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Re: Second guessing myself
KV, there is no single right way to do this. Everyone has already made good points about what to consider.
I would only add a few things, to be sure you understand your situation. Although a second cancer in the other breast would certainly be no fun, it would probably not change your odds as far as survival. The same goes for mastectomy vs. lumpectomy (equal survival). The other piece of this, as you've said, is that the younger you are, the longer you have to live with the remaining breast tissue, which means a lot of surveillance and a somewhat higher risk.
So that leaves the decisions facing you to be all about what fits best with your desires and your comfort levels. Remember that you can take time to consider your options, and should not feel rushed into making these decisions.
If the idea of a second surgery (to remove the unaffected breast) doesn't bother you, then waiting to make that decision until later would be fine. But if you're sure you'd like bilateral mastectomies, it's a lot easier and more efficient to do them together, especially if you're considering immediate reconstruction.
On the other hand, if you're thinking about delayed reconstruction, then you could make a good case for waiting and deciding about the other breast at that point. Or maybe you're not interested in reconstruction. So many options! No wonder you're conflicted.
I should have said this first -- BIG yay on the complete clinical response to chemo.
Keep talking this through, it can help to sort it out.
Debbie Laxague
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