Lumpectomy or Mastectomy?

dillydilly

Hi Purple Flower,

Sorry you are going through this. Try to stay positive. As you read, my 1st surgeon also tried to schedule me for a lumpectomy. I didn't understand. ILC lacks a binding molecule and does not form lumps like DC. It travels in undetectable line patterns...so how do you go in and take out a lump if there is no lump. 2nd surgeon also said Lumpectomy but also agreed to do whatever I wanted. He thought my decision for BMX was too much. The biopsy was taken from the upper outer left quadrant of L breast. However, when pathology came back, they found ISLC in another area they never knew about. I was so happy I went with the BMX. If I had followed their advice, I'd be walking around thinking I was cancer-free while this other area would also stay hidden until, it too, became invasive.

I was very lucky to have such a supportive husband. He made sure I did all my therapy exercises, my oncologist is very impressed with my range of motion. I'm even playing tennis again (SO MUCH EASIER WITHOUT LUGGING THOSE DOUBLE D's AROUND). No reconstruction. The people in my life value me for who I am, not the shape of my upper body. The most important thing is to be here for those we love as long as we can be. Until someone says..."You have # years/months to live", our only choice is to keep moving forward with choices that make that possible.

I do have, unfortunately, PMPS (post-mastectomy-pain-syndrome), not everyone gets that. The pain is typically low grade throughout my armpits, rib cage area, and sides under armpits with occasional sharp pains. Sometimes I complain, then I remind myself that I am so lucky and many others are much worse off, then I tell myself to shut-up.

Luckily, my onco-type test was low therefore I did not need radiation nor chemo (so thankful for that!!). We'll see what the future holds, Best wishes to you and all our sisters faced with this decision and dealing with it all. Try to keep things simple, follow your gut and keep your priorities in the right order.