any help from her surgeon on what she can or cannot, and what she should or should not do. This is especially important since she has children 1, 6, 10. First…
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Difficult Reconstruction
I had a reconstruction with expander and then implant when I was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago. I had an excisional biopsy in November that never healed so they removed the implant and placed a new tissue expander. Unfortunately, because of the radiated skin, I had two infections and the expander had to be…
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Upcoming DIEP Flap
I was initially diagnosed with a small DCIS. The plan was a lumpectomy with radiation therapy. Genetic testing, BRCA2+ gene mutation, strong family history, and the size of the DCIS measuring 65mm - the plan changed! A BMX with immediate DIEP Flap was the plan. Still a 'Stage 0'. The Plastic Surgeon changed the plan to a…
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Seroma Issue
I have a Seroma on my left breast four weeks after double mastectomy. It’s fairly large and seems to be causing a wrapping pain to the left shoulder/back area. Has anyone else ever experienced this? They told me to watch for signs of infection and I have to get an earlier appt this coming week. I’m just IN PAIN. Is this…
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mastectomy with saved nipples and skin. Implant inserted during the surgery
i recently had my surgery. the surgeon was supposed only to take the cancerous tumour out instead he took all the breast tissue out. It is only a week after the surgery and my chest is completely numb. I do expect some feeling to come back but I worry, what if it is not enough. .i am wondering if any of the new nerve…
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Breast pain
I had IDC at the end of 2019 with lumpectomy and reduction surgery. This past week and a half, I've had uncomfortable pain in the same surgical spot that comes and goes. It's like a burning feeling. I'm FREAKED OUT! I have an appointment with my oncologist next week and am due for my yearly mammogram. Has anyone had…
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Radiation Before Mastectomy: Switching Treatment Order Allows for Immediate Reconstruction
Radiation Before Mastectomy: Switching Treatment Order Allows for Immediate Reconstruction Apr 26, 2024 Dr. Benjamin Smith discusses his research on giving radiation before mastectomy, which allows for immediate reconstruction during mastectomy surgery. If early-stage breast cancer has a high risk of recurrence – coming…
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March/April 2024 Surgery Support Thread
Please gather here to get and give support. Feel free to share your type of surgery, date, and let us know how you're preparing and how you're doing post-surgery. We're all here for you!
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Upcoming Oncoplasty Lumpectomy
I’m having the surgery with reduction & lift next week. Hoping to go home same day. Can anyone share what their recovery was like? I’m off work on an (unpaid) medical leave, but live on a farm and single parent teens so I’m usually kinda busy. Thx
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Surgical Options
I was just diagnosed and am deciding between treatment options. I am already scheduled for surgery but now I am having doubts about the Lumpectomy and subsequent radiation therapy. In my honest opinion, I now feel that the mastectomy could be the better choice due to avoiding the radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Feeling…
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Pathology Report- how long?
May I ask how long typically does it take before you receive your pathology report from surgery? I am through week one starting week two. I’m anxious because those results are what will give me more info as to my treatment plan and what to expect going forward. I know waiting is THE WORST.
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Bilateral mastectomy
I had a nipple sparing bilateral mastectomy on 4/1/24. Invasive carcinoma on the left and two spots of DCIS on the right. Lymph nodes were clear. I’m waiting for the Onco results. I am very anxious, and hoping that I won’t need chemo. Recovery has been tough, but I’m only 6 days post op. Pain management has been a…
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What counts as "active treatment"?
What counts as "active treatment"? I'm honestly asking, since I am in that weird liminal zone between "done with surgeries" (I hope), but "still taking meds."
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Drinking cold things feels weird after mastectomy
Every time I take a drink of ice cold water (or anything ice cold), it feels as though someone is pouring ice cold water down my chest on the outside! It takes my breath away! Is this normal?
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Scared to LOOK at new Me
Hello All, Has anyone felt like me? I had a skin sparring bilateral mastectomy last week. I had one fill-into my TE since surgery. I still have drains in. So far, I am healing well and feeling good. Yet, I have NOT looked down at the new me. I am scared to see the change and results. I don't regret having the surgery. But…
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Bilateral Mastectomy with Immediate Reconstruction
Hello, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January and started Chemo last week. I've asked for a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using implants. I'm worried about the recovery. I've never had any surgeries before. I'm in my early 30s, so the bilateral makes sense to me. Are there any tips anyone can…
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BMX with DIEP Flap reconstruction at later date question
Unfortunately I’ve had a decent wait for surgery because I decided to do the BMX with DIEP flap reconstruction. So we have come to the conclusion I’m going to have to do it separately because they just can’t do it all at once in a reasonable time period. has anyone been flat and still was successful with the DIEP flap…
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Mastitis after lumpectomies
lumpectomies Friday Mar 8. Post op mastitis March 14.
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Scar tissue near Lumpectomy area
Hi! Just had an ultrasound and scarred that the areas in question might be recurrance. Now they want me to have a MRI. Can you please share your experience with ultrasound reports, mri's that show up as suspicious near your original tumor/lumpectomy site. I'm 8.4 years out and had 36 rounds of radiation, chemo, lumpectomy…
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Phantom Itching 2 years post reconstruction
I still have horrible phantom itching. I was so hoping that was going to go away by now. Does anyone else have this same problem this long after the reconstruction surgery. Do you know some ways to relieve the itching, I've tried so many things from creams to ice packs, nothing seems to help.
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New member for the worst club in the world :)
Hello! I was diagnosed on 1/2/24 with both DCIS and invasive mammary carcinoma with lobular features. Both spots are in my left breast. I have family history of bc, so I'm doing a bilateral mastectomy on 2/28/24. Question for all you lovelies who have been down this road…if my pathology comes back funky how soon after my…
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What happens if you use your arm too much post mastectomy
I just had mastectomy with TE/implant based reconstruction on my dominant side and I'm finding it hard not to use the arm for stuff like mousing on the computer. I am not doing any heavy lifting but I get bored and am on my computer a lot. I'm curious what happens if I use the arm too much. Thanks! And can't wait to get…
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Scheduled for Surgery in February 2024? Gather here to support one another!
Please share with us your surgery date, type of surgery, and any questions you have. We're all here for you!
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Magtrace?
Has anyone here had a magtrace done instead of sentinel lymph node biopsy? I'm scheduled for bilateral mx at the end of this month. They're doing the slnb on my left, since that side has invasive cancer, but on the right where they've found only DCIS the doctor has mentioned doing a magtrace instead. She says this will…