Surgeon Appointment Today

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tsoebbin
tsoebbin Member Posts: 474
edited April 2016 in Just Diagnosed

I have been strangely calm about all of this, until today. My appointment is a 4:00 and my anxiety is through the roof! I am happy to be at work today and just trying to pretend it is not happening!

Looking forward to the next step to get this behind me.

I feel better after taking a minute to post this. Thank God you are all here to "listen" to me during this madness.

Thanks

Traci

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited April 2016

    I hope your appt went well and that you found the surgeon to your liking. That is so important because you're going to have a long relationship with him/her. What did they suggest doing, if you don't mind my asking?

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  • tsoebbin
    tsoebbin Member Posts: 474
    edited April 2016

    We liked the surgeon, she spent almost 2 hours with us. I feel like we have a better understanding of the big picture.

    She is suggesting lumpectomy with radiation and Tamoxifin. The 2 tumors are potentially one 5 cm area and she's planning on moving the whole area since they are so close.

    I'm very overweight so she doesn't think mastectomy with immediate reconstruction is a great idea until I lose weight.

    Downside is that darn Tamoxifin. I've had a hysterectomy but have my ovaries so she is suggesting it until I'm through menopause I take it.. Maybe all 5 years! I have to think about that.

    I see from your profile you had the lumpectomy first, did you have radiation too?

    So much to think about.

    THANKS for your reply.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited April 2016

    No, I did not have radiation. I was going to have lumpectomy with radiation, but then we found out that I had two serious gene mutations (PALB2 & Chek2) which probably caused my breast cancer. Although my tumor was small (1.8cm), it was PR negative, which is a more aggressive cancer. Plans were put on hold for radiation, I had 4 rounds of chemo, and then had bilateral mastectomies because the chance of recurrence was higher due to the gene mutations. Believe me, I would not have signed up for the BMX if there had really been any other choice. I have had one complication after another. Thankfully, I DIDN"T have reconstruction, because I wouold have lost it ALL. I've been taking Femara for about 6-7 weeks now and not having any SEs.

    My sister had DCIS three years ago. She had LX, followed by radiation and a hysterectomy with ovary removal. They incidentally found that she also had an early uterine cancer, too They were able to skip the Tamoxifen and go with Arimidex. She has had no SEs from the Arimidex.

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  • tsoebbin
    tsoebbin Member Posts: 474
    edited April 2016

    Thank you for your reply. There is just so much to learn and figure out. I hope I am on the right path for my situation. I am brand new to this and learning a bit more each day and trying to stay informed but not overwhelmed.. it is a fine balance, isn't it?

    I need to learn more about the different hormone therapies out there. After all of your complications I am glad to hear you are not having SE from the Femara.

    Take care, sending healing thoughts your way.

    Traci

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