I have to decide lumpectomy or mastectomy and am loss

2»

Comments

  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #22
    Cannella said:

    They need to book the surgery

    They need to book the surgery and get what remains out.   A lump and radiation is not equal to a masc....it is not that straight forward.  The original tumor shrunk like 'astoroids' or a 'sponge' and the many spots around it could be scar tissue or cancer cells.  No way of knowing until after surgery with the pathology report. If cancer cells I have to go back in for the mascetomy.   Either way I have to have radiation.   It is a pure gamble and the best chance of long term survival is the masc. according to the surgeon but she still gave me the other option.  This is UCSF (I hope I'm allowed to say) and she is one of the top 10 surgeons in the country.  I do trust their advise and kind of wish they did not give me a choice. 

    As it is now I am 99% sure I am choosing the masc. as my goal is long term survival.  I am just afraid of what is next.  thank you.

    California law

    I almost figure out your llocation under California law doctor is obligated to discuss all options, including lumpectomy and explain that a breast conserving option is available, even if she believes in other better route for the patients 

    good luck 

  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #23
    Cannella said:

    They need to book the surgery

    They need to book the surgery and get what remains out.   A lump and radiation is not equal to a masc....it is not that straight forward.  The original tumor shrunk like 'astoroids' or a 'sponge' and the many spots around it could be scar tissue or cancer cells.  No way of knowing until after surgery with the pathology report. If cancer cells I have to go back in for the mascetomy.   Either way I have to have radiation.   It is a pure gamble and the best chance of long term survival is the masc. according to the surgeon but she still gave me the other option.  This is UCSF (I hope I'm allowed to say) and she is one of the top 10 surgeons in the country.  I do trust their advise and kind of wish they did not give me a choice. 

    As it is now I am 99% sure I am choosing the masc. as my goal is long term survival.  I am just afraid of what is next.  thank you.

    Hi Nellie!  It sounds like

    Hi Nellie!  It sounds like you have your mind made up for a mastectomy and that is great if that is what you feel is best for you. 

    None of us know until after our surgery, lumpectomy, if the breast surgeon got clear margins.  Most breast surgeons will take more tissue than necessary usually to be sure they have clear margins.

    Also, some women have NO choice but to have a mastectomy.  They are NOT candidates for a lumpectomy and you could be one of those women.  However, if a pink sister has a lumpectomy and follows it up with rads, it is equal to a mastectomy, the same survival rate and recurrence rate.  Your doctors should know this information. 

    I, ofcourse, wish you the best of luck with your mastectomy and pray for a lifetime of health and happiness!

     

     

  • McMarty
    McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member
    #24
    Cannella said:

    Thank you Hope.   My gut

    Thank you Hope.   My gut feeling is telling me the same. May I ask if you did the reconstruction surgery too and how it was for you?  N

    I had the mastectomy and

    I had the mastectomy and reconstruction (DIEP Flap) all done in the same surgery.  You might ask if that is an option for you?

  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #25
    carkris said:

    it depends on so many

    it depends on so many factors. So hard to make decisions when you are worn out. Please trust that things will sort out for you. I guess I would do what is the safest. I am bilateral without reconstruction. I also had rads on my chest. I dont love having a mastectomy but its not major in my life either. How do you feel about it? Is it awful to think of losina a breast? would a second opinion help you? Hugs

    I am also wondering if you

    I am also wondering if you might want to get a 2nd opinion.  We have to make so many decisions and sometimes it might feel like we are being rushed.  I didn't have a mastectomy, I had a lumpectomy, as my doctors suggested for me.  I've never regretted my decision and that is important for each of us, to not regret our choices, if we have a choice.

    Best of luck, Noel

  • New Hope
    New Hope Member Posts: 18
    #26
    Cannella said:

    Thank you Hope.   My gut

    Thank you Hope.   My gut feeling is telling me the same. May I ask if you did the reconstruction surgery too and how it was for you?  N

    No I went to see a Plactic surgent but because of my dibetis he did'nt think it would turn out good. And I had had to many surgery scars to do the flap type replacement.And not knowing tell surgery what treatment would be needed to many question unanswered to make a good decision .I am glad with the one I did make I feel good and I still may get a second opintion on the reconstrution. Right now I am so thankful that I did not have cancer in my ovaries like they first though I may have.3wk after my mactectomy I had my ovaries removed because of cyst on them that until surgery they could not till for sure was not cancerous also. Hoping for the best for you

                                                        Hope

  • Pink Rose
    Pink Rose Member Posts: 493
    #27
    Cannella said:

    They need to book the surgery

    They need to book the surgery and get what remains out.   A lump and radiation is not equal to a masc....it is not that straight forward.  The original tumor shrunk like 'astoroids' or a 'sponge' and the many spots around it could be scar tissue or cancer cells.  No way of knowing until after surgery with the pathology report. If cancer cells I have to go back in for the mascetomy.   Either way I have to have radiation.   It is a pure gamble and the best chance of long term survival is the masc. according to the surgeon but she still gave me the other option.  This is UCSF (I hope I'm allowed to say) and she is one of the top 10 surgeons in the country.  I do trust their advise and kind of wish they did not give me a choice. 

    As it is now I am 99% sure I am choosing the masc. as my goal is long term survival.  I am just afraid of what is next.  thank you.

    We were afraid and still are

    We were afraid and still are at times.  But, you're never alone and you have us to turn to if you need strength. 

    Good luck with your surgery.

     

     

  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #28
    AMomNETN said:

    Decision

    Nellie,

         BTW that was my grandmother's name. You have to do what is right for you. The only decision I had was if it was a bi-lateral or not. I have at times

    regretted losing both breasts but then It doesn't bother me now. My surgeon said, it would probably occur in the other breast hence my decision. I had surgery

    with expanders put in at the same time. Noone can tell you what to do, you have to decide. There is no right answer except the one you make. I hope this helps.

     

    Janie

    Just wishing you the best in

    Just wishing you the best in whatever surgery you should choose!

    Hugs, Megan

     

  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #29
    McMarty said:

    I had the mastectomy and

    I had the mastectomy and reconstruction (DIEP Flap) all done in the same surgery.  You might ask if that is an option for you?

    Have you made your decision

    Have you made your decision yet Nellie?  Whatever you should choose, lumpectomy or mastectomy with or without reconstruction is always your choice.

    Wishing you the best always,

    Debby

  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #30
    New Hope said:

    No I went to see a Plactic surgent but because of my dibetis he did'nt think it would turn out good. And I had had to many surgery scars to do the flap type replacement.And not knowing tell surgery what treatment would be needed to many question unanswered to make a good decision .I am glad with the one I did make I feel good and I still may get a second opintion on the reconstrution. Right now I am so thankful that I did not have cancer in my ovaries like they first though I may have.3wk after my mactectomy I had my ovaries removed because of cyst on them that until surgery they could not till for sure was not cancerous also. Hoping for the best for you

                                                        Hope

    Wishing you good luck Nellie

    Wishing you good luck Nellie on whatever surgery you decide on.

    Hugs, Diane

  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #31
    DianeBC said:

    Wishing you good luck Nellie

    Wishing you good luck Nellie on whatever surgery you decide on.

    Hugs, Diane

    Nellie, have you made your

    Nellie, have you made your final decision as to your surgery?  We are here to support you and help you in anyway. 

    We will get the pink bus out to ride along with you when you do have your surgery.  Just let us know the date when you can.

     

    Hugs, Jan

  • NJMom10
    NJMom10 Member Posts: 176
    #32
    Cannella said:

    Thank you Hope.   My gut

    Thank you Hope.   My gut feeling is telling me the same. May I ask if you did the reconstruction surgery too and how it was for you?  N

    I would do what is safest per doctor

    I'm late to this thread and you have probably already made this decision, but I would go with what is safest. I also had a 5 cm tumor, chemo first to shrink and it went to 2.5, but my surgeon said she felt I was equally safe with the lumpectomy and radiation. So I chose the lumpectomy. But she gave me the choice and said she was pretty confident that I would have clean margins. I did and so far all is well. However, if my doctor had said masectomy would be safer, that's what I would have done. Best to you. Hope all is well and you are at peace with your decision.

  • Pink Rose
    Pink Rose Member Posts: 493
    #33
    NJMom10 said:

    I would do what is safest per doctor

    I'm late to this thread and you have probably already made this decision, but I would go with what is safest. I also had a 5 cm tumor, chemo first to shrink and it went to 2.5, but my surgeon said she felt I was equally safe with the lumpectomy and radiation. So I chose the lumpectomy. But she gave me the choice and said she was pretty confident that I would have clean margins. I did and so far all is well. However, if my doctor had said masectomy would be safer, that's what I would have done. Best to you. Hope all is well and you are at peace with your decision.

    I hope that whatever surgery

    I hope that whatever surgery you decided on, if you've had it already, was successful and that you are doing well.

     

    Will keep watching for your update.

     

    Hugs, Rose

  • smbrand158
    smbrand158 Member Posts: 19
    #34
    One thing that I really

    One thing that I really appreciated about my surgeon and oncologist is that they were very open with their advices as to trying to save my breast with a lumpectomy or having single or bilateral mastectomy. They gave me really good information about my chances of having the cancer return to my other breast after chemo, radiation and 5 years of medication and they reminded me that I was a young, vibrant 53 year old and that by leaving my "good" breast I would still have sensation on one side. Now, after wearing a prostisis for a year, I feel that I wish that I would have taken both breasts so that I would be symetrical, but that will be taken care of soon with reconstruction.

Discussion Boards