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As time goes by I realize that my decision to have breast conserving surgery was based from clinical/statistical outcomes. Not necessarily personal. Yes, the lumpectomy went fine- I had the radiation and chemo and Herceptin too... but now I have to get a breast MRI every year for life... !!! My cancer was invisible on the mammogram and the ultrasound. I also had a reconstructive lift to the good breast in order to have symmetry. Now the "good" one is numb and the irradiated one is "off limits" --- maybe its mental, but its more like an ear or a toe--- only difference is that i can't paint it or pierce it !!!
I hate to admit it, but I should have had them both removed. I was a staunch supporter of breast conserving surgery when I was going through it. I know that bc changes everything. Many women are happy with keeping one and getting reconstruction on the lost breast.
My irradiated breast hurts during intimacy, and the reconstructed one is numb. Whatever the choice is- the outcome will be something unlike normal. The breasts (or lack thereof) will never be like it was before bc. Period.
I think docs are concerned with emotional well being and want the patient to not rush to double mastectomies... Its such a personal decision. But again, being realistic about the long term results should be the focus of the decision making.
I would print some comments from this forum and leave them somewhere in the house for your wife to peek at. That is what my husband did to me.
Maria
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