Bummer of a mammo...

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Annie62
Annie62 Member Posts: 1,081
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Well, I had my routine mammo this month and was hoping to update my status on the 5 years out thread to 6 years. I asked them pay special attention to an area I felt during this months self-exam. You guessed it, I'm dx with a recurrence in the same breast. Looks small (I've heard that before). ER+/PR+ Her2- like before. Going in for all my tests but we don't expect to see any mets. I'll be having a mastectomy. My onc thinks it was an area of DCIS that was always in the breast. Since it was pre-cancer 6 years ago, the chemo would not have killed it since it would not have the characteristics that would make it susceptible to chemo. 

I need to decide if I want to remove the 'good' breast as well. Any feedback from you ladies appreciated on that. Also, commentary on whether to have recon or not. I've been reading those forums this week, but would appreciate your input. I'm leaning towards bilateral with no recon. I'm concernced about lympedema on the 'good' side but also concerned about another recurrence in the future and the possibility of not catching it as early or needing chemo again. 

Thanks,

Annie

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  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited October 2010

    So sorry girl. So sorry. I did both. And, my reconstruction sucks, so if you choose that, make sure your voice is heard, and don't quit the fills too early. There are a lot.....of girls on here so happy with their results.

    My best wishes to you my friend.

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  • Annie62
    Annie62 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited October 2010

    Thanks Traci,

    Sorry to hear that you are unhappy with your recon. I can't imagine how frustrating it would be to go through all that surgery and not get a good result.

     I'm mainly concerned that I'll regret not getting recon in the future and that my options will be limited if I decide years later to go for it. 

    Annie

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited October 2010

    Annie, I just want to say how sorry I am. That really sucks.

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited October 2010

    I'm so sorry to hear the news.  I have pretty much the same dx. as you and I'm going all the way girl!  I'm doing chemo now and going to have the "double deed done".  For me, I'm doing all I can to not go through this again, although I realize it might happen.  I've not decided about recon yet, I don't want to go through more surgery than I have to but that might change.  Take care.

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  • D4Hope
    D4Hope Member Posts: 352
    edited October 2010

    My cancer was in one breast but I chose to have both removed. My left breast without the cancer was showing signs of atypical changes. I am glad I had it removed. It's not an easy choice, think it over and trust your gut instincts.

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited October 2010

    That news really sucks.  I sure hope it really is small this time.  I'm sure you would welcome any good news about it.

    My left mast was a given with my dx.  And I was leaning toward a bmx even before I got my BRCA result back.  For the same reasons that you have already listed.  First and foremost, I didn't want the possibility of lymphedema on both sides.  I wanted to know that I would have 1 good arm in the future.  And the thought of going through this again should the good side turn bad just turned my stomach.  I knew that I would regret my leaving the good breast should that happen.  Well the BRCA results cinched it.

    I have to say that I have been very happy about getting a bmx and no recon.  They didn't touch the lymph nodes on the good side -- I didn't even want the SLN because we didn't see anything on the MRIs and I wanted them left alone.  The right breast biopsy was completely clear.  But I don't regret having it removed!  I was strongly advised against recon for at least a year after tx.  The bmx was last April.  From the minute I put on the mast bras and forms I just loved the way they felt.  Having nicely shaped boobs that were higher up on the chest again felt great!  I got to pick my size and, if for some reason I want to change, I can go back and get a different size.  Can't just walk into a store and get a bigger set with recon!

    I have a friend who had a single mast and hasn't had her recon done yet.  She hates her bras and form.  But we've compared notes and we think it's the difference between a matched set of forms versus trying to match a form with the real thing.  So she is looking forward to getting the recon surgery done.

    As for me, tomorrow is my ooph surgery and I hope that is that last time I go under for a long, long time.  I'm tired of surgery.  I'm 52 and the forms give me the look I want in public.  At night I get to take 'em off, get into my jammies and kick back.  My DH doesn't mind one bit.  He just wants me sitting there relaxing with him for many years to come.

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  • Joviangeldeb
    Joviangeldeb Member Posts: 213
    edited October 2010

    I'm sorry your having to go through this again.  ((((((hugs))))). 

    If I were in your shoes, I'd go with the double mastectomy and no reconstruction.  When I was diagnosed, my family and I knew nothing about breast cancer.  I wasn't given the option to have a double, and didn't know enough about it to ask.  I had the left breast removed and no reconstruction or implant.  I, too, didn't want any more surgery, and I wasn't a candidate for reconstruction becasue of a recent abdominal surgery I'd had prior to the breast cancer.  If I could go back, I'd have insisted on a double, so I wouldn't have to worry about a recurrance.  My sister was diagnosed a year after me and she chose a double with implants.  

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited October 2010

    So sorry.  That really sucks to be on the verge of celebrating another anniversary and receive bad news.

    I had a bilat and I'm happy with my choice.  I just wish I had made the decision not to reconstruct prior to surgery which left me with "side boobs".  My decision was based on a high risk due to genetic surgery and lack of adequate testing available in my small town.  My surgeon tried to dissuade me saying "we'll catch early" which wasn't reassuring to me.  My bc went from clean mammo to stage 3 in 6 months.

    I didn't want to go through additional surgery for reconstruction and the process would mean flying 600 miles for each visit.  I wish you well in whatever decision you make.

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  • Annie62
    Annie62 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited October 2010

    Thanks everyone. I've had some of the same conversations this week as you all have had. My onc who I love and trust told me we would catch any future cancer in the 'good' breast early since we watch it so closely. And that my chance of a new cancer in that breast is only 1% per year versus .5% per year for someone who has never had breast cancer. Well, they may catch it early but she told me I'll likely need chemo again this time. I'd rather not poison my body 3 X ! NOt to mention the disruption to my life, job/earnings, self image (hair loss ; looking feeling like crap etc). Also, if I ended up with cancer on the other side, I don't know if I could forgive myself for not getting the bmx now. I can honestly say, given the info I had the last time, I did what was right at the time.

    I am BRCA - . So at least that is good news.

    I was having trouble figuring out what I want so I'm doing the following. I live for 24 hrs assuming I've made a certain decision and seeing how I feel about that. I 'decided' last night on bilateral with no recon. So far I'm feeling pretty good about it. Tomorrow, I may try to imagine that I've made a decison for unilateral with no recon, or with an implant. See how I feel about that. I know this sounds a little crazy but it works for me. I'm don't deal with well with uncertainty when I have to make a decision. Once I know what I want I'm general, I'm much better dealing with whatever gets thrown at me.

    Thanks again all.

    Annie

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited October 2010

    Just wanted to say so very sorry. I know a bit of how you feel as I just flunked my six month --on the boobie that didn't get all the attention this past year--and am going in on a surgical biopsy tomorrow. 

    Reconstruction or not is SUCH a personal decision.  You have to figure out what is right or wrong for you.  Because of my situation, I have given thought to what to do if I need a mastectomy at some point [did zaps on the other side so reoccurance means mastectomy].  I am going to go with no reconstruction.  To me the mastectomy is daunting enough--al the means of reconstruction are overwhelming.  Plus there is the part about no sensation--I can't figure out the point--just to fill out my t-shirts?  And I don't mean to offend anyone who choses reconstruction--its just me.  That said, it has taken me a while--and many hours standing in the shower, looking down at them pretending one or the other wasn't there and trying to sort out my feelings--to figure it out.  I will say that both of the plastic surgeons I spoke to said that they only do reconstruction post treatment so I would think that you could make your reconstruction decisions more down the road and not feel so rushed.  Plastic surgeons cand do wonders.

    good luck!  <<hugs>>

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