New here, Waiting for the Mammaprint

Options
Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited December 2020 in Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
New here, Waiting for the Mammaprint
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • FlagMama
    FlagMama Member Posts: 10
    edited November 2020

    Hi all, I'm new here. Just diagnosed Nov 4. US showed a 1 cm invasive ductal carcinoma, Grade 3, so was told I was a candidate for lumpectomy and radiation.

    Had a surgery date for today. MRI showed the mass is actually 3 cm in length, so now I'm on Arimidex to try and shrink tumor for a better surgical outcome. Last week

    my surgeon seemed to be recommending mastectomy with reconstruction now. Joking about going from a B cup to D cup aside, I am having a hard time with all the changes

    and decisions, and I really did not want mastectomy at first.

    I understand that each breast cancer is unique and the best treatment plan often changes day by day. I respect that and trust the docs to recommend the best course. It's just

    pretty frustrating and scary for the patient! I had 2 RFID markers placed last week, which was unneeded if i get mastectomy (and it was not fun!)

    So now I await the Mammaprint results which will guide treatment (which surgery, chemo or not, etc) and I have an appointment with the reconstruction surgeon. What to do?

    I'm 59 and hate wearing a bra, so the girls are hanging lower than they used to. Is my left breast going to look young and perky and the right one sad and jealous? Do I want/need

    surgery on both sides?!?

    Anyway, thanks for letting me vent and I look forward to reading and learning from your stories!

    Regards, Laura

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited November 2020

    Welcome and sorry you find yourself here! It sounds like you are working with providers you are comfortable with and trust... That is sooo important. I hope you've checked out the IDC forums/threads too since you're aware you have IDC. This beginning part of things is the most difficult and stressful. Once you have a specific plans for surgery and date you will find emotions, etc. start improving.

    As far as mastectomy or bilateral - such a personal decision... Gather additional information and others' experiences so you can make the best decision for you and what you are most comfortable with. I too had to have a mastectomy though had already decided to undergo bilateral due to my age, size, gravity and discomfort one large breast would leave me with, etc. I also have multiple medical issues, wanted to do what I could to minimize future surgeries (already had 2 biopsies on the healthy breast) and an extensive family and extended family history of various cancers.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FlagMama
    FlagMama Member Posts: 10
    edited November 2020

    Hi LivinLife,

    Thanks for your response! Also thanks for the info regarding IDC threads... I was not aware of them yet.

    I've really had to adjust my thinking about mastectomy! I had no idea it really is a choice, even if only for

    cosmetic reasons.

    I see this support group is going to be very helpful to me, and hopefully I can bless others with info and

    caring!

    Laura

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sunshine99
    Sunshine99 Member Posts: 1,680
    edited November 2020

    Hi FlagMama, this is a crazy time for you with all the information being thrown at you! I had my first cancer diagnosis 12 years ago. I'm a small B (well almost) cup, and I opted for a mastectomy without reconstruction on the right side. In retrospect, I almost wished I had chosen a bilateral mastectomy, again without reconstruction. I have comfortable bras and don't really need an insert, but it would be nice sometimes to just forego the bra altogether.

    The reconstruction process sounded a little too much for me. Besides that, the PS that I met kind of creeped me out. He was also arguing with his nurse in the hallway as to whether or not my husband could come into the exam room with me. This was 12 years ago - way before COVID restrictions.

    Anyway, I basically decided on the mastectomy since the size of the lump relative to the size of my breast would have not been pretty. I don't regret my decision, but only you can decide what you want.

    Check out the other discussions. I think you'll find them helpful.

    All the best to you!

    Carol

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FlagMama
    FlagMama Member Posts: 10
    edited December 2020

    Hi Carol,

    Thank you for your response! Sorry I didn't see it right away, I'm having a bit of trouble navigating the site.

    I appreciate that you shared your thoughts and reasoning for your decisions, and that you are happy with them!!!

    Just got the call that my MammaPrint is High Risk, so now Chemo is the plan. Not sure where that puts timing for surgery,

    but I guess I'd better get over to the Chemo resources! I can't believe how fast (and slow!) things can change with this diagnosis!

    Blessings, Laura

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited December 2020

    I had a left lumpectomy and wish I'd gotten my right one trimmed to match. Righty is an old and saggy DD; Lefty is an almost-perky C-ish. If I matched, I could go braless more often. I still do if it's cool enough for a sweatshirt, but not publicly. But occasionally gravity will annoy both of them and I need to roll them up like a mis-matched pair of socks and tuck them in a bra, even at home.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited December 2020

    Ahhhhh geeze FlagMama.... at least you know now and can begin preparing mentally - even while gathering even more information like you said. I hope you have a concrete plan soon.... that will help a lot for you emotionally as well as any supports or other things you might want to have in place prior to starting treatment...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories