Unilateral or bilateral? Why?

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Liloefer
Liloefer Member Posts: 13
edited November 2015 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I was diagnosed almost a month ago with stage 2 IDC. I don't know if it's a or b. I saw the geneticist this morning and discussed my lack of a cancerous family history. I gave blood to do the breastnext test but I won't get those results for a month. My surgery is scheduled for the 17th of this month, so like in a few days. I had elected double mastectomy although MRI shows nothing in my healthy right breast. I have started having panic attacks as days go by about taking the healthy one. I'm 42. My husband and I had been trying for the last three years to have a child and I had been on hormone infertility treatment, which ultimately fed my cancer. I was told I could still have a child and have been referred to a oncofertility specialist. So my fear of taking the healthy breast is compounded by several issues; additional possible complications that inherently exist with any surgery, loss of sensation, and inability to breastfeed. Symmetry is important to me as is having nipples. I know the left breast tumors (3) have to come out and I won't be left with much breast tissue. Am I rushing and ruining my sex life and self esteem by taking the healthy one?

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  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited November 2015

    I'm so sorry that you're having to deal with all of this, but this is a decision only you can make. I'd suggest you make it in a considered, deliberate manner. Don't do it based on the initial panic following diagnosis.

    There's a thread titled "BMX vs. lumpectomy--please help me understand" which includes very thoughtful discussions of why one might choose any of BMX, MX or lumpectomy over another. And lists of things you might want to consider as you make the decision that's right for you. For instance, it notes that even if you have a BMX and reconstruction, you aren't guaranteed to end up w/ symmetry.

    If you think you're rushing, then you probably are. I'd read through Beesie's posts in that thread (she has at least a couple of posts in that thread--and links to others). She has some of the most thoughtful discussions on these topics to be found--they should help you think through the possibilities and begin to reach your own conclusion. You may then want to have another discussion with your docs, to finalize your choices,

    Best wishes,

    LisaAlissa

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  • powerthruit
    powerthruit Member Posts: 59
    edited November 2015

    Absolutely the right advice. I was SURE at first that I wanted a BMX. I ended up keeping "lefty". ;-)Only you can make the decision. Take your time.

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  • BethL
    BethL Member Posts: 286
    edited November 2015

    I understands your fears. I was dxd in august, finally made a decision for the BMX which is scheduled in 2 1/2 weeks. I'm never gonna be ok with it, but somehow I know it's right for me. I have a lot of friends who have had breast cancer and oddly 4 of us have had recurrences around the same time. 3 of us had lumpectomies, 1 had mastectomy. My cancer came back in the same side, 2 others who had lumpectomy got cancer in the opposite side. Now the friend who had mx is dealing with it again. So I don't know if mx would have changed things or not but for the 2 who got it on the other side but I have to wonder. all of us were early stage at first diagnosis.

    Hang in there and go with your gut. None of this is fair, but there's enormous support here for you.

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