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Lumpectomy vs mastectomy

First post and replies | Last post by janedoe7, 8 months ago

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Hello- I recently was diagnosed with invasive ductal CA. I am estrogen/progesterone + & HER2 -. Genetic testing results are still pending. I have 3 small lesions in the same quadrant of my L breast. However, due to their placement, Dr. Shook feels that it could be challenging to do a lumpectomy, though I do have that option. He & I both are leaning towards the mastectomy option, but now I am second-guessing if I should go the lumpectomy route instead? I know my health is the first priority but going with a lumpectomy would hopefully b...

By PKCG 9 months ago
I'm sorry to hear that you've been diagnosed with breast cancer. May I ask what caused you to rethink your choice? Did you speak to someone who had a rough experience with a mastectomy? Are you concerned about the longer recovery? Are you concerned about having radiation, which I assume you could avoid if you chose a mastectomy? I had a choice and went from leaning-mastectomy to choosing a lumpectomy. I can't know yet if I made the right choice for my long-term health, but I did find the lumpectomy a very easy procedure. The only trouble fro...

By janedoe7 9 months ago
My sister had a rough time with her mastectomy & then reconstruction . And yes, the possibility of an easier recovery with the lumpectomy & not having to miss as much work makes this option sound better. Though I am not prone to excessive worrying, I don't want to worry about the cancer coming back. So in that case, the mastectomy sounds like a better choice. And, there is a very low chance I will need radiation if I do the mastectomy. So, I am torn. I am getting 2nd opinion just in case. Thank you for your input.

By PKCG 9 months ago
Hello, it’s a hard decision and I can relate. I had the option 1 year ago and ultimately decided to do a double mastectomy for a few key reasons: 1. I heard it was had to do a mastectomy later if you have a recurrence and did radiation. 2. I personally needed the peace of mind that my risk was significantly lowered by doing the mastectomy. 3. I was able to do the mastectomy with reconstructive surgery one surgery. One recovery, not multiple. I hope this helps. That’s my story and glad I did it.

By Gwoodhood 9 months ago
It is definitely a hard decision, and it's wonderful that you are reaching out for advice and support. I am HER2 and estrogen positive, and I had a double mastectomy in late May. At the time, I thought I only had invasive ductal carcinoma in the right breast. After the surgery, Dr. Shook told me that it was in both breasts, but the left breast had lobular cancer. It was so small that it was not detected until the surgery. The recovery took time, but I was glad that I made the choice to do the double mastectomy. Due to the size of the tumor in t...

By Ironmom5 9 months ago
@Ironmom5, the lobular in your right breast is a good point! I don't often second-guess my decision to do a lumpectomy, but when I do, that's exactly what I worry about. I had lobular in my left breast, and I know that it is more likely than others to occur in both breasts and is, of course, difficult to see. My heart is beating a little fast just typing this! I'm glad I have an MRI coming up soon. @PKCG, regarding radiation in the left breast, see my post on Deep Inspiration Breath Hold. I hope I didn't alarm you about radiation on the left ...

By janedoe7 9 months ago
I had the same diagnosis but with Her 2 Low and spread to the lymph nodes and had 12 lymphs removed along w a double mastectomy. I had Dr Shook too. And Dr Martin. Both amazing! I did the double mastectomy and I am glad. A lot of my markers/scores showed aggressive numbers and my biopsy showed spread outside the lymph-nodes That was last August and after 5 mo chemo, 1 mo radiation and now waiting for reconstruction scheduled for Dec 4, 2024 I have been happy with my choice to take it all off and relieved that it is gone. The expanders aren’t t...

By BCsister 8 months ago
Thank you for your feedback. Since I first posted, I have seen my oncologist who is also leaning towards mastectomy for me. It is still an option to do lumpectomy but since I have 3 spots, and they also don't know what else may be under them, the lumpectomy will leave me pretty disfigured. Your reasons for doing the mastectomy are also the reasons I have in leaning towards that procedure. I appreciate your input & am glad that you are happy with the choice you made.

By PKCG 8 months ago
Hello and first of all, I'm so sorry you're going through this. Hopefully you find this forum of women helping to answer questions and provide support, comforting. I had a very similar situation of DCIS with the option of doing a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. While I would never speak for anyone other than myself, I think because the whole situation of being faced with cancer is so overwhelming, you want to do what you think is least painful or least time consuming out of the options. I chose a lumpectomy of my left breast and faced a long ser...

By YoliV5590 8 months ago
Thank you so much for sharing your journey. I am so sorry that you had to undergo cancer twice, but am happy that you are now healthy. I will have a few more appts before my surgery but for now I am leaning towards the mastectomy . Your feedback is so helpful to me.

By PKCG 8 months ago
First off, I would like to thank all of you that have taken the time to give my your feedback. Hearing your journeys and how you have made your decisions is meaningful to me and gives me hope that I will also make the correct decision for myself. I have an update to my journey in figuring out my next steps. But, I am even more confused. I have seen Drs Shook, Martin, and Pluard. They spent a lot of time with me and all recommended unilateral left mastectomy with reconstruction. All feel that though my 3 spots are small, that they will have to...

By PKCG 8 months ago
That's so interesting about the implant! For what it's worth, Dr. Beahm did my surgery. Based on my initial imaging she thought I would need a mastectomy, but once we got all the information back, she felt confident that I could do a lumpectomy with radiation. I had reconciled myself to the fact of a mastectomy so I hesitated, but when she said "If it were my sister, I'd tell her to get a lumpectomy" I decided to go with it. She removed a portion over 3cm wide and got clear margins and you cannot tell anything was removed. At least I can't. She...

By janedoe7 8 months ago
I met with Dr. Shook again last week and have decided to go ahead with the unilateral mastectomy on my L side with reconstruction eventually. I feel good about this decision but am ready for this to be over with... Again, I appreciate all the input and feedback from you all. Wishing all of you Good Health.Xx

By PKCG 8 months ago
I know this is a big decision. But, know that you and only you know what is best and believe in that! Onward and upward my friend!

By BCsister 8 months ago
Clarity!!! Wishing you the best with your surgery and recovery. We are here for you. Keep us posted.

By janedoe7 8 months ago
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11 year survivor!

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Fear is always in the back of my mind

First post and replies | Last post by momoftwo, 4 months ago

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Hi all, I had my annual ultrasound this morning. After 11 years, you'd think I'd feel more comfortable with the process. The people are always friendly and encouraging, but the 5 - 10 minutes waiting for the tech to return after the initial reading seems to take forever. Thankfully, the reading went well, and I can breathe easily for another year. What helped me get through the waiting period? Nice music on my phone, some deep breathing, and positive thoughts. Let me know if I can support you through this process!

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Hi! I love to roller skate and am wondering if anyone is interested in meeting up at adult skate sessions? Thanks!

By Gr8fu11 5 months ago

Anyone else stopped drinking...or want to?

First post and replies | Last post by janedoe7, 9 months ago

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I stopped drinking entirely about two years ago after cutting back over about six months. I don't miss alcohol and I feel much better without it, but sometimes I do feel left out when everyone else is drinking. I think I have just as much fun as people who are drinking, but it does set me apart. For a little while I played along by ordering fancy non-alcoholic cocktails when we would go out, but I've stopped. They are practically as expensive as alcoholic drinks and they don't taste that great. I feel better and I look better since stopping alc...

By janedoe7 9 months ago

Your support will mean the world to them

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ER+ PR+ and HER2+

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