Big Decisions

[Jeanette]

I also had my tumor shrunk before surgery, though I was a lot older than most of you. I am waiting results of another biopsy and will know tomorrow what they are, I had an MRM of the left breast with no reconstruction. I figured at my age at the time 65 there was no need. Hindsite being what it is, If I had known what I know today I would have had both breasts removed at the same time. it is an indivual decision though. Bless you all, Jeanette

[vickie h]

Melody, I had a mrm in july of 04 and opted not to have a reconstruction (which is good, because after 2 rounds of radiation I wasn't a candidate anyway). I am 58 and my husband and I are satisfied that I am here and doing so well. At your age I know that reconstruction is a huge decision, and yours alone to make. I would do as much research in the little time you have to make that decision, but whatever you decide, always know how truly beautiful you are and that we are all here to support you. Sending you much love and prayers, Vickie

[jessica]

Hey Melody~
Just sitting here doing one of the few things I'm allowed to do (typing on my laptop) since I just had the next stage of my reconstruction 4 daysys ago (the swap out the tissue expander, post skin sparing mastectomy 10 weeks ago).
I was 33 was I was dx'd & small breasted (34B)too. After a L lumpectomy in 5/02, then an excisional biopsy in the same quadrant of the same breast in 2/06, my L breast had become pretty asymmetrical. I finally had a Skin Sparing Mastectomy 10 weeks ago (12/06), not b/c of asymmetry, but because of lots of high grade dcis and yet another 1cm malignancy.
Last Friday, I had surgery to swap out the temporary expander for a permanent implant + augmentation of the R side for symmetry.

It is SO HARD to make such difficult, yet important decisions under such incredibly stressful circumstances. And Fear, especially Fear of the Unknown -and there are many unknowns on the journey with this disease-is truly the one of the most challenging things we encounter.
Just know, if you get educated about all your options, you will make the best decision for you. Take all the time you think you need to get comfortable to make a decision. It's your life, your body, YOUR DECISION.

I was dx'd in May 2002, with IDC, 3x3cm malignancy, NO DCIS WHATSOEVER, 12/12 positive nodes, BUT a single, 2x2cm liver met. I've had 81 weeks of chemo, not to mention the many weeks of Herceptin solo when I was NED. I could have chosen a mastectomy when I was 1st dx'd, but I didn't & I've never regretted that decision. But then my disease changed & my circumstances changed, so I had to make another choice.

Get educated (so many great folks here to help you), take your time & make peace with the decision.

Best of luck & Keep the Faith~
Jml

ps-if you decide on surgery, why will you only have two weeks?

[kymelody]

Thanks so much for your input -- I have found that no matter the different "phases" you go through while in this battle -- this website has ALWAYS been a great source of information. I will keep researching and reading everything I can get -- I truly believe you can never be too informed about this dreadful disease.

I do have some major decisions in the next few weeks and appreciate everyone keeping me in their thoughts and prayers. THANKS !!!

[TheresaM]

Melody: My impression, after 3.5 yrs on the her2+ bandwagon, and extensive research and interaction with other Her2+ folks, is that if you respond to Herceptin you may not re-occur. However, if you do not respond to Herceptin your chances of re-occurring, no matter the stage at initial dx, are quite high. So.....my impression is that lumpectomy vs mastectomy is not the vital question to ask when worrying about survival. It's a cosmetic issue and you choose the one that makes you most comfortable.

Remember, this is only my impression, you might bounce it off your docs if you are interested,

Theresa

[kymelody]

I kind of have a weird arrangement ..... I am having my treatments (Taxol and Herceptin weekly) using a local oncologist (we live in a smaller town in KY).... my original team would mean traveling over 5 1/2 hours round trip (in TN), which I did during my A/C treatments. I just couldn't do it EVERY week for the 12 weeks of Taxol - did not want my family or myself to have to make that trip. I am just fortunate to be able to only be 5 minutes away from my local treatment facility and the oncologists were gracious enough to work together for me. I will return to Nashville to see the plastic surgeon on April 19th and my breast surgeon April 20th, which is also the date of my last treatment. My oncologist indicated they could do surgery as soon as two weeks after the last Taxol treatment.
I guess everyone wishes they had a crystal ball to show our future to make those "big decisions" easier and to know that we made the right ones.
Some days I am like "take it off - who cares" ..... then there are the days the lingerie catalog comes, and I just want to forget I have to even think about it .... I am such a girlie girl ~ and a sucker for the vanity of society !