New BC, different breast.

kane744

Yesterday went for my annual mammo.  Would have been my four year clear one, except it wasn't.  This time there was a mass in my left breast.  I go for my biopsy on Friday.  We all know what it is so they didn't even try to give me the "one step at a time" talk.  We did speak about bilateral mastectomy this time.  That had already been my plan anyway.  I don't want reconstruction either.  I'm gonna be 68 soon and just want to heal and get on with my life ASAP.  My husband said he wants me, not my boobs, so he's OK with it too.  We had discussed this several times over the years.  Has anyone decided against reconstruction and been living with it for awhile.  Would appreciate how that decision has been for you.

Moderators

Hi Kane -

We're sorry you're going through this. We wish you the best of luck for a benign result on Friday!

In the meantime, if you're considering a mastectomy without reconstruction, you might want to post on the forum here called Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy to get the opinions and experience of the ladies there.

Hope this helps, and please keep us posted how the biopsy goes! We are thinking of you!

--The Mods

Erica3681

Hi Kane,

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I can certainly empathize. I managed to make it three years before a new primary bc was discovered in my other breast. As you're considering, at that point I opted for a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction. It was 2006 and I was 57 years old at the time. My DH was relieved when I decided not to reconstruct. He wanted me to have the minimal amount of surgery possible to get rid of the cancer. I wondered whether he would feel the same way afterwards and, happily, he did. I can honestly say that it has not affected our intimate life in a negative way. Having a sense of humor really has helped!

The surgery was surprisingly easy, with little pain. As many women will tell you, the drains were the most difficult part, and they are more uncomfortable than painful. I stayed at the hospital for one night and was off painkillers once I was home, other than Tylenol during the day and half a Vicodin at night for the first week. I regained my full range of motion after working with an excellent physical therapist (who specializes in helping breast cancer patients) and can do everything I did before. 

One thing I recommend -- ask your surgeon to make the surgical result as cosmetically pleasing as possible, with no extra skin or so-called dog ears, and symmetrical incisions. I made it clear to my doctor that I didn't want reconstruction and therefore didn't need any extra skin. My surgeon listened and my chest appears smooth and flat, with symmetrical horizontal incisions. This definitely made me feel better about my appearance and has also helped my ability to wear breast forms comfortably against my chest. Delayed reconstruction would still be possible, if I ever changed my mind. 

I agree with the mods that you might find it useful to bring any questions to the "Living Without Reconstruction" forum here at bc.org. And if you read through the threads there, you'll find a lot of support and information.

After my mastectomy, I created a non-profit website, BreastFree.org, that offers advice, information, and support for women who choose non-reconstruction, including personal stories, photographs, and ideas for comfortable mastectomy products (I don't benefit in any way from any of the products I review). You might find that site helpful, too.

Again, very sorry you're going through this (hopefully, you'll be happily surprised by a B-9 biopsy result). Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

Barbara

kane744

Thank you, Barbara, for your response.  Have already been to your site several times and found it most helpful.  Also Living without Reconstruction.  I have no doubts whatsoever with my choice, along with my DH's support.  Mainly, am wanting to get back to my life ASAP, now that I'm almost entering the winter season of it.  Have always been dissatisfied with the incision of my right breast.  I guess it must be what you refer to as "dog ears" and I refer to as my mini me boob.  Thus clean incisions are of utmost importance to me.  

Last night I woke up about 3:00 after a dream about seeing the new me for the first time.  I must have been crying in my sleep.  I guess it's normal to expect some grieving involved in the process.  But I expect some joy too.  I've always HATED wearing bras.  But, oh, I will certainly do the happy dance if it turns out B9.  Tomorrow's biopsy day, then the long weekend, then I hear.  Will post the outcome.

Thanks again.

   

Karen3

Hi kane744

Firstly, I am so sorry you are having to go through this again but just to let you know that you are not alone. We are both TN and I also had the diagnosis of a contralateral breast cancer late last year. I am 48 now and despite having wonderful breasts I decided to go without reconstruction and I am more than happy with that decision. I wanted to limit any surgical intervention plus as the cancer appeared in my other breast less than two years after the operation for my first BC, I decided that I was possibly at a higher risk of recurrence after the operation and decided than any reconstruction might mask a further breast cancer. I had my operation on 8th Dec 2011 and I am doing just fine. I wear a bra with pockets for a prosthesis and to be honest - nobody would know looking at me that I had my breasts removed. I have also bought a swimming costume with pockets too. I truly am happy with my decision - those who were in hospital with me who had reconstruction are still back and forth with adjustments / expanders etc. whereas I can just get on with life. If you need any further info then just let me know!

kane744

Karen, Thanks for responding.  My breast care counselor is trying to encourage me to change my mind.  I have a couple reasons for my decision.  First, I am 68 and want to get on living my life ASAP without further surgery.  Secondly, I have lymphedema in my right hand, arm, and breast and do not want to worsen that condition nor take a chance of developing it on my left side.  

I have loads of questions but am seeing my medical oncologist next week and am keeping a list to present to her.  

I imagine that seeing the new me for the first time will bring some tears but I always seem to bounce back quickly.  And I have always detested wearing bras!

 

Marple

Kane~I've had a single mast and developed LE.  In my opinion LE is a lot more difficult to deal with than no breast on one side.

Good luck with your decision.  It will work for you.

kane744

Marple, I totally agree with you about LE.  Changed my entire life and that's for sure.  I'm into my second year and have had it under control for a number of months now but horror of horrors, the heat and humidity are back and that will do it for the rest of the summer for me.  I'll be inside most of the time until late Fall.  

kane744

Got the results of my biopsy.  Not good news.  Will proceed with bilateral mastectomy, no recon.  Though saddened, I feel strong and ready to fight it again.  Why do I feel so healthy!

Jodycat

My personal choice, at age 70, would be to minimize invasive anything. I had a lumpectomy my first time though, and the results are not cosmetically all that great. But if more goes, I want it to be as simple as possible.



So hooray! for your decision, but a solid boo! For your having to make it.

kane744

Hi all. Had my BMX on June 26. My BS really listened that I would never consider recon and he did a great job. I know it takes time for things to settle down, and look better but even the way it is now, I'd never reconsider my decision for no recon. Drains came out in 6 days but am having some fluid issues now. I see bs tomorrow and am pretty sure he will aspirate. Hope it doesn't hurt as I'm a wimp. (Well how much of a wimp could I be going through this!) I did experience pain during the first week but it has diminished considerably. Mostly now I'm dealing with phantom issues, burning, feeling my nipples itch, etc. Nothing intolerable. Port insertion is scheduled for July 27 and I start chemo on Aug. 1. Unfortunately, am TN again, so even though this is a new primary, it's exactly the same as the other and so is treatment, minus rads (hooray). So far my LE is under control and I'm so glad I was proactive about dealing with this strongly prior to surgery to ensure I wouldn't have a flare on the left or, worse, signs of it on the right. Am doing chores around the house but nothing heavy duty. Haven't cooked either. I could cook but feel cautious about prep. Am doing LE exercises and massage, too. All in all am pleased with how well it went since I'm no spring chicken. I am glad the surgery is over and am trying to regain as much health as I can before chemo.    

arbojenn

You are all such brave ladies!  An inspiration!

I have a question for you.  I had cancer in my left breast in 1998 and had recon in 1999.  In 2009, had local recurrence and had chest reexcision and removed my right breast just to be safe.  (No recon this time and I LOVE not having to wear bras.  So much cooler, plus I save money!  But I am in my early 60s so the girls had already done their job.)  Anyway, I am three years out and had a CT scan because my tumor markers were slightly elevated two times in a row.  No evidence of disease in the left side, but a nodule was found in the RIGHT side.  (I thought removing my right breast which had NO disease would preclude my getting C there.)  I am thinking it might just be an active lymph node.  I did have a hot spot in one at the time of my 2009 surgery, but it was benign.  Anyone have experience you could share with me?  I tell my hubby and sons not to worry, and I try not to myself, but it is in the back of my mind all the time and I don't even know what to enter in google to look up a situation like this.  I have an ultrasound/biospy scheduled for July 31.  How long will it take to get results?

anamerty

I was diagnosed with breast cancer #2 a week ago. First time 13.5 years ago, and thought it was behind me. I was having MRI last Nov, they saw something which was not unusual for me because I have lots of cysts, went for followup ultrasound and the area was deamed to be another cyst. Went for my routine mammos almost 2 weeks ago, routine to see my oncologist after tests, she found a lump in the right breast, (I had IDC in 1999 in left breast) she had me go for ultrasound and core biopsy the next week and last Friday 8 days ago she called and said it was cancer. She was trying to speed things up and said that I would hear from the surgeon at the cancer clinic in a week to 10 days, but I haven't heard from them yet!I don't even know what kind (stage or otherwise) that I have My oncol when she called me didn't have the path report yet only the dx.First time I had my surgery in around 9 days of dx.I would have to go back in my journal to be exact. Why is this taking so long now. Is a long wait to even see the surgeon normal? I'm so scared I don't know what to say or do.I live in British Columbia and wonder what the a verage wait time after dx is before even getting an appt with the surgeon.

didevro

Has anyone here been diagnosed with 3 unrelated breast cancers?  I had my first bc in 1996, (then aged 47) Right side 4cm idc, tubular, 0/20 nodes, lumpectomy, rads.   Next one was 2008, Left side 2.5cm idc grade 2, stage 2, lvi, 0/2 nodes ER+ PR- Her2-, lumpectomy, rads, Arimidex for only 6 weeks (bad side effects).  Now I have another on Right side, idc 2cm, had biopsy, seems to be ER+ PR+ Her2+.  Still being tested for mets.   Fingers crossed.  I'm determined to have a bilateral mastectomy this time. Can't believe I didn't insist last time. Guess I was very busy and just wanted things done as soon as possible.  Not happening this time.  I found all my cancers myself, none were picked up by earlier mammagrams.  I found this one January 3rd, biopsied couple of days later, but haven't had any surgery or treatment yet, because first of all the liver ultrasound found 2 lesions (since dismissed by MRI as benign), had CT scan and found 5 enlarged nodes in chest (2 are over 3cm ) and ground glass diffusions in lungs.  However, PET scan not conclusive for mets, suspicion I may have Sarcoidosis.  Bone scan was ok except for small dot on rib (probably nothing, apparently).  Everything is taking soooo loooong.  EBUS biopsy next week.  So sick of all this waiting around.

bluepearl

I have a contralateral breast cancer 7mm, grade 3, no LVI, but haven't gotten my ER/PR etc results yet. Scared. Terrified of chemo. Going to VAncouver for a SNB rather than another aux dissection if possible because I have post mastectomy pain syndrome on left side and cannot imagine eduring this on both sides. I want a mastectomy. Has anyone suffered long-term pain from radiation? I'm 62 and worried about the ER/PR/Her status.

Karen3

Hi bluepearl,

Firstly I am so sorry you are going through all this again and as you know I have been through this too. You are worried about all sorts of things here. I suppose my main advice at this stage would be to try and relax. You will know your er/pr/Her status soon and any amount of worrying will not change the result. As soon as you know more solid information, you can take it from there. I had radiation on my RHS following chemo and rads and lumpectomy after my first diagnosis. I still have pain in that side - sometimes sharp stabbing pains. Plus the skin is different. It healed differently when I later had my bilateral mastecomy following contralateral BC. I think it will all settle down eventually but it can be uncomfortable. To be honest, I am just happy that I have had my breasts removed and do not regret it for a second. At the moment I would guess that you are in complete shock. It will get easier. Let us all know how you get on XX

Karen3

didevro - I have just read your post. My goodness you have been though a lot! Like you, I found both my BC myself - in fact the last was invisible to mammo and ultrasound. I had a bilateral without reconstruction and I am so happy with that decision. Have you got any results for the tests? I really hope everything is O.K. and you can get on with your treatment. All the best to you!

bluepearl

Well, I went to VAncouver and had my sentinel node (2) taken out and mastectomy....surprisingly very little pain and hope it stays that way. Still haven't gotten prognostic factors. I've been on the internet of course, and contralateral breast cancers apparently give you a poorer prognosis but most of these studies are older. Does anyone know or have had their oncologists comment about this? Both mine were found by mammogram and not palpable.....waiting for my antidepressant to kick in. ((((

bevin

I am so sorry you are going through this a second time.  My heart feels for you.  I don't have an answer to your question but wanted to send my support. Hoping you have good news on the pathology.

Hugs

Bevin

bluepearl

Surgical biopsy of tumor different from needle one. 7mm, grade 2 (from 3), now there IS LVI...I think I would have preferred keeping the grade 3 WITHOUT LVI, since LVI is a poor prognostic factor even in small tumors. Still no word on hormonal factors but they booked me to see an oncologist on April 23, about 8 weeks after surgery so I am thinking (as surgeon thinks) that perhaps no chemo.....then again, I am two weeks inside the outside paramaters for chemo (10 weeks)and given the LIV, not sure about NOT doing chemo. Anyone have LVI and NO chemo recommended...or low oncotype???