YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!
My story, briefly: Multicentric grade 3 DCIS - 2 areas in opposite parts of one breast, very far apart - the other breast was clear. Large breasts, but asymmetrical to begin with and the disease was in the smaller breast.
My first surgeon passionately advocated for mastectomy. Many, many other consults followed - with a continuum of opinions.
I just couldn't do a mastectomy. I almost had my mind wrapped around it, but could never really accept it.
I was terrified of doing 2 lumpectomies, not getting clean margins, having to go in again and again, ending up with a mastectomy anyway - and also how REALLY lopsided I'd probably end up if we were successful
I went back and forth for months, freaking out, not knowing what to do, unable to make a decision.
I finally ended up with a BS/PS surgical team who suggested doing the two lumpectomies combined with a reduction and lift. That way, the BS could take out more tissue (best chance to get all the cancer out) and not have to worry so much about the cosmetic difference, size-wise.
Had the surgery on Thurs. I've gone from Ds to something like Bs and it's utterly strange & disconcerting, it was a big surgery, painful, etc etc etc. I gambled that in the end, I'd be left with my own breasts with sensation, and looking smaller but reasonably normal. I was terrified I'd go through this only to find that the margins still wouldn't be clear and that I'd have mutilated a healthy breast for no reason, and that I was back to mastectomy and recon......
I just got a call from my BS - THE MARGINS ARE CLEAR, IT WAS ALL STAGE 0 DCIS, NO NEED FOR A SNB, NO CHEMO.......YAYYYYYY!!!!!!!
Now I have to hope my breasts heal well, the pain goes away, I survive rads and Tamox, don't get a recurrence and never have to mutilate my body again....but for right now, this moment, YAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!
Man, going through this stuff is HELL!!!
Comments
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good for you.. So happy..
sometimes it works out.. even when you think it will not.
just relax now and breathe a sigh of thankfulness
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YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats to you!!
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fantastic news!!!! Here's to complete healing! (and tamox is really not so bad!)
Anne
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Yippeee!!
so glad you posted! and so glad the pathology looks good and I am sure the cosmetic results will be great.
Julie E
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Congrats!!! It's good to hear you so positive! Best, Deirdre
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I also am very happy for you........ and like you I received the same great news you did and it does make you so excited it isn't more....but you said it well, it is HELL!
I hope your rads go well and the Tamoxifen....good luck to you and it is time to celebrate!!
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Congrats! That is terrific news.
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And another YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
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When I saw your YAYYYYYYY I was hoping that it had something to do with not having to have a mastectomy! Very happy for you!!
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Wonderful!......Always glad to hear good news!......Congratulations.......
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Yippee! That is great news. So happy for you.
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Way to go sweaty!
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YAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!! Good news!!!!
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YAY!! that's awesome!!! totally worthy of major celebration!!!
sending you healing thoughts! yay happy breasts!!!
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Congratulations! thats great news.
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so very happy for you!!
blessings....
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That is awesome news sweatyspice
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Excellent! YaYYYYYYYY !!!!!
I am glad you were persistant and found the right team for you!
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Thank you all, ladies.
This surgery brings PAIN, but at least I'm finally poo-ing normally again!
I'm planning on going back to work on Monday, so only a week and a half off - even if I start back at reduced hours. I don't have the cash reserves to be out of work for long right now, and dealing with the bills about to come in might get very interesting.
As much as I hate being trapped at a desk all day, right now I'm very grateful to have a desk job.
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WTG Sweaty! And getting back to work will feel good - to be normal life, to be earning -- I was driving a week after my unilateral MX... and a week after my lumpectomy and SNB (which I had first but, alas, had nodes and margins weren't all clear). So awesome that you got to keep your breasts!
Lilah
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