undecided - mastecomy or lumpectomy

[popvendr321]

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?

[popvendr321]

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

[bluebutterfly2222]

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

[popvendr321]

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

[UsafMom99]

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

[bluebutterfly2222]

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

[japdip]

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 !!