How long did you take after dx to make decision about procedure?

I couldn't get to the next stage past diagnosis soon enough. I thought they would recommend surgery, but instead, the onc and surgeon said neoadjuvant chemo. Then, they had to get the insurance onboard with the meds...seemed like forever, but it was really only about three-four weeks (and that was with one insurance driven delay) before I started chemo.

January 4th doesn't sound too bad.  

I understand about you wanting to get IT out asap. I felt the same way.  But it ultimately took four months from 'find lump', to biopsy then surgery.  Then another two or so months with the 'balloon' to prep for an implant.  For me, the implant was essential as I've neuro balance issues and that few ounces +/- made a LOT of difference in how I was able to walk stabely!

In all it took me about 2-1/2 months to decide which what to do.  I had a whole slew of tests, and felt totally trained after them? Lots of bloodwork and lots of other tests to boot...Then LOTS of reading, from sites like here and other places to decide? GET IT OUT ASAP!  Please?  The worst parts are the waiting for test results during any part of the diagnosis phase!  Do NOT panic yet? You mite not have anything [really] to worry about.  Just wait for the results and READ like crazy! Folks here are super in helping you try and understand what results might mean, or not mean. 

More important? It helps to like your doctors involved in all this...from the receptionists to assistants, because they are your key to getting questions all thru the process answered!

Do NOT worry now? Of course you are still 'vibrating'? But save that anxiety and ENERGY for when you will reallly need it! Work to keep a clear mind-not cluttered with 'what-ifs' for now and focus of sources of support, family, friends and others- save that for the RESULTS! I 'saved' my energy and after surgery? That savings paid off big-time! Plus all the reading around here and other resources. 

Noted that saying 'don't worry now'? Sounds contradictory? Think of it more as a calculated conservation of energy...for when you mite really need it! Surgeries do take a lot out of you and save it for THAT when it happens.  When alone? DO allow yourself to scream at the top of your lungs and cry a bit tho.  Your life changes, yes. But how you adapt, ultimately to them is up to you.  Hope and success! Think it's gonna be good!  You should too!

Dear Kitchenwitch,

I had a lumpectomy + lymph node dissection on my left breast in late September.  I didn't make a "decision about procedure".  Rathen, I asked if a lumpectomy was possible, and my surgeon said "yes".  No difference in LT prognosis, so went with that.

I am still healing and swollen on the left side, but wear normal bras.  (Size b-c.)  Not at all noticeable unless you are looking for it.  I have been doing weights to tone my upper body.  Really think that makes a bigger difference than plastic surgery would.  Expect to x-country ski in a couple of weeks, so that will finish the toning.  (I am doing chemo right now, so not my usual level of exertion, but am able to cycle and do weights/crunches plus tons of walking.)

I would wait until the final result to decide on whether anything cosmetic was required.  If you get a hematoma as you heal, that is a good thing, as your incision will fill with fat where the hematoma was.  I can see this happening with my breast, and the result is just fine cosmetically.  Will end up with a half cup smaller (I think), but not enough to make me do anything different underwear shopping.

I was thinking of buying semi-padded and removing the padding on the larger right breast, but at this point, I think no need.

Hope this helps.  I understand why everyone at Group Health raves about my surgeon.  She is just the best, and I am thrilled at the cosmetic result.   So is main squeeze.  Hopefully, with the tumor so far back, they will be able to spare your nipple.  Mine works just fine now in every way you can imagine.  So another plus.

It will most likely not matter if you do January as opposed to December.  What helped me was keeping my fitness level as high as possible, both with the surgery itself and also now with chemo.  It will also clear your brain and prepare you for the journey ahead.  Good luck with everything.

sweaty did you make a decision? Are you going to cornell? I read the thread it's confusing I think Kitchen is talking about the hospital on 168th not the one on the east side.

For what it's worth I like Talmor, thought she did a very good job, but she is a little stingy on the pain meds.

I made my decision very quickly.  Initial suspicious mammo was 9/21/09, surgery was 11/5/09.  I began researching and making decisions immediately after my diagnostic mammo on 9/28 came back Bi-rads 5 a few days later.  I have a family history of BC and knew my lump was pretty large (I could feel it and it was covering at least a portion of 3 quadrants) - I'd felt it for months but docs kept saying it could just be clogged ducts as I had been BF until 4 months prior to mammo.

I went with bilateral mx based on the fact that I'm young and didn't want to go through this again - we were already sure I had to lose one anyway.  I do not regret my decision since MRI just prior to surgery showed areas in other breast - turned out benign but ADH, so the risk was still there.  Now, I'm just waiting for reconstruction which will hopefully begin in January/February.

That being said, all my doctors and my second opinions from the cancer center indicated that I did have some time.  Although, they all estimated me at Grade 3, Stage II based on what they knew before surgery, so they didn't want to wait until the end of the year or anything.  Luckily, it turned out I was Stage 0 instead.  The most important thing is to be sure you are comfortable not only with your doctors but also with the administrative issues associated with the practices - this steered me away from the cancer center I was initially impressed with to a smaller surgical office.  They were much better at walking me through, dealing with the insurance and other issues for me (instead of expecting me to handle it) and essentially holding my hand through the entire thing - that was extremely important for me as I was a basket case for awhile and had 2 small children to take care of and hold it together for.  But everyone's different that way. 

Good luck!

Kitchenwitch,

I think I am the poster child for delay.  Part of it was my doing and part was due to scheduling issues.

Please try to relax and enjoy your family and friends over the holidays.  I had a large amount (about 10 cm total) of mid and mostly high grade DCIS in what ultimately turned out to be 3 locations.  I was diagnosed in early June, had 2 lumpectomies 9 days apart in July and was told that they could not get it all so I needed a MX.  I was so angry at my body for doing this to me that I put everything on auto-ignore for several weeks while I tried to come to grips with what they wanted to do to me.  I seriously considered refusing any further treatment. 

I then decided to research my options and saw 4 different plastic surgeons.  I found an awesome PS with extensive training in microsurgery, but had to wait 2 months for an opening in his schedule for an immediate DIEP.  (I knew that I could not survive a delayed reconstruction emotionally, but that is just my response to all this.)  I also ended up dumping my first very competant but cold female surgeon in favor of another very competant female breast surgeon who was also caring, compasionate and kind.  During the 2 months I waited, I put BC back on auto-ignore, worked in my business, enjoyed my family, sewed and walked my dogs.  I am now a few days shy of 1 month postop and doing well.  I'm glad the worst is behind me, but I am anxious to get totally finished and move on with my life.

I was about 3 months post lumpectomies when the new surgeon's residents freaked out with another 2 month delay, but she assured me that 2 months was not going to make or break my situation since a good portion of the DCIS had already been removed. I felt the same way and it turns out that we were both right.  It was still DCIS with no microinvasion and no nodal involvement.  I'm free and clear of cancer and just need to finish my reconstruction and be monitored.  Once that happens, I intend to again put BC back on auto-ignore UNLESS AND UNTIL they tell me I have another problem. 

Waiting is hard, but you can and will get through the waiting, then the surgery and reconstruction.  In the meantime, concentrate on who and what you love.

Good luck.