ughh!

sandik

I'm TN. I had a lumpectomy this week and am doing really well. I went back to work two days after surgery. But, I feel this big cloud of doom over me. I'm not really scared that he didn't get clean margins. If he has to go back in then he does.



My big fear is recurrence. I've read that its higher for TN. And it doesn't always come back in the breast? All of my Dr keep saying clinical trial. Is that because they don't know what else to do?



I was fine all week, then today had a major meltdown out of nowhere.

kelleysgroi

Sandik- I hear ya- I too am triple negative. Check out   the thread Triple negative- anything positive? I started that  discussion and there have been a lot of positive responses that may help.  We are still survivors! 

Moderators

Here's Kelley's thread:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/72/topic/782729

sandik

thanks. 

waxgirl2000

HI Sandik,

 I thought I was reading my own story when I saw your post!  I just had a lumpectomy a week ago too, and saw the path report Friday.  I didn't have clean margins either!  I was so bummed bc I thought I was going to have a complete pathological response to this whole thing bc the surgeon, and onc couldn't even feel the tumors anymore!  My sentinel node biopsy came out clear, as was confimed in the path report, but I still had a 2 cm tumor removed in my breast, and the margins there on 2 sides weren't clean.  Ugh is right!  So now I'm considering a double mast.  I'm 41 and have 2 young children and I feel like I need to do whatever I can, even though there isn't very good data suggesting that it would even make a difference.  

So i'm like, WTF??? I guess I have to do whatever even for a 2% edge on this type of cancer.  It may be overkill, or closing the barn door after the horse gets out...but I don't want to risk any more cancer (in my breast) even if there's a high chance for recurrence elsewhere in my body.

Thoughts??  I'm brand new to this forum....so any responses to this issue of double mastectomy even if it won't really help (the big picture)  is greatly appreciated!!   

 Brenda  ( diagnosed 10-29-2011, triple neg., IDC, nodes +, 3.5mm breast, 4 & 5mm in axilla) 

sandik

Hi wax,

    I don't know the results of my pathology report yet. I was hoping Id have then last Friday, then thought maybe today. Nothing yet. Maybe no news is good news? I know he said he would go back in 1 more time if he needed to. Trying to decide on whether or not to call him or just wait til Friday at my appointment.  

Be_Positive

Hey waxgirl2000,

I am 34 years old and was diagnosed in December with stage 3 triple neg. I am currently undergoing chemo. My tumor was the size of a golf ball when I started, and now I can't find it and neither can my doctor. I still have 3 Docetaxol chemos left and am hoping to have a complete response to chemo i.e. no cancer upon surgery!

My surgeon recommended that I have a bi-lateral mastectomy. She said due to my age, and the fact that having cancer in one breast is a risk factor for getting cancer in the other breast. I have been told that I am getting radiation anyway, so that had not factored into my decision.

I am totally onboard with the bi-mastectomy. For me personally, I think that I would really worry about it coming back. Also, I have small breasts, so a lumpectomy would prob end up taking half my breast anyway! Lol. This way I can have them both reconstructed the same. Hope that helps! Feel free to message me if you have any other questions.

sandik

I saw the surgeon today. He got it all. Clean margins. Nothing in the nodes. Makes me feel better, i guess.

Brenda, what did you decide?