2012 sisters

palmettomom...  I finally decided to get a UMX.  My BRCA test came back negative yesterday.  I had 3 additional biopsies - all negative; so if my nodes are clear I will take the tomaxifan and hopefully be done with treatment.  I decided that I'd rather go through a month or 6 weeks and come out the other side with two symmetrical breasts (I will have a TE in the right and when I do the exchange have an implant placed in both breasts) then remove even more from my already smaller breast.  I am a B on the left and was a large A on the right. With the biopsies I can already see a marked difference.  I just couldn't go through life hating my smaller breast every time I got dressed/undressed.  Once I shave to have radiation it would have been very challenging to work with radiated skin to reconstruct.  Also - I know two people that, like many above, started with the intention of a Lump and after multiple surgeries end up with a MX anyway.  I just don't want to go in circles with this.

 At least now I will be 98% sure of no return and I don'thave to live through 7 weeks of daily radiation. When I am finally through this I will have the C cups I always wanted when I was a teenager without (hopefully) any perm skin/tissue damage due to radiation.

 BTW:  I called the company that offered me a new job if I started by July 2nd.  They have agreed to give me until August 6th; so I can now take this new job as well.  God really does have a plan; if only I could see it sometimes....  For now I'l just put one foot in front of the other.

Thanks to everyone for the input. My Dr has ordered a breast mri for Monday and appt with ps that afternoon so I should know more after that. Also my nurse told me that my case was up for tumor conference today. It may be decided for me. It looks like most of us with IDC either choose or end up having at least umx anyway! Surgery is now scheduled for June 18...



Juneaubugg...SOOO happy for you that the new job will wait for you. I agree that God does have a plan for each of us. I do not think I could make it through this journey without knowing that!

Thanks for realising Bev's surgery day Palmetto.

Thinking of ya Bev.... positive vibrations your way.

Bev.... I will be thinking of you. (((hugs)))

Thank you so much for all your positive energy, prayers and good thoughts. I am walking out thedoor in 10 minutes,at 11:00a.m. I am a little sick with nervousness. Best to each and every one of you !!

Bev:  best of luck to you!  Keeping you in my thoughts!!!

Had a dx of Dcis on my right, a small spot of something they wanted to watch on my left. Because of my family Hx, I said I wanted a BMX. I was glad when they found the IDC on the LEFT breast. Both surgeons were surprised a the path report. (I had TEs). I went BMX because of my.mom. because the tumor was 1.6 and her2 +, I got chemo. Don't DO RADS because it wasn't near chest wall. Completed TCHx6 today. good luck to all of you, much love.

hi there ladies, I jsut was released from the hospital. I had surgery Thursday afternoon with TE's. I have to tell you. it was much better than anticipated. So much of the fear was for nothing. I am totally exhausted though. The perscription for percocets didn't help in the regard but they did help. Will write again tomorrow after I sleep like 19 hours. Thanks for the good vibes.

Bev-glad to see you home and that it wasn't as bad as you anticipated!. The fear of mine is starting in and you have helped ease that. Get your rest!

Glad you're home and doing so well bev; rest and sleep.  

Bev - Welcome home.  I too am glad that it wasn't as bad as you thought it would be.  My UMX is scheduled for the 26th and the anxiety just continues to mount.  I have so many fears that go beyond the actual surgery; but knowing even THAT most likely isn't ask bad as I am making it out to be in my head is a big help...  Thanks Bev. 

Morning everyone!

Tazzy I hate making these decisions. Personally I'm choosing no recon for myself. I just don't want any more surgery. Haven't even had the first one yet. It scares me enough. Good Luck with your decision! 

lostinmo, I did the same thing. Less surgery, less pain, that was the theory anyway.

Be sure and ask your surgeon how many MX without recon he does in a month. I didn't do that, and I think my surgeon is a lumpectomy specialist. 

Hi 2012 Sisters,

I have enjoyed reading your stories.  I wish i had found this website earlier. 

 I was Diagnosed in late January.  I had found a lump in December and passed it off as nothing at first.  I had a benign fibroadenoma removed when I was 26 and had thought it was just some scar tissue/lumpiness.  I have small lumpy breasts anyway. It became more noticeable as january marched on and I decided to have it looked at.  The "truck" hit me as soon as they did the mammogram and it came back Birads 4.  I had the biopsy of the mass and a lymph node in my axilla two days later and confirmed IDC/DCIS.  The node was positive.  My world sure changed as you all know all too well.  I did not get my mammogram at 40 because i was "too busy".  I was 41 when all this happened. 

My oncologist recommended Mastectomy since i am small breasted and the affected area will be about half my breast size.  I was thankfully BRCA normal. But the surgeons i talked to never brought up mastectomy, they only talked lumpectomy.  I was encouraged by that.  I at first wanted to get rid of all the cancer factories but then I calmed down and started to think about things with a cooler head.  I figured why should breast size have anything to do with it and there is no going back if I start with mastectomy.  I also learned that there is no difference in survival between the two and my other therapies would be the same.  They were going to advise chemo and radiation regardless.  They recommended chemo before surgery to shrink things and give me a better chance at being successful with the lumpectomy.

 I finished 4 rounds of DD AC and am 9/12 treatments into weekly Taxol.  I have my Surgery July 23rd.  I am going to have radiation after that.

I love reading what others have been through.  Your experiences are giving me encouragement.  I cant wait until all this is done and things can be more normal again.  Though I have to count myself lucky that the chemo hasnt bothered me all that much and that I have been able to work almost full time.  it was tough through the AC though and I probably should have taken some time off during that.  But i am the main wage earner at this point and my insurance is through my work.  I was terrified about having to be out of work and losing income and losing insurance etc.

 Keep up the good work every one!  Best wishes on a speedy recover from surgery Bev!

Hi Belinda,

I am no expert, though i am a physician and have done a LOT of reading and asking questions, but typically if there is a recurrence it is the same type and grade.  things can be higher grade.  People with the breast cancer gene can develop more than one type though.  If you are under 50 and have family members with multiple types of cancer (breast, ovarian especially) your oncologist may recommend the BRCA test to look for that gene.  All of us that have been diagnosed are going to be watched very carefully so recurrences are usually caught very early on and managed before they extend to the point that our original cancer did.  You are in an EXCELLENT position based on the information you posted on your cancer.  If it hasnt gone to the nodes and is caught as small as yours was, you have an excellent chance of being cancer free the rest of your life.  Are you doing chemo or radiation?