Introduction and Questions, Questions

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

I am a new member and have been lurking for about 2 weeks. I was

just diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the left

breast, grade 2, stage not yet determined, no palpable lymph nodes,

ER and PR postive, HER-2 negative. Based on the size of the tumor

(approx. 1.7 x 1.9 measured by ultrasound), I will definitely be

having chemo after surgery.

Really, I'm still in a state of shock as I had a needle aspiration

in the ob/gyn's office with pathology results of " benign

fibroadenoma " . I did my recommended follow-up mammogram and

ultrasound the following week, and the radiologist was waffling on

whether to go ahead with a core biopsy as most of the tumor was

round, but there were a few " funny looking edges " . I said if there

was any question, let's jut do it. Then, " the call " . Then the FEAR

set in.

I have so many questions and I hope you will indulge me with my long

email. I am looking to anyone in the group who is willing to

GENEROUSLY share their experience and opinions.

FEAR - How do you all conquer and control the fear? I have

purchased a few meditational tapes by Bernie Siegel which do help a

bit. But I'm not by nature a positive person, I wish I was!, and I

am overly analytical. I need to get this fear under control!

SURGERY DECISIONS - I have met with 2 surgeons who have offered up

lumpectomy + radiation, masectomy, and bi-lateral masectomy. To go

forward with the lumpectomy, an MRI is recommended to rule out other

tumors and confirm the size of the tumor in relation to the size of

my breasts (I'm on the small side.) I've read various pros and cons

regarding the MRI and am concerned that it will show a lot of false

positives.

The surgeon that I like the best is the one who offered up the bi-

lateral masectomy based on the density of my breasts. She said that

it will be an ongoing challenge to find any other tumors even with

ultrasound and/or MRI. I posed the " if it were you " scenario, and

she said that she has a history of breast cancer in her family but

her mammograms are readable, but she would go forward with the bi-

lateral masectomy. On the other hand, I've read that lumpectomy +

radiation is actually more aggressive in treatment. Masectomy

apparently still has a possibility of cancer recurrence in the scar

or chest as well.

Since I am PR/ER positive, I am assuming that I will be put on an

estrogen-blocker at some point. I read that estrogen-blockers

decrease the density of breast tissue.

Has anyone proceeded with a bi-lateral masectomy due to dense

breasts? This is an absolutely mind-boggling decision and I'd love

to hear some of your experiences.

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU and HUGS to those who post! I have found a

lot of comfort in reading your posts and great information and

resources.

Janet B.

Hi to the other Janet; I've never met anyone else with our name!

(smile)