Surgery Scheduled finally after dealing with this since Dec

shellbell1963

The past few months have been a living hell. I found out I have breast cancer in December 2013 then test after test to determine if I had more than one area. Its been such a struggle emotionally and physically. I am having my lumpectomy on March 12 and I having a hard time dealing with the procedure and treatments. I was told if I would have chose the mastectomy I would still need chemo and radiation. I don't understand why. My cancer is ER, PR and HER2 Positive. The area of my cancer is a .7 cm area, which I think that is small. So why can't they just take it out and if it hasn't gone into my lymph nodes why do I need chemo and radiation? I just don't understand and I am having so many thoughts running through my mind. I was even thinking let the area be and not have the surgery. As this type of cancer eventually wins and I will loose in the end. I can't take much more of this torture that I have been in since December. Just really upset and lost in all of this.

Holeinone

Shellbell, I need to say that I am not that knowledgable so that being said, if you are Her +, you might be having a treatment that is targeted to that. I am Her negative, bit I think you need Herceptin. I do not think the side effects are as bad as most of the other chemo drugs ( A/C, Taxol ) 

My lumpectomy was really pretty easy. The incision from the node removal was the worst part. Ask your oncologists, they might be preparing you the worst case scenario. The plan of action is not solid until after surgery and the path report is done. Sorry you have had to wait this long...

edwards750

shellbell...okay I am no expert either but since you don't understand what they are doing I would post haste talk to your oncologist - if you have one or your breast surgeon. My BS has a lousy bedside manner but his staff was great.  They told what they are going to do but you need to ask them why. Be your own advocate.  You of course have the right to know and be able to make the right decision for you. It is after all your life. All of the information they give you is beyond overwhelming. We have several resident experts on this forum who could enlighten you but maybe you can tell us things like your age - only because it makes a difference in their treatment plans. They definitely attack BC more aggressively if you are young.

A lumpectomy is no big deal. I had one and 33 RADS treatments - another no big deal. I also had this test called Oncotype which gives oncologists more information about your particular tumor which helps them prescribe the appropriate treatment. I am not clear why you had to have so many tests so maybe that is another thing you can shed some light on...biopsies or MRIs or? Above all try to remain calm if you can. A lot of ladies on this forum are taking anxiety meds.

My suggestion would be to sit down and talk to your doctor. If you can take someone with you to take notes or if you have to go solo take a notebook with you. It will be okay you are in the early goings which we all think is the toughest part. We get the fear factor but it does get better once you have gone through the process. Keep the faith and let us know. Diane

shellbell1963

Thanks ladies for writing in to me. I am 51 years old. Maybe I am having a hard time as my mother had a mastectomy 27 years ago and that was it no treatment what so ever. She was 55 and today at 82 shes in great health.

shellbell1963

Also, heres how my journey began ... routine mammo called back cause they saw something, then had an ultra sound with a biopsy, came back cancer. They had an MRI of both breasts to see if there was any more cancer. An area came up in the same breast, then had to have an ultra sound couldn't find it so then had a MRI with a biopsy, thank God it came back benign. Now the surgery is scheduled of a lumpectomy. Also had genetic testing which won't know for 8 weeks. I know there are others dealing with the same thing and at times this gets overwhelming and discouraging.

ruthbru

With a lumpectomy you have to have radiation (which for me was no big deal). HER2 positive is an aggressive form of cancer, so you really do need chemo (which is not at all fun, but doable). The good news there is that Herceptin, which hasn't even been available for very long, is a miracle drug for HER2 positive people, so being HER2 positive is absolutely NOT a death sentence anymore. You are also ER & PR positive, which is also a very GOOD thing, as you will be able to take an anti-hormonal (anti-hormonals reduced my chances of recurrence by 40%, and it will probably do even more for you as I was only ER positive). You are at the very worst part of the whole thing, once you get a treatment plan in place, you just do it, get through it.....and you truly can come out on the other side and be really, really okay!

edwards750

Of course it does shellbell...and by the way you are entitled to be overwhelmed and discouraged. We all have been there, done that and some still are. Okay sounds like they are being cautious - that is a good thing - and thorough another good thing. Also good the biopsy came back benign so next up is your surgery. Let me reiterate - not a big deal having a lumpectomy. The Path report will come out after your surgery which might change your stage or grade. My stage changed because they found a micromet in the SN so I went from Stage 1 to 2. Also my BS did another surgery after the lumpectomy to even the margins...very normal to do that. It was about a month after that before I started radiation. They want you to totally recover from the surgery before they start your treatment. I schedule the very first appointment of the day for those treatments. I wanted to get it over with. I was there less than an hour. Some burning, fatigue about halfway through but other than that no biggie.

BTW my mother had BC too when she was in her late 60s. She had a MX but in those days that's pretty much the only choice you had. She died almost 10 years ago but not from BC.

Keep us posted. Sending prayers your way. Diane

missingmercury

I have two masses and some bad cells in other ducts between.  I see your point of view, but I did not even hesitate to choose mastectomy.  I feel like there is an open invitation to cancer on my breasts now and I want it revoked.  Also, I am not small cupped.  They would have to do a reduction or something to the non cancer side anyway, so might as well start with a level field with as little breast tissue as possible.  I have had benign lumpectomies in both breasts in the past.  My sister in law died of breast cancer and my friend had a mastectomy on one side and already has had two biopsies on the other side.   I am triple positive.  I have to do IV chemo and Herceptin after. If it is in my lymph nodes, the RAD.

But that is me, not you.   You do what you feel comfortable with!  If you don't understand why something is being told to you as not a choice, ask your dr why that is so.  At least that way you are informed.