Confused lumpectomy or masectomy

Confused

I can understand  why you would be confused. Your situation sounds alot like mine. I was diagnosed at 47, when my boys were 15 and 10. It was a very scary time and I just wanted to see my youngest get to the eighth grade ( he was in fourth grade when the nightmare started). He is now a sophmore in high school and my oldest is a junior in college. I also had neoadjuvent chemo, (AC, taxol and herceptin )when it was time for surgery I really didn't have a choice since I was part of a clinical trial and had to follow it to the letter. I had a lumpectomy and the complete removal of my lymphnodes under my armpit. I also had radiation which was time consuming but not too painfull. The recovery from the lumpectomy wasn't that hard,but the recovery from the lymphnode dissection gave me a frozen shoulder. With either surgery be sure to do the recomended exercises, I was kind of lazy and I believe thats what caused the frozen shoulder.  I am happy that I chose the lumpectomy it gave me a litte extra time to get on with my life and to start to feel normal again (although I am a bit lopsided). What ever you choose I'm sure it will be the right choice for you. If you want to talk more  feel free to  PM me. Love surf.

desertgirl947 said:

I chose a double mastectomy

I chose a double mastectomy because I was wanting to do all I could do to keep from having more problems with my right side.  My left side was already a goner (ended up IIIA stage), but for the right (ended up 0 stage).  

I did not bother with reconstruction because I wanted to just get on with life, primarily.  I did not want more surgery, more recovery, more discomfort, etc.

The decision is yours.  Go with what you are comfortable with.  We all have reasons why we have made various decisions along the way.  Places like this, though, give you a little bit of an idea what others have decided and done, as well as why. 

Decision is hard...but
I was like you. i wanted all of the cancer gone. I knew there was still a good chance, but felt if it cme back, I had done all I could do to not have ot back.
Such a personal choice. Doctors reccomend, but we live in our bodies! Good luck on your choice.
Hugs,
Carol

I also was diagnosed with

I also was diagnosed with breast cancer 7/3/14.  I chose the double mastectomy.  When my pathologist report came back Triple Negative I was even more thankful for the route I had chosen!  I have a friend that is a RN, and she had told me for months before I felt my lump that if she ever found a lump they would both be gone.  She has seen to many recurrences, and most of the time it is silent when and if it returns.

The surgery wasn't bad for me.  I was concerned going from a D cup to nothing, and wondered how self-concious I would be.  I discussed this with my doctor and he did the skin saving.  With my skin I could pass for an A cup now   I have not been self-concious either!  I do not plan on having reconstruction.  If I feel the need to look like I have boobs I wear a little padded bra.  

I was suppose to start my chemo 9/5.  My PET scan showed a spot on my sternum, I had to have a biopsy on that, 9/11.  Waiting to hear the results  Scheduled to hear from that and have my first treatment 9/23.  I had a harder time with the thought of losing my hair than I did having the mastectomy.  Now that I have been so stressed about this biopsy, it's not even about my hair anymore.  I'm just ready to be well!!!!

Hi Triple

I am triple negative also....and I had a Lumpectomy...with 19 Lymph Nodes taken and 6 showed Cancer ...so that is why I had to do the chemo/radiation.   I guess they are doing it differently now...this was back in 2002  ...and I'm still here.

For me the decision for the lumpectomy was pretty easy because I did not want to go thru the Radical procedure...but no surgery is 'easy' and we all have different issues during and after.  I was a Widow and lots older than you... I know that whatever you decide will be the right decision for you.   Sending hugs and encouragement for all good results. Glo

Penny3 said:

Question

Do you wear bra inserts?  I'm 58, newly diagnosed invasive lobular low grade. Onc said surgeon probably want do bi-lateral. See surgeon Wednesday? 

 

Thanks, 

penny

 

Not sure if you are asking

Not sure if you are asking the question in general or of any of us who did not opt for reconstruction.

I have two mastectomy bras with inserts, which my insurance paid for.  I can do that once a year; however, I do not wear them much, and so they are not the least bit worn.  I also have what are known as knitted knockers.  I pin them in a regular bra so they stay put OR I stuff them in an athletic bra I have.  What I like about those are that they are not as warm/hot as the other ones.  I don't wear those very often either.

Having a bilateral means that I am balanced, as far as weight on each side.  So, it does not both my back to not mess with the inserts.  I have heard/read that those who have only one side in play have to do something or else they have back problems. 

I am thankful for the flexibility I have. 

2012 was my year.  I have made adjustments to my thinking in many ways.  I will say that when I shop, I look for blouses/shirts that work for when I opt not to wear my prosthetics.  I stay away from plain colors, unless the material is textured.  I stay away from the tighter fit.  I do have some tops/sweaters that look better if I wear my fakes, and I will.  I work in a school, in Grade 1.  So, I have to look decent.  I also work with kids who could care less about what I have/don't have.  The staff I work with in my wing know my history, and so I feel very free in going bra-less/insert-less.

e

Triple

I was dx on 7/3/2014 with Invasive Ductal Carcenoma (IDC) on the left side and nothing showing on the right. After going for the MRI it showed a small mass on the right but benign. My mammo 2 1/2 years ago showed initially the same thing for the left. After getting a core biopsy it came back benign. Moving ahead to now that benign left side turned into stage3A. I have 4 involved lymph nodes in my axillary area in my arm pit. I didn't understand the potential of my benign situation to know it could change into cancer later. So with that history in mind, when they showed a spot on the right I didn't think twice. I opted for a bi lateral mastectomy. This doesn't just get ok'd by the insurance though. You have to have supporting information to supply the insurance with so they accept and allow this surgery.  Once I received the ok from insurance then the surgery was scheduled. I had the skin saving surgery on Aug. 5 2014 with no reconstruction yet. I will be getting the DIEP flap reconstruction around 1-2 years or so.  I never had a defining lump. It was more like a fog with calcifications within it. I needed peace of mind and my first reaction was "take them off!" I don't regret it at all.  I had to have 18 node removals and 4 were positive. Go with you gutt ~

Lumpectomy or mastect...

I am 5 years out having had my lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation for triple neg on an IDC in my left one. It was between a stage 1 &  2, grade III, I was 39 at the time.  My 6 sentinel nodes that were removed were clear, and the tumor margins were also clear around the tumor size of 2.0 x 1.1 x 0.9 cm.  now that I have a calcification that is a little worry stone, so to speak, I do often wish I had elected for the double with one of the reconstruction options. I had them available to me, but I chose lumpectomy.  My mammograms show the calcification spot, with a second one coming behind it in another year or so, and it bothers me enough when I know that other people have had benign issues turn bad. So that is my thought. I was never anxious about any of my check ups except the five year one. I know that's a big one for us Trip-negs.  I still worry. I look at the positive data. I know that nearly 100% of TNBC caught in my stage have long survival rates. But I can't help but wonder every time I feel that darn spot. You still gave to look also at what works for you. My husband of now 22 years wanted me to stick around to be in the lives of our kids, then ages 16, 10, & 6. Recovery time can be hell on a double, but beats the alternative!!