Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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tbalding,
Sounds like you did just great! I am so glad to hear such positivity. As the day is drawing ever near, I am getting more anxious. Honestly, most of this is a trigger of going through brain cancer with my first husband. I know this is not the same, but it's simply grief revisited. I feel utterly sad I am having to put my now husband through this. (Like I chose such...) I remember the helplessness as a caregiver, though my duties as such were much more demanding. I am NOT complaining and would do it all again if required of me.
Thank you for clarifying you used your "good" side post surgery. I was hopeful that would work. I've been thinking thoughts like: Will it be easy to text? Handle work emails? etc.
I have no idea where Marshall, IL is. I am in Lindenhurst - almost to the WI border, northern Lake County. I am ridiculously thankful the weather is warm as I am going to be dealing with this. It has been a difficult adjustment to such cold winters, and last was mild compared to my first in 2013! WOW! You Midwesterners are a hardy people! Our retirement goals could have me and hubby (he's a Chicago native) to the South in about 5 years. (I only agreed to marry him if he would retire to the South. Worked!)
ndgrrl,
When I originally asked my BS about possible reconstruction even for lumpectomy (need to study the abbreviation chart more), she said we typically don't like to do that because we don't want future images to be compromised. That was her take. That was when she thought it was less than 1 cm. Now that it appears 3x that, I am certain, as were her words to me, that the indentation will be much greater, but I am wondering if she will now change her position about the reconstruction option. Honestly, I will just have to wait and see what happens once I have healed. I keep telling myself, the main purpose is to remove the $*%&)(*$&( cancer. Right? I'm not one of these ladies who has ever worn revealing necklines to show off my 32Cs! (I wore 34B until just this year when I got fitted for a bra and was advised a 32C was a better fit. Remarkable...I also thought I was 5'5 my whole adult life until my April annual well visit and was measured at 5' 4 and 1/4 inch. Let the shrinking begin. I digress.
Yes the radioactive seed localization is in my breast and is tomorrow morning. It replaces what they used to apparently do with a wire prior to surgery. I am not sure all faciliites practice this. From what I have read, it is fairly new technology?
ChiSandy,
Your advice is so welcoming! I knew my BS said this was not an agressive tumor, but I didn't know I hit the BC trifecta. I don't want to think about chemo, but of course having this knowledge now makes me aware it could be the best option going forward. I will make note of what you say to speak with my MO about on 5/31. Who knew 49 could be fairly young still? Sure not feeling it.
Well, I was told I have NO fat in my small breasts, which made it difficult for the BS to see clearly the MRI images, so I do plan to talk with her more extensively at tomorrow's seed appt as to my lumpectomy decision vs mastectomy. Assuming if she gets in there on Friday and realizes this is even bigger than the 3, could she change courses and do the mastectomy? That's a question for her tomorrow, but I cannot imagine waking and realizing that was done rather than what I had hoped. I would assume the prep is completely different on the part of a BS, but this I do not know.
I must say, I think I am in the right place at the wrong time. The healthcare system of which I am a part - Northshore - has been top notch. I have every confidence in my team to guide me properly along this unexpected journey.
My August Costa Rica (50th birthday) trip plans can be postponed, though every detail has been booked. I've worked in travel for 12 years, and I have been fortunate to take many an exciting trip, though I am certainly not done! Because CR was to include hiking, zip lining, paddleboarding, etc, I am not quite sure my body will be ready for that, even if radiation ends at the end of July. ?? I had a short cruise planned at the end of Sept with friends, and I still plan on making that one and a cruise in December with hubby - for sure.
Sounds like nothing has stopped you, and I want to feel that sense of "normalcy" again when I get past the point of all treatment. Thank you for the inspiration that all will be well again and the fun part of my life will resume.
So inspired by all you ladies. Never dreamed I would have my own cancer journey, but it's here. I know I will get through this. All I have to do is look around for inspiration.
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i had a lumpectomy on both sides yesterday. I took off the surgical bra and dressings this morning and I almost fainted. I lost way more than I had expected and I'm quite sure I'm going to be lopsided. The problem is that the tumor was directly under the nipple and the nipple needed to be removed as well. I'm having a very difficult time getting my head around this. Has anyone had reconstruction where nipple was lost? Does the healing change the look of things at all? I am/was a DD. I don't really care if I'm smaller, even a c-cup, but I really don't want to be lopsided and have this flat look to my left side. Ugh.
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Kim, it's possible you'll be ready for your CR trip. Also possible that you might want to modify some of the planned activities. There's really no way of knowing how you'll feel come August. Each of us has had a slightly different journey. Keep your plan in place right now. IIRC you are having brachytherapy. I'm not familiar with it. My radiation treatments began about 6 weeks post Lx. And they lasted nearly 7 weeks. So that scenario wouldn't work for you to make your CR trip. Good luck!
HUGS!
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Joanie, I am sorry. That's all I know to say. I can't know what you are feeling until after my surgery Friday and then I still won't know. I am sure these are all concerns you can express to your BS. I have heard amazing stories of reconstruction. Focus on your healing and well being, but know this community seems to be extremely supportive, no matter what you are going through.
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KB870, Just wow! #inspiring!
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KimPossible, sorry you had to join this board but you're lucky to have found it. All of these ladies have been a blessing to me since I got diagnosed in March. I thought I was much too young as well when I got the same trifecta you got, I am only 44 years old. Yours is slightly bigger than mine, mine was 1.4 cm. And at the 12 o'clock position. I work in the medical field so I have friends that can pull strings, here's a bit of advice ask for Scope Patch during surgery, so you will not get sick afterwards! You keep it on for 48 hours and it's hidden behind your ear, I had no nausea or vomiting! I left the hospital and went straight to restaurant for dinner! I felt completely fine! I'm currently waiting for my Oncotyping results to see if I will need chemo before radiation. If you haven't contacted a medical oncologist and radiation oncologist I recommend you do that now, it takes weeks to get in sometimes. As for you worrying about working, I had my surgery on Friday and returned that following Monday. Try not to stress! If I can help at all just ask!
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Hope the scopalomine patch works for you, Kim. Just know taht's it's not fail-proof. I have used it for surgery many times and it does absolutely nothing for me. Or maybe it does keep me for vomiting even more than I do. I don't know what else to try. NOTHING works for me.
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I had the scopalomine patch years ago and it made me hallucinate. So when the anesthesiologist offered that to me, I said, no thanks. He made up a cocktail that, I found out later, included decadron and Zofran. Worked like a charm. Every other time I had general anesthesia, I woke up vomiting. This time, as I started waking up I became aware of a very calm stomach. I was so thrilled!
MJ
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Goodness, lots going on since I was last on. End of year school activities and sports are keeping me hopping!
KimPossible - I can relate some to how you feel and I am so sorry. My son was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 4, so we have also been down this road before too. I am incredibly grateful that he is here with us and will turn 15 this month! I am 49 as well and yes! .... they keep telling me I am fairly young
. I will be having my lumpectomy on 5/24.Blooming - yep, that survival guilt is real. Many of the families we started our journey out with when our son was diagnosed no longer have their sweet babies with them anymore. You wonder why them, why not you, and on and on .....
MJ - my BSO suggested the "Calm" app to help with anxiety and stress. It is wonderful!
Susie 2017 - How are you? Did you get some better post-op instructions? I met with the lymphedema therapist and she gave me lots of post-op instructions and exercises, even pre-op instructions to loosen my shoulder up before surgery. Let me know if interested. I am close behind you.
Mucki1991 - my BS likes to get all the info back before he does anything. I had my biopsy and then once we had genetic results, oncotype results, hormone results, etc. back - he told me my best treatment plan. My oncotype was 35 putting me at high risk, so I had chemo first. He did tell me from the beginning though that I was a good candidate for the lumpectomy. My initial response was to be gone with them both, but by having chemo first, I had time to think, pray, and check into it. Feeling as at peace as I can with decision to have the lumpectomy.
Thanks for making me laugh with all the names for the girls!!! I always say my faith and sense of humor are what keep me going. Gotta laugh!
Grateful for you amazing ladies!!
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Forgot to say I did decided to go with the lumpectomy and mini lift - not the reduction and lift. Had a long talk with my MO about this and this was what I ended up feeling the best about. Her thinking is that less is more. Thanks so much for all your input.
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Before they wheeled me into the O.R. (not about to walk in there in a johnny-gown, dragging an I.V. pole with my stern flapping in the breeze), the anesthesiologist gave me Zantac. Woke up not nauseated but ravenous. It was 4 pm on Yom Kippur (going NPO after midnight makes the fasting less soul-afflicting), so I broke my fast early with orange juice and a mini-bagel & schmear. They did let me walk to the car, rather than be wheeled out, once they confirmed I had my “sea legs.” My husband picked up Chinese & Thai from the pan-Asian place around the corner, and we ate on the deck. I had been warned I wouldn’t have the strength to climb the stairs to my bedroom, so I slept downstairs on the daybed, wearing button-up PJs.
My sis flew in the next day from VA to help take care of me on my housekeeper’s weekend off, but I didn’t really need to be taken care of. She was flabbergasted to pull up in front of my house only to have me greet her on the porch, fully dressed. We went out to dinner at a Southern (SC low-country-style) restaurant that night, and I not only slept upstairs in my own bed but pulled my PJs on overhead. Had a “girls’ night in” with a friend coming over the next night—after we walked to Whole Foods & back we ordered out for NY-style pizza, drank pink champagne and had fun till my cat-allergic sister had to go back to her hotel. Next day we all walked to & from brunch and the beach before my sis had to catch her flight home. The day after that, my husband, son & I went out for French food and I was able to drive us back home. Next day, back to normal—driving, shopping, etc. (Your mileage may vary, of course).
Never did get that post-op “profound fatigue” about which my surgeon’s NP warned me. And I didn’t get radiation fatigue either—the day after my second treatment I felt a bit dizzy & queasy, but it turns out I was hypoglycemic & dehydrated because I spent the day leading song circles and had forgotten to eat. I do tire more easily now, due to letrozole. (But if it prevents recurrence it’s worth it). Lucked out with an Oncotype of 16—still “low risk” especially at my age, so no chemo. (Would have added only a 1% benefit, which translated to six months of extra survival).
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Sandy, I did walk to the operating room. I was never nauseous. I was tired the day of surgery but felt quite decent the next day. I also went out to dinner. I was pleased and amazed. So were the kids who had come in to take care of me and DH.
HUGS!
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Joanie, I'm sorry too. My surgery was in different area so can't offer any advice except to check with your BS and maybe consult with a plastic surgeon. But I am sending you a gentle hug!
Kim, I'm sorry that you're going through this and that it's bringing back your grief. I would focus on all the plans you have after your treatments are complete. You mentioned returning to normalcy after treatments. I found that doing things during treatments that I did before BC that made me feel normal and helped me mentally. I went back to Zumba class about 2 weeks after surgery strapped into my sports bra. While I was not able to do any jumping or high impact moves, I was still able to do squats when everyone else was jumping and just kept moving. All the ladies in my class knew what I was going through and were very supportive and I got such positive energy from them and it made me feel so NORMAL when the rest of my life wasn't. Also, if you're on the small size, I'm a 34B (or at least I think I am, LOL!) and didn't have too many issues with rads because they wasn't much skin on skin contact. So maybe that will be true for you. Marshall IL is in East Central Illinois on the state line near Terre Haute Indiana. I'm actually originally from Southern Illinois near Mt Vernon. I know what you mean about the cold weather as you move north. It was cold in So. IL but nothing like living on the prairie where the cold wind never stops, LOL! Sending you positive vibes as you wait for Friday.
Today is one year since my last surgery that got the last of the BC, YAY! Supposed to get a mammo tomorrow (my 2nd post BC) and the see RO & MO Friday. See BS next week.
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Kim--
I had my lumpectomy and SNB exactly a week ago. My tumor was around 1.2- 1.4 cm; I find out more on the pathology tomorrow with my recheck. I was very worried about how I would feel afterwards, and whether or not I'd be able use my left arm. I am happy to say that I had totally mobility in my arm- my lymph incision was lower than I thought. Once I got home form the hospital I slept the rest of the day, but the next day I was up moving around and even took my dog for a walk. The pain was never as bad as I feared- I managed with tylenol and ice packs. My fears were worse than the reality.
Once week later I finally feel like myself again, and I'm hoping to get back to gym on Monday even if it's only low impact and lots of leg work. Except for a very strange allergy to surgical tape that I didn't know about (and certainly nothing that should be a worry to you, it's uncommon) I feel pretty good about the whole thing.
Much luck and warm wishes to you with your surgery- I hope you sail right through it!
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KimPossible - I just had a lumpectomy and a benign lesion removed (1 and 9 position). I took one pain medication for the night and today I've taken Tylenol. As others have said cold packs and Tylenol is basically it. More of an ache then a pain. I've rested majority of the day but did fix part of the dinner tonight, walked with dog a bit and picked items from the garden. And I had thought the top of the breast at 1 o'clock would have been the worst but I can tell its the SN removal location that is most tender.
I had ER/PR+, HER2- and the oncologist in a meet and greet basically said if you were going to have cancer, this is the one to have. As others have pointed out. Just wanted to underscore that part.
I've not read much from others about how male spouses react to a wife diagnosed with cancer. Your trigger from your late husband puts an added issue for you to deal with. But I found that my husband took the diagnosis harder or somewhat different then I did. I was more lets talk about it and examine my possibilities, he was truly non communicative. He was there by my side at every appointment (even when I told him he didn't need to go) . . . he just didn't want to talk about it. And ironically I have a circle of friends and neighbors that have had cancer these past few months and they to spoke of their husbands somewhat shutting down on them also. Men just process differently. I share this only to let you know "if" your hubby is not so talkative, don't let it get to you. You sound as though you are already are aware of a lot. So don't let the mind play games. Your hubby may not really have a lot of nursing to do for you. You should be on your feet in no time.
The questionable size of the lesion might exclude you, but I wouldn't exclude it from asking your doctor if you are a candidate for brachytherapy. Never hurts to ask. Brachtherapy is an internal radiation treatment. It is done in 5 days, instead of the external radiation that is extended over many weeks. You could very well keep your plans for your trip to Costa Rico is why I think it would be well worth your asking.
Lots of wonderful input on this site, that has helped me tremendously as I am sure you already know. Best to you.
Nattydreadful- So glad to hear you are doing well from your lumpectomy. Had mine yesterday. And you are so right the mind has us thinking the worst and the pain has turned out to be more of a dull ache. The unknown, the testing the waiting appears to be the worst.
ChiSandy - Good to hear the improvement and hopefully the new meds are just what the doctor ordered : )
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Glad to hear you're doing well, gardennerd. I agree - it was more discomfort than pain. And the SNB site was worse than the breast. Six weeks out the SNB discomfort is gone but my tricep is numb and my breast is sore if touched or bumped. I actually feel great - went back to my fitness classes after two weeks. My CT scan for my radiation mapping showed the edema that's still present in my breast so I'm guessing that's the source of the soreness. I'm waiting for my simulation and to start treatments.
MJ
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My husband Bob is the son of a 33-year breast cancer survivor (she was diagnosed at 63, had a mastectomy & radiation, and died at 96 with no recurrences). He is also a cardiologist and primary care doc. When I told him, he said I will get through this and he will do whatever I ask of him. He also said I will be a stellar patient. I asked him why, and he said that hypochondriacs make the best heart and cancer patients, because for the first time in our lives we have doctors who take us seriously.
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Sandy, Bob is a lucky man
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Hi Ladies!!
My name is Hailey & I just had my lumpectomy a little less than a week ago. I was diagnosed in March of this year, and I'm very happy to say my margins and lymph nodes just came back clear! Being diagnosed shortly after turning 30 was a bit of a shock, particularly after my BRCA test turned up negative even though I have a family history of breast cancer.
I went back and forth between the idea of lumpectomy and mastectomy for a few weeks. Did anyone else contemplate this surgery decision? Being so young and having a heightened risk of recurrence is a bit daunting to me... I'm still torn between leaving "the girls" as is, or doing a double mastectomy and reconstruction.
I've read a bit about complications with radiating the left breast, and the effects radiation has on the heart and the lungs. Does anyone have any personal experience with this?
I'm going for my post-op appointment next week and would love to hear about any personal experiences.
Thanks in advance!
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JoaniePA, welcome! If you are unsatisfied with the outcome you need to ask for a referral to a plastic surgeon. Your insurance should cover the cost of reconstruction as part of your cancer treatment.
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Welcome Hailey, congratulations on clear margins and lymph nodes. My tumor was on the left at 12:00. I had radiation with no problems. These days they do CT scans and input the information into a computer to come up with the best radiation field while avoiding heart and lungs as much as possible. This is not to say that radiation comes without risk but they definitely have made progress on mitigating those risks.
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Hi Hailey, I had my surgery March 1st. I too went back and forth about having a lumpectomy or saying goodbye to the girls. When I went in to see my surgeon, he explained that since I was in really good health otherwise and somewhat young that I was a perfect candidate for a lumpectomy. My insurance (Kaiser) has what they call a Tuesday board. This is where the surgeons, pathologists, cancer nurses and I don't know who else all get together on Tuesday and discuss each case. He told me they all agreed I should have the lumpectomy but that ultimately it is my decision. My tumor was believed to be 1 CM but was 1.5 CM Surgery was fine, I had the patch behind my ear and didn't get sick at all. took some pain medication when I got home that night and the next morning but really I'm not sure I needed it the next day. The incision under my arm was more of a bother than painful. I have completed Radiation and feel I am doing well. The way they angled me on the table and the way they set up the radiation was to radiate just my breast and under my arm, It did not go through me at all.
I do want to say that I have had other operations and it seems like anyone you told about the surgery would tell you horror stories. But with my BC it was completely different! all I heard were inspiring stories and how very long people lived after this surgery. things like "my mom had that done 20 yrs ago and she's 93 now" or my best friend had that done and she's just fine 10 years later"
Wishing you the best...
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Welcome, Hailey, Glad you found us and that you are doing so well. You certainly are very young to have breast cancer. One thing to keep in mind in your lumpectomy vs mastectomy is that once your breasts are gone, they are really gone. You cannot get them back. You said your genetic testing came back with no risks, so that's good. Most women here, even those who have eventually gotten a mastectomy, are glad they did the lumpectomy first and wish it was all that was needed. Please fill out your profile and then, via the SETTINGS tab, make each and every item PUBLIC. We can't remember everyone's information and it really helps us help you. And we'd love to know where you live, too. Were you E+/P+/Her2-? What stage? All of this matters. I had 6-1/2 weeks of radiation treatments to my left breast and as others have mentioned, they take particular care to make sure only the breast is "hit."
Keep asking your questions and we'll be glad to answer.
HUGS!
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Radioactive seed implanted and isotope inserted for SNB bright and early tomorrow. I feel just fine. Just a tad bit of sensitivity. Almost like I felt after I had the chip implanted at time of biopsy -- like I know there's a foreign object in my palindrome (aka boob).
Susie, You are too young for this, but you sound very positive! I'm afraid of patches. I remember wearing one years ago for a cruise and it made me "drunk as a coot." Off that came, and I was AOK. I've had anesthesia 2x previous in my adult years, and all I did was cry coming out of it. If I can do that rather than be sick, I will be alright. Thanks for thinking of that option, though. I will at least discuss in the morning the likelihood that I will be nauseous post surgery. And, my MO appt is already set up for 5/31. Wishing it were next week. Am I asking too much?!
I realize we can't jump into radiation so soon, but for me having a plan is half my emotional battle.Tapper, Decadron is a bad word to me. My first DH had steroid psychosis 2x because of Decadron post his brain biopsies. I told his oncologist, whom I fired, not to give it to him the second time. His 2nd episode required hospitalization until they could get it out of his system. Zofran was amazing to him, but he thought he was Jesus Christ on Decadron. That is not a joke, sadly. I could have written a book. I know they wanted to avoid his brain swelling, but boy did he have a serious reaction to that drug! As you can tell my experiences shape my desires going forward.
ML1209, Well, you certainly have had more than your fair share of cancer challenges. I am glad your son is growing, and I pray he is and will continue to do amazingly. They have come so far with brain tumor research. I am hopeful they are learning more each day to deal with even the most challenging, inoperable tumors. 5/24 - you got this!! I finally felt confident today that less is more for me at this time with the LX (is that the right abbrev?) This time tomorrow, we shall see what I am saying...stay tuned. No one has talked mini lift to me. I shall google...
Mustlove, Not a patch person - see above. Sorry it didn't work for you.
Sandy, Wow! That's just quite the testament to how well you did. SOOOOO uplifting (can we use that word here?) and inspirational! I will not tell my husband, because then he will expect soooo much more out of me this weekend.
Great that you did not require chemo, and I just like your honesty and thoroughness in explaining what you endured. Trish, Zumba after 2 weeks?! Wow. That's just great. My plan is to walk one of our preserves nearby. It's about 2.2 miles around the lake and that will be enough to make me feel accomplished.
I did Zumba and Jazzercise, but I have a few other issues that just made those "sports" too impactful on my body. Really like water classes at the Y, but I suspect my bathing suits are not going to really work out, ? and I so hate shopping for them!! I am NOT a runner either, and I don't intend to start. One half marathon in 2014, and I was done! Very interesting about the small size an less irritation during rads.Natty, That's great that you feel like yourself! What a positive outcome (minus the surgical tape allergy). I hope your report is nothing but great news!
Garden, Sounds like you are doing great!! Keep it up! Thank you kindly re: brachytherapy. Someone else mentioned that, but I hadn't had a chance to research. That would be AWESOME to be done with rads in 5 days vs 6 weeks. I will definitely make a note to talk with MO on 5/31. My husband is definitely allowing me to talk out my feelings, and he will express his if prompted. He's a really calm, level-headed person who works well under pressure in his career and loves a good challenge. So, he's found it! He loves to cook and makes 95% of our meals already, so lucky me!! I am definitely more of a talker, but when this news came, I immediately said this could be more challenging for you. I told him I was a way better caregiver than I might be patient, but I am also tough when I need to be. He's seen that already, but I have also had a few meltdowns - no more than 15 mins, then you have to move on. Oh, the gulf coast in AL. I spent many a time in Perdido Key with my first DH. His parents had a condo there, and we would spend a few weeks each year. I miss it so. I always thought we would retire to Ono...
I am signing off for the day. I hope to be in bed by 9 for a 4am alarm. Have to be at the hospital at 0600, surgery at 0730. Sure hope BS has had a great day and a great night's rest! I will check in during the next few days.
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Hello Hailey, I just wanted to answer a question you asked about contemplating mastectomy versus lumpectomy. I had negative BRCA genetics but I have family history of breast cancer that scared me. My BS was pushing for lumpectomy but I wanted bilateral mastectomy. I went to plastic surgeon and discussed reconstruction and was pretty much set on it. Scared to death but thought I didn't want any chance of cancer returning and this was the way to insure that. I saw my MO and he talked to me about getting the diagnosis of cancer 2 weeks prior and your first thought is "cut these things off, I want it gone asap." He talked to me for over an hour and told me how mastectomy or lumpectomy wouldnt change my risk of it returning because breast tissue against the chest cavity is left behind on MX. Then he asked me if my thumb got an infection would I cut off both arms. Of course i said no and he said that's what you are doing with your breasts, he said do some research before making this decision because once they're gone they're gone. Sure you can reconstruct but that's more surgery. I went home that night and I did research on both surgeries hoping I could prove BS and MO were wrong, but I proved them right. Less surgery was better for me and just as effective. I'm not against anyone who chooses MX, I think everyone should do what they want but I know in my case LX was right for me. I see RO next week and that part of my journey begins. I plan on doing some research on brachytherapy thanks to the previous posts! Because 5 weeks of driving to the hospital does not sound appealing at all. Im still waiting on Oncotyping results, I think there should be a way to get these results quicker!
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It's interesting, Kim, how each of us reacts so differently to various medications and treatments. Someone recommended the scopolamine patch to prevent nausea post-op. I was given that years ago and hallucinated like crazy during the entire procedure. I was terrified!
Just got the call from the RO's office that my radiation plan is ready (had the mapping on Monday). I'll go for the simulation tomorrow, then start treatments on Monday. Here I go!
MJ
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Kimpossible - Just wanted you know we are praying for clear margins and nodes.
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Hi hailey,
I am 34 and also brca negative with a family history so I'm in a similar situation. I am in the middle of radiation right now on my left side and they have a method called deep inspiration breath hold to protect the heart - I take a deep breath for about 20 seconds at a time and that moves my heart out of the way. They are watching the whole time and if I let my breath out a little they can immediately stop the beam so that my heart is not hit. It gets tedious to go every day and I'm exhausted but not having any major skin problems.
You mentioned that you are still considering prophylactic mastectomy - personally I have a strong aversion to having more surgery than necessary so if I have a recurrence, I will get a mastectomy because I will have to, but I would rather wait and see if that actually happens. It's not like getting a mastectomy reduces the risk to zero anyway. Since I'm still in the midst of treatment I don't really have enough distance to be able to say how I'm going to feel over the years in terms of anxiety about recurrence but I think I would be more upset by having no breast or a breast with no feeling so that was a big part of my decision too. But everyone is different so I wouldn't judge anyone else for deciding differently.
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Kimpossible - praying right now for all to go well, no nausea, clean margins, and lymph node. So much more research is needed that is for sure. Especially when it comes to our little ones and cancer. The side effects of radiation and chemo leave them with some ugly life long side effects. My sons oncologist said that radiation to a 4 year old developing brain would be the gift that keeps on giving. So thankful my son is here with me, but my heart breaks every day as I see him struggle due to long term side effects. He is a trooper and definitely my hero. No way I can complain about my situation after all he has endured. We have come so far, but so much further to go with treatment plans.
Tappermom38 - praying radiation all goes well. You are getting there!
Hailey - I definitely went back and forth. My initial response was off with them both. I had always thought that if I ever was dx with BC I would have a BMX. But from day one, my BS and my MO both said I was a great candidate for a LX. I had to have chemo first, so that gave me more time to research, pray about it, talk with others etc. Do you know the specifics yet of your tumor type - I think that helps in making the decision as well. My genetic testing was negative, I do have a family hx as well - maternal aunt, Oncotype is 35 which puts me at high risk, but my drs still say LX. It gets confusing as it seems nobody takes the same path. Some have surgery first, so chemo first - so many different paths it seems. And hardly a day goes by that someone doesn't come up to me to share their story. The scarves and hats are a giveaway
. Some stories are positive, some I would prefer not to hear ..... but they all mean well. My BS kept telling me that I would eventually KNOW the right one for me...... he was right. I feel very much at peace about the lumpectomy. Like PonitacPeggy says - once they are gone, they are gone. Prayers that you will know the right road for you. I like LAW193's thinking and my MO said the same thing - less can be more. Still early in this journey, so who knows how I will feel months, years, or if it comes back ........ today is all I know. Did any of you have chemo first? My tumor has responded very well to chemo - all they can see now is the clip placed at biopsy - just wondering how that all goes with removing and getting clean margins etc. I find myself more anxious about this part than I was the chemo.
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One day at a time, ML - that's the approach I'm taking, too. So sorry to hear about your son. How old is he now? My great-nephew had brain cancer at 6; had chemo and radiation. So many issues as he got older - loss of hearing, terrible anger management problems that landed him in juvenile detention. He's 16 now - has always had clean MRIs and is doing much better.
Best of luck to you.
MJ
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