decision time

Alalicia
Alalicia Member Posts: 6
in Breast Cancer #1
I was diagnosed with grade 1 breast cancer a week ago. the mass is still small...2 cm. I am so torn over what treatment to undergo. The lumpectomy seems like it would be least invasive. But, the radiation and hormone therapy sound pretty lousy. Is it an overreaction to even be considering mastectomy? And even crazier to consider bilateral? Anyone else struggle with this?
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Comments

  • Ctine70
    Ctine70 Member Posts: 150
    #2
    I did
    Hi and welcome, sorry you have to be going through this but you found a great site to help you get through.
    I was diagnosed in June 2012 with IDC stage 1. I was confused on what to do myself. I struggled with the decision like you between a lumpectomy and a bilateral mastectomy. I have a strong family history of BC ( every women on my mothers side has had it going all the back to my great grandmother) and was worried about reoccurance. In the end I decided to go with the lumpectomy because my doctor told me that reoccurance rate was exactly the same between the two procedures. It was not an easy decision to make and I am currently going through 6 rounds of chemo which will than be followed by 7 weeks of radation and hormone therapy after that. I am 42 years old and feel the choice I made was what was best for me in the end.
    You need to really talk to your doctor and do lots of research on all possible choices but in the end you need to do what is best for you . I know right now it might seem impossible to do and it will be the hardest decision you will every have to make but know in the end that what you chose will be the right choice and you will be fine.
    I wish you all the best. Keep us update and if you need anything at all we are here for you.

    Hugs Christine
  • nanniebgood
    nanniebgood Member Posts: 42
    #3
    I was where you are a month
    I was where you are a month ago, unlike you I had no family history, I also had IDC but knowing myself the way I do, I could not rest knowing that my other breast could and most likely would develope something, I'm sure i would worry the warts off of it if I had decided to leave it, a very honest talk with my husband of 38 yrs and my surgeon I elected to have a double, for me it was easiest in my mind to be rid of it and get it out then worry about whittling it away, my oncotype score was 13 so i don 't have to have chemo or rad, just taking arimidex at this stage, don't let anyone tell you that the surgery is easy its been a month and im not healing well, being diabetic is not helping that, a friends mother was telling me before my surgery how she had a double and was up making thanksgiving dinner the next weekend by her self and she was just in her late 50's, well I did not get any of those super genes!!!! The surgery hurts and recovery is slow BUT i have confidence that my chance of recurrence is low and that i will in time be better and back in control of my life, its is truly a personal decision and journey, I just wanted to know that i did all that i could do to get rid of and keep cancer at bay, so that was how i decided on bilateral mastectomy, God bless your decision and God bless your family, i will be watching for you and praying for you. bid hugs jan
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #4
    I was dx'd with IDC
    3 yrs ago. My surgeon said lumpectomy and that's what I had, although I signed a release for a mastectomy just in case. I have no family history and my Onco dx score was low. So I had radiation am now halfway thru Arimidex.

    We all have to choose what's best for ourselves, I just wanted to tell you what I chose.

    Sue
  • Alalicia
    Alalicia Member Posts: 6
    #5
    Ctine70 said:

    I did
    Hi and welcome, sorry you have to be going through this but you found a great site to help you get through.
    I was diagnosed in June 2012 with IDC stage 1. I was confused on what to do myself. I struggled with the decision like you between a lumpectomy and a bilateral mastectomy. I have a strong family history of BC ( every women on my mothers side has had it going all the back to my great grandmother) and was worried about reoccurance. In the end I decided to go with the lumpectomy because my doctor told me that reoccurance rate was exactly the same between the two procedures. It was not an easy decision to make and I am currently going through 6 rounds of chemo which will than be followed by 7 weeks of radation and hormone therapy after that. I am 42 years old and feel the choice I made was what was best for me in the end.
    You need to really talk to your doctor and do lots of research on all possible choices but in the end you need to do what is best for you . I know right now it might seem impossible to do and it will be the hardest decision you will every have to make but know in the end that what you chose will be the right choice and you will be fine.
    I wish you all the best. Keep us update and if you need anything at all we are here for you.

    Hugs Christine

    Thanks
    Thank you for sharing your story. It helps to hear what others decide and why. I appreciate the support.
  • Alalicia
    Alalicia Member Posts: 6
    #6
    nanniebgood said:

    I was where you are a month
    I was where you are a month ago, unlike you I had no family history, I also had IDC but knowing myself the way I do, I could not rest knowing that my other breast could and most likely would develope something, I'm sure i would worry the warts off of it if I had decided to leave it, a very honest talk with my husband of 38 yrs and my surgeon I elected to have a double, for me it was easiest in my mind to be rid of it and get it out then worry about whittling it away, my oncotype score was 13 so i don 't have to have chemo or rad, just taking arimidex at this stage, don't let anyone tell you that the surgery is easy its been a month and im not healing well, being diabetic is not helping that, a friends mother was telling me before my surgery how she had a double and was up making thanksgiving dinner the next weekend by her self and she was just in her late 50's, well I did not get any of those super genes!!!! The surgery hurts and recovery is slow BUT i have confidence that my chance of recurrence is low and that i will in time be better and back in control of my life, its is truly a personal decision and journey, I just wanted to know that i did all that i could do to get rid of and keep cancer at bay, so that was how i decided on bilateral mastectomy, God bless your decision and God bless your family, i will be watching for you and praying for you. bid hugs jan

    appreciation
    I really appreciate you sharing. I am waffling back and forth between the lumpectomy and the bilateral every other hour I think. Hearing about others' decisions helps.
  • Alalicia
    Alalicia Member Posts: 6
    #7
    nanniebgood said:

    I was where you are a month
    I was where you are a month ago, unlike you I had no family history, I also had IDC but knowing myself the way I do, I could not rest knowing that my other breast could and most likely would develope something, I'm sure i would worry the warts off of it if I had decided to leave it, a very honest talk with my husband of 38 yrs and my surgeon I elected to have a double, for me it was easiest in my mind to be rid of it and get it out then worry about whittling it away, my oncotype score was 13 so i don 't have to have chemo or rad, just taking arimidex at this stage, don't let anyone tell you that the surgery is easy its been a month and im not healing well, being diabetic is not helping that, a friends mother was telling me before my surgery how she had a double and was up making thanksgiving dinner the next weekend by her self and she was just in her late 50's, well I did not get any of those super genes!!!! The surgery hurts and recovery is slow BUT i have confidence that my chance of recurrence is low and that i will in time be better and back in control of my life, its is truly a personal decision and journey, I just wanted to know that i did all that i could do to get rid of and keep cancer at bay, so that was how i decided on bilateral mastectomy, God bless your decision and God bless your family, i will be watching for you and praying for you. bid hugs jan

    appreciation
    I really appreciate you sharing. I am waffling back and forth between the lumpectomy and the bilateral every other hour I think. Hearing about others' decisions helps.
  • Alalicia
    Alalicia Member Posts: 6
    #8
    sbmly53 said:

    I was dx'd with IDC
    3 yrs ago. My surgeon said lumpectomy and that's what I had, although I signed a release for a mastectomy just in case. I have no family history and my Onco dx score was low. So I had radiation am now halfway thru Arimidex.

    We all have to choose what's best for ourselves, I just wanted to tell you what I chose.

    Sue

    side effects
    Have you experienced any nasty side effects from either the radiation or the med?
  • salls41
    salls41 Member Posts: 340
    #9
    Chose Bi lateral
    dx with triple negative IDC. I chose to have both breasts removed. I know myself well enough to know I would have been checking myself 25 times a day for a new lump... it is a very hard choise to make, very personal but I am happy with my decision. I wanted immediate reconstruction and had my expanders put in at the time of my mastectomy but I had to have them removed prior to completion due to complications. But most have alot of success with reconstruction!
  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    #10
    salls41 said:

    Chose Bi lateral
    dx with triple negative IDC. I chose to have both breasts removed. I know myself well enough to know I would have been checking myself 25 times a day for a new lump... it is a very hard choise to make, very personal but I am happy with my decision. I wanted immediate reconstruction and had my expanders put in at the time of my mastectomy but I had to have them removed prior to completion due to complications. But most have alot of success with reconstruction!

    I chose lumpectomy.
    My tumor was 1.8 cm. I also had radiation and have been on Arimidex for 3 years. None of the treatments were as bad as I expected. I am lucky that I have no obvious side effects from Arimidex. That was my big concern based on what others posted. Everyone is different. Hugs.

    Roseann
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #11
    I had lumpectomy and
    I had lumpectomy and radiation 4 12 hrs go! Started my 5th year of tamoxifen>

    Denise
  • Tux
    Tux Member Posts: 544
    #12
    disneyfan2008 said:

    I had lumpectomy and
    I had lumpectomy and radiation 4 12 hrs go! Started my 5th year of tamoxifen>

    Denise

    choices
    I had lumpectomy & rads; am now 3 1/2 yrs out & am on tamoxifen.
    I missed no work for the rads (my schedule was rearranged).
    Had minimal side effects, most temporary. The doctor really
    gave me no choice, but I am glad I did this. I have a friend
    who had it at the same time, with high incidence of BC in
    her family, who opted for double mastectomy & no reconstruction.
    She is also comfortable with her decision.

    I think it is up to each person; we will support you no matter
    what you decide to do. Wishing you the best...
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #13
    We are all different!
    You didn't say what type or ER/PR/HER2 +/- you are. That all comes into play with TX. What are your Drs suggesting?

    Remember - no matter what you choose there is no guarantee that you will never be totally free of the possibility of a recurrance - there ish no cure but we can be NED (No Evidence of Disease).

    I can only speak for myself - I'm IBC (ER+/PR-/HER2-). I did neo-adjuvant A/C, mod. rad. mast., Taxol, rads and HT since. Doing rads was not bad at all but I burned very bad after them. Have been on Femara/letrozole since early Feb., '10 with no SE's from it.

    There is no "One size fits all" when it comes to cancer. There are so many variables. I can't remember any of the other IBCers here having the same TX schedule that I had - we are each unique and our Drs are different in how they want totreat us.

    Talk to your Drs (surgeon/chemo/rads). They have your info and can give you info.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan
  • sdukowitz
    sdukowitz Member Posts: 250
    #14
    Hi,
    I also had a small
    Hi,
    I also had a small cancer tumor . . .1.2 cm . . . I had a lumpectomy, which wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, radiation was just a few mins. a day under a machine for me, no pain or burning for me, but others have, . . . now on tamoxifin for almost a year, some side effects such as hot flashes and some muscle or joint pain . . . but I've learned to live with that . . .there is always a chance of recurrence, no matter what plan you have, but I don't think about that much any more . . . . clear mammograms now for over a year . . . and almost down to having them once a year like before . .

    Each cancer type and person is individual . . . if the biopsy is not hormone positive, you most likely will not have to do hormone therapy . . . also there are totally different treatment plans and only you can make that decision . . .good luck and I'm sure your choice will be the one that is right for you . . . ask the drs. lots and lots of questions and take notes . . .
    Sue D.
  • ladyg
    ladyg Member Posts: 1,577
    #15
    I was in the same situation.
    I was in the same situation. The surgeon said that I could have either but he did not think I really needed to do the mastectomy so I went with the lumpectomy. I do not regret that decision. The radiation was not too bad as far as burning was concerned but it did cause me excessive fatigue. I am currently on Femera (2 yrs.) and have not side effects from it.
    The choice is totally yours and you need to do what is right for you.

    Hugs,
    Georgia
  • debsweb18
    debsweb18 Member Posts: 191 Member
    #16
    Hi Alalicia
    Hormone therapy depends on the ER/PR status. It won't matter if you have a mastectomy or lumpectomy. I first had a lumpectomy but my margins weren't clear, so I went back and had a unilateral mastectomy. My oncotype score was low so no chemo. However, I did have a small tumor in 1 lymph node, so I had radiation even tho I had a mastectomy. If you're pre-menopausal and have lymph node involvement, it usually means chemo. Since I was post-menopausal, I was "allowed" a small lymph node involvement with a low score to avoid chemo.

    In summary, each treatment is dependent on the pathology. Hope this helps.

    Deb
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #17
    debsweb18 said:

    Hi Alalicia
    Hormone therapy depends on the ER/PR status. It won't matter if you have a mastectomy or lumpectomy. I first had a lumpectomy but my margins weren't clear, so I went back and had a unilateral mastectomy. My oncotype score was low so no chemo. However, I did have a small tumor in 1 lymph node, so I had radiation even tho I had a mastectomy. If you're pre-menopausal and have lymph node involvement, it usually means chemo. Since I was post-menopausal, I was "allowed" a small lymph node involvement with a low score to avoid chemo.

    In summary, each treatment is dependent on the pathology. Hope this helps.

    Deb

    I didn't need
    I didn't need chemo or radiation.Stage 0.I had a lumpectomy.Probably though if it had been Stage 1 I would have done a lumpectomy also.My friends both had Stage 3 cancer.I wasn't sure about their decision on the lumpectomy.After they talked with their doctors they were told not alot of difference in life span. I didn't feel that way at the time of their dx.One had bc 18 years year ago(Stage 3 lumpectomy).She is fine today.Same with the other.She had a lumpectomy Stage 3 fast growing) and she is fine today after 7 years dx. Also I might add both had lymph nodes involved.

    It's a hard decision but I think with your dx a lumpectomy would OK.

    Lynn Smith
  • Alalicia
    Alalicia Member Posts: 6
    #18
    Lynn Smith said:

    I didn't need
    I didn't need chemo or radiation.Stage 0.I had a lumpectomy.Probably though if it had been Stage 1 I would have done a lumpectomy also.My friends both had Stage 3 cancer.I wasn't sure about their decision on the lumpectomy.After they talked with their doctors they were told not alot of difference in life span. I didn't feel that way at the time of their dx.One had bc 18 years year ago(Stage 3 lumpectomy).She is fine today.Same with the other.She had a lumpectomy Stage 3 fast growing) and she is fine today after 7 years dx. Also I might add both had lymph nodes involved.

    It's a hard decision but I think with your dx a lumpectomy would OK.

    Lynn Smith

    Thanks
    Thanks everyone for all of your comments and support. I have decided to go with the bilateral mastectomy. After a lot of studying and thinking and reading all your comments, I finally got out of my head and into my heart and the only thing that feels right to me is the bilateral. So, on the 19th of Nov. I go in.
    Thank again and bless you all for sharing.
    Alalicia
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #19
    Alalicia said:

    side effects
    Have you experienced any nasty side effects from either the radiation or the med?

    I had a lumpectomy, followed
    I had a lumpectomy, followed by rads. I am very thankful that I could have the lumpectomy. I didn't burn during rads, but, did get uncomfortable and very pink. But, I am doing great now. I wish you the best in your decision.
  • nanniebgood
    nanniebgood Member Posts: 42
    #20
    Alalicia said:

    Thanks
    Thanks everyone for all of your comments and support. I have decided to go with the bilateral mastectomy. After a lot of studying and thinking and reading all your comments, I finally got out of my head and into my heart and the only thing that feels right to me is the bilateral. So, on the 19th of Nov. I go in.
    Thank again and bless you all for sharing.
    Alalicia

    i will be praying for you,
    i will be praying for you, you sound more assured and at peace with your decision, thats how you know for you its right, good luck!
  • kacee999
    kacee999 Member Posts: 110
    #21
    I was diagnosed with stage 1...
    and immediately opted for a bi-lateral. I have not regretted it. Didn't feel like walking around with a time bomb on my body!

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