aI am being treated at a large medical center in the midwest. In Nov., '03, I presented with what two physicians thought was inflammatory breast cancer. Symptoms (over more than a month period) included stabbing pain in my right breast, a 3-4" red circle around my nipple, dimpled peau d'orange skin, skin thickening, small lesion near my nipple, welts the size of a finger appearing at times, prominent veins, swelling and feeling of warmth. There was also a palpable mass. A skin biopsy was negative, but the medical team was prepared to make the diagnosis of inflammatory cancer on observation alone. All symptoms then disappeared. Core biopsy of the mass indicated invasive ductal carcinoma, ER/PR positive, HER-2/neu negative, 6 positive lymph nodes (that are not detected on most recent ultrasound). A bone scan later showed metastasis L1, L2, L3 and T7, as well as the vertex of calvarium and right 7th rib. I am being treated with Tamoxifen and Zometa, and have had a good response. I am functioning just fine. I don't have any major pain, other than occasional twinges in my ribs. Now my oncologist wants me to have a mastectomy. He feels that since I am only 50 years old and in otherwise good health,this is an aggressive and wise approach. He also feels it will be better for me pyschologically to not see the tumor growth that is going to eventually occur.(Note:The interdisciplinary team at this hospital could not reach consensus on what should be done in my case.)A surgeon recommended modified radical mastectomy on my right (tumor) side and a total mastectomy, left. What to do?