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babyduck
babyduck Member Posts: 63
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed

Hello Ladies....need some advice. DX Jan 31st. Met with surgeon, met with plastic surgeon, meet with oncologist on Monday. After talking to PS I am considering just the one breast masectomy so I will need the MRI to be sure it's not in the other... 1st ? or thought....how true is an MRI... 2nd ? OPINIONS......

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  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 616
    edited February 2014

    You didn't mention what type of bc you have.  For me, even at a stage 1, bilateral mastectomy was not only recommended by my surgeon, but my preferred surgery.  My cancer, ILC, has a tendency to show up in the other breast at some point.  Personally, I didn't want to have to worry about it.  I finished reconstruction right before Christmas. No regrets! Love my medical team...and my new girls!!

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  • momaton
    momaton Member Posts: 780
    edited February 2014

    My mri lit up like a Christmas tree. 6 tumors, only one showed up on diag mammo and that was inconclusive. Highly recommend an MRI.

    I had a BMX, to reduce risk and for peace of mind. No regrets at all.

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  • babyduck
    babyduck Member Posts: 63
    edited February 2014


    Sorry..thought my DX showed up. It is IDC. Stage 2. One lymph node involvement for sure....there is a tumor in the auxillary...another tumor above the nipple area...right side... I had pretty much decided on the bilateral just for peace of mind....but don't want to do more than necessary for healing purposes...

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  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 616
    edited February 2014

    According to my surgeon, whether they take one or both, the healing time is the same.  For me it was two weeks.  I also had tissue expanders put in during my surgery.  This did not add to recovery time. Since I have the ability to work from home, my doctors gave me the green light to work 1/2 days from home week 2.  But I still needed to be careful not to overdo it. 

    Also, careful about staging until after surgery.  My preliminary stage was 2a, but went down to a 1a after the pathology report came back from my bilateral mastectomy.  Tumor grade and sensitivity to hormones was correct in the initial biopsy reports.  But stage and size of tumor(s) were wrong (they said I had three tumors, one in situ, one 2 cm - I ended up with six tumors, 2 in situ, my largest ILC tumor being 17 mm; big difference, and it makes a difference in staging).  I am told this is not uncommon.

    It seems your are halfway through the "what the hell" part - tests, doctors, etc - and getting ready to head into actual treatment.  I am sure you've heard it before, but the best advice I can give you throughout this process called breast cancer is "don't borrow trouble; go with what you know".  Also, careful reading too much on the internet.  Contradictions abound and if it doesn't get confusing, then it gets scary.  This is where the "go with what you know" comes in.

    Also, insist that your medical team speak to each other, regularly and often.  You would think it should be par for the course, but I am hearing that isn't always the case.  My doctors communicate well and it makes a huge difference.  I don't sneeze without my plastic surgeon, surgeon, and oncologist knowing about it.  Their communication about me and my case is just shy of miraculous.

    Best of luck!  You Got This!  Fight Like a Girl!!

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  • babyduck
    babyduck Member Posts: 63
    edited February 2014


    Thanks vbishop... Yeaht the WTH part is settleing. I know several women who have been through this and they have been a huge help. I feel really good with my drs.... they seem to be very knowledgeable so far... "go with what you know" can go along with "go with what you feel" maybe a little of gut instinct???? Anywho, I have a great support system, good docs and a strong failth...really I think I'm ready to get this show on the road....

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  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 616
    edited February 2014

    Love your attitude, babyduck!!  You sound like me - "let's do this so I can get on with my life".

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited February 2014

    MRI is a pretty good tool in terms of margin, that's also part of the protocol as far as i know/read on their board. 

    uni or bi MX is a completely personal choice.

    in terms of recovery, well that can be personal as well, also depends on what kind of job you do. mine is quite stressful, even though i could sit there without passing out but i was not productive at all and i couldn't focus at all. every phone call comes in from a consultant was an agony to me. i had an uni MX and lymph nodes removal and that took the recovery time longer. i was told reconstruction is taking longer time. but every person reacts differently from the surgery. some are able to bounce back quickly and some will need more time. and it has a lot to do with mental as well, the more stressful your job, the longer it will take.

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited February 2014

    I had bilateral for balance (large breasts) and for peace of mind and to avoid another surgery down the road. My non tumour breast showed pre cancerous traits post op so the surgeon said she was glad I made the decision to do bilateral. I only needed plain tylenol the day after surgery and only developed complications because of drain placement. 

    It is a hard decision. Good luck to you.

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