2 lumpectomys???

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jarsam
jarsam Member Posts: 13
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Has anyone here chosen to have a lumpectomy in each breast (found one right after the other)and happy with their decision, as opposed to double mastectomy. I am still waiting for the results of my gene test, had one lumpectomy a few weeks ago, and don't know what to do now. I am sorry that I continue to pose similar questions on here. I should probably join a support group. Don't know when I will find the time with all the doctor appointments. I am so fearful (a phobia) of the numbness of double mastectomy.It is a horrible fear. How do I conquer to fear if this is the way to go.

Thanks again for your time and have a wonderful holiday!
Michele

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  • SherryAF
    SherryAF Member Posts: 31
    #2
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    Hi, jarsam.
    I'm not sure if this will be of any help to you, but I'll tell you what I've decided. My situation is a little different. I had a lumpectomy/sentinel node biopsy in the left breast on Nov 18. The lymph nodes were negative (YEA!!) but there weren't clear margins around the tumor, so surgeon said we could do another lumpectomy. After thinking long and hard about it, praying about it, and even scheduling the second lumpectomy and having it cancelled at last minute, my husband and I have decided that I will be having a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruciton using the free TRAM flap procedure.

    The plastic surgeon told me that becasue he will be using the skin of my current breasts, I shouldn't be numb. (When nippes are added later, they WILL be numb, though). Meeting with the plastic surgeon really eased our minds.

    Maybe you could get some recommendations for the best plastic surgeon in your area (one who does microsurgery) and he can answer your questions, so you can make the best decision for yourself. Whatever decision you make, it will be the right one for YOU.
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #3
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    Michele, I am not in the
    Michele, I am not in the same situation as you but wanted to say, please don't apologise for asking questions. That's what this board is for. That's also what we're here for. To answer your questions right along with everyone else's. Someone will come along shortly that has been in this situation. In the meantime, try not to worry because you still need the information from your gene test to make your decision. It's difficult but you can do it!! Take care.
  • Cat64
    Cat64 Member Posts: 1,192
    #4
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    Hi Michele
    and Welcome! I can't say that I have chosen to have 2 Lumpectomies, but here is where I am at...11/30 I had a Lumpectomy w/SN Biopsy, had 2 removed that were clear. Right before surgery and after 2 rounds of Chemo, I found another "suspicious" lump in the right side. So, now I go tomorrow for another Mammo/US. If it is indeed more cancer-then I will again choose another Lumpectomy. I consider myself still young(45)and IF in the future it returns-I may choose to have a Mastectomy then, right now, I too am fearful of the thought. For now though, I am very happy with my decision and the results. YOU have to make the decision that you feel is best for you and one that you will be at peace with. I know, it's NOT an easy one to make! I researched my diagnosis, the treatments, mas./vs/lump. and felt confident with my choice.
    Don't know if this helps, but I will pray for you to reach a decision and that your fear be replaced with strength & confidence.
    Merry Christmas
    Hugz,
    Cathy
  • jarsam
    jarsam Member Posts: 13
    #5
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    Cat64 said:

    Hi Michele
    and Welcome! I can't say that I have chosen to have 2 Lumpectomies, but here is where I am at...11/30 I had a Lumpectomy w/SN Biopsy, had 2 removed that were clear. Right before surgery and after 2 rounds of Chemo, I found another "suspicious" lump in the right side. So, now I go tomorrow for another Mammo/US. If it is indeed more cancer-then I will again choose another Lumpectomy. I consider myself still young(45)and IF in the future it returns-I may choose to have a Mastectomy then, right now, I too am fearful of the thought. For now though, I am very happy with my decision and the results. YOU have to make the decision that you feel is best for you and one that you will be at peace with. I know, it's NOT an easy one to make! I researched my diagnosis, the treatments, mas./vs/lump. and felt confident with my choice.
    Don't know if this helps, but I will pray for you to reach a decision and that your fear be replaced with strength & confidence.
    Merry Christmas
    Hugz,
    Cathy

    Thank you
    Thank you all for your comments.
    I did meet with a plastic surgeon and he told me which ever kind of reconstruction I have, my skin also would remain but, I will be numb. Everything inside is removed so there is no feeling. hmmmm.

    Cathy, your story sounds very similar to mine. Best of luck to you. I am praying the gene test comes back negative because i too am choosing another lumpectomy. I am 42 and not ready mentally for anything else at this time. Right or wrong. I guess if the test comes back positve I will need to re think this.

    I wish you all luck and health!
    Michele
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #6
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    jarsam said:

    Thank you
    Thank you all for your comments.
    I did meet with a plastic surgeon and he told me which ever kind of reconstruction I have, my skin also would remain but, I will be numb. Everything inside is removed so there is no feeling. hmmmm.

    Cathy, your story sounds very similar to mine. Best of luck to you. I am praying the gene test comes back negative because i too am choosing another lumpectomy. I am 42 and not ready mentally for anything else at this time. Right or wrong. I guess if the test comes back positve I will need to re think this.

    I wish you all luck and health!
    Michele

    Hi Michele. You post
    Hi Michele. You post whenever you want and ask whatever you want. That is what this site is about, support for one another. I had a lumpectomy with rads. Good luck with your choice.

    Lex♥
  • jk1952
    jk1952 Member Posts: 613
    #7
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    Alexis F said:

    Hi Michele. You post
    Hi Michele. You post whenever you want and ask whatever you want. That is what this site is about, support for one another. I had a lumpectomy with rads. Good luck with your choice.

    Lex♥

    Michele, please don't
    Michele, please don't apologize for posting. That's why we have this board.

    I had a lumpectomy and radiation in my right breast in 2000. A few years later, I had biopsies of the left breast, and I would have had a lumpectomy and radiation in that breast if it had been considered an appropriate treatment. I didn't want to have a mastectomy unless I had to have one. At that time, the suspicious area was benign, so no more treatment was necessary.

    This year, DCIS was discovered in my right breast, and my only option for treatment was a mastectomy. I ultimately chose a bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction (in April), and I've been very happy with my decision. I was a bit uncertain about the numbness, too, but you do get used to it. It's not so much a numbness as it is a no feeling. What I mean is that it's not a constant feeling of being numb (like after the dentist gives you novacaine). I don't really notice anything strange except when I touch it or rub against something. It's primarily when I apply deodorant (when there still is a little numbness).

    Both treatments were right for me at the time, so I would endorse either of them.

    Joyce
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #8
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    Do What's Right for You
    There is nothing wrong with doing a second lumpectomy. Research has proven again and again that it is just as effective in terms of survival to do a lumpectomy with radiation as it is to do a mastectomy. Since it is on the other side, you can do the lumpectomy with radiation just like you did on the first side. Even if you prove to be BRCA positive, a lumpectomy (or two) with watchful waiting is reasonable. If you prefer to do the double mastectomy with reconstruction so that you don't have to worry about reoccurance happening, that's okay too. It is stressful to be given such a choice, but please know that what ever you choose is okay.

    I found a great support group with arms at the Wellness Community (a national organization)in a nearby town. They were free and had a breast cancer support meeting about once a month. That was about as much time as I had. Meeting other survivors and talking about our fears really helped. They also have online groups if you can't attend a group in person. I haven't tried those (shucks, that's why I come here) but I know it's there if I need it. Another thing that helped was meeting other survivors in the community that had made various treatment choices and seeing how they did.

    By the way, I had a mastectomy without reconstruction back in 2002. While I definately have some numbness under my arm and along the surgical site, my nerves still are very active in certain other areas. I understand that folks that do reconstruction develop awareness of touch within about six months of surgery, though it is not as sexually exciting as before. Surgeons may not be the best folks to ask about how to cope with the changes in your love life that surgery brings, but there are other doctors that are trained to help. I preferred talking with a medical social work counselor that worked at the large hospital I went to. She was the one that got me in touch with the Wellness Community, which is funny because my hospital was 100 miles from my house and the support group was 3 miles away! Your hospital may offer counseling too. Call them and see. As my dad says, for free take! Even if it costs money, insurance might pay for it. But mine was free and it was a relief to talk to someone that knew what I was worrying about(mostly that I thought I was going to go nuts worrying!). It gets better so hang in there! Good luck!

    C. Abbott

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