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Becky · 12-06-2010, 11:29 AM

Joanna

I also want to add that one reason I got three opinions on surgery is that I COULD NOT believe that no one told me to get a masectomy. And no one did. I didn't have anyone to ask or lean on so - with 3 opinions all saying lumpectomy, that's what I did. Like you (being about one year out), I fretted over the lumpectomy decision and really regretted not having a bilateral masectomy but I don't anymore. As I said earlier, although I don't want a local recurrence or a new breast cancer, if anything should happen in the future - off with the "girls". So, I am diligent about my monthly breast exams (I have a "name" for the lumpectomy hole in my breast - the "shoot" - ie: down the shoot and up the other side

)

I get my mammos on time etc (and they are a little nerve wracking but oh well). I truly understand your concern and question though - totally. I have felt the same as you and many times wished I had had bilateral masectomy but I went in with informed opinions and now, I just go with the flow.

12-06-2010, 11:29 AM	#5
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Re: mastectomy or partial mastectomy? Joanna I also want to add that one reason I got three opinions on surgery is that I COULD NOT believe that no one told me to get a masectomy. And no one did. I didn't have anyone to ask or lean on so - with 3 opinions all saying lumpectomy, that's what I did. Like you (being about one year out), I fretted over the lumpectomy decision and really regretted not having a bilateral masectomy but I don't anymore. As I said earlier, although I don't want a local recurrence or a new breast cancer, if anything should happen in the future - off with the "girls". So, I am diligent about my monthly breast exams (I have a "name" for the lumpectomy hole in my breast - the "shoot" - ie: down the shoot and up the other side) I get my mammos on time etc (and they are a little nerve wracking but oh well). I truly understand your concern and question though - totally. I have felt the same as you and many times wished I had had bilateral masectomy but I went in with informed opinions and now, I just go with the flow. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"