Thank you so much. It’s good to be able to talk openly here xxx wishing you all the best 

That’s reassuring thank you. I’ll give the doctor a ring this week. Fingers crossed. X 

Hi MellyN,

I am glad to hear that you managed to tell your daughter in the privacy of your own home, before she went off to uni. My son was that age when I told him. He was old enough to understand the implications and he was a great support. I'm sure that your daughter will be too. 

I lost my own mum to secondary breast cancer. She took all treatment offered. Mercifully, diagnosis, treatment and after care have all advanced since then and there was just no comparison between the care which we both received. That was 27 years ago. I was diagnosed 15 years ago and am fortunate to still be around since then. I agree that your parents will possibly cope better with your diagnosis, once you can tell them exactly what you are up against. I sincerely hope that your biopsy results this week, will not be as drastic as you're imagining.

The question you have about why lumpectomy and not mastectomy is a common one. Many people ask to have a mastectomy in preference, but they are usually told that this doesn't improve the outcome. I suspect that this is partially due to improvements in targeting lesions with radiotherapy and greater choices of chemotherapy. Many of us, who undergo surgery, feel as you do "I would rather undergo one surgical intervention even if it were the more radical". Instead, the protocols seem to be to check you annually for 5 years post-op and to discharge you if you are still clear after that. One disadvantage of having a mastectomy, is that you can't have a routine mammogram after that, to keep a check on things. I must confess that, despite this, I feel much more hopeful of prolonging my life, since I had the double mastectomy.

I did have a discussion with my surgeon before my first surgery. My cancer was Stage 1, Pure Mucinous Breast Cancer, with no lymph node involvement. I was advised that, my cancer was rare (only affects 1% of people), slow growing, unlikely to spread and, if I had to have cancer, this was the best type to get. I did ask for a mastectomy, but was told that this wouldn't affect the outcome. When I discovered a lump in my other breast 6 months after my lumpectomy, my surgeon refused to test it and just told me that it would be nothing to worry about. I was advised to have radiotherapy after my lumpectomy, but my surgeon and I had a bit of a Mexican stand off". He continued to recommend radiotherapy, whilst I refused to have it, until my other breast was examined. This standoff lasted for 11 months, until I was referred to the surgeon, who was in charge of all the surgeons in the area.

When I saw him, I was initially dressed down for "refusing radiotherapy". I pointed out that I was quite happy to have it, if my other breast was examined. This second surgeon then agreed to examine me. He immediately felt the tumour and stated that he was pretty sure that it was cancer. Fortunately, after biopsy, it turned out to be pre-cancerous and it had to be monitored. This surgeon then offered to take over my treatment. We discussed the benefits of radiotherapy at this stage and the new surgeon referred me to two eminent researchers in radiotherapy. One of these gentlemen thought that "I might as well try it", whereas the other was far more convincing and cited several research papers, which I read. He advised me that there was no point in having radiotherapy, as more than 11 months had passed by the time I saw them. A year after my initial surgery, I noticed a second lump in my original breast. This time, I wasn't so lucky and it was another primary cancer, of the same type.

We discussed the possible options for surgery. Again, I was still keen to have a double mastectomy and my surgeon agreed that this might be the best choice, given that I had a cancerous breast and a pre-cancerous breast at the same time. I won't deny that it was a daunting thought to lose both breasts, as I was not a suitable candidate for reconstruction, due to previous non-cancer related surgery. I now find that I manage well with a selection of prostheses for different activities.

There have been many reports on this forum of people being offered a mastectomy and being left to decide themselves, whether to opt for a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. This is a decision that is difficult to reach without having the necessary medical qualifications and is one which leaves many people in a quandry.

Don't worry about asking questions. This is the only way that we learn and I am happy to reply to any questions asked.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Mummymartin,

I had a double mastectomy just under a year after my initial lumpectomy. It is hard to predict which treatment might lead to a recurrence or a new growth further down the line. I am sure that if you did have a second bout, you might well have a regret that you didn't have a mastectomy, but there's no proof that this might have prevented regrowth anyway.

If you read my reply to MellyN, you will see that I didn't have radiotherapy and I often wonder if this might have prevented the second bout.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Dear Jolamine

Thank you so much for taking the time and understanding to kindly explain your history. I am so sorry for all the difficulties and disappointments you’ve undergone.

As you say though we are really fortunate to live in current times with much improved procedures and outcomes compared to the generation before us many of whom we loved and lost through cancer.

Also how lucky if we can see our kids mature into young adults! I don’t take this for granted. Love to all and especially the younger mums out there who find themselves needing treatment.  Xx

Hi jannich66. How long did the blue dye last for . I have to have that as well xx 

Hi only a couple of days they did warn me before the anaesthetic that I might have a blue tinge to my skin but not that my pee would be bright blue lol so don't worry I'm absolutely fine woke up had 2 cups of tea 2 toast a sandwich and biscuits was starving and home by 4pm felt OK just just a bit sore waiting for results on 22nd now

You did well after op. 
i did not react well with anaesthetic. I forced a cup of tea and biscuit but was sick 20 minutes later. They still let me home 2 hours after surgery but I was sick for the whole next day. I was sore for couple days and found the heart shape cushion invaluable. I guess it also depends on where the incision is. My boob looks like a purse with a zip across the front! 

Aw really? I've just taken my dressings off this morning my cut is a semi circle close to the nipple area which should be hardly noticeable I hope. The cut under my arm is quite sore I must invest in a heart shaped cushion x