Log in to post a reply
Jan 28, 2016 10:29PM
614
wrote:
Dear Sunnyone22:
I had a double lumpectomy and whole breast radiation at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. I did not elect to have a mastectomy although my doctors in Florida, where I live, recommended the double mx. My bs in Texas recommended the lx rather than the mx. The lx made the most sense and seemed the most logical to me too. I had a smaller lump at 11:00 and a much larger lump at 2:00. My bs was able to remove both lumps even though they were not contiguous, and then do a breast reduction and a breast lift. I have no residual skin issues nor any lasting effects after finishing my radiation. I did have radiation burns at the end of my rad tx, but the burns went away and were not bad at all. I sailed through rads and did not have any problems with rads at all. My cousin, who just started rads this week, was amazed by how good my breasts look. She couldn't believe how perfect my skin after rads looked and also how fantastic my breasts looked after surgery. My breasts are absolutely phenomenal now.
I would recommend lx plus rads rather than mx to start off, if this an option for you. If you have a lx, you can always opt to go back and have a mx. Once you have a mx, you can't change your mind. It is a final decision.
I am under close surveillance - mammo/sono alternating with MRI every six months and I see my MO regularly. I am taking Arimidex/Anastrazole. I trust my doctors. I am ok with the frequent testing and the testing does not cause anxiety for me. I definitely continue to worry about the pleomorphic ILC and pleomorphic LCIS because lobular carcinoma is so hard to detect, however, I can live with the frequent testing. Therefore, for me, the lx plus rads was the right decision. It is a personal choice and everyone has to weigh all options for themselves to determine the best tx plan.
Good luck with your decision.
Hormone + Pleomorphic ILC, Pleomorphic LCIS,& Invasive Tubular Carcinoma for 1st BC DX. Hormone negative, Grade 3 DCIS for 2nd BC DX. History of dispersed ALH along with PASH, FEA, and focal atypia. Oncotype 14, Ki67: 21%. Dx Premenopausally.
Dx
6/25/2014, ILC, Left, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Dx
6/25/2014, LCIS, Left, 1cm, Grade 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Dx
7/22/2014, IDC: Tubular, Left, <1cm, Stage IA, Grade 1, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Dx
7/22/2014, LCIS, Left, 4cm, Grade 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Surgery
7/22/2014 Lumpectomy: Left; Lymph node removal: Left, Sentinel; Prophylactic ovary removal
Radiation Therapy
9/7/2014 Whole-breast: Breast
Hormonal Therapy
10/5/2014 Arimidex (anastrozole), Zoladex (goserelin)