Hi BW123,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

As our moderator, Lucie has said, this is always a difficult decision and, one that only you can make. It is impossible to decide, if you don't know all of the facts. You will find that it is best to write down all of your questions and to bring them with you to your next consultation. If you involve someone else in doing this, they may well come up with some questions that you haven't even thought of. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. These were both stage 1, Pure Mucinous Breast Cancer. Fortunately, my lymph nodes were clear. The second bout appeared just under a year after my initial lumpectomy. I then had a double mastectomy.

I had lost my mum to secondary breast cancer and was terrified of recurrence. I had been informed that this was a less aggressive form of cancer, so I was surprised to have another cancer in the same breast, less than a year from my initial surgery. I had less discomfort with the double mastectomy than I did with my lumpectomy. I did have a build up of fluid after the mastectomies, but these were aspirated a few times and I got great relief, as soon as this was done. I know that we all heal at different rates, but it only took a couple of weeks more for me to heal after my mastectomies. I didn't experience the discomfort that I had going over speed bumps, which continued for several months following my lumpectomy. 

I have never regretted my decision to opt for the double mastectomy, even though I was not a suitable candidate for reconstruction, due to previous surgery. I manage fairly well with an assortment of prostheses for different activities. This made my recovery less traumatic than it might have been, if I could have had it.

 I am glad to hear that you are coming to the end of your chemo and can assure you that the surgery is not nearly as tough. Were I in your shoes, I would certainly give serious thought to having a mastectomy, as triple negative is a more aggressive form of cancer and you are at a more advanced stage of the disease than I was. However, this has to be your decision and yours alone, as you are the person who has to live with the outcome. Don't be afraid to ask any questions that you think of - there's no such thing as a silly question!

I sincerely hope that you reach the right decision for you and I am always here if you have any further questions.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi BW123,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

As our moderator, Lucie has said, this is always a difficult decision and, one that only you can make. It is impossible to decide, if you don't know all of the facts. You will find that it is best to write down all of your questions and to bring them with you to your next consultation. If you involve someone else in doing this, they may well come up with some questions that you haven't even thought of. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. These were both stage 1, Pure Mucinous Breast Cancer. Fortunately, my lymph nodes were clear. The second bout appeared just under a year after my initial lumpectomy. I then had a double mastectomy.

I had lost my mum to secondary breast cancer and was terrified of recurrence. I had been informed that this was a less aggressive form of cancer, so I was surprised to have another cancer in the same breast, less than a year from my initial surgery. I had less discomfort with the double mastectomy than I did with my lumpectomy. I did have a build up of fluid after the mastectomies, but these were aspirated a few times and I got great relief, as soon as this was done. I know that we all heal at different rates, but it only took a couple of weeks more for me to heal after my mastectomies. I didn't experience the discomfort that I had going over speed bumps, which continued for several months following my lumpectomy. 

I have never regretted my decision to opt for the double mastectomy, even though I was not a suitable candidate for reconstruction, due to previous surgery. I manage fairly well with an assortment of prostheses for different activities. This made my recovery less traumatic than it might have been, if I could have had it.

 I am glad to hear that you are coming to the end of your chemo and can assure you that the surgery is not nearly as tough. Were I in your shoes, I would certainly give serious thought to having a mastectomy, as triple negative is a more aggressive form of cancer and you are at a more advanced stage of the disease than I was. However, this has to be your decision and yours alone, as you are the person who has to live with the outcome. Don't be afraid to ask any questions that you think of - there's no such thing as a silly question!

I sincerely hope that you reach the right decision for you and I am always here if you have any further questions.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx