Question for women who have been pregnant post-lumpectomy

CrunchyPoodleMama
CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
edited June 2014 in Young With Breast Cancer

This is a weird question, but if you were pregnant after a previous lumpectomy... what did the lumpectomy breast do during pregnancy? Did it become enlarged similar to the non-lumpectomy breast did, or partially so (everywhere except the lumpectomy)? Is anyone ever able to breastfeed from the lumpectomy breast or do all the ducts pretty much get snipped?

Sorry for the weird questions... I'm so nervous about my surgery (which is going to be more quadrantectomy than lumpectomy) on Wednesday and I realize that future possible breast-feeding should be the least of my worries, but I can't help but think about this on top of everything else... I know my health and survival are far more important than whether I'll be able to breast-feed someday or whether I'll look a little lopsided if I should ever be so blessed to be pregnant! THANK YOU, girls... I'm rushing off to an MRI in half an hour but I want to get to know my under-40 chicas better as we're all going through this!!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • cancerkicker
    cancerkicker Member Posts: 99
    edited November 2009

    Julia,

    I don't think your questions are weird!  I remember having those same questions when I did get pregnant. 

     I had a lumpectomy, chemo radiation and tamoxifen for 5 years.  I was able to get pregnant after all of that.  The lumpectomy didn't really affect my breast all that much - my lump was by my nipple and so after surgery my nipple pointed down. 

    When I did get pregnant, the breast that was radiated did not change at all.  One breast grew and the other stayed the same.  When my milk came in, it only came into to the breast that was not radiated.  They did tell me that I could breast feed out of the other breast and that I would produce enough milk if I chose to go that route.  Unfortunately, I had some other complications and ended up having to take some meds that prevented me from breast feeding altogether.

    So most of the damage done to my breast (as far as pregnancy goes) was done from radiation - not the lumpectomy. 

     I don't know know if that helps or not but I thought I better respond since there are so few of us that can respond to this questions!  :)

     Jessica

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited November 2009

    Thank you, Jessica! Interesting that it was the radiation that put more of a damper on breastfeeding than the lumpectomy. Thanks for sharing all of that. And WOW, how encouraging that you were able to get pregnant after all that!

    On another note... I've just been reading your story on your profile. You sound like an amazing, strong woman... a fighter... and I pray you are giving this disease a run for its money and will watch that beautiful boy of yours get married and give you grandchildren!! Thank you again for taking time to reply to my trivial little question!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cancerkicker
    cancerkicker Member Posts: 99
    edited November 2009

    It was defnitely not a trvial question!  And if I can be of any help, you know where to find me!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jelson
    Jelson Member Posts: 1,535
    edited November 2009

    I swear I am NOT stalking you all over BCO!!

    I researched breast feeding after surgery in anticipation of directing someone to this board who had posted a similar question on I think it was the just diagnosed board a while back. Use the search function, the word breastfeed and choose this board specifically. There is a thread or two on the topic. Perhaps you could pm the posters who had the most pertinent responses. I think the discussion boards search function is very specific so you could also try breastfeeding or add the word radiation? I urge you to stay specific to this board, if you do the whole site you will find many posts from women who found their lumps while/right after breastfeeding or who worry that their bc was because they didn't breastfeed.  STAY FOCUSED

    Is tomorrow your surgery? if so good luck!

    Julie E

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited November 2009

    Julia, I hope you have done ok today!  Gentle hugs.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited November 2009

    THANK YOU!!! Definitely appreciate the search tip, Julie, your perspective, Jessica, and your well wishes, Sharon! Surgery was yesterday and went much better than I expected (except for the needle loc which I knew would be brutal - ha)!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories