Newly Diagnoised with Breast Cancer

Reba78 · Guest

I was diagnoised with Breast Cancer Sept. 8. 2004. So far I've seen surgeons, radilogist and onocologists. I have NOT had any treatments yet. I wanted to wait until after my son's wedding on Oct.2. My surgeon assured me that I was NOT risking my health or my life by waiting the 3 weeks.
I've been given so much information that I no longer know which way to jump. I have a lump that is 2.5 cm in length and another that was NOT biopsied that is about .5cm.
The surgeon tells me I can have a lumpectomy (I'm pretty big busted) and radiation or they can do a mastectomy and chemo. The radiologist agrees with a lumpectomy. However my onocolgist does not like the "looks" of the other lump, he says in his opinion it looks suspicious and that by the hardness of the big lump and the proximity of the other lump that a lumpectomy is not a good option, he indicates that the big lump is in his opinion, "egg shaped" and deep in the breast but because there is no 3D image to tell that for sure he will abide my my decision, but to be aware that if the lump is egg shaped They would remove the breast anyway. The onocolgist is telling me that it might be very tramatic emotionally to expect a lumpectomy and wake up to discover they had to remove the breast but he will support which ever decision I make. Reconstruction IS available to me.
But taking the chemo and losing my hair scares me more than losing the breast and NO ONE understands my crazy reasoning regarding that. I also have some issues with my heart that have to be considered (I have a stent)
I would just like some input as to how others have dealt with it. I'm not scared, I'm just irritated that I can't make a decision! Which method is safest and mostly like to make sure they get ALL the cancer?

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hi

That's the difficult part. You've been given all the information, now you'll have to decide... I can't advise you on either direction. You can certainly talk some more to your physicians about this, and explain what you're feeling. I am sure they will be receptive.

You can also get other medical opinions, if you are not confident in your current doctors, but I think that's not the case. It's good that you have time to think, though.

regards,
Leo

Julie613 · Guest

I too have felt your frustration. I think it comes down to this...Surgeons cut, radiologists radiate, oncologists medicate. They seem to rarely give the same infatic option. In the end, it is truly your decision. I also understand about rather losing a breast than having chemo. In my situation, I did not have to have chemo. But before that conclusion was reached, I felt the same way you did.

I think it comes down to this....how much of a risk taker are you. There are many women who want NO risk and choose to do everything to prevent a reoccurance. There are some women who are willing to take a small risk and follow up rigorously with their doctors for after care. There are some women who choose to take the biggest risk and have no after care and just follow up with screenings.

What ever happened to the days when your family doctor said "This is what we have, and this is what we're going to do about it!" I know that having options to make your own decision is, in reality, better, but this can be so overwhelming that you just wish someone else would make the decision for you.

I was diagnosed in November, 2003. They found it by accident. I know that I am lucky they did. I had a second surgery in Jan. 2004 to "clear the margins". It was deep, close to the chest wall, so they decided to radiate. I had 6 weeks of radiation starting in March ending in May. I got married in June. I decided not to wait to radiate and it wasn't too bad. I was lucky not to have many side effects.

I don't know if any of this will help you. The decision is yours. Be strong, ask a million questions, don't give up until they are answered and take good care of yourself.

Julie

NGibbs1028 · Guest

I absolutely understand having a problem with losing your hair more then your breast, I was the same way. I opted to have a mastectomy and then a year later have the other one removed to give myself the best possible chance of avoiding a reoccurence. I tried reconstruction and it was a diseaster. I had the mastectomies, chemo and radiation, which I know you won't have to have all of that, but the hair does grow back and I've never regretted my decision to have both removed. I had just turned 43 when dx a little over 2 1/2 years ago and I had a 5.5 cm tumor and 9+/16 nodes. It's your decision of course, but I opted for the 1st mastectomy because I knew that was the only way they would remove any stray cancer cells floating around. My tumor was egg shaped as yours is. The mammogram missed that large of a tumor, but I kept pushing the issuen because I knew something wasn't right and thank God I did.
Hugs

Bfagan2067 · Guest

I can definately relate to your situation. I too was diagnosed (1998) and told that lumpectomy would be my best option.. however when I had my lumpectomy they could not get clean margins (a medically accepted space that was cancer free) because of the shape of my lesion and size (5.2cm.), which they did not expect. When the time came for the mastectomy they also found that I had lymph node involvement.. this was not a senitinel node biopsy, which is mostly done today. As it turned out I was diagnosed at a stage III. Thus had to have chemo, radiation, and more chemo. I have now also taken arimdex for 5 years. As far as the hair goes.. my hair was down to my waist and loosing that was definately upsetting, however in the scheme of things it was not as traumatic as I thought it was going to be. Because of my chemo being seperated with my radiation I was bald for a year. However, I do know how you feel about your hair and no it is not crazy to feel that the loss of your hair would be more traumatic then your breast, I actually always had more compliments about my hair then my breast Smile

However, I am here to tell you that though this is not an easy journey by any means, it is a doable one and that one of the biggest lessons that I have learned from this part of my life experiences is that we are amazing in our ability to survive and thrive in all areas of our lives. This will take you down to the lowest point in your life at times but it also empowers you in a way that you never thought possible. I wish the best for you, and know that you will make the right decision for you. Let us know how you make out.
HUGS!
Barbara

NGibbs1028 · Guest

Hi Barbara,
Glad to see you here. I know you give lots of good advice and compassion!!
I'm sure the screen name threw you off, I guess I should go back to the one I always use.
Hugs
Nancy

Decisions, decisions.... · Guest

Hi Reba - you might ask your Oncologist about the Packman Cold Cap treatment when you are having chemo. The Head Nurse in the Oncology Dept at the hospital (in the UK) told me about it. It can't be used with every chemo cocktail, but was available for mine, which was FEC. Even then, she said there was no guarantee it would work, but I thought I had come that far I may as well try. It worked fine!! My hair went thin, but I certainly did not go bald. It is like a heavy motor cycle helmet which is connected by a line to a freezing unit by your chemo chair. I had to wear the cap for half hour before infusion, during, and one hour afterwards. I just used to fall asleep, wrapped up nicely in a duvet. I don't know if it is used in the USA but it won't hurt to ask about it. When the chemo was finished, my hair grew so thick and curly, and a year later, still is.
Liz.

DJ56 · Guest

[quote="Bfagan2067"]Because of my chemo being seperated with my radiation I was bald for a year.
Barbara[/quote]

Would you please explain this to me?

Thanks

BFagan2067 · Experienced user Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 54

Explaination Smile

I originally lost my hair with my A/C (andriamycin/Cytoxin), then I had radiation for 38 treatments, not long enough for my hair to grow back, then I had Taxol, and out it came again the little that did grow back... by the end of the taxol my hair started to grow back slightly... but not to the point that I went topless till january, new years eve... I lost it in february.. so it was a year (almost) another interesting thing is that I did not loose my eyebrows and eyelashes until the taxol. I hated my wigs, only wore them 3-4 times wore great colorful scarfs. I have a lot of great stories about my hair loss that really took the edge off of the whole experience for me and for those around me. You have to have a great sense of humor about the negatives otherwise they eat you up... As hard as it is in most situations I always look for the humor in what our lifes journey gives us... laughter is the best medicine!

Lee · Guest

Barbara,
I hate my wig and do not wear it. I'm doing the scarf thing also. I did 4 treatments of a/c and then 4 taxol. Right before my next to the last Taxol my eyebrows and my eyelashes stated to fall out. I keep joking with my husband showing him all the Halloween eyelashes. Trying to get him to help me pick some out. There are some really cool ones out there. Your right about the laughter it is one of the things that helps us to make it through.

Keep Laughing.
Lee

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