2012 sisters

Tazzy-2FriedEggs is right! I did had the NSBMX with 1-step to implants and I'm really glad I made that decision. I made my decision based on my research and what I was comfortable with. The following was considered:

1-I'm 115lb and was barely a 34B cup, I was not good candidate for things like tram flap and all the others using fat, and I'm very active and young (34) so didn't want to use my muscles and the doctor agree with me on that. 

2-My diagnosis of IDC 15mm and stage 1 and was at 10 o'clock at my right breast which was also far from the nipples

3-I also wanted to stay around the same size after the implants (ended up with a 34C)

4-No need for radiation

5-Wanted the least amount of surgeries thus less recovery time needed (Didn't go with TEs for that reason and also I wanted to stayed the same size) 

6-Had another non cancerous lump on the left side that is the same size as the IDC on the right side and my doctor recommended that lump to be removed at the same time

Thus I was a very good candidate for the NSBMX with 1-step to implants, I also had the option of lumpectomies on both sides or mastectomy on cancer side and lumpectomy on non cancerous side as well. I chose the BMX because I didn't want to deal with all the MRIs and CT Scans every few months for the rest of my life. Now I have 1-2% chance of it coming back and that's the best thing ever. I know that the doctors tell you that the survival rate for both lumpectomy and mastectomy is the same but the reocurrance rate is 6-7% vs 1-2%. Which made a HUGE difference for me, you alone could make this decision, I made mine to improve my quality of life, I was never hung up on things like " Oh, I can't cut out my perfectly good breast" and stuff like that. As a matter of fact, my right breast tried to kill me for god sake and how would I know if the left one won't try to do the same in the future? 

I really am very happy with my decision, if you are a good candidate for this and that's what you want to do, I say go for it! I never look back and its my Birthday today and I went out with all my friends last night to dinner and drinks and all of them are shock to see that I'm back to myself again. Actually when I got diagonsed on April 13th, I started planning my surgery and booked it for May 7th so I would be back to my life for my birthday. That's exactly what happened!!!!!!!! I had a fantastic time last night and at 5 weeks post op, I think I've just made a turning point where I'm back to normal again. 

I'm also cleared for the gym, so I'm going to the gym for my birthday!!!!! You have to understand that I'm weight train and do crossfit as well. So gym and fitness is very important to me.

Hope this helps and may you make the best decision for your life!!!!!  

Tazzy-NS in NSBMX means Nipple Sparing, so I had Nipple Sparing(meaning also skin sparing) Bilateral Mastectomy.

My story is a little bit similar.  I was diagnosed January 24th, I had a lumpectomy in March and they found a fourth tumor that hadn't shown up on any imaging they had done.  Because the four tumors were isolated there was no focal area so radiation wasn't a good choice for me.  My lympnodes (4) and margins were clean and I tested negative for BRCA gene.  I had a unilateral mastecomy, DIEP flap reconstruction and lift on the good side.  I thought I was almost done but I am now waiting on the oncotype DX test to determine if I need chemo.  If I don't need chemo there is a good chance I'll need my overies out, seems like a lose-lose situation but if it means the risk of recurrence goes down, I'm ok with either-

I have been lucky that my surgery recovery has been pretty stress free so far, my drain came out on its own but the doctor says I don't need to go see him until Friday, that's a good sign I think

Best of lucky to everyone!!!

Thank you 2FriedEggs and Tazzy for the birthday wishes! 

2FriedEggs-I'm really glad that all the surgery is behind me now and good luck for your 2nd fill. That's so funny "2 poached eggs". Let us know how it goes!

Tazzy-I noticed that you're triple negative, I have a friend whose triple negative too and was stage 3, she did the BMX and immediate reconstruction with TEs. She also had chemo first and then surgery and radiation, please do your research before you make this decision. 

I decided I'm going to start posting instead of lurking and reading everyone else's stories (although they have been very informative!). I was diagnosed on Feb 29th of this year with IDC, stage 2a, grade 2, ER/PR+, HER-. Tomorrow is my 4th chemo treatment and I am dreading it already. I try not to think too much about it as nausea starts kicking in!

I do have a question though...I had an ultrasound last week to see how the tumor is responding to the chemo and the radiologist said it has shrunk down to 1/3 of its original size... Has anyone had this happen and then the MO decided to go on to surgery instead of finishing the remaining chemo treatments? I'll see my doc tomorrow but I've been thinking about this the last couple of days (hoping I wouldn't have to finish my remaining chemo treatments).

Thanks Tazzy and Soyaandpepper. I don't think I'll change my name because I have too many stages to go through yet- 2fried eggs to 2poached eggs, to 2 hardboiled eggs, etc etc. I think I'll just wait until I get to 2melons or something like that. LOL 

Tazzy there is kind of a cheat sheet with the lingo under the new to the forum section that has tons of abbreviations. Good luck on your decision. I know I changed my mind several times before making my final decision. I just went to every one of the different doctors and got their takes on everything before making it. I had the same options as Soyaandpepper (except I couldn't go with the direct to implant and had to do the TE's) and made the same choice as her. Unlike her, I have a gym membership but I don't use it. lol

Welcome angiephnx - I also lurked before posting - think most of us do.  Sorry you are part of this club, but happy you found us.  Great bunch of women with all different experiences and all willing to share.  
First of all that is great news that the chemo is shrinking the tumour.   means its doing its job, regardless of how crap it does make us feel in the process.   I do not know the answer to your question.... for me I have to finish all my treatments first.    If there is someone out there who knows, they'll be on soon to share. 

S&P - that's the kind of story I like to hear... great news about your friend.  I am part of the clinical trial for D-care so because of that will monitored every six months with a mammo and yearly for a bone/ct scan and mri.  The more monitoring the better I say.

2Fried... thanks for directing me to the cheat sheet - sure would've saved a lot of head scratching wondering...   I suspended my gym membership too.

Thank you Tazzy for the warm welcome!

Welcome angiephnx.  Unfortunately I cannot answer your query since I had surgery first and will be starting my chemo tx on Friday.  Keep posting and someone will answer.  You might another thread or two also. 

Soya, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Tazzy, love your profile pic BTW.

Bev, congrats on the clean nodes. 

vickilind61-Thanks for the birthday wish! 

I am not really sure why my ovaries would need to come out, maybe because of the tumors being er+ I guess- have a lot of questions for my next visit!!!!!

lostinmo-Thanks for the birthday wish!

VickieDalla-Sorry to have to meet like this but you came to the right place for support! Just do your research and do what you feel like in your gut! Great news on your negative on MRI and CT Scans. Its good that you have support even at a distance as you pointed out and we ladies will help you along as much as possible. For me its really good to have the family and friends' support but still they still don't know what I'm really going through cause they're not in my shoes. 

The ladies in BCO are a great supoort since we're all going through the same time at different stages, we get ot share our experiences and compare notes!

VickiDallas, hang in there!  The first month is a rollercoaster.  I felt better after surgery when I hade the pathology because I had a better idea of what I was dealing with.  I asked my surgeon if I was her sister would she be comfortable with my surgical choice.  However, if there is any recurrence I will be having a BMX.