Still gathering info after 6 weeks

tamyx

Dx with invasive lobular breast cancer 6 weeks ago. Bilat. mastectomy scheduled for 7/27/11. The tumor per MRI done 2 days ago shows dramatic increase in size. I am scheduled for TRAM flap reconstruction, but after getting the horrible news about size change I am thinking I should probably forgo that and concentrate strictly on fighting the cancer. I am sure now I will end up with Rad and Chemo though initially my surgeon did not think I would need this. Needless to say I am frightened. Not just the surgery but also the aggressiveness of the tumor growth. I have great family, co-worker and church support but any encouragement from any of you who have "been there" would be so appreciated.

mamolady

book
Tamy
I got a copy of "just get me through this!" by Deborah Cohen and Dr Robert Gelfand. A friend recommended it and it has helped a lot!
Cancer is very scary. I am glad you have the church and family and co-workers but you are right, it is different to talk to some one that speaks the language. This site has a lot of wonderful women and a wealth of information, prayers and hugs! (no question is silly or unanswerable)
All of this is doable especially with the support you have. Let people help you. It is important for them and you will feel better with less to worry about.
As far as recon, if you are having radiation, it may be better to wait till after. The radiation changes the tissue.

All the best,
Cindy

tamyx

mamolady said:

book
Tamy
I got a copy of "just get me through this!" by Deborah Cohen and Dr Robert Gelfand. A friend recommended it and it has helped a lot!
Cancer is very scary. I am glad you have the church and family and co-workers but you are right, it is different to talk to some one that speaks the language. This site has a lot of wonderful women and a wealth of information, prayers and hugs! (no question is silly or unanswerable)
All of this is doable especially with the support you have. Let people help you. It is important for them and you will feel better with less to worry about.
As far as recon, if you are having radiation, it may be better to wait till after. The radiation changes the tissue.

All the best,
Cindy

Cindy, Thank you for taking
Cindy, Thank you for taking the time to respond. I love to read and with try to get a copy of "Just Get Me Through This". That pretty well sums up the litany that has been rattling around in my brain for the past 6 weeks. Tanya

Rague

Talk with your Rads Dr
Talk to your Rads Dr about his/her thought on doing rads after recon and your particular case. Recon was not an option for me at the time of surgery - I'm IBC so had to wait at least a year to think about it.

Susan

CypressCynthia

I didn't have reconstruction
I didn't have reconstruction initially. We are all different and, if you think you should wait, I think that is fine. Discuss all your options, but, ultimately, do what feels right to you.

grams2jc

I haven't done reconstruction yet
Hi Tanya,

I am sorry you had to join us but glad you found us early in your fight. This site is a Godsend.

I was diagnosed 11/1/2010 with an aggressive estrogen positive IDC. At that time due to the biopsy results, etc. my surgeon recommended mastectomy first then worry about reconstruction later. My radiation oncologist also told me he wasn't a fan of reconstruction before radiation, but every doc and every area of the country are different.

I must say now that chemo and rads are over I am conflicted as to whether to do it or not and since I had rads it will be at least a year. Hopefully, good Lord willing, I have plenty of time to decide.

There is just so much to decide and so much coming at you all at once, and none of it would be considered "good" news. It is great you have so much support from family, etc.
but don't be afraid to bring ANYTHING to this board.

I will send positive thoughts your way,

Jennifer

New Flower

CypressCynthia said:

I didn't have reconstruction
I didn't have reconstruction initially. We are all different and, if you think you should wait, I think that is fine. Discuss all your options, but, ultimately, do what feels right to you.

I agree
I agree , you should discuss with your doctors and if you have doubts about having reconstruction now, you should wait. I also had lobular tumor in addition to invasive and ductal, total 3 different types in one breast. For some reason my MRI was clear, so we did not expect surprises. I have had immediate reconstruction, and shockingly did not get clear margins after mastectomy. If I knew what we have learned from mastectomy pathology report, I could never decide on immediate reconstruction. Well... I probably did not have enough healthy skin to close... It was 3 years ago. Please do not be scary and take charge of your treatment.
Good luck with your surgery

carkris

grams2jc said:

I haven't done reconstruction yet
Hi Tanya,

I am sorry you had to join us but glad you found us early in your fight. This site is a Godsend.

I was diagnosed 11/1/2010 with an aggressive estrogen positive IDC. At that time due to the biopsy results, etc. my surgeon recommended mastectomy first then worry about reconstruction later. My radiation oncologist also told me he wasn't a fan of reconstruction before radiation, but every doc and every area of the country are different.

I must say now that chemo and rads are over I am conflicted as to whether to do it or not and since I had rads it will be at least a year. Hopefully, good Lord willing, I have plenty of time to decide.

There is just so much to decide and so much coming at you all at once, and none of it would be considered "good" news. It is great you have so much support from family, etc.
but don't be afraid to bring ANYTHING to this board.

I will send positive thoughts your way,

Jennifer

I have been diagnosed with
I have been diagnosed with cancer three times. the first was ductal, the second was lobular.(I also had a local recurrance after the first one) The way the lobular presented, I needed rads, and my onc did not want to do it on reconstruction although many will. his personal prejudice. I didnt care so just chose to have the treatment and be done with it. However, if you choose to delay reconstruction after rads the surgery type needs to be different and the surgery more lengthy and the result is not as good. If you consult a plastic surgeon they will give you all the details and describe what to expect. Is it horrible to not have reconstruction no. do I wish I had boobs yes. my husband and I did not want me to have any more surgery 15 times in the last 15 years enough(gall bladder also etc..) I am tired of having surgery he is tired of waiting and worrying while I am in surgery. Everyone feels differently about their bodies, and how they view their bodies and the significance of their body parts. If I could easily have reconstruction I would, but the expander is out, and thats the only one I wanted. I could blab on and on, but am sure others will tell you the pros and cons too.

poplolly

This is the perfect site for
This is the perfect site for you. There are survivors here and ladies who have been where you are now. The total fear is the worst part of everything. Many of us had very little trouble with the surgery. Plus, I had few side-effects with the chemo or the radiation. All of this is doable. The main thing is for you to be as positive as you can be which we know is hard given your dx. (I have metaplastic, triple-negative; had mastectomy)

I will pray for you and send as much positive energy your way as possible.



Judy