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Mary Jo · 09-17-2007, 06:50 PM

Hi Cathy,

I cannot speak to the DCIS because I didn't have that in the other breast but I did have an area of calcifications, near the chest wall, that concerned my docs as this area of calcification changed since the mammo done 6 months prior. Thankfully after having it biopsied, it was benign HOWEVER this area being near the chest wall scared me and just the fact that the area had changed in the 6 months prompted me to act in favor of a prophylactic mastectomy. I had a right breast mastectomy 8 months prior due to the cancer in that breast. In all honestly, I wanted a bi-lateral mastectomy at that time but was encouraged to keep my left breast as I was told the odds of developing cancer in that breast were less than it recurring elsewhere. That might be true, but having any area of suspicion in the other breast was enough to convince me to follow through with what I wanted all along. My surgeon did not argue with me as she understood how strongly I felt about it AND her being a woman, I honestly felt she agreed with my decision.

Now to speak to your concerns about the surgery itself. I found both mastectomy's really easy surgery. I do handle most things quite well, I will admit, but my surgeon did tell me that most of her patients say that there really isn't much pain involved. I didn't even need to take any pain meds. The right breast cancer mastectomy I had 2 sentinal nodes removed so there was a bit more discomfort in the arm pit area but the prophylactic side I had no nodes removed just the simple mastecomy. I recovered very quickly. As a matter of fact I had my first mastectomy (the right breast for cancer) on a Tuesday and by that Friday I took a 2 mile walk with my hubby. I did not choose reconstruction after either of my mastectomy's and have no plans too. Just not something I cared to do because of the added surgery time etc. Just not me. I'm fine with it this way and feel very comfortable and womanly just the way I am.

So, I hope this helps some what. My heart and prayers are with you. God Bless.

Mary Jo

09-17-2007, 06:50 PM	#3
Mary Jo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sheboygan, WI Posts: 2,582	Hi Cathy, I cannot speak to the DCIS because I didn't have that in the other breast but I did have an area of calcifications, near the chest wall, that concerned my docs as this area of calcification changed since the mammo done 6 months prior. Thankfully after having it biopsied, it was benign HOWEVER this area being near the chest wall scared me and just the fact that the area had changed in the 6 months prompted me to act in favor of a prophylactic mastectomy. I had a right breast mastectomy 8 months prior due to the cancer in that breast. In all honestly, I wanted a bi-lateral mastectomy at that time but was encouraged to keep my left breast as I was told the odds of developing cancer in that breast were less than it recurring elsewhere. That might be true, but having any area of suspicion in the other breast was enough to convince me to follow through with what I wanted all along. My surgeon did not argue with me as she understood how strongly I felt about it AND her being a woman, I honestly felt she agreed with my decision. Now to speak to your concerns about the surgery itself. I found both mastectomy's really easy surgery. I do handle most things quite well, I will admit, but my surgeon did tell me that most of her patients say that there really isn't much pain involved. I didn't even need to take any pain meds. The right breast cancer mastectomy I had 2 sentinal nodes removed so there was a bit more discomfort in the arm pit area but the prophylactic side I had no nodes removed just the simple mastecomy. I recovered very quickly. As a matter of fact I had my first mastectomy (the right breast for cancer) on a Tuesday and by that Friday I took a 2 mile walk with my hubby. I did not choose reconstruction after either of my mastectomy's and have no plans too. Just not something I cared to do because of the added surgery time etc. Just not me. I'm fine with it this way and feel very comfortable and womanly just the way I am. So, I hope this helps some what. My heart and prayers are with you. God Bless. Mary Jo __________________ "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++ RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node No Vasucular Invasion 4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin 1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks 28 rads prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06 17 Years NED <>< Romans 8:28