Received Test Results

Hi Ellen,
I'm no help in the lumpectomy department either, I chose bilateral mastectomy. It sounds like whatever is there was caught early enough to be removed and that's always a good thing. Just wanted to chime in with a cyber {{hug}}.

Lorrie

debi.18 said:

Hi Ellen
I agree that it sounds like they caught it early - so that's good news. I had a lumpectomy last month and it was much easier than I thought it would be. My surgeon did an excellent job and it's barely noticeable (except the scar of course). I had surgery on Friday and was back to work on Tuesday. The port that was put in was more painful than the lumpectomy.

Good luck! Hugs~
Debi

Ellen .. Just a suggestion .. Please have your doctor/
surgeon explain the pathology report, and its finding to you.

My personal story: 5 years ago, I found a lump in my upper left breast -- lumpectomy -- no signs of cancer.

fast forward 5 years .. same breast, same general area .. lumpectomy determined that I had breast cancer == I elected for a bilateral mastectomy, chemo, and reconstruction.

We are unique, different == please arm yourself with research -- before proceeding forward.

Strength, Courage and Hope.

Vicki Sam

once you get things more explained
Yes ask for further explaination. The detached atyhpical epithelium is a bit schetchy to me as well.

Lumpectomies are good for people who are people who are not in the younger age set. I am 54 and my surgeon explained it this way. With a lumpectomy my chances are the same for survival than if I had a masectomy. The further I get away from my lumpectomy my chances of recurrence do go up. But by then I will probably be 90 years old anyway. So I opted for a lumpectomy as I am not sure I want to live past 90 anyway.

Another example of how a lumpectomy is easier on your body is this. If you do not have to have lymph nodes removed then you will not need drains after surgery. I had to have 14 or 15 removed so I had post surgical drains resulting in some time off from work. I had two nodes that were positive for mestasties so that is why they had to remove lymph nodes. If your sentinel node is fine this leaves you more ready for action after your lumpectomy.

Had three lumpectomies
Hi Ellen,
I have had three lumpectomies. Mine were not bad. No lymph nodes involved. Just had some stitches, and of course scars left over. Didn't miss much work either time. Prayers and best wishes to you. I will be thinking of you, too!
Sybil

CAchick said:

Had three lumpectomies
Hi Ellen,
I have had three lumpectomies. Mine were not bad. No lymph nodes involved. Just had some stitches, and of course scars left over. Didn't miss much work either time. Prayers and best wishes to you. I will be thinking of you, too!
Sybil

Ask lots of questions
I agree, you need some more info before you make this big decision. After all that one of the best questions is "what would you advise your wife to do?" Doctors can't offer suggestions but if you ask that kind of question you'll get their real feelings on it.