help with my decision

[Pink64]

Hello, I am very confused and can not get a decision by myself, what is happening is that I had  a re-exision to try to get the margins clears, so a got my results yesterday, and it is just 2mm. The doctor sad the best would be 5mm, so he suggest me a mastectomy with tomoxifem, or radioterapy and tomoxifen,that has 15% chance of reincidence in 10 years. Somebody had to decide about it? What could somebody sugest me? Thanks a lot.

[often]

Get a second opinion from an oncologist if you are unsure....

[Pink64]

Hi, It is going to drive me crazy, I just came fom the oncologist. I went there to say I have decided to have radiotherapy, but he was soo directlly saying me it is not the rigth choice. The best way for me should be the mastectomy , if you want to see your grandschildren you would bether do mastectomy. But it is not the end, before to go there I went to the surgeon, because all my family and friend had said me I should have de mastectomy, so I went the to tell him that it was what I had decided. He made me change my mind, come back home and think better about what to do, so i decided about the radiotherapy, and now.................... What is really going on???????????  Somebody help me plese it I am so afraid.

[Pink64]

It is very kind of you sweet! I think you understand my worries!!!!!!!!!! I want to keep my breast, but my friends are saying to me to have the mastectomy. I know it needs to be my decision, but I can not feel me bad to not hear my friends.
I know I need to decide to start doing it,and I will.
Thanks for your support.

[sandymann52]

These decisions we are faced with now are difficult plus there are so many emotions involved too.  But you'll make the right decision!  

My bc was 3mm.  I opted for breast conservation surgery.  They were able to get clean margins, no lymph node involvement.  There was a little more than a golf ball size.  I took mamosite radiation therapy 2 times a day for 5 days.  Finished November 14th.  Yeah!  I am now on Tamoxifin for 2 yrs. I'm very early in my survival but have not regreted for a moment the decision to keep as much breast tissue as possible.

Keep your courage up and know hugs and prayers are being sent your way from Kentucky!
Sandy Mann

[donnak627]

At the time I was just numb.  That first night in the hospital I couldn't sleep.  I just sat up with tears streaming down my face.  My husband, mother and sister consulted with the doctor during the surgery, and he offered to sew me up and bring me back into his office, but everyone felt like it was the inevitable.  It was quite a surpise, and ironically, the same thing happened to my mother in law in 1976.  Because of that I asked my surgeon over and over what were the chances, but the ultra sound and biopsy only showed a small lump so we all felt positively about the situation.  I know it was the right decision, and I never questioned "why me?" like I've heard from so many people.  I always thought, "why not me?" because I'm no better than anyone else.

I have a very good support system comprised of family, friends, and co-workers which you'll find is a must.  Mine was a rare case, and everyone is different.  Whatever comes your way, you'll deal with it.  Good luck and hope all is well.  Please let me know.  I'll be thinking of you.

[Barry777]

I am having a lumpectomy next Thursday. I would be furious to wake up without a breast. Shouldn't the doctor wake you up and at least give you the option? You are very understanding, and apparently forgiving. Apparently you had an invasive large cancer...still it would be too much of of a surprise to wake up with out a breast.

[donnak627]

Two years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and what was supposed to be a simple lumpectomy, ended up being a mastectomy on my right breast, because the surgeon couldn't get a clear margin.  As devasted as I was to wake up and find my breast had been removed, I credit that doctor for probably saving my life.  I went through 8 treatments of chemo and I take Tamoxifen.  Six weeks ago I had the first phase of my reconstruction surgery using the tram flap procedure.  Had I known I needed a mastectomy, I would have chosen to have both breasts removed, but life happens and we don't always get to plan.  There is scarring with any procedure, but the reconstruction process is totally amazing with the right doctor.  My reconstructive surgeon is simply the best!  Good luck with your decisions.

[lynneDCIS]

I have the same decision to make. I have DCIS with 1mm clean margins. My breast doctor said if a larger area can come out, then I can forgo radiation with tamoxifin added. I am also considering a mastectomy to NEVER have to deal with this again. Not sure what to do. HAs anyone considered a full matestectomy with reconstruction to avoid all the hassle and scaring?

[Pink64]

Hi Norah, thanks a lot for your post. It is so hard to decide about!
Good look on  your radiation.

[Norah_Za]

I have DCIS and I had to do the re-exision to get the clear margin. My doctor says 2mm and more is enough. I am not sure she said that because mine is not invasive cancer or that is true for all BC type. It may depends on the type of cancer, grade and how aggresive it is. If you are not comfortable with your doctor suggestion get second or even third opinion. There is usualy radiation after lumpectomy. That is what I am doing now. Good luck.