December 2011 Surgeries - want to wait together?

mskassie- So sorry you have to be here but welcome to the December surgery thread. It is really a tough decision but a personal one. I chose to have BMX when my BRCA2 came back positive because I did not want to do this again.I also felt reconstruction would be easier if I did them both at the same time. They did find atypical precancerous tissue in my good breast as well as in my cancer breast outside of the clear margins from the lumpectomy I had already had before the genetic testing. So I am thankful that I did both at once and am reducing my risk of reoccurence as much as I can. I did not need to have radiation or chemo and am very thankful for that as well. I am scheduled to have my ovaries and fallopian tubes out next week. Good luck with your decision making...just keep breathing and you will get through it.

Hi Ladies - there may be a different thread on this topic, but I've noticed so many MX's versus lumpectomies, even for Stage 1!  My BS just said you have a choice, lump/radiation or MX. Is it the radiation that everyone fears?  She indicated there was no difference in long term survival, though I've heard a few %?? 

 I'm still waiting for my December surgrey date, but because I need a breast reduction (no matter what!), I'm thinking I should perhaps go UMX/TE? with reduction on the other side. Why wasn't that offerred to me?? Ugh...not being able to get an appointment is one thing (still waiting for the schedulers to get back to me), not knowing what to do is another and I'm so far away from my hospital, it's not like I can run over there and discuss this with the BS or PS.  

Still waiting for BRCA results - I know that might make the decision for me.  Anyone just had that done?? How long?? They told me 7-14 days (they got my blood a week ago), but end of year health savings account people have added to the queue, so instead of doing 750 a month, they're doing more like 1000. 

Thanks fitzdc - can I ask the grade and size of your tumor?  I agree with you about the chest wall location.  Mine "is deep", but in my case, there is still room around the tumor.  My main concern is saving my life.  My second concern is not having to go in for a second, third or fourth surgery. My second to last concern is doing a breast reduction then losing weight in my breasts (I need to lose weight, and I lose big in the breasts!)  and then having to have implants in a radiated breast.  Lastly, I am a bit concerned about radiation itself, like will it damage my heart or lungs?

 I do have a concern about not getting clean margins after doing the reduction, also.

Ginger - since you had the BMX already can I ask how was your recovery in terms of being able to use your arms? I worry about being extremely limited for daily living things (ie - bathroom stuff). 

When I was diagnosed in 2005, my surgeon pushed for a lumpectomy with radiation since the tumor was small, 1cm, and my breast were large. Well everything went fine, but my breast did not heal well. I had lots of hard lumps that formed after radiation. This had me always going back for follow up mammos and biopsies. On top of that, they were uncomfortable. When I was needing yet another biopsy in July, they couldn't even get to the area because of all the lumps, so I had a MX. With what I know now, if I had it to do over again, I would have gotten the MX and skipped the radiation. I am opting for a MX on my good side after atypia precancerous cells were found in my left. I do not want to go through all this again. On the plus side, I will get a tummy tuck and smaller breast! Can't wait to go shopping for new clothes! Hope this helps you, as everyone has said, it is a very personal decision and only you know how you will handle the loss of your breasts. Praying for you.

When they did a biopsy on one of the lumps 6 months after radiation, it was blue......left over dye from the sentinal node thing. Guess the radiation cooked it! Some of the lumps were scar tissue, don't really know. Really glad to get rid of them though. Even though the PS said that that probably wouldn't happen to my other breast if I had it reduced, I just didn't want to take the chance.

mskassie,

My situation is a little different but I understand what you're going through. I was dx with DCIS and IDC in my left breast. According to the mammo, the right breast was 'normal'. My BS wanted an MRI to make sure the right was really ok and to assess the left better. I don't have any family hx of  breast ca and there was concern because of the extensive area in the left. Well, the MRI showed some abnormal uptake in the right. I had an ultrasound of the right and there were a couple areas of suspicion. The radiologist would have done a bx right then but the areas were too small and she didn't want to poke around. Very happy for that! She did recommend a bx under MRI. After talking with my BS, I decided I didn't want another bx, that I would have a bmx.

I just had my genetic testing done today and won't know the reults until after surgery. Personally, I couldn't live with the black cloud hanging over my head forever. Never knowing and always wondering if it's coming back.My BS said that provided the lymph nodes come back neg, I won't need chemo, just hormone therapy. Everybody's dx is different and their treatment is different. research, get all the info you can and then go with your gut.

As far as getting answers until it's done, I think that is partially true. In my case, I won't know if there is lymph node involvement until surgery but from the MRI my doc doesn't believe there is. She hasn't ordered a PET scan and wouldn't until the final pathology report is available.

Talk with your doc. Make a list of all your questions. I did. Like I said, your gut will tell you what the best thing is for you. Positive thoughts and prayers to you!

Hi all

You can add me to the list - bilateral mast without reconstruction on 8th December. This is following my second diagnosis of TN breast cancer within two years. First diagnosed 8th Sep 2009. Had neoadjuvant chemo but stopped after four cycles as tumour didn't respond. My tumour was removed using WLE on 4th Jan 2010 then had rads. Now the cancer is back in my left breast this time and was diagnosed with that on 17th Oct 2011. They will not know the extent of the cancer until my breasts are removed as the new cancer does not show up on mammograms (I felt a new lump in August). Anyway, just waiting for the surgery and I am feeling a bit apprehensive. Good to hang out with you all X

Hi everyone,

I've done some neoadj. chemo (though I have to return to chemo post-surgery) and found my other discussion board so helpful. I am having BMX with immediate recon this Friday. I am getting anxious just typing it! I wish everyone the best of luck, and it's great to hear from those who have been through it and remind us that this part will one day be beyind us also.

Rainess- I think you are right about the Her2+ and also maybe because your tumor was so large they want to be sure they zap any tissue left behind? Good luck; I am sure you will do great!

KAM -you asked the size and I can't believe I don't have this memorized, but I don't.  And today it seems I left my 'cancer binder' at the hospital (pre-op tests today).  But, like Chrisilini I was diagnosed with DCIS and IDC.  Multiple biopsies showed at least 5 locations of small tumor clusters.  Thus a MX seemed better than a lumpoctomy.

Going back tomorrow for more pre-op testing....

Teresa

I'm having replacement surgery on December 5 w/ fat transfer lipo'd out of my flanks and abs. Keeping them very small...so I've had no saline stretches.

I, too opted for a double MX rather than single.  I wanted a clean slate.

You can add me to the Dec 8th party---BMX, no recon. This is my 2nd BC (almost made it to 5 yrs), lump/chemo/rad/tamox the 1st time, hoping like crazy that this will do the trick.

It is sad that there are so many of us, but I am so glad to have this board to connect. It's good to know that I am not alone & I truly hope for the best for all of you. You are in my thoughts & prayers.

Gee that sucks about your work colleagues! but..... and I know it would be a real frustration for you  - and so not needed right now - but (and I try to tell myself this when I'm in similar situations). The world will not stop revolving, nor will your workplace collapse with you not there. Let it be someone elses problem to deal with - but not yours. You need to just think of yourself... especially now Cookie. OK? 

PS being in Australia, my surgery will be on the 8th December your time. I was going to ask to list me with the 8th gals, but on second thoughts, that's one day less and I'm not looking forward to this

 Best of luck to everyone else here in our group.. yes, post when you can. Cheerio, Kate

mskassie,

You asked how do you do it? You just do it. I know that sounds so easy, it's not and I think everyone on here feels that way. My original dx was in the left breast only. So, I was only going to need a UMX. When the MRI showed suspicious areas in the right I broke down. I couldn't believe it. I just kept wondering and saying to myself WTF?. I try not to go down as I call it, the dark road. At my last visit with my PS I had a little breakdown before he came in. It just is too real as it gets closer. He asked if I wanted to resched, put off recon. He was very understanding and supportive. He did say to me, and it's something I try to remember when I feel I'm straying towards the dark road, that try to  think about this process as something that needs to be done and once done  I'll be stronger and have a better recovery for it. Easier said than done at times but I think for the most part I've been doing that. I'm still terrified and afraid that post surgery I'm going to hit a wall. But prior to  I need to try to be as positive as I can. I have my moments. I cry and probably have a lot more crying to do. But I just take it one day at a time and enjoy the things, family, friends, faith, that I'll still have when my boobs are gone. You aren't nuts! You are human.