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Avatar universal

undecided - mastecomy or lumpectomy

I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. I have 1 mass that is 3.5 and a cyst that is 2.5 - not in the lymph nodes - just got back the BRAC test - everything good there. My Doctor and husband are both pushing for a lumpectomy and radiation. I feel that being so young (43) that a mastecomy is right since I have so long to live that I don't want to have to worry about it coming back. Plus if it does come back - if will come off anyway.
Both my husband and Doctor feel that least invasive, no real time off of work... I work with my husband in our own business and also cut hair for a living..my husband thinks, ok work during the day, get radiation in the evening, life continues as normal, sleep all night. Still do housework, dinners, etc. No big difference in life.
I guess my question is, do I make the decision with MY gut or follow what the Doctor reccommmend, since he IS the Specialist in this? AND is a regular life possible during radiation treatments?
106 Responses
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962875 tn?1314210036
Lisa,

I know how important the holidays are to you and your family (since you asked last year about the possibility of delaying treatment until after they were over), so I couldn't be more delighted to hear that this was your best Christmas ever!!

I hope everything continues to go well for you!

Hugs right back at you,
bluebutterfly
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just wanted to pop in to say Happy New Years to all. And to let you know that this was our BEST Christmas ever. I had my breast replacement surgery on Dec. 14th.... I had my last treatment on the 20th........... and now they said don't come back for 3 months!!!! woo hoo! For my birthday on the 30th my husband gave me gift certificates to Victoria Secret to buy new bras to fit the new me... I have NEVER shopped there before, and splurged on $45 bras! (they better last the rest of my life!!) So very happy to have this behind me now............
I wanted to thank everyone who helped me along the way, answering all of my dumb questions, and offering such good advice - I wish I could give you all a hug.
Thanks again,
Lisa
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks again for coming through with answers!!
I love the word cancerversary - whoever came up with it - the word made me laugh!!
I will be looking all over for the answers - thanks to both of you!

Lisa
Helpful - 0
739091 tn?1300666027
Hi! You are almost at the end! Yeah!!!

You may want to pose the saline vs silicone question to my friends at facingourrisk.org as the majority of them choose implants for their prophyllactic surgeries. I know one of my friends couldn't achieve the projection she wanted with silicone so she chose saline and is happy.

As for your cancerversary date, that is the date you were diagnosed with cancer as BB told you. That is one date you want to celebrate for many many years to come!
Helpful - 0
962875 tn?1314210036
p.s. Here are links to two discussions regarding the factors to consider in choosing which type to get:

http://www.breastimplantinfo.org/augment_4faq10.html

http://www.drdonnica.com/guests/00012319.htm

bb
Helpful - 0
962875 tn?1314210036
Hi Lisa,

Great to hear from you again!

I would suggest you discuss the pros and cons of the various types of implants, from the perpsective of safety as well funtion/appearance, with your plastic surgeon. But other members of the forum who have "been there, done that," may have advice for you from their personal perspectives.

I believe most people figure their "cancerversery" from the date they were dx with BC.

Warm regards,
bluebutterfly
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Everyone,
I was just rereading my journey.... it seems so long ago that this started, but at the same time like it was yesterday. I wanted to thank everyone for all of their great advice while going through this. It is so funny looking back, and thinking then how I "THOUGHT" it was going to be quick and easy to get through this! It was easy, but here it is more than a year later and my life still isn't my own! BUT SOON!!!
I have just had my last fill, and am waiting for the final placements....... and of course I have a question!
silicone or saline? Any thoughts as to which is better, softer, nicer to look at, lighter???? The expanders are so heavy, I am so surprised! Will the replacements be this heavy?
Also and I know this is a dumb question, but what date do I get to use as my anniversary date for when I can say I have been 1 year cancer free? Does that come with a final appointment when they do some kind of test to find out that I have no evidence or something? Or do I use the date of my last surgery, or the first surgery? (told you it was a dumb question!!! LOL)
Thanks again,
Lisa
Helpful - 0
962875 tn?1314210036
I'm away on vacation, but just had to respond to your nice note by using the computer for the residents of my mom's extended care facility.

Glad to hear things are coming along well!  You've come so far since we "met," and I'm glad you're now heading down the home stretch.

Regards,
bb
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
OK so the Joel Osteen weekend was FANTASTIC!!! He is just amazing! We also went to the Aquarium while in Chicago. Unbelievable!!! It took us 6 hours to see it all!!! WOW is all I can say - that and I can't wait to go back again!!
I had my second fill today, and I can now see a little bit of a bump there! I have had no problems so far and very LITTLE pain!  YAY! It looks like I am nearing the end of this journey!
I wanted to thank everyone for all of their help getting me through it. THANK YOU I hope that one day I can help someone else like you have done for me!  
I will continue lurking here on the board and will pipe in when I can.
Thanks again, and warm wishes to all of you
Lisa
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

I just got done reading your journey. We had similar type of cancer I just went more aggressive in the beginning for my peace of mind and did bilateral mastectomy. Also did reconstruction and don't let the scars or the shape scare you right now. The tissue expanders are meant to do one thing and that is expand that skin. Once you get your permanent implants they will nip and tuck you will be amazed. I even went back for nipple tattoing didnt do nipple construction.

Hey they don't look like the real thing but they fill my shirts out very nicely and noone would every know if I wasn't such an advocate telling everyone I meet. So good luck and hang in there they do get a little heavy towards the end you do have to go 30-40 percent bigger than the size you want to be at the end so don't rush it. Let your body and skin strech gently:)

Kimber
Helpful - 0
962875 tn?1314210036
Hi Lisa,

Thanks for updating us--I had been wondering how you were doing!

As japdip mentioed, time can do a lot for incisions "scars." They shrink, flatten, whiten, and fade for at least a year or more. After than, if you're stiil bothered by them, you could look into revision.  (But if by then you are generally pleased with your new breasts, you may decide it's not worth more surgery, because not that many people see them bare--unless of course you have a side job as a stripper, LOL!)

Regards,
bluebutterfly
Helpful - 0
25201 tn?1255580836
Great to hear from you .... it all sounds good but I'm not surprised about your disappointment regarding the scars. Give it a couple years and then if you're still unhappy go for a scar revision. Don't rush the going back to work or any of the "chores" they will all wai for you and it's worth the aggravation. Enjoy your trip to Chicago and I hope it cools off some by then.. Take care and Congrats on a job well done !!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi All,
It has been a while ... I thought I would update! I had my bilateral with expansions put in last Monday. I am feeling really good. I am draining only very little, and have very little pain, actually no pain, just a little pressure every now an then. I was in the hospital only for about 26 hours total and was up and running around by the 3rd day! I don't like the way the scares look, so I am hoping that they will pretty up in time! They aren't straight or even. (some encouragement is needed here!!??) Some good news is that the pathology report came back negative! So all of the lumps we were finding were nothing!
I hate it that I cannot get right back into work..I work as a barber and they said no work for 2 weeks minimum. I can't do laundry - which is in a pile as tall as I am! And the floors are getting kind of dirty! BUT oh well..if my kids aren't going to do it for me, I won't worry about it!
On the bright side, I am going to Chicago to see Joel Osteen on the 6th, and I am SO EXCITED! It will be a long car ride, but he is worth it! (we live in the Cleveland area)
Just wanted to update you all in case you were wondering!
Talk to you all soon!
Lisa
Helpful - 0
25201 tn?1255580836
I think I would mention the new lump before the surgery; it's nice to know what you're "getting into" even tough you're having a Bilateral. I suppose you have seee the plastic Surgeon regarding your reconstruction and he/she would be the best one to advise as to which procedure would be most appropriate for you. Wishing you the very best for a successful surgery and uneventful recovery.  Congratulations to your Daughter on her Graduation too. Regards ....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
OK Ladies, I have my surgery scheduled for July 18th! My daughter's graduation is the 17th! I am scared and excited in the same thought! The docs have finally agreed with me - so I am having a bi-lateral mastecomy with reconstruction.
I have found another lump in my "good" breast and don't know if I should tell them about it ahead of the surgery or just wait. Any ideas???
Also, I have to give them a final answer about HOW I want to reconstruct. In looking at all of the ways to do it, I don't think I saw one that said an implant along with some of my own like stomach tissue and fat. Is there such a thing?They told me I don't have enough in my stomach for only using that, but I was wondering if they could do it using both? Anyone know?
My docs put me on Lyrica for the neuropathy, and it seems to have worked some.... I still feel like I am working with band-aids on my fingers, but it is getting better! I have been having some of the common side effects from the drug, but I am not sure they are bad enough to quit taking them.
I have had my last treatment of herceptin!! WOOO HOOO !!! And I am feeling pretty good these days!
I hope everyone is doing great and will check back for answers soon!
Take care,
Lisa
Helpful - 0
25201 tn?1255580836
That's easy to do ..... LE was the ONE thing I most dreaded and I know that sounds ridiculous when you're dealing with BC but that's the way I felt about it. Carry the purse on the other side .... I do and even though I admit that I'm probably NOT as careful as I should be, I do try to keep it in mind and make adjustments when I can and NOT overdo when I can avoid it. If you have the opportunity to speak to a Therapist who specializes in LE treatment it would be an eye-opening experience. Take care now ........
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I thought the 10 lb rule was for while you were healing up. Do you mean that is for the rest of my life??!! My purse sometimes weighs more than 10 lbs!! I will look into LE more, as I did do some reading on it, but not a whole lot. I guess that even though I thought I was going into this eyes wide open, I have had the blinders half on. I need to read some more!
Thanks,
Lisa
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for you r input. I have already decided to talk to my doctors about the swelling and such to see if something can be done. I took all of my rings off of both hands and feel so naked! The feet seem to be a little better, not all gone, but better than they were. But my hands are not stopping with the tingling and the pain. It is mostly the burning that is making me nuts!
With being BRAC positive, why didn't they remove both breasts for you and your Mom? I thought that was kind of standard for BRAC +?
Thanks,
Lisa
Helpful - 0
25201 tn?1255580836
I went back and read some previous posts and Lymphedema was mentioned in one of them. This is the issue I'm referring to and I suppose you weren't given many restrictions (although I thought I read something about not lifting over 10 lbs, but I could be wrong as it may have been something that was mentioned by someone who answered you) is that many Dr.s (including my own Surgeon by the way) don't even believe that LE exeists. Believe me IT DOES !!! It can occur anytime following any interruption of the lymphatic system which would be when even one lymph node is removed. Another disgusting feature of LE is that it can occur many years after the surgery.There are many precautions and you might just put Lyphedema in search .... LE has a website where much information can be obtained. I don't believe in going "over the top" with the precautions but some make very good sense and your mention of lifting 75-80 lbs sounds like something I would be cautious about. LE is no fun and once you have it, you have it for life even though it can be treated by various methods of massage, wrapping, compression garments (sleeves and/or gloves) by a specially trained Physical Therapist. Let's hope your bowling result was just too much activity and NOT LE related. Do be careful though, OK ??   Take care ......
Helpful - 0
1686908 tn?1307193790
Hi there, I just have been following your journey!  My mom's going thru a similiar one at age 82.  She has neuropathy really bad with the tingling and pain then on top of it lymphedema.  If you get a true diagnosis of lymphedema you would qualify for treatment under the 1998 breast cancer act.  Treatment is called combined decongestive therapy and it feels great like a masage!  A specially trained therapist moves the fluid out of the congested area and you are wrapped to keep it out.  You are taught how to do the bodywork yourself and how to wrap, maybe skin brushing, home care and graduate to a sleeve which is a compression sleeve.  I have lymphedema full body almost.  I'm a survivor too but only had lumpectomy.  Mom had masectomy right side last August and this Jan lumpectomy left side.  We are brca 1 and brca 2 positive.  Tina
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Avatar universal
hhhhhmmmm.... I guess I did not know this. I don't remember them telling me I can't ever do things like this. I will follow orders, but I didn't know. What kind of problems could I have caused? What else do I have to give up on with this new lifelong issue? My work involves lifting packages, sometimes up to 75-80 lbs. am I supposed to not lift those? Is there a weight limit that I should be aware of? I REALLY don't want to mess myself up. Is there somewhere I can look this up?
Thanks for opening my eyes to this,
Lisa
Helpful - 0
25201 tn?1255580836
You are very brave and quite foolishly so I might add. I personally would NEVER engage in this type of activity on the operative side and I doubt that it would ever be approved by any of your Dr.s. I suggest that you start leaning to bowl right handed if you intend to continue in this sport. I don't mean to sound harsh but the price you may have to pay would be too high for me when compared to bowling. Forget the "a little while longer" part too; this would be a lifelong issue.  Take care now and try that ball in the other hand ....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am not sure if I should start a new thread for this, but....
Last night I went to a fund raiser (bowling for boobies - for a friends walking in Komen Walk) anyway I bowled 2 games, and kind of felt "hurt" during the second game. I am left handed and that is the side I had my cancer on... I had my surgery in October, but after the games, I had well it is hard to explain, but a little pain in that arm. I bowl with a 12lb. ball.  Is this something that I should not have done? Do I have to give up bowling forever? Or just a little while longer? I never thought of this until yesterday, and then someone else said, they were told to not even carry their purse on that side ever again!? SO do I have to baby my left side for the rest of my life?
Thanks,
Lisa who is smiling big, because  we FINALLY have some sunshine!
Helpful - 0
1119363 tn?1330355440
To add to Bluebutterfly, any time you have a wierd symptom, you should contact your doctor(s).  There are usually explanations and treatments to make it go away or help you cope.  Don't ignore it and "soldier on" when it can be better.

Sounds a lot like lymphedema, especially if you had a number of nodes removed.  There are definitely early treatments for that.
Take care - Shellee
Helpful - 0
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