Masectomy and chemo ahead - help!

Hi there kazoo,

I was quite surprised to read some time ago that you were on hormonals to shrink tumour. Normally the medics suggest chemo or surgery first especially with a largish tumour.

For what it is worth, I had a lumpectomy first. It was not successful as tumour was larger than imaging suggested (4.5cm versus 3cm). I ended up having a mastectomy. Initially I hated the thought of loosing my breast but after surgery and as chemo treatment progressed I was actually glad I had the decision taken out of my hands. I rationed that my sick and cancerous boobie had tried to kill me and that I had a better chance of living if it was gone.

So what you need to try to figure out is whether you want to try to preserve your boob in which case chemo and maybe lumpectomy are your preferred options. If you ultimately feel you want a mastectomy, then why not do it first.

By the way my breast surgeon in Beaumont argued that my cancer was gone after my lumpectomy. That is cos they found no more cancer cells when I had the mastectomy. The peace of mind i felt after that statement was just fantastic.

Best of luck with your decision. Only you can decide what is best for you.

Lindylu

Thanks Lindy
I think they tried hormones first cos the intitial tests showed tumour was very sensitive to hormone treatment, however, it didn't seem to work as they hoped.
I'm quite happy (if that's the word!) to have the masectomy as I think this will be the end result anyway so why wait. Like you say, I want the peace of mind of the cancer being gone.
The thought of chemo fills me with fear but I'm getting my head around it. Just ordered my first bandana! Don't know when I'll be having it but at some point soon the hair will go so want to be prepared...
thanks for your reply

Hi Kazoo,

Sorry your hormonal therapy didn't give you the shrinkage you had hoped for. Are you due back to discuss the two options regarding surgery and chemo in more detail? My initial reaction wasthat I'd go for the mastectomy first but then I wondered if having chemo first would shrink the tumour before surgery and lead to you having larger margins which could mean better prognosis? And a better cosmetic result???

I think your feeling that mastectomy will be the end result could be right. My cousin had lobular 2 years ago and I remember reading that a mastectomy is the surgical option in most lobular cases. I think they said it was because it spreads in threadlike strands rather than one solid mass (so the best way to get it all is a mastectomy?).

Whereabouts are you? If you are having difficulty deciding on the best course of action, would you consider getting a second opinion? It doesn't mean you are unhappy with your current consultant, but sometimes talking to someone else makes it easier to make up your mind.

Keep us posted on how you are getting on.
Hugs,

Flo.

thanks Flo.
I'm in Cork, they having one of those multi-disciplinary meetings about me Thursday and then cancer nurse will call me to discuss next step.
What you said about larger margins and better cosmetic result was mentioned re the chemo option, I didn't really take that in at the time, but my hubby did (which is why I'll never go on my own again, cos brain is mush!) so if they recommend chemo first then I think I'd be happy to try that ahead of surgery. My outcomes are the same either way, they said, and that if I desperately wanted an immediate masectomy they would do it. But I'm thinking now I was being a little reactive - will wait and see what they say Thursday.
It's great to hear other people's opinions, really helpful. thanks again

Hi Kazoo
Don't you just hate when there's a choice?!? Only kidding - it's great that they are involving you in the decision making, at least it helps to know you have a bit of control over decision-making.
Flo's input there would be pretty similar to what I think; firstly in terms of the medical end, it might help in getting clear margins which usually is the best news after surgery. Cosmetically, it depends on what your breasts mean to you but at the end of the day it's the oncology team's job to get that little fecker out of you. Just think of riding into the sunset when you're really old and wrinkly!
The best thing is that you are getting as much info in advance as you possibly can, don't forget you can ring the Irish Cancer Society helpline; it's another ear to bend
You have your head well screwed on I'd say so don't forget your gut instinct tells alot too!
The very best of luck to you, i hope it all goes so well for you