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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?
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?
Hi everyone,
I just wanted tot ell you that I have decided on getting a lumpectomy and all of the debating that was going on in my head and heart is now gone. I wanted to tell you why, after being so set on a mastecomy, I made this decision, in hopes that it may help someone else. It is such a tough decision, and there is so much to learn, I was making myself crazy!
In weighing out my options, I looked at the recovery time. To me, this was a very important issue. To me, I wanted this part of my life over as quick as possible. I wanted to be able to move on as soon as I could. SO, after having my doctor answer 2 PAGES of questions, I decided on the lumpectomy with possible reconstruction if I thought I needed it. He assured me that he would make my breast look as nice as he could while taking out what he needed.
I then said what I said when I first felt the lump..... I 'm giving it to God, and he can do what he wishes with my decision.
I am not very religious, but I do feel that God is all powerful, and will take care of me. So I am taking back the - it is what it is attitude, I will take it one day at a time. If I need to sleep cuz I am sick I will, and not feel guilty . I will work when I can - if I lose my job, so be it. My family will be fine while I am sick, I have readied my house (been cleaning it like a crazy!) and my freezer ( I have stocked it with premade dinners!). I am ready to get well!
I hope this will help someone else maybe look at thier decision easier.
My surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, with he said maybe a month of recovery, then 6 weeks of radiation........ If you look at the calender, you will see that I am going to be taking this right through the Christmas holiday, which is what I REALLY didn't want to do,but, I will at least have the month of November to get ready for it!....See everything for a reason. I may be sick for the Holiday, but I will be ready for them!!!!!
I will keep you posted as how thing went or are going
Thanks you much,
Lisa
I just wanted tot ell you that I have decided on getting a lumpectomy and all of the debating that was going on in my head and heart is now gone. I wanted to tell you why, after being so set on a mastecomy, I made this decision, in hopes that it may help someone else. It is such a tough decision, and there is so much to learn, I was making myself crazy!
In weighing out my options, I looked at the recovery time. To me, this was a very important issue. To me, I wanted this part of my life over as quick as possible. I wanted to be able to move on as soon as I could. SO, after having my doctor answer 2 PAGES of questions, I decided on the lumpectomy with possible reconstruction if I thought I needed it. He assured me that he would make my breast look as nice as he could while taking out what he needed.
I then said what I said when I first felt the lump..... I 'm giving it to God, and he can do what he wishes with my decision.
I am not very religious, but I do feel that God is all powerful, and will take care of me. So I am taking back the - it is what it is attitude, I will take it one day at a time. If I need to sleep cuz I am sick I will, and not feel guilty . I will work when I can - if I lose my job, so be it. My family will be fine while I am sick, I have readied my house (been cleaning it like a crazy!) and my freezer ( I have stocked it with premade dinners!). I am ready to get well!
I hope this will help someone else maybe look at thier decision easier.
My surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, with he said maybe a month of recovery, then 6 weeks of radiation........ If you look at the calender, you will see that I am going to be taking this right through the Christmas holiday, which is what I REALLY didn't want to do,but, I will at least have the month of November to get ready for it!....See everything for a reason. I may be sick for the Holiday, but I will be ready for them!!!!!
I will keep you posted as how thing went or are going
Thanks you much,
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
It is great to hear that you have reached a decision with which you feel comfortable!
I hope everything goes well for you, and please do keep us posted all along the way.
Warm regards,
bluebutterfly
It is great to hear that you have reached a decision with which you feel comfortable!
I hope everything goes well for you, and please do keep us posted all along the way.
Warm regards,
bluebutterfly
I was pressured by my doctor to get a lumpectomy when my gut told me to get bilateral mastectomies to get as much breast tissue off me as possible. After a diagnostic MRI was done and my 1.5 cm mass ended up being 10 cm she finally admitted that lumpectomy wasn't an option.
What was the results of your biopsy? Are ER, PR and/or HER2 Positive or negative?
Each of those can be negative or positive. I'd want the answer to those questions before I'd make a decision at your young age.
Best wishes :)
What was the results of your biopsy? Are ER, PR and/or HER2 Positive or negative?
Each of those can be negative or positive. I'd want the answer to those questions before I'd make a decision at your young age.
Best wishes :)
Ps.. I stopped for my radiation treatments every morning at 6am and went straight to work. It only takes about 20 minutes or so for the radiation treatments. You can do this :)
Wow, I was under the impression that radiations makes you "dog tired" - everyone I have spoken to said that they just existed during treatments. Eating, sleeping and treatments is what I have been told by some...O hope that I can ge SOME work done during!
Thanks for your encouragement!
Lisa
Thanks for your encouragement!
Lisa
Well, my surgery went well. I really didn't like the anesthesia though.... I felt a little pushed out of the hospital, as they started late, then it took longer than expected, and the nurses wanted to GO HOME! I don't really remember that first night after the surgery.
My scars look good, and I have only taken 1 pain pill (half at a time) as there has been no pain! Three days after surgery, and I am doing the laundry with no help!!!! So glad to be up and around!
The Doctor did take out the cyst that had me so concerned, but he said was "only" a cyst....we will see when all of the tests come back!
I have an appointment with him next Wednesday, adn I guess he will then tell me what comes next.
I am glad that I went with the lumpectomy, because, I don't like not being "in control" and the anesthesia made me feel like I had no control, so I probably wouldn't want to go through this again!
Smiles all over me face though, knowing I am on my way back to being ME!
Lisa
My scars look good, and I have only taken 1 pain pill (half at a time) as there has been no pain! Three days after surgery, and I am doing the laundry with no help!!!! So glad to be up and around!
The Doctor did take out the cyst that had me so concerned, but he said was "only" a cyst....we will see when all of the tests come back!
I have an appointment with him next Wednesday, adn I guess he will then tell me what comes next.
I am glad that I went with the lumpectomy, because, I don't like not being "in control" and the anesthesia made me feel like I had no control, so I probably wouldn't want to go through this again!
Smiles all over me face though, knowing I am on my way back to being ME!
Lisa
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