Before all your treatment, chemo and or radiation, what helped you make a decsion?
So because I told him all that rads scares me he said go meet the doctor and hear them out and then come back and see him and tell him my final decision on which surgery to go with. He siad he would respect my decision.
Well I beleive I've already made my choice, I don't ever want to go through this nightmare again so double mastectomy with expanders was what I thought I was going to do. Now I'm not so sure. Does one procedure over the other give me a better chance at no reoccurrance? I forget to ask that, (duh).
I know the double mastecyomy will be tuff, but so many of you ladies are getting through it, I can be just as tuff. (I think)
I do have one major issue that sort of scares the bajeebies out of me, I am severly asthmatic and I read a thread on cancer.org about a lady saying she had difficulty in her breathing and couldn't figure out why, so my question to you ladies whom have faced and gone through with the double mastectomy, do any of you suffer from asthma? Has your recovery time been difficult do to any breathing discomfort? And last but not least, I just found out I also have a hernia, and it hurts like heck everytime I eat now, he said we could take care of that problem at a later date, that's if I can make it till then. I feel like I am falling apart, I also have teeth issues too. grrrrrrrrr
So anyway what procedure would you choose? I kind of like the idea of having much smaller boobs and going with the mastectomy gives me options, with the lumpectomy I still get to look at my big, saggy and droopy boobs. Blah
Comments
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the way my surgeon explained it made the decision an easy one
He said if we take the breast then you will never have to worry about it coming back in that breast again. DONE DEAL! I've never regretted my decision and look at my picture in a bathing suit, can you tell which one is a prosthesis? You have to remember though, I was 59 when detected, and age can make quite a difference. If I were younger I don't know what I'd do.,,,0 -
This is what I was told by
This is what I was told by my doctor's and it has worked out well for me. I made the decision to have the lumpectomy. I was told that as long as they get clean margines when they remove the tumor through lumpectomy, that the risk of reoccurrance is the same as Mastectomy, if there is going to be one. I also had chemo and Rads. Rads, was not that bad for me. Skin got a little burned, not horrible used cream twice a day for the 6 weeks. I was tired, but for me the rads was very doable. I read alot from the others on this board and with there help and my doctor's I made my decision. None of it was easy, but it is doable. Good luck. Hugs0 -
Thanks for getting back to me Mama GMama G said:the way my surgeon explained it made the decision an easy one
He said if we take the breast then you will never have to worry about it coming back in that breast again. DONE DEAL! I've never regretted my decision and look at my picture in a bathing suit, can you tell which one is a prosthesis? You have to remember though, I was 59 when detected, and age can make quite a difference. If I were younger I don't know what I'd do.,,,
See that's how I am thinking too, done deal, over and done with, but I have no idea if that's the way it really is. It's so confising all this breast cancer crap, all I know is I hate it and it has completely stole my life. I'm bald and I don't recognise who that old lady in the mirror is staring back at me, that can't be me. When did I get like that..................uuuugggghhhhh.
By the way I am 50 and my boobs look every bit of it, with implants wouldn't I sort of look like a 25 year old, LOL? Possibly?0 -
Thanks to you also Kat11Kat11 said:This is what I was told by
This is what I was told by my doctor's and it has worked out well for me. I made the decision to have the lumpectomy. I was told that as long as they get clean margines when they remove the tumor through lumpectomy, that the risk of reoccurrance is the same as Mastectomy, if there is going to be one. I also had chemo and Rads. Rads, was not that bad for me. Skin got a little burned, not horrible used cream twice a day for the 6 weeks. I was tired, but for me the rads was very doable. I read alot from the others on this board and with there help and my doctor's I made my decision. None of it was easy, but it is doable. Good luck. Hugs
My tumor was 4.5 cm at the time of my MRI, and now I have no idea of it's actual size. I am aware that clean margins may not be possible but they wouldn't know that until they open me up. Going back in for one of those re-excision's doesn't sound fun.
When I was a young girl I would get terrible sunburns and I think that's what scares me about the rads. I'm not really all that white looking I just burn quick and severly outside. My husband is trying to convince me to go with the lumpectomy because recovery won't be as difficult.
It's not even his body.0 -
Yes, you can have cancer come back in the breast where you had a mastectomy. It is very rare, but it can happen. I just came home from the hospital after having a second mastectomy on the same breast that was removed, then reconstructed, 2 years ago.Mama G said:the way my surgeon explained it made the decision an easy one
He said if we take the breast then you will never have to worry about it coming back in that breast again. DONE DEAL! I've never regretted my decision and look at my picture in a bathing suit, can you tell which one is a prosthesis? You have to remember though, I was 59 when detected, and age can make quite a difference. If I were younger I don't know what I'd do.,,,0 -
With Mama G
I feel like Mama G - I was dx two and a half years ago and I was 58. I wanted it over and done with with a minimum of fuss and doctors and hospitals. I wasn't nuts about a lumpectomy because you had to do rads plus my surgeon said since I wasn't overly endowed, a lumpectomy wouldn't work as well for me. I also wasn't nuts about chemo but fortunately I had a low recurrance on the OncoType test. I also had a very quick recovery from the masectomy with little or no pain - but that was with no reconstruction. This is a very personal decision and only you can decide what's best for you. If I had been younger, I may have done things differently. It also helped that my husband told me he would be happy with whatever decision I made. I have no regrets. Good luck to you with making your choice.
Hugs, Sally0 -
See it's hearing things like this.................linpsu said:Yes, you can have cancer come back in the breast where you had a mastectomy. It is very rare, but it can happen. I just came home from the hospital after having a second mastectomy on the same breast that was removed, then reconstructed, 2 years ago.
that makes all this cancer so confusing. How in the world does it come back if you no longer have any real actual breast tissue there? Who would ever think one would need a second mastectomy on the same breast...................that is so strange, but even hearing that from you I still think I want the double mastectomy. I think I want younger looking breasts, I truly sort of hate my right breast right now anyway just because of it having cancer. Did I do something to deserve this, my mind just wonders and wonders, one would never know the truth anyway. It's all just a wicked crap-shoot. Life isn't fair that's for sure.0 -
Hi! I had a lumpectomy,Kat11 said:This is what I was told by
This is what I was told by my doctor's and it has worked out well for me. I made the decision to have the lumpectomy. I was told that as long as they get clean margines when they remove the tumor through lumpectomy, that the risk of reoccurrance is the same as Mastectomy, if there is going to be one. I also had chemo and Rads. Rads, was not that bad for me. Skin got a little burned, not horrible used cream twice a day for the 6 weeks. I was tired, but for me the rads was very doable. I read alot from the others on this board and with there help and my doctor's I made my decision. None of it was easy, but it is doable. Good luck. Hugs
Hi! I had a lumpectomy, followed by rads, no chemo was needed. My oncologist told me and it is on all of the breast cancer sites that a lumpectomy with radiation is equal to having a mastectomy inre to a recurrence rate. If you notice on here, there are women that have had a lumpectomy and a mastectomy that have had recurrences. And, if you have a mastectomy, they cannot get all of the breast tissue. It just isn't possible.
Rads are very doable. I don't regret having the treatments at all. I did get tired with them, starting with about the 3rd or 4th week, but, not bad. I never burnt, but, I did get a dark pink and my breast was tender, but, not painful. I used the creams my rads oncologist gave me faithfully during and even after I was done for a few weeks. My skin looks and feels like a babys behind. Radiation kills any stray cancer cells that are left from surgery. That was enough to convince me that I needed them for sure.
What you do inre to surgery is very personal, and, only you can decide what you want, what will give you peace of mind, and, what is best medically for you.
If you don't have to rush into it, take some time and really think about what is best for you.
Good luck with whatever you decide! I just want to see you on here Dancing with Ned soon!
Sue
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NOT as bad as I thought!
I had my double mastectomy a week ago. I had cancer in my right breast, and was given the option of lumpectomy + chemo + radiation, or mastectomy + radiation. My doctor never suggested to me to remove both breasts, however he did tell me that the majority of women my age (34) that he sees in the same situation do have both removed. The main reason is because of my age, and triple negative BC, my cancer tends to be more aggressive. The other reason is cosmetically, I will have more symmetrical and better looking boobs if they were both removed and rebuilt, rather than having to try and match my old (albeit healthy!) boob to the new one. I would have had to have my healthy boob lifted and reduced -and I'm NOT about to come out of this whole breast cancer thing with SMALLER boobs than before!!
The surgery was not that bad. I had 3 drains, 1 was removed in the hospital the day I left, the other was removed yesterday at my plastic surgeon's office, and tomorrow I'm seeing him to have the other one removed. I was up a and walking (although only to the bathroom) a few hours after my surgery, and I stayed 2 nights in the hospital. The pain has been manageable with the meds they gave me, and now, 7 days out, it's not bad at all. I had expanders put in at the same time of the mastectomy, and got my 1st fill at the time of insertion of 150cc's. I have full range of motion in my arms -the pain NOTHING like I thought it would be in the armpit area.
I had c-sections for both of my daughters and that surgery was way more painful recovering from than this one, by far. And I really like the idea of having better than ever, brand spankin new boobs in a few months. You just have to find the option that's right for you. I took a week to make my surgical decision, and in that time spoke with my oncologist and plastic surgeon to get all my questions answered about all the surgical options I had. I know I made the right one for me, and I don't regret a thing!
Best wishes to you & big hugs!
Heather0 -
Ronda, isn't decision-makingHeatherbelle said:NOT as bad as I thought!
I had my double mastectomy a week ago. I had cancer in my right breast, and was given the option of lumpectomy + chemo + radiation, or mastectomy + radiation. My doctor never suggested to me to remove both breasts, however he did tell me that the majority of women my age (34) that he sees in the same situation do have both removed. The main reason is because of my age, and triple negative BC, my cancer tends to be more aggressive. The other reason is cosmetically, I will have more symmetrical and better looking boobs if they were both removed and rebuilt, rather than having to try and match my old (albeit healthy!) boob to the new one. I would have had to have my healthy boob lifted and reduced -and I'm NOT about to come out of this whole breast cancer thing with SMALLER boobs than before!!
The surgery was not that bad. I had 3 drains, 1 was removed in the hospital the day I left, the other was removed yesterday at my plastic surgeon's office, and tomorrow I'm seeing him to have the other one removed. I was up a and walking (although only to the bathroom) a few hours after my surgery, and I stayed 2 nights in the hospital. The pain has been manageable with the meds they gave me, and now, 7 days out, it's not bad at all. I had expanders put in at the same time of the mastectomy, and got my 1st fill at the time of insertion of 150cc's. I have full range of motion in my arms -the pain NOTHING like I thought it would be in the armpit area.
I had c-sections for both of my daughters and that surgery was way more painful recovering from than this one, by far. And I really like the idea of having better than ever, brand spankin new boobs in a few months. You just have to find the option that's right for you. I took a week to make my surgical decision, and in that time spoke with my oncologist and plastic surgeon to get all my questions answered about all the surgical options I had. I know I made the right one for me, and I don't regret a thing!
Best wishes to you & big hugs!
Heather
Ronda, isn't decision-making one of the hardest things that you ever have to do? I'm sorry that you have to rethink what you want to do for your treatments, but the good news is that your tumor has shrunk and you have more options!
I was originally diagnosed at 47 and I had a lumpectomy and radiation. I, too, had bad sunburns when I was a teenager, and was a bit afraid of radiation. But, I never burned more than a bit of pink when I had the boosts (the last week of the treatments). The worst thing that happened, to me, was the building tiredness, but I was able to work through the radiation taking an hour or two off each day.
Fast forward nine years, and I had a recurrence. This time it was DCIS, not invasive cancer, but my only option was a mastectomy. I had a bilateral mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction at that time. Each time, the treatment was the right one for me. I wasn't ready to lose my breasts the first time, but I was at peace with it the second time.
If I could, I would love to go back to before the mastectomy, when I had only had the lumpectomy. My breasts were so much more natural then, and I felt perfectly 'normal'. Now I have no feeling in my breasts: I can rub against something and not even know it. If you have pleasure from your husband touching your breasts, that is gone because there is no feeling in them. Also, there was a lot of numbness under my arms: that's somewhat better, but not totally. Since you are asthmatic, I would talk to your doctors about the length of time you would be in surgery under anesthesia. I would think that the shorter you can be under, the better. The recovery is so much easier with the lumpectomy and radiation, too. I was able to work through those, but was out of work for weeks after the mastectomy.
You can always have the mastectomy done after a lumpectomy, but a mastectomy is a forever thing. But, that may be the main reason that you would prefer the mastectomy, to get it done all at once.
But, the decision has to be what makes you feel at peace. We can only tell you our thoughts about our situation: we can't tell you what's best for you.
Joyce0 -
When I was first diagnosed,
When I was first diagnosed, my husband and I went to Mayo Clinic to get their opinions. One of the biggest things I learned there is that women are needlessly having double mastectomies out of a fear of cancer returning. I was told chances of recurrance are not affected one bit by taking all of the breast tissue if it is not required. My doctor said so many women are scared and don't ever want it to come back but studies showed it did not improve chances. I am lucky to only be having a lumpectomy in a couple of weeks but it sure made me think about what I would do given the option or circumstances.
We are faced with so many decisions during this time and just hope we make the right ones. Good luck as you travel down this road...it is bumpy but will smooth out when we get through this junk. XXX OOO big hugs to you!!!!0 -
Its a very hard and personal
Its a very hard and personal decision to make. Only you can decide which is best for you. I was also told by my doctor, as long as the margins are clear when the tumor was removed, then MY chances were the same as mastectomy, but that was in my case. I was 41 when dx in 2009 stage II, HER2 with positive Estrogen & proges.. and I chose lumpectomy, chemo & radiation. None of it was easy, but we survived. When it came to radiation, well the skin on my breast turned a darker color and I did burn under my arm, really bad. But like I said, its over, I survived that too. Here I am, still on Herceptin till Oct, and started tamoxifen and I pray everyday I will be cancer free for many years to come.
Hope this helped a little.
Lupe0 -
Think of it this way, you've been given a second chancePinkpower said:Its a very hard and personal
Its a very hard and personal decision to make. Only you can decide which is best for you. I was also told by my doctor, as long as the margins are clear when the tumor was removed, then MY chances were the same as mastectomy, but that was in my case. I was 41 when dx in 2009 stage II, HER2 with positive Estrogen & proges.. and I chose lumpectomy, chemo & radiation. None of it was easy, but we survived. When it came to radiation, well the skin on my breast turned a darker color and I did burn under my arm, really bad. But like I said, its over, I survived that too. Here I am, still on Herceptin till Oct, and started tamoxifen and I pray everyday I will be cancer free for many years to come.
Hope this helped a little.
Lupe
at maybe keeping your boob or boobs. I wish I had mine back no matter how big and saggy it is. I made the decision to have a simple, single mastectomy last Sept with no reconstruction. I do not regret that decision at all. But I am really glad I still have my other boob. I now have two prosthetics to use and will have more.
I enjoy feeling in my remaining boob. I'm not 20 anymore and if it's not perky (or in my case "perk") I don't care. I'm happy to have it. I don't worry about a recurrence in the remaining boob, if I get bc in it I'm sure it will be a new cancer. I had triple neg, a new one could be the other kind. Who knows? I worry about recurrence in bones or brain etc.
Mama-G you look beatiful and you can never tell with a good prosthetic.
If you decide to go double mastectomy and the whole route, you'll be able to do it...if you decide to a single mastecomy and no reconstruction, you're done and done with one surgery. But I would never have a single mastecomy and reconstruction cause they would have to do a reduction and lift on the other one and what are the chances they would be even? Besides, I'm a wimp and did not want anymore surgery.
I'm glad my decisions are overwith and I wish you peace and strength at making yours (again). I remember how you struggled the first time. But regardless, I am so happy for you the chemo is doing it's job and a new door has opened for you. Let us know your decision (again).
Hugs, Judy :-)0 -
Decisions........
Decisons, decisions, decisions...We're all faced with it during our battle....I 'll add just a few things.......I had three physicians, breast surgeon, oncologist, and raidiation oncologist all tell me that it is IMPOSSIBLE to remove all breast tissue, even with a radical mastectomy...that's why most radiation extends on the side under the armpit to where your side meets your back..Mine did...that is all breast tissue, I was told...that the survival rate is the same with mastectomy as it is with a lumpectomy. My sister in law is a 21 year survivor of a rare form of bc........she had a mastectomy, no other treatment.......she was 37 when dx.....she did not have reconstruction, says she has never regretted that decision.. I, personally, had a lumpectomy 14 months ago.......I am triple negative, clean lymph nodes....followed by 4 chemo infusions, followed by 33 radiation treatments, the last 7 being boosters......I did not burn, used my creams FAITHFULLY.....started turning pink around the fourth week......fatigue set in then also......IT all was no day at the beach, but very doable......I have no regrets about any of my decisions....I wanted anything and everything they could throw at this! I am fully recovered, some slight fatigue, still......I am living life to the fullest and enjoying everyday of being back to "normal"......
You have to do what you feel is best for you, along with the advice of your physicians.... But please know, there is life after bc.......and a good one!
Peace be with you in your decision making.....0 -
Thank you ladies, each and every one of you...MAJW said:Decisions........
Decisons, decisions, decisions...We're all faced with it during our battle....I 'll add just a few things.......I had three physicians, breast surgeon, oncologist, and raidiation oncologist all tell me that it is IMPOSSIBLE to remove all breast tissue, even with a radical mastectomy...that's why most radiation extends on the side under the armpit to where your side meets your back..Mine did...that is all breast tissue, I was told...that the survival rate is the same with mastectomy as it is with a lumpectomy. My sister in law is a 21 year survivor of a rare form of bc........she had a mastectomy, no other treatment.......she was 37 when dx.....she did not have reconstruction, says she has never regretted that decision.. I, personally, had a lumpectomy 14 months ago.......I am triple negative, clean lymph nodes....followed by 4 chemo infusions, followed by 33 radiation treatments, the last 7 being boosters......I did not burn, used my creams FAITHFULLY.....started turning pink around the fourth week......fatigue set in then also......IT all was no day at the beach, but very doable......I have no regrets about any of my decisions....I wanted anything and everything they could throw at this! I am fully recovered, some slight fatigue, still......I am living life to the fullest and enjoying everyday of being back to "normal"......
You have to do what you feel is best for you, along with the advice of your physicians.... But please know, there is life after bc.......and a good one!
Peace be with you in your decision making.....
Yes all these decisions make everything so complicated for me, so far doing the chemo hasn't been bad at all. I've only had one time where I felt really sick but it passed quickly, I have had the constipation but that too was relieved eventually with some nasty castor oil. I think the rads sound like something I just want to not do at all. My gut instinct is telling me to just stick with my double mastectomy with expanders and go on in life. I had my mind all set, ready and excepting of this choice, I believe still it is what I will end up doing.
As far as not having any nipples I think that will bother me only when I'm naked in front of a mirror, I just have no interest in going through any more treatments so the new nipples won't be a part of my future. And I'm kind of tired of seeing doctors and having all these appointments too. There's no way I want to go and do rads everyday Monday through Friday.
And I too want to give this breast cancer treatment the big guns so to speak, thanks ladies for all your opinions and experiences. I will go to this appointment to hear him out but I'm feel I want the double mastectomy more than a lumpectomy.0 -
We are all so different and
We are all so different and so is our breast cancer. I was dx in June '09 with IDC. At first, I was thinking like you and just wanted it over with and felt a bilateral mastectomy was the answer. I met with my surgeon who recommended a lumpectomy and advised me that the recurrence rate would be the same regardless of a bilateral mastectomy or lumpectomy. I also met with a plastic surgeon at this time and discussed immediate reconstruction with expanders. Well, as time went on, based on numerous conversations with family, friends and prior bc patients, I ended up doing a lumpectomy. I had 4 rounds of chemo (C/T) and 33 radiation treatments with the last 7 being boosters. I began taking Arimidex in January 2010, my bc was estrogen positive.
Fast forward, July 2010. I noticed a lump in the same affected breast just a week or so before my "first" mammo and ultrasound. I have had a MRI and needle biopsy and they have confirmed that the cancer is back. I have again met with all the various doctors and was advised that a mastectomy is the recommended treatment this time. I am opting for a bilateral with immediate reconstruction. But, because one of the breasts being reconstructed was radiated, it changes the choices for reconstruction. It is still possible but it is a more involved surgery.
I'm not trying to sway you one way or the other, this decision is totally yours and also a very personal one to make. I really don't regret my choice the first time because we can never know what is in our future. Make your decision and stick with it. We're here to offer our knowledge, support and encouragement. Good luck to YOU!!0 -
My Turn NowMyTurnNow said:We are all so different and
We are all so different and so is our breast cancer. I was dx in June '09 with IDC. At first, I was thinking like you and just wanted it over with and felt a bilateral mastectomy was the answer. I met with my surgeon who recommended a lumpectomy and advised me that the recurrence rate would be the same regardless of a bilateral mastectomy or lumpectomy. I also met with a plastic surgeon at this time and discussed immediate reconstruction with expanders. Well, as time went on, based on numerous conversations with family, friends and prior bc patients, I ended up doing a lumpectomy. I had 4 rounds of chemo (C/T) and 33 radiation treatments with the last 7 being boosters. I began taking Arimidex in January 2010, my bc was estrogen positive.
Fast forward, July 2010. I noticed a lump in the same affected breast just a week or so before my "first" mammo and ultrasound. I have had a MRI and needle biopsy and they have confirmed that the cancer is back. I have again met with all the various doctors and was advised that a mastectomy is the recommended treatment this time. I am opting for a bilateral with immediate reconstruction. But, because one of the breasts being reconstructed was radiated, it changes the choices for reconstruction. It is still possible but it is a more involved surgery.
I'm not trying to sway you one way or the other, this decision is totally yours and also a very personal one to make. I really don't regret my choice the first time because we can never know what is in our future. Make your decision and stick with it. We're here to offer our knowledge, support and encouragement. Good luck to YOU!!
Did you have an Oncotype DX test? If you did, what were your numbers?
Cindy0 -
I let the doctors at Mass
I let the doctors at Mass General tell me what I needed to survive. I had Stage 3 invasive ductal. They said that I could have a lumpectomy because mine was a tumor and easily removed followed by chemo and radiation. It was 2.6. After surgery I was told that they removed 17 lymph nodes ( already knew sentinal node was infected).
A week later had to have reincision for clean margin and was told that 8 nodes out of 17 were infected. I wanted to opt out of chemo so bad and tried to" bargain " if you will. I said if I have a mastectomy can I skip chemo and the answer was no.
They explained to me that IN MY CASE, a lumpectomy was exactly the same survival rate as a mastectomy.
Hope this helps. Blessings to you.
Wanda0 -
Your decision is just that,2Floridiansisters said:Thank you ladies, each and every one of you...
Yes all these decisions make everything so complicated for me, so far doing the chemo hasn't been bad at all. I've only had one time where I felt really sick but it passed quickly, I have had the constipation but that too was relieved eventually with some nasty castor oil. I think the rads sound like something I just want to not do at all. My gut instinct is telling me to just stick with my double mastectomy with expanders and go on in life. I had my mind all set, ready and excepting of this choice, I believe still it is what I will end up doing.
As far as not having any nipples I think that will bother me only when I'm naked in front of a mirror, I just have no interest in going through any more treatments so the new nipples won't be a part of my future. And I'm kind of tired of seeing doctors and having all these appointments too. There's no way I want to go and do rads everyday Monday through Friday.
And I too want to give this breast cancer treatment the big guns so to speak, thanks ladies for all your opinions and experiences. I will go to this appointment to hear him out but I'm feel I want the double mastectomy more than a lumpectomy.
Your decision is just that, your decision. If you listen to your doctors suggestions and do some research on your own, you will be making the right choice for you.
Good luck!
Jan0
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