prophylactic mastectomy

ladybluepgh
ladybluepgh Member Posts: 76
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
hi..I went to see my surgeon today..I will be having my right breast removed next month...but when he examined the scar from my left mast he noticed 2 new lumps...he is going to biopsy those also...anyone have this happen to them? talk about scared...Is this 3 strikes and I'm out??..thank you for listening

Comments

  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #2
    Hi Lady, no that hasn't happened to me (yet) and I'm sure you are alarmed but you know it could be scar tissue, so take deep breaths :)

    I'm pretty sure you can have more than 3 strikes, but I can understand your fear and hope you get a good path report.

    best of luck
    jan
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
    Actually, congrats to your doc that he is so vigilant....

    I have not had a reoccurance, just had 2 primary site cancers within a year. The breast cancer stayed 'alive' even after all of the chemo for the colon cancer....obviously, I didn't learn the lesson, had to take the course twice...lol!

    BUT...yes, it is DEFINATELY survivable...I am 2 years post treatment on the breast in June, almost 3 years post treatment on the colon....and still, to this moment NED...handsome devil that he is....rofl....

    Please try not to worry (!). I recently had a new 'lump' in the other breast (lumpectomy my first go-round) that turned out to be fat (!!!). It has since gone away....

    Hugs, Kathi
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #4
    I try to keep in mind that it isn't cancer until they see the cells under the microscope. Even then you need to keep in mind that there are all kinds of cancer and various sorts of reoccurances. Sometimes a cell or two get missed, even with a mastectomy. Then the margins need cleaning up and sometimes radiation is needed to ensure that stuff is gone. Sometimes it is a sign you have something more serious that needs aggressive treatment. That still doesn't mean that it is the end! I have a friend who had a reoccurance in a lymph node at her two year checkup. She had more radiation and some more chemo. Now it has been over 20 years with no further problems. I know it doesn't always work out so well, but hang on to hope!
  • ladybluepgh
    ladybluepgh Member Posts: 76
    #5
    cabbott said:

    I try to keep in mind that it isn't cancer until they see the cells under the microscope. Even then you need to keep in mind that there are all kinds of cancer and various sorts of reoccurances. Sometimes a cell or two get missed, even with a mastectomy. Then the margins need cleaning up and sometimes radiation is needed to ensure that stuff is gone. Sometimes it is a sign you have something more serious that needs aggressive treatment. That still doesn't mean that it is the end! I have a friend who had a reoccurance in a lymph node at her two year checkup. She had more radiation and some more chemo. Now it has been over 20 years with no further problems. I know it doesn't always work out so well, but hang on to hope!

    thank you all for the replies...I'm waiting for them to set up my surgery date..they will biopsy the lumps before they take the other breast...so at least I will have it all done at once...its the waiting that is hard to take...I love working but I work in a medical breast imaging clinic..so its hard to not think about it even when i'm there...if I was a doctor's wife..I would have been scheduled for the surgery ASAP but since i'm not..i have to wait my turn and I'm not good at waiting..lol..ty

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