Thank you. I have to decide between mastectomy or breast conservation. Been reading up on it but can't decide between them. Can I ask which surgery you had?
I had a mastectomy.I wasn't given the choice after they discovered a second cancerous lump.
When I had the results from my operation they said it was the right thing because one of the lumps was a grade 3 and had pre-cancerous cells surrounding it.
I'm sorry to hear that - hope you are beginning to recover?? Mine was picked up during routine screening so caught before I knew it was there. However, I have gone from being told 'it's very small we'll just cut around it, radiotherapy, job done' to drawings of mastectomy , reconstruction etc. etc. So it may be small but the treatment seems to be the same. Good news is (at the moment) no chemo but they seem to add a bit more each time!!! I have an MRI booked for a week's time to see if there is anything more lurking - I presume the final decision will be made then. I am thinking maybe the breast conservation (both sides) as this seems more fitting to the size of the tumour - although I could need further surgery or even a mastectomy at a later date (or not). So much to think about... I guess from the photo that you are quite young to be going through this? I'm a young 61 still in working as a Teaching assistant team leader. The breast care nurse has helped me to realise that going to work at the moment is not a good idea - I'm lucky in that my boss and colleagues are very supportive. Although our cases are very different, I really appreciate having someone to chat to who has been through it. I also have a colleague who had similar to you so we have been comparing notes too. If you have come across anyone who has had the conservation I'd really like to hear about their experiences. Meanwhile I wish you all the best and please write again if you want to- I have daughters aged 41 and 33. Jak x
Hi JaK
I'm 37 I had only just turned 37 at time of diagnosis.I do consider myself young for breast cancer at the time my daughter was only 20 months old.I was completely terrified I was going to leave her and my sons without a mummy.
Reality is the treatment for breast cancer is good and survival rates are going up and up.
My advice would be to do what you feel comfortable with right now and take it a step at a time.
It was the same for me regarding treatment I was told initially that it may be lumpectamy or mastectomy with a bit of radiotherapy.Then I was told it may change depending on results.Which it did.So don't be surprised if that happens to you.
But id say try not to think of all that just now.Get your op out of the way and concentrate on the recovery from that and then go from there..bit by bit one appointment at a time like a giant puzzle.
Sometimes it's all too much to see it all at once so taking small pieces is easier to swallow.
I am seeing my surgeon next month to discuss reconstruction I wouldn't consider it back at that stage seemed fare too much but now I can't see how I can't being I'm young and want to carry on swimming with the kids and tanning myself in Turkey.
Do you know when your op is planned for?
I know they were very quick with me.
take care
Ness
Love the puzzle analogy! Won't know the op date until after MRI - probably a couple of weeks after that. My youngest daughter had a biopsy last year which was fine, also pre cancer cells removed from cervix- so she is understandably worried but very philosophical about it all (don't think there's any history in our family - screening is so good these days). I could do with some grandchildren but, so far, only grandogs from either of them! Best wishes to you for the next piece of your puzzle and thanks again. Jak x
Hi, I was disgnosed with invasive lobular back in 2008 when I was 39 yrs old and my youngest child only one. I wasn't given the option, and a mastectomy was recommended, with the only decision to be if I wanted reconstruction, and if it was to be at same time of mastectomy or later.
I opted for mastectomy and immediate reconstuction with muscle from my back. Liked the idea of only being under anaesthetic only once, but did somewhat underestimate the recovery due to the trauma to the back area (not being able to pick up small children etc) I have to say though it was a good decision for me and was very happy with results - even got a nipple tattoed on again.
Post op I had chemo and radio which were not nearly as bad as expected, and the clear tissue margins had quite a large clear area so little risk of recurrence. Unfortunately I did have recurrence in a tiny bit of remaining breast tissue on the perifery over 5 yrs later. As I say a mastectomy was my only option, but if lumpectomy and breast conserving is available I would say to give it careful consideration given what happened to me, and ask lots of questions of your medical staff.
Thanks for the advice very useful. MRI on Monday. Caught early in screening so didn't know I had it. Don't know which way it will go yet. All the very best to you - so young! I'm 61 - not that it makes it any easier.x
Hi Jak,I was diagnosed with invasive lobular cancer in left breast and a lymph node at end of July.After all the tests I started chemo to shrink the tumour and have just had the 3rd cycle of FEC-T.After 8 cycles I will have surgery and radiotherapy.The chemo has been reasonable so far,just some nausea and constipation.I shaved my hair off when it started coming out.Most of the time I am OK but get depressed also.I have always been fit and healthy and so it's difficult to come to terms with being a patient.As you had your diagnosis and started the journey before me how are you and how has it beenJulie xx
Hi Thank you for message - bit of confusion I have only just had diagnosis. MRI tomorrow. Sorry you are depressed. I have suffered with depression for years but my husband says I'm holding up remarkably well - probably because it's me and not him or daughters. It is difficult to deal with I agree I had no idea it was there! Keep smiling xJakx
