Newbee IDC I grade III-Lumpectomy with chemo and radiation or bilateral mastecomy with chemo and rad

gobluegirl90

38 yrs 1St core biopsy states ICD stage I grade III, triple Neg factor, and still waiting on BRAC test, BC does not run in my family on either side.

Had an MRI on this week and DR said pics were good, cancer only in the small 1.3cm tumor and small amounts of tissue around it. But I am going in for a SONO of my lymph nodes cause they dont look normal, but they look the same on both the right and left side so since there is cancer only on the left side, he just wants to be sure and if they sono shows something then they will do a biopsy on the nodes today in the office. If they test Positive for cancer then when they to the lumpectomy on Friday this week they will take out a cluster of like 15 instead of just the 2 they had planned on.

Dr.Clifford said, you are a perfect candidate for lumpectomy with chemo and radiation.

After reading some other posts on here, show I just go ahead with the bilateral mastectomy and the recommended treatments and then reconstruct and move on or try this lumpectomy with chemo and radiation and if it comes back then go ahead and get the bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction again? I am so confused? I just want this tumor out and get on with this chemo and radi and kill these cancer cells.

any advice on what to do?

jnl

I had a lumpectomy, followed
I had a lumpectomy, followed by rads. That was the recommendation of my oncologist. I had clean lymph nodes, so, no need for chemo. And, my tumor was small, so, my oncologist saw no need to have a mastectomy, as, a lumpectomy with rads is equal to having a mastectomy. They have the same survival and recurrence rate. Even with a mastectomy, they cannot remove all of the breast tissue. And, I wanted to keep my breast, so, I was very thankful. What you do inre to a lumpectomy or a mastectomy is clearly only your decision, if given the choice. Some women have no choice and have to have a mastectomy. Do what is best for your health and what you want to do. Good luck!

Hugs, Leeza

gobluegirl90

jnl said:

I had a lumpectomy, followed
I had a lumpectomy, followed by rads. That was the recommendation of my oncologist. I had clean lymph nodes, so, no need for chemo. And, my tumor was small, so, my oncologist saw no need to have a mastectomy, as, a lumpectomy with rads is equal to having a mastectomy. They have the same survival and recurrence rate. Even with a mastectomy, they cannot remove all of the breast tissue. And, I wanted to keep my breast, so, I was very thankful. What you do inre to a lumpectomy or a mastectomy is clearly only your decision, if given the choice. Some women have no choice and have to have a mastectomy. Do what is best for your health and what you want to do. Good luck!

Hugs, Leeza

Thanks---well off to my sono of lymphs & possible biosy today
I thank you so much for your advice. I am ready for the lumpectomy. How long of a recovery time are we generally looking at until i can drive, go back to work, where i have a stressful supervisor job and type all day long? I will also be having chemo as soon as i heal from my lumpectomy. Then followed by radiation, this post opt treatment is all coming from my oncology surgeon, based i am assuming on my test and images. If it has moved to my lymph nodes they mentioned having to remove a cluster of nodes on the side with the cancer instead of just 2 or 3. Does the fact that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes change your surgery options or increase odds that a mastectomy would be better?

aisling8

gobluegirl90 said:

Thanks---well off to my sono of lymphs & possible biosy today
I thank you so much for your advice. I am ready for the lumpectomy. How long of a recovery time are we generally looking at until i can drive, go back to work, where i have a stressful supervisor job and type all day long? I will also be having chemo as soon as i heal from my lumpectomy. Then followed by radiation, this post opt treatment is all coming from my oncology surgeon, based i am assuming on my test and images. If it has moved to my lymph nodes they mentioned having to remove a cluster of nodes on the side with the cancer instead of just 2 or 3. Does the fact that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes change your surgery options or increase odds that a mastectomy would be better?

Welcome
Welcome, and as they say, sorry you're here.

I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy -- six nodes removed -- and I walked two miles the next day, drove the next day, could have worked on Monday (surgery was Thursday), but hadn't known I'd do so well so I had the week off. Only problem I had was I developed a seroma, a fluid-filled lump, under my arm which actually was uncomfortable until they aspirated it. Otherwise, it truly was a snap. As for typing, you can do it -- I'm a court reporter and I'm either plunking away on the steno machine at the deposition or at home on the computer.

Good luck with all your medical testing today.

Victoria

jnl

gobluegirl90 said:

Thanks---well off to my sono of lymphs & possible biosy today
I thank you so much for your advice. I am ready for the lumpectomy. How long of a recovery time are we generally looking at until i can drive, go back to work, where i have a stressful supervisor job and type all day long? I will also be having chemo as soon as i heal from my lumpectomy. Then followed by radiation, this post opt treatment is all coming from my oncology surgeon, based i am assuming on my test and images. If it has moved to my lymph nodes they mentioned having to remove a cluster of nodes on the side with the cancer instead of just 2 or 3. Does the fact that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes change your surgery options or increase odds that a mastectomy would be better?

First, good luck today with
First, good luck today with your sono and biopsy! I could drive the next day if I wanted. I don't work, but, most here seem to do fine with going back to work. You might need a few days off if you have drains after they remove your lymph nodes. Everyone works while going thru rads it seems. They do make you tired, so, you need to get lots of rest and be gentle with your skin. I didn't have chemo, so, I don't know about that. I am sure ones that did will post to you. Your last question is one for your oncologist and plastic surgeon to explain to you. Ask questions and write them down. Take someone with you to your doctor appointments and even take a tape recorder if necessary. It is hard for us to take all of this in and to remember everything. My hubby heard more than I ever did as my mind just wasn't thinking clearly all of the time. Post and let us know about your results.

Leeza

cindycflynn

Gobluegirl
I had the same treatment plan - Lumpectomy (10/12/09), Chemo (4 rounds of C/T beginning 12/17/09), followed by rads (final treatment 1 week from today - yea!!!).

What Leeza said about a lumpectomy with rads being equivalent it terms of long-term survival and recurrence to a mastectomy is also what I've read and what my surgeon told me. I opted to keep my breast. If you opted for the mastectomy, you would likely be able to skip the rads (although some still have rads after a mastectomy), but it would not change the recommendation for chemo, which treats the whole body. As far as the lymph nodes go, the results from the biopsy of those may change what chemo they recommend, but I've never seen anything that would indicate that having a mastectomy vs. a lumpectomy would change anything about what they find in the lymph nodes.

I want to to welcome you here, and wish you the best with your upcoming treatment. We will be here to help you along, answer questions, root for you, and be a sympathetic listening ear whenever you need us.

ETA - I was only off work for 2 weeks for my lumpectomy, and could drive after just a few days. I also work in an office and am on the computer pretty much all day.

Take care,

Cindy

MAJW

Same here........
I,too, am triple negative....this sort of changes things as it is an agressive form of BC....BUT the good news is that it responds better to chemotherapy, so my surgeon and two oncologists tell me.... If it helps, here is my story.......

I had a lumpectomy last May, 2.2 cm..stage II...triple negative...I went from stage I to stage II on the operating table due ONLY to the size. I had clean, clear margins although it was close to my chest wall......I had three lymph nodes removed, all clean.... I had chemo, 4 infusions, followed by 33 radiation treatments.....ALL three of my physicians told me that the survival rate is no better with a mastectomy than with a lumpectomy, as someone already stated, they cannot remove all breast tissue.......breast tissue extends almost to your back, under your arm.....Mastectomy was NEVER even mentioned to me....My surgeon is a breast surgeon/specialist who has done this for 30 years.....I have great confidence in his ability.

I went to the grocery store 3 days after surgery......I can honestly say, for me, and every one is different......it wasn't bad at all......the sentinel node incision actually bothered me more than the incision on my breast..my tumor was at almost 12:00....I did not have sutures, clamps or stitches, my surgeon used glue....That part was great! IT was more of a discomfort than pain, although when I was awakened in recovery it was somewhat painful, but I was given pain meds through the IV, that controlled it within minutes......came home with pain meds.......I did take them regulary.....easier to keep pain at bay than try and control it once it starts..My surgery was at 1:00 and I was home on the couch at 4:30!

I hope this helps....

I know and understand that you are scared......that's normal...but I promise you, there is life after bc! Please keep us posted.....

Peace be with you....

survivorbc09

MAJW said:

Same here........
I,too, am triple negative....this sort of changes things as it is an agressive form of BC....BUT the good news is that it responds better to chemotherapy, so my surgeon and two oncologists tell me.... If it helps, here is my story.......

I had a lumpectomy last May, 2.2 cm..stage II...triple negative...I went from stage I to stage II on the operating table due ONLY to the size. I had clean, clear margins although it was close to my chest wall......I had three lymph nodes removed, all clean.... I had chemo, 4 infusions, followed by 33 radiation treatments.....ALL three of my physicians told me that the survival rate is no better with a mastectomy than with a lumpectomy, as someone already stated, they cannot remove all breast tissue.......breast tissue extends almost to your back, under your arm.....Mastectomy was NEVER even mentioned to me....My surgeon is a breast surgeon/specialist who has done this for 30 years.....I have great confidence in his ability.

I went to the grocery store 3 days after surgery......I can honestly say, for me, and every one is different......it wasn't bad at all......the sentinel node incision actually bothered me more than the incision on my breast..my tumor was at almost 12:00....I did not have sutures, clamps or stitches, my surgeon used glue....That part was great! IT was more of a discomfort than pain, although when I was awakened in recovery it was somewhat painful, but I was given pain meds through the IV, that controlled it within minutes......came home with pain meds.......I did take them regulary.....easier to keep pain at bay than try and control it once it starts..My surgery was at 1:00 and I was home on the couch at 4:30!

I hope this helps....

I know and understand that you are scared......that's normal...but I promise you, there is life after bc! Please keep us posted.....

Peace be with you....

A mastectomy was never
A mastectomy was never mentioned to me either, as a lumpectomy with rads is the same. I also was very happy that I could keep my breast, as, I don't know how I would have handled a mastectomy. You would probably need a week or maybe a little more off from work, just to rest and recuperate from the surgery. You can work with rads, just get extra sleep.

Wishing you the best of luck in your decision and in your treatment!

TawnyS

I've been thinking about you!
I'm so glad to see you posted again. I hope that you are emotionally doing a bit better. I wish you the best on all your upcoming testing/scans and decisions. Please keep us informed on your progress. We are with you! Stay strong survivor!

24242

Study Out
I was part of a study that occurred in British Columbia Canada and they followed women with idc with the negative HER from 1997 to 2007 found less than 5% of woman have the genetic link, and survival rates are lower than what they believed they were. I live in a province in Canada that has a 27% better success rate for all cancers in my country and I did hear even in North America now, I could be wrong on that one though. After this study they expanded the age for genetic testting from 35 to 48 years of age at time of diagnosis. They are going back and retesting my tumor to see if triple negative because of the study. I was 36 at the time with stage 3 one lump grew in a week to size of golf ball. In my day you were stage 1, 2 3 or 4 with or without lymphnode involvement and if HER negative or positive. Those of us with negative had no treatment options after surgery, chemo and radiation.
The percentage of radiation helping me was 10% and I decided if I was doing one I was doing it all for every chance at survival. I had 11 out of 21 positive nodes. If you could have seen the look on my oncologists face when I reminded her that I was stage 3 in six months of finding first lump that didn't grow and number of positive nodes. Guess I want these new lumps checked into quickly.
I am now 14 years later going to have genetic testing something that would have been easier when elders weren't so old but the cut off was 35 at that time.
My father's mother had aggressive breast cancer then bone cancer. Believe you me I can find the lumps at the size of peas.
I didn't have to think about it upon dxs I knew I could only do one thing for myself and we all have to decide what is best for us to live with. I had one mastectomy at the time because I was stage 3 not 1 and very ill at the time, probably had been ill for years but no one listened to me. My mother the nurse spoke up and told me she thought I should only do one breast at a time and probably the first time in my life, though I didn't want to, I actually listened to her. I had the second mastectomy 1 year to the day later because I continued to get lumps but those were all benign. Oh yes and the raging blood infection might have been the death of me had I had them both done.
I wasn't attached to my breasts at all and never did have reconstruction but I am here to say that we survive all sorts of things.
No one came out and said even at that time that is what I should be doing saying the lumpectomy would probably be fine if got the clean margines. I decided if I was going to treat this then I would do whatever there was including bilateral at the time of my diagnosis .
I cannot get over how many women having the two done when I have heard it is very traumatic for the body. Doesn't matter it is all traumatic for that matter sometimes waiting and wondering the worst.
Number one thing is you must be comfortable with you and your body in the end. After Cancer I give little mind to the physical features of my body though I have always felt better having none than one. Nice not to wear a bra never thought it could be so good...
Eye contact GOOD lol
My heart goes out to you and your battle.
Be good to yourself always.
Tara
by the way some of us don't fair so well with all the treatments because we are so sensative to side effects. Wished I could have worked but just too sick. Thank God I have known what it is like to be well something I thought might never happen for me.