Waiting for my first surgery step? Anyone else in my boat?

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PinkPearl
PinkPearl Member Posts: 280
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am really getting restless waiting for my mastectomy. I was diagnosed in late August and decided to go to M.D. Anderson since I live close by and have an extensive family history of b/c I just thought it would be the best place. But you have to wait so long!! I am scheduled for Nov.9, should I be worried???? I am stage 1, Invasive DC and Her 2 +, ER + but two pathologists diagree on a couple of other points in the biopsy result. I am having a double mastectomy because of recurring cancers in my mother and one of my sisters. Is your chemo based on what your path. report says after surgery? I just have a zillion questions because I think I am just too curious!! Like a cat!

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  • AnnabelleandGenevievesmommy
    AnnabelleandGenevievesmommy Member Posts: 9
    #2
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    Hi there,
    I have my first
    Hi there,
    I have my first surgery step tomorrow. I also have Invasive DC and ER+ (PR+ HER-) stage 1 (based on tumor size only). I am awaiting BRCA results because I was going to use those results to determine surgery, but....I decided to just get this thing out of me NOW! So, tomorrow I am having a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy and then I will decide what my next surgical move will be once I have this tumor OUT! This was a personal decision since waiting with this inside me was making me crazy!!

    I am doing the lumpectomy with a local surgeon but if I have the double mast then I will travel to find the best surgeon to do it.

    It is my understanding is that pathology (and more) will determine chemo or no chemo.

    I am new to all of this too :) I was diagnosed less than 3 weeks ago.

    Here we go...right?!?
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #3
    Options
    Welcome Pink Pearl
    You've come to the right place. Although my dx was different from yours, I did have bilateral mastectomy June 2010. I had Invasive Lobular Carcinoma 6.1 cm in rt bst and LCIS in lft bst. I'm the 5th in my family with bc so I did what was necessary. I met with a plastic surgeon prior to mastectomy to find out my options. Because I'm 61 I have delayed or maybe forgone any reconstruction at this time. I was ER+/PR+ and HER2-. I just had chemo cocktail #4 of Taxotere/Cytoxan. My oncologist used the path report and my family history to make his decision. I had no lymph node involvement so don't know yet about any radiation. Yes, we're all different and there is a lot of waiting for test results, etc. Hang in there. The mastectomy surgery wasn't too bad. I healed without any problems. The worse is probably the drains but mine were taken out 10 days after surgery. Wishing you peace as you await your surgery date.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #4
    Options
    I think that it is great to
    I think that it is great to be curious! It means you will be an active participant in your own care and recovery.

    It is hard to wait, because of course--especially emotionally--you want the cancer out as soon as possible. But from what my surgeon explained to me, early cancer is fairly slow growing and it is more important to get good care than to rush.

    Your treatment after the surgery will be largely dictated by your individual findings: path and surgical. Your oncologist will then take over as leader and let you know what is appropriate for your type of breast cancer. There are many types and different tumors respond to different treatments.

    Hope this helps!
  • PinkPearl
    PinkPearl Member Posts: 280
    #5
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    AnnabelleandGenevievesmommy said:

    Hi there,
    I have my first
    Hi there,
    I have my first surgery step tomorrow. I also have Invasive DC and ER+ (PR+ HER-) stage 1 (based on tumor size only). I am awaiting BRCA results because I was going to use those results to determine surgery, but....I decided to just get this thing out of me NOW! So, tomorrow I am having a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy and then I will decide what my next surgical move will be once I have this tumor OUT! This was a personal decision since waiting with this inside me was making me crazy!!

    I am doing the lumpectomy with a local surgeon but if I have the double mast then I will travel to find the best surgeon to do it.

    It is my understanding is that pathology (and more) will determine chemo or no chemo.

    I am new to all of this too :) I was diagnosed less than 3 weeks ago.

    Here we go...right?!?

    Yep!
    Here we gooo!! I am awaiting the results of the BRCA too but decided that no matter what... I want a double and my surgeon agrees it makes sense for me --but I too want it out NOW! Good luck tomorrow, I know you will do fine. Let me know and I will be praying for you.
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #6
    Options
    PinkPearl said:

    Yep!
    Here we gooo!! I am awaiting the results of the BRCA too but decided that no matter what... I want a double and my surgeon agrees it makes sense for me --but I too want it out NOW! Good luck tomorrow, I know you will do fine. Let me know and I will be praying for you.

    Pink
    I tested negative for BRCA gene but being the 5th in my family with bc it didn't change my decision for the bilateral mastectomy. Good luck.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • PinkPearl
    PinkPearl Member Posts: 280
    #7
    Options
    cahjah75 said:

    Welcome Pink Pearl
    You've come to the right place. Although my dx was different from yours, I did have bilateral mastectomy June 2010. I had Invasive Lobular Carcinoma 6.1 cm in rt bst and LCIS in lft bst. I'm the 5th in my family with bc so I did what was necessary. I met with a plastic surgeon prior to mastectomy to find out my options. Because I'm 61 I have delayed or maybe forgone any reconstruction at this time. I was ER+/PR+ and HER2-. I just had chemo cocktail #4 of Taxotere/Cytoxan. My oncologist used the path report and my family history to make his decision. I had no lymph node involvement so don't know yet about any radiation. Yes, we're all different and there is a lot of waiting for test results, etc. Hang in there. The mastectomy surgery wasn't too bad. I healed without any problems. The worse is probably the drains but mine were taken out 10 days after surgery. Wishing you peace as you await your surgery date.
    {{hugs}} Char

    Thanks so much!
    I am scheduled for a double and reconstruction at the same time but now I am wondering if that is going to be just too much at the same time. I have an appt with a plactic surgeon coming up and hopefully he will advise me which way to go. I am 62, but I still want my "boobie girls". I have watched my mom wear that heavy prothesis for over 30 years and I am not sure I want that either. I just don't know right now. Thanks for encouraging me!
  • PinkPearl
    PinkPearl Member Posts: 280
    #8
    Options
    CypressCynthia said:

    I think that it is great to
    I think that it is great to be curious! It means you will be an active participant in your own care and recovery.

    It is hard to wait, because of course--especially emotionally--you want the cancer out as soon as possible. But from what my surgeon explained to me, early cancer is fairly slow growing and it is more important to get good care than to rush.

    Your treatment after the surgery will be largely dictated by your individual findings: path and surgical. Your oncologist will then take over as leader and let you know what is appropriate for your type of breast cancer. There are many types and different tumors respond to different treatments.

    Hope this helps!

    The info helps!
    I have so many chemo questions because my surgeon says I will need it because of being Her2 positive but then she doen't handle that end and like I said , I am too curious and want all of the answers now. I am figuring out that for some answers you just have to wait it out but lots of other people keep asking me what, when, where, why and they mean well because they care. I am sure I will be active in my care, it is my nature. :) Thanks!

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