I am newly diagnosed...
Comments
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Dear Pattycake
I had no family history, no lump - microcalcifications found at routine mammo. I prepared myself for mastectomy because it was considered invasive. My surgeon wanted lumpectomy and that's what we did followed by radiation.
I think we want to cut this beast out asap - and no matter how much has to go, we just want it out. Sometimes it doesn't have to be all, sometimes it does. Listen to your doctor, get a 2nd opinion, listen to your heart and then make your decision.
Others will soon post their experiences, mine is only one. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sue0 -
so sorry you are diagnosed with BC
I too have very dense breast tissue. My breast surgeon recommended a lumpectomy for me when I was diagnosed with BC in my left breast. I chose to have a double mastectomy because I did not want to worry about it showing up in the other breast. I was also concerned that my dense breast tissue would make it difficult to detect cancer if it did show up in the other breast. I had the double mastectomy in Sept. and am so glad I did. If I had to do it again I would make the same decision. Remember your doctors are there to give you recommendations but you make the decision on your treatment. If you think you are the type of person who will worry about cancer showing up in the other breast you may want to consider a double mastectomy.
Good luck on your decision. I know it can be difficult.
Marjorie0 -
Hugs~Hugs~Hugs~
Hi Patty,
Sorry you have the need to be here but glad you found us. I have a huge family history as well I found my first tumor and had a lumpectomy chemo and rads, it returned 8 months later so more chemo anda rads. Free from cancer for 9 years then it came back in the "good" breast so I had the "good" breast removed. I have lymphedema in my arm and hand from the first cancer battle so they now do not want to remove that breast so I shall keep it. Lots of choices and decisions to be made you are in the early stages. In the end the decision is yours not your doctors you must be what you feel is best for you. Keep us posted as you go along, we will be here for you.
RE0 -
Patty
Welcome to the boards...you'll find lots of love and support here. There is so much to take in at the beginning...you definitely need to take your time, gather all the info you can and certainly seek a second opinion. Ultimately, you have to make the right decision for yourself, whether it is lumpectomy or mastectomy. I'm 45 w/no family history...small tumor in my right breast, negative nodes. I had a lumpectomy/rads/tamox. That was the decision that was right for me, as you've seen others have chosen mastectomy.
Though it seems like you need to make decisions right away, it isn't an emergency. Take the time you need to decide and be at peace w/that decision. God Bless...
Julie0 -
Ditto what Julie said. Getjbug said:Patty
Welcome to the boards...you'll find lots of love and support here. There is so much to take in at the beginning...you definitely need to take your time, gather all the info you can and certainly seek a second opinion. Ultimately, you have to make the right decision for yourself, whether it is lumpectomy or mastectomy. I'm 45 w/no family history...small tumor in my right breast, negative nodes. I had a lumpectomy/rads/tamox. That was the decision that was right for me, as you've seen others have chosen mastectomy.
Though it seems like you need to make decisions right away, it isn't an emergency. Take the time you need to decide and be at peace w/that decision. God Bless...
Julie
Ditto what Julie said. Get a second opinion and then do what is right for YOU. Also, try and get enough rest that you can think clearly. I had to take sleeping pills for a couple of weeks in order to get my emotions under control when things seemed like they were spinning out of control. Just wasn't sleeping and therefore couldn't deal with the stress.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Hugs,
Marcy0 -
I had a lumpectomy, followedsbmly53 said:Dear Pattycake
I had no family history, no lump - microcalcifications found at routine mammo. I prepared myself for mastectomy because it was considered invasive. My surgeon wanted lumpectomy and that's what we did followed by radiation.
I think we want to cut this beast out asap - and no matter how much has to go, we just want it out. Sometimes it doesn't have to be all, sometimes it does. Listen to your doctor, get a 2nd opinion, listen to your heart and then make your decision.
Others will soon post their experiences, mine is only one. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sue
I had a lumpectomy, followed by rads. I had a bone scan, CT scan and a MRI to make sure the cancer was nowhere else. Sending you prayers and strength!
Lex0 -
Hi pattycake
Mammo didn't show my 4.4 cm tumor in right breast. I had a huge lump under right arm also. I was started on chemo immediately to shrink them and it "blasted them to hell" as doc said. Had a lumpectomy last week and recovering great. Doctor got all of it. I did what doctors suggested and hope it was right. I was told and also read that recurrance is the same chance either way. Radiation is next and I'll be done fighting this disease, and if it shows up again I'll fight it again. It's a detour in your life for awhile but you'll get through. Wish you well.0 -
Sorry to hear about your
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I and 43 years old and have no family history of breast cancer however I turned up a 3.2cm lump with DCIS in 50% of the breast. I just wanted a lumpectomy but the doctor recommeded a radical mastectomy because of the DCIS. I also had a MRI to check the other breast which came in clean. So I ended up with a single mastectomy.
I agree with the others, listen to you doctor, get a second opinion and then feel out what you like. Also do you know if you are ER+, PR+ or Her2+? This might also help in the decision making and course of treatment.0 -
ER, PR, Her2. This is all so new.mariam_11_09 said:Sorry to hear about your
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I and 43 years old and have no family history of breast cancer however I turned up a 3.2cm lump with DCIS in 50% of the breast. I just wanted a lumpectomy but the doctor recommeded a radical mastectomy because of the DCIS. I also had a MRI to check the other breast which came in clean. So I ended up with a single mastectomy.
I agree with the others, listen to you doctor, get a second opinion and then feel out what you like. Also do you know if you are ER+, PR+ or Her2+? This might also help in the decision making and course of treatment.
I know that I'm ER+ & PR+, but I don't know what the Her2 is. It's hard to remember what all this means, so what is the Her2 again? Do they test that right away?
I also want to thank everyone for their responses. It means so much to me to be able to talk about this with others that have been through this.
Patty0 -
Hugs back!RE said:Hugs~Hugs~Hugs~
Hi Patty,
Sorry you have the need to be here but glad you found us. I have a huge family history as well I found my first tumor and had a lumpectomy chemo and rads, it returned 8 months later so more chemo anda rads. Free from cancer for 9 years then it came back in the "good" breast so I had the "good" breast removed. I have lymphedema in my arm and hand from the first cancer battle so they now do not want to remove that breast so I shall keep it. Lots of choices and decisions to be made you are in the early stages. In the end the decision is yours not your doctors you must be what you feel is best for you. Keep us posted as you go along, we will be here for you.
RE
Thanks so much for tha hugs, they are so meaningful and important to me right now!
Patty0 -
Hi Pattycake65
Your story sounds very much like mine. Very dense breasts, negative mammo 8/2009, then skin dimpling (noted by my husband) and bc diagnosis 12/09. But no family history and I am 49. I am glad you are having the MRI, it is both reassuring and frightening, I needed 2 more needle biopsies after mine. But luckily both were negative.
My first surgeon recommended mastectomy, my second opinion recommended lumpectomy, they took my case to tumor board (you can ask your MD if they will do it) and a mastectomy was recommended. I did not want to loose my breast, but I had that doubt like you said, wondering what else was hiding in there. Ultimately, I chose a right mastectomy, my surgeon did not want to do bilateral because I needed extensive skin and tissue transfer reconstruction. (I refused the latissimus dorsi flap procedure). My "gut feeling" proved right and there was extensive DCIS up to the nipple and would not have been removed by a lumpectomy. TracyinLA has talked about "gut feeling" before, and I am a big believer. I wish I would have had a bilateral, because now I worry about what is hiding in the left. Hind sight is 20/20.
I waffled back and forth, and actually asked for another week to make my decision. No one can make this decision for you, you have to do what you feel comfortable with at the end of the day. I strongly recommend a second opinion, even a third if you have conflicting results, ask if your case can be presented at tumor board. (There is usually several surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, oncologists, etc...so you get multiple opinions and a group decision for your plan of care).
I am so sorry you have to join this group, but you will find very supportive and caring women on this site. Best of luck with this difficult decision.
-Carrie0 -
Hi Pattycake and welcome to
Hi Pattycake and welcome to these boards which will provide comfort, knowledge, and lots of support. I had a lumpectomy, currently going thru chemo and then on to radiation. There is no history of BC on my mother's side of the family, however my paternal grandmother had a mastectomy in the 1940's or 50's. I weighed my options and decided on the lumpectomy after being diagnosed with Invasive ductal carcinoma. Don't be terrified there is so much new technology for BC treatment. As you can see from these boards, there are so many women living full lives after surviving the big "C". Hugs and prayers being sent to you.0 -
Thank youCarrWilson said:Hi Pattycake65
Your story sounds very much like mine. Very dense breasts, negative mammo 8/2009, then skin dimpling (noted by my husband) and bc diagnosis 12/09. But no family history and I am 49. I am glad you are having the MRI, it is both reassuring and frightening, I needed 2 more needle biopsies after mine. But luckily both were negative.
My first surgeon recommended mastectomy, my second opinion recommended lumpectomy, they took my case to tumor board (you can ask your MD if they will do it) and a mastectomy was recommended. I did not want to loose my breast, but I had that doubt like you said, wondering what else was hiding in there. Ultimately, I chose a right mastectomy, my surgeon did not want to do bilateral because I needed extensive skin and tissue transfer reconstruction. (I refused the latissimus dorsi flap procedure). My "gut feeling" proved right and there was extensive DCIS up to the nipple and would not have been removed by a lumpectomy. TracyinLA has talked about "gut feeling" before, and I am a big believer. I wish I would have had a bilateral, because now I worry about what is hiding in the left. Hind sight is 20/20.
I waffled back and forth, and actually asked for another week to make my decision. No one can make this decision for you, you have to do what you feel comfortable with at the end of the day. I strongly recommend a second opinion, even a third if you have conflicting results, ask if your case can be presented at tumor board. (There is usually several surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, oncologists, etc...so you get multiple opinions and a group decision for your plan of care).
I am so sorry you have to join this group, but you will find very supportive and caring women on this site. Best of luck with this difficult decision.
-Carrie
Thank you Carrie. Your information has been very helpful. I will definitely ask about the tumor board. I thought maybe this has been done as my hospital is a learning hospital. (a University hospital with several different specialists), but it will be good to know all the options. I have had 2 opinions so far, and the result is the same.
I've never had to decide on something so life threatening before. My surgeon keeps telling me that mastectomy is forever and lumpectomy is not. But I just don't want to worry for the rest of my life.
Thank you again for your input. I truly appreciate it.
Patty0 -
Just wishing you goodpattycake65 said:ER, PR, Her2. This is all so new.
I know that I'm ER+ & PR+, but I don't know what the Her2 is. It's hard to remember what all this means, so what is the Her2 again? Do they test that right away?
I also want to thank everyone for their responses. It means so much to me to be able to talk about this with others that have been through this.
Patty
Just wishing you good luck!
Hugs, Megan0 -
BRCA testing
So sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Making my surgery and treatment decisions was really tough. I would ask your doctor about genetics testing (BRCA 1&2). If you have a lot of breast and/or ovarian cancer in your family, you may have this defect. Have you asked other family members if they have been tested? Your doctor may refer you to a genetics councelor to determine if you are at risk for this defect.
Anyway, the results can help you decide which surgery (ies) you want to get. In the unlikely event you have the defect, you probably would lean more towards the mastectomy (and maybe the other breast too, and ovaries). If you don't have the defect, and your cancer is low grade (not aggressive) and your MRI shows no other lessions in either breast, you may want to consider the lumpectomy. Mastectomy is a difficult surgery, and doesn't remove all the breast tissue, so you can still have a recurrence in the remaining tissue. Mastectomy usually means you don't have to do radiation (unless your cancer has certain characteristics). Lumpectomy w/radiation and mastectomy statistically have the same survival rates for most women(and that is what is most important).0 -
Thanks Sunny Girlsunny_girl said:BRCA testing
So sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Making my surgery and treatment decisions was really tough. I would ask your doctor about genetics testing (BRCA 1&2). If you have a lot of breast and/or ovarian cancer in your family, you may have this defect. Have you asked other family members if they have been tested? Your doctor may refer you to a genetics councelor to determine if you are at risk for this defect.
Anyway, the results can help you decide which surgery (ies) you want to get. In the unlikely event you have the defect, you probably would lean more towards the mastectomy (and maybe the other breast too, and ovaries). If you don't have the defect, and your cancer is low grade (not aggressive) and your MRI shows no other lessions in either breast, you may want to consider the lumpectomy. Mastectomy is a difficult surgery, and doesn't remove all the breast tissue, so you can still have a recurrence in the remaining tissue. Mastectomy usually means you don't have to do radiation (unless your cancer has certain characteristics). Lumpectomy w/radiation and mastectomy statistically have the same survival rates for most women(and that is what is most important).
Yes, I've had the BRCA test done and am still waiting. If it is + I will most certainly get both breasts removed and the ovaries. When they did the CT of my abdomin they found a very large fibroid tumor on my uterus, so I would have a complete hysterecomy.
What you said about having a lump. as apposed to mast. is exactly what my dr. said. You don't get all the tissue with a mast. But leaving what will be there after the lump. is scary as none of my mammo's showed the tumors. How in the world would they watch for reoccurence? I know of two women that had a lump. first and had cancer come back and ended up getting a mast. One is still alive, the other is not.
For today, I will get the MRI and see what that sayes. Like everyone sayes, take it a day at a time. So, that is what I'll do. Thanks for your input!
Patty0 -
brca testpattycake65 said:Thanks Sunny Girl
Yes, I've had the BRCA test done and am still waiting. If it is + I will most certainly get both breasts removed and the ovaries. When they did the CT of my abdomin they found a very large fibroid tumor on my uterus, so I would have a complete hysterecomy.
What you said about having a lump. as apposed to mast. is exactly what my dr. said. You don't get all the tissue with a mast. But leaving what will be there after the lump. is scary as none of my mammo's showed the tumors. How in the world would they watch for reoccurence? I know of two women that had a lump. first and had cancer come back and ended up getting a mast. One is still alive, the other is not.
For today, I will get the MRI and see what that sayes. Like everyone sayes, take it a day at a time. So, that is what I'll do. Thanks for your input!
Patty
I waited to make a decision until my BRCA test came back, it made the decision for me when it came back positive. I know its a tough decision, good luck0 -
I had BC 15 years ago in mygirls4444 said:brca test
I waited to make a decision until my BRCA test came back, it made the decision for me when it came back positive. I know its a tough decision, good luck
I had BC 15 years ago in my left breast small tumor neg nodes had CMF chemo, after a mastectomy. Ihad scant but scattered DCIS . one year later a local recurrence and had radiation. last april after going to docs to see about a prophoactic mastectomy, (had numerous biopsies and was tired) found my own lump lobular in my right breast. lobulars not found easily on mammo, something I did not know. was tested before and was Braca neg. I had a mastectomy before I knew the whole extent. Just wanted it gone. I think I somehow knew too. turns out with the results mastectomy was a good call. Cant say its easy with no breasts. But I wish I had gotten rid of it before I got diagnosed again. Just finished chemo, and will start rads soon. Its so hard to decide, and hindsight is 20/20 nobody has a crystal ball, I for one have a hard time signing up for elective surgery. all the ladies have good advice look at your patholgy, genetic studies, listen to your heart, and you will make the right decision. The more informed you feel the more in control you will be and that is essential.0 -
Annual MRIs will find cancer missed by mammogramspattycake65 said:Thanks Sunny Girl
Yes, I've had the BRCA test done and am still waiting. If it is + I will most certainly get both breasts removed and the ovaries. When they did the CT of my abdomin they found a very large fibroid tumor on my uterus, so I would have a complete hysterecomy.
What you said about having a lump. as apposed to mast. is exactly what my dr. said. You don't get all the tissue with a mast. But leaving what will be there after the lump. is scary as none of my mammo's showed the tumors. How in the world would they watch for reoccurence? I know of two women that had a lump. first and had cancer come back and ended up getting a mast. One is still alive, the other is not.
For today, I will get the MRI and see what that sayes. Like everyone sayes, take it a day at a time. So, that is what I'll do. Thanks for your input!
Patty
Hi Patty,
My tumor was nearly 4 cm by the time it was finally removed. It was non-palpable, and one of the top radiologists (who teaches mammography seminars at medical schools around the world) said my 6mm cluster of microcalcifications didn't look like cancer. A year later, it started to hurt all the time, so it was biopsied - 3 years after my first baseline mammogram which showed I had it then. After a positive biopsy, I had an MRI, and it lit up as 3 1/2+ cm cancer. In the future, I will have annual MRI's. I have mammograms too, but I don't really trust them. And I would never have one anywhere that sent the images to India to be read.
Hope your MRI goes well, and that the results come back quickly (the waiting is the worst!).0 -
This Past year with BC
I'm 46 got diagnosed last June. I had two small tumors 2cm. and I was her2+. I found the lump on my left breast dr found another one. I was told I needed a mastectomy on the L.I wanted to remove the other.We did. Why? aggressive cancer calls for aggressive measures.I have a small child he 6. I only want to do this thing 1 time! if I can help it. 1 surgery 1 chemo.I had a tram flap from my back with implants put in right away if I could change anything and wasn't so emotional at the time, I might have done the nipple saving procedure. I'm starting to miss them a little bit. but don't have any regrets about the double mastectomy. For me it was the right thing to do. Ang, Pray about it let your' heart lead..If youre married talk to your' husband, You will need his support.0
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