my margins are not clear

Hi Sohardbnme,

I'm so terribly sorry you are here and that your margins weren't clear.  I too had a lumpectomy for the removal of my breast cancer but the invasive tumor was surrounded by so much DCIS that to try and remove it with another surgery wouldn't be successful as the breast would have been severely deformed.  I didn't have very large breasts (especially after breast feeding two children) to start with so removing so much breast tissue just really wasn't an option.  I did however decide on a bilateral mastectomy (the right one be prophylactic).  And yes I had to have two of the dreaded drains in each breast for 5 days.  A real pain!!!  I also had immediate reconstruction with implants at the time of surgery.  The drains came out the day I left hospital.

My bilaterial mastectomy was in December 2008 and although they call it immediate reconstruction it is quite a long drawn out process with numerous surgeries over that time (I didn't save my nipples so also had new nipples made - the final one being redone March of this year).  However I must say they look amazing and I am very happy with the result. 

If you have larger breasts it may be possible to have another surgery to get clear margins and I would definitely discuss this option with your surgeon, it could save you the whole reconstruction situation and the end result may be good.  I would have been quite happy with my breast after the lumpectomy even with the dent and scars but it just wasn't to be.

Please think of all the questions you have circling in your head, write them down and discuss them with your surgeon.

There are hundreds of threads here and I am sure more ladies will come along with some more support and information.  Crappy place to be but full of the most amazing women.

big hugs

Helena