For the first time...I'm rattled!
Went back for results of 2nd excision today and they still haven't gotten a clear margin. Unfortunately, my consultant is on hols for 3 weeks, so I only spoke to Registrar. My options are:
1. Have 3rd excision done (Day procedure) in the hope that they'll get it this time, but big possibility I'll lose nipple.
If it is clear, then that could be the end of it and I may not need radiotherapy as previously suggested.
If NOT clear...then it will definitely be a mastectomy and I will want recon and reduction on healthy breast.
2. Forget the above and just have a mastectomy with recon and reduction.
I am leaning more towards option 1 in an effort to try and spare the breast as long as possible.
The thing is....DCIS is very treatable and I know they will get rid of the cancer one way or another...but at this stage, what has me rattled, is, if I have to have a mastectomy and recon how I'm going to look afterwards....am I very vain or wha?
I need to do a bit of research into mastectomy and recons. I am in Waterford Hospital and they only do implants which I'm not enamoured with. The Registrar today says that they rarely do TRAM flaps nowadays as many people were getting hernias after them. He mentioned Latissimus Dorsi recon, which didn't appeal to me either.
I have heard that DIEP is the "Rolls Royce" of recons and that Beaumont Hospital do them. Has anyone else any experience that they would like to share with me re DIEP? Latissimus Dorsi? Which Surgeon? Which hospital? Is it all covered by health insurance?
I am going back on Aug 25th to discuss options with my consultant but would like to have my homework done beforehand.
Thank God for this site and such wonderful people as you all are. 
Sending you all the healing angels.
Comments
Hi girls
Wexlass best of luck in your decisions. Mimarraffo can I ask you, when you say the risk of it coming back is that because it's a lobular cancer? I have lobular too, probably will be having a masectomy after my chemo finishes, have 4 more rounds to go (or they've said possibly wide local excision if tumour has shrunk, sufficiently but I reckon it'll be a masectomy as tumour was 7cm to start with). Will they give me the option of a double, no one has mentioned the other breast up to now. I dread the thought of going through this again if it was to return in other breast...
Wexlass,
As mimiraffo has said, your feelings and vanity are completely normal. No one wants to loose their breast but if it is any consolation to you, having ended up with a mastectomy after unclear margins, I don't regret the mastectomy. If fact I now have greater peace of mind. I rationalized the loss of my boob by recognising the fact that it, rather the cancer that took hold of it, tried to kill me.
I was a uniboober for 18 months but had recon last august. Now my foob is not like my boob that was surgically removed. It is more pert and a little smaller. I don't really have much feeling in it, BUT I do feel much more normal having had recon. I am still nipple less as I can't decide whether to have the other one lifted. Medics recommend holding off on the nipple recon until one has decided what to do with the other boob.
I don't know if you have researched reconstruction. The plastic medics can really do great reconstruction surgeries these days.
So if you do end up with a mastectomy, it is not the worst thing in the world, yes it takes getting used to, but you need to make sure that there are no rogue cells lurking in your boob that might make you I'll in the future.
Best of luck,
Let's us know the outcome.
Lindylu
Hi Wexlass,
"what has me rattled, is, if I have to have a mastectomy and recon how I'm going to look afterwards....am I very vain or wha? "
What you are feeling is very normal Wexlass. It's very understandable for a woman who is faced with breast cancer that they can feel they are in control when trying to make an informed choice as to the steps in their recovery. You are not vain at all. A mastectomy is of course a huge decision. In my case I am having a double mastectomy in 11 days time. My cancer diagnosis was confirmed Wednesday. I made the choice to have the healthy right breast removed as well because the type of breast cancer I have has a risk of recurrence in the healthy breast, not always, but all I needed was the word "risk" to make up my mind. Cancer has no right to be in my body and the decision for me to have the mastectomy felt right for me. I am 38 and have four young daughters. I have a family but more importantly I am doing this for ME, and to finally rid my body of this illegal invasion. The treatment with chemo and radiotherapy will finally murder those floating parasites.
How are you going to look afterwards?Study some testimonies and encouraging stories from internet sites. I can meet up with you if you want after I'm over my surgery or sometime this week before the surgery. I intend to have reconstruction after chemo and radio are complete. I live in Waterford City, send me a personal message if you wish. Remember Wexlass, you are NOT alone in this, blessings and hugs to you.
Mimiraffo.