Any long term lumpectomy survivors?

I had a lumpectomy and full dissection in october, 2004 (stage IIb as well) and have been NED ever since and doing great. I was 42 at diagnosis, don't know if it counts as young. Remember there is no difference in survival between lumpectomy and rads and mastectomy.

Found lump while celebrating my 50th birthday with a weekend in New York City with my sister Feb '06.  Stage II, IDC, No Nodes, Grade 2, chemo first, then lumpectomy September '06, finished rads 11/06.  Now taking Arimidex and so far so good...NED!

Jpann, I like your motto.  Very appropriate.

It's nearly five years since my lumpectomy and I'm doing fine.

Catherine

my mom had a lumpectomy, radiation and tamoxifen for ILC--is now a survivor of over 21 years without a recurrence and doing very well.  I was diagnosed almost 5 years ago with LCIS--had lumpectomy, taking tamox and very closely monitored with MRIs and mammos--doing very well.

I am almost a 3 year survivor, diagnosed in Oct 05 at age 41.  My tumour was 4 cm, grade III, IDC, er/pr+, her-  and had 3 positive lymph nodes.

<> I am living my life now beyond breast cancer and am currently NED (No Evidence of Disease) too!

I had a lumpectomy 9/07 just had my first mammogram and they have found possible DCIS or another IDC.  Anyone noticed that almost everyone who has a lumpectomy ends up with a mastectomy?  Bad part is with the recurrence you may get to have chemo.  If I had this to do over, I would do a bilateral mastectomy.

It's wonderful to hear from the long-term survivors! 

What everyone should keep in mind that there are lots and lots of long-term survivors who had successful lumpectomies and never had to deal with breast cancer again.  I know of many.  But this is a breast cancer support discussion board and those women don't have any reason to be here - they are happily off living their lives. 

For the most part, the women who are here are those currently going through treatment or those who've just recently completed treatment.  It's true that many of those who come here with a recurrence or 2nd bout of BC may have a mastectomy after originally having had a lumpectomy, but that sure doesn't mean that every lumpectomy patient will eventually have a recurrence and need to have a mastectomy.  Quite the opposite, in fact, but we just don't hear from all those other women.  With the exception of a few wonderful long-term survivors who've stayed on this board to offer advice and support, most of those women are long gone and have no reason to come back here.

hi i just got diagnosed w/ breast cancer i'm 36yrs old my doctor said i got it at the early stage on thursday is my surgery my doctor advice is to have lumpectomy w/ radiation therapy but my friend suggested to go w/ masctectomy now i'm so confused. i wanna get out of this i dont know what to do.

My mom was 50 at diagnosis.  Had radiation and lumpectomy in......1988!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

dalen,

You need to read the latest on lumpectomy vs masectomy and discuss it with your surgeon.  I have Stage IV and had a lumpectomy last May.   Many friends and family  have well intended advice.  It does become very confusing and is very scary.   The one thing I have discovered is that every person reacts differently to treatments.  It's best to do your own research, then discuss with your doctor what you found, and together decide what is best for YOU. 

The best of luck to you. 

Hi goophy58!

I'm so sorry that you're having to deal with this.  I'm not the right person to help you with this, but I think you might get a better response if you post your question as a new thread in the "Just Diagnosed" forum here:

 http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/5

Call if something like "Do I need chemo? 2 docs, 2 opinions...help!"  and I think you'll be more likely to get the help you're looking for.

Hang in there!

LisaAlissa

Hi Rainenz,

I'm curious about your story, as was trip neg dx Aug this year, and currently undergoing chemo, then rad. I did get clear margins, with lumpectomy, and no node involvement.  I was wondering after going for 11 years, your prognosis seems like it should have been great. Did you change your lifestyle at all since your orig. dx?

I had gone thru a tremendous amount of unusual stress for the 2 years preceeding dx, and smoke, not a lot, and slightly overweight, not a lot. But the stress was awful, and my doctor said he sees this time and time again relating to breast cancer.

Incidentally, my sister had DCIS with lumpectomy at 49, and went 9 years, was ready to go back to mammo's only once/yr, when they found hyperplasia in the same spot, this year. Another lumpectomy and no cancer, thank God. But she did say she lost 15 pounds after the first surgery, and kept if off for a while, and as soon as she put the weight back on, she got this hyperplasia.  She also has a stressful job.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this. I really think mind/body connection is a key thing. Best of luck to you.

Jessee 

Hello, I was diagnosed in January had 2 lumpectomy did 6months of chemo and currently doing rads. After they found the second  lump I had told him to just take my whole breast off. He told me that there was no need for that. Once you start talking with people they start making you doubt. So I ended up confused wondering if I did the right decision. I did research and found out that the percentage of survival rate is the same for both. I feel very positive about my lumpectomy and I trust my doctors. I love to here all the positive comments and the stories of all the survivors.

Lots of Love,  Karen