Questioning decision

I chose bmx with DIEP recon and I am very happy with the results.  I also wanted to avoid rads and I just didn't trust my breasts anymore. To me, keeping them was going to cause me more stress than losing them. Although many do fine with implants, I knew I wouldn't like them so DIEP was the right choice for me. It is a very personal decision. If you are questioning the choice you made there is still time to look into your options.

 Most do fine with rads. Perhaps seeing an RO would help ease your fears and lx would suit you better. 

If you are unhappy with the te's you may be able to have a flap surgery at a later date. 

Of course it is surgery, so some fear is expected, but if your decision doesn't feel right take some time to look into your options and listen to that little voice inside you that tells you what.you can be comfortable with. Good luck to you.

Lmonelli, here is a link to information about the various types of reconstruction: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/reco...

I suggest spending some time on the main BCO site and doing a lot of research. Don't spend as much time on the boards, you need to get basic information before you start thinking about the experience of individual women. You have plenty of time. You have the least aggressive form of breast cancer, nothing much is going to happen in the next month or two that hasn't happened already. Have you had the oncotype test done yet? If you have a low oncotype, that may be more good news for you. *Take all the time you need to make an informed decision that you can be comfortable with.*

I see you are not having your surgery until April 29. That gives you a little time to just think about and reconsider your decision. Just read on here and educate yourself. What does your doctor recommend? Is he/she telling you to have the mx? If so, why? Many doctors don't want to influence the decision one way or the other. My first BS told me to have lx with rads. But I have very small breasts and 30 year old implants. I didn't think that was a good choice. Also, when I went for a second opinion, the doctor did more imaging and found a + node and more cancer. So my first guy just had it wrong. So don't be shy about getting a second opinion. I saw 4 BSs, 2 MO's, and 2 PS's. I also got input from 2 radiologists. The second one flat out said, if you were in my family, I would say get the mx.

If you are nervous about rads, go spend some time on the rads boards and read about people's experiences. For every person who has a hard time, there is another who flies through it completely unaffected. Try not to fixate on your fear and keep an open mind. Quite honestly, every single treatment has a downside, so you have to consider which thing you are most comfortable or uncomfortable with. I think many woman hear they have cancer and freak out and rush to surgery. It took me over 8 weeks to make my decision, get second opinions and get started. I asked my first BS is time was a big factor and he said no. You have time.

Just a quick post--I had no problems with rads. A bit of skin reddening, and a bit of peeling, but no lasting effects and I sailed right through. I don't remember any pain at all. The advice to read the definitions about rads, different types of surgeries, etc. is right on. Many will post here because they have bad experiences and need support or are looking for information to see if others have had the same experience. I don't remember posting in the rads board saying I had a terrific experience, because I didn't need any help or support.

Claire in AZ

Lmonelli, I am a teeny bit concerned that you said you would have expanders because "that is what [your] ps does." You should have a consultation with someone who has more than one approach.

If I were having an mx (and I nearly did!), I'd have chosen to have a DIEP, with my tummy fat evicted and resettled as now boob/s. As I worked through all my options, and wrangled statistics from my doctors, I realized that, for me, lumpectomy plus rads would be at least as effective as a mastectomy (or two), without the risk of potential nasty recovery complications. Eventually, I chose the lx, with the thought in the back of my head that if I then felt I needed/wanted mx, I could just do it later, at my convenience, after having researched plastic surgeons and hospitals. As it happens, I am really, really happy that I had only the lx.

The link that Sjacobs posted will tell you about different types of recon options. It is true that a PS will usually only tell you about the ones they do. My first PS did only TRAM flaps, so he never told me about DIEP. I researched the TRAM and didn't want that, then learned about DIEP on my own. I searched till I found the only PS in my area who could do the DEIP and low and behold he was in the same practice as the first PS I saw. I chose a double mx over a uni because I wanted better symmetry.

Is your tumor in the left or the right breast? Many who fear radiation do so because the tumor is in the left breast and radiation will pass through the heart or the lungs, although often this can be avoided. A consult with an RO may be helpful to ease your fears if you would really prefer an lx.

Also, there are circumstances where rads are still necessary after an mx. For example if your final pathology shows the tumor margins are close to the chest wall or a positive node is found, rads will still be recommended.

hello, i too had no problems with rads, also sailed right through,just peeling and a dark spot, that faded alot, hang in there sweetie, and come here often, we are here for U, this is coming to U for Inspiration, i am now a 21 yr Survivor(Praise GOD) all things are possible to those who beleive. msphil (idc, stage 2, 0/3 nodes, L mast, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen)

Anyone here have Oncotype or Mammaprint scores? Did that impact your chemo decision?