[kcherub]

Rebecca,

I think that most surgeons today will offer women the option of lumpectomy or mastectomy, unless the are other factors that would make mastectomy absolutely necessary. However, my experience has been that most surgeons will also tell you what they would do if it were their wife or daughter. BTW, who is your surgeon? There is a great surgical oncologist in Nashville who was very helpful to me after I was diagnosed. Her name is Dr. Ballinger. She was awesome!

It sounds like you have a pretty small lump. Did they send you for an MRI to check the other breast? I have never had a breast MRI, but I have heard several of my recently-diagnosed friends say that they were sent for one before their initial surgery. One of them stayed with the lumpectomy and the other went with a double mastectomy (she had probable DCIS in the other breast and was already having a single mastectomy).

I would suggest asking your surgeon again, and letting him/her know your concerns. Also, I had my SNB injection just before my surgery, and I don't remember it being more than a couple of pin pricks. I don't do well with lidocaine, but I was able to tolerate it. I had other worries.

Take care,