Hi again, Liz...just wanting to respond to your very real concerns, and
piggybacking off of Carla and Lillian's excellent advice (they're 2
ladies you can really trust on the MOL forum, I should add!). I think
all of us just want to be sure you really check all your options before
you decide....
> It seems like you are given little time to make a decision that is totally
> life altering. Let me review the reasons I made the decision for the
> mastectomy over the lumpectomy and tell me if you feel I am operating under
> misconceptions. I know the surgeon and my regular doctor both feel the
> mastectomy is the way to go, but I also realize they will never have to
> have one and they are not speaking from the perspective of a woman or of one who has experienced the procedure.
Yes , I was stunned at how many decisions there were to be made, and as
you said, it seems you have to make them so quickly. In reality, you
have within reason all the time you need to decide (Dr. Susan Love, who
wrote an excellent reference, "The Breast Book," says that by the time a
lump is discovered it's already been growing in your body 8-10 years.) A
few weeks should not matter at this point, while you get the info you
need.
> If they do the lumpectomy instead of the mastectomy there is a chance of
> their not getting it all and then it could spread. This means more surgery.
> If they do the mastectomy they are quite sure of getting all the cancer
> cells, thereby reducing the chance of the cancer spreading.
Who are these drs., and are they affiliated with any of the top cancer
hospitals? If your lump is small and early stage, why are they so
anxious to do the mastectomy? Recent stats indicate that lumpectomy with
radiation is equally effective, unless there is something more and
untypical going on in your case.
> >From my personal view, I am more afraid of the radiation therapy than of
> the surgery. I have visions of being very sick on a regular basis and of
> losing all my hair (which in the scheme of things is more important to me
> than my breast, at least I think so) and even then living with the fear of
> a re-occurance of the Cancer, possibly in a more deadly form.
I haven't had radiation, but I have many friends who have -- a couple
being treated as we speak. As Lillian said, a lot of progress has been
made, and none of my friends lost their hair. If you have a mastectomy,
you may have to have chemo, also with hair loss, for 6 mos. instead of a
matter of weaks (and I lost all my hair).
> With the mastectomy the survival rate is 95%. What are the odds with the
> lumpectomy?
As I said above, about the same now, and it is the preferred treatment
unless there's good reason not to...
Either option seems fraught with discomfort and danger. I
> realize that the Mastectomy is a very permanent decision and even with
> reconstructive surgery my body will never be the same. If the lumpectomy
> doesn't do it I can still have the other surgery, but how much harder is
> that on one's general health?
I had both. Bounced back very quick with the lumpectomy. Much slower
with mastectomy. And as Lillian said, if you want reconstruction, there
are additional surgeries, even though they can start it during the
mastectomy. Another thing to consider is that, unlike a lumpectomy, you
pretty much lose all feeling in the breast with a mastectomy, which can
definitely affect sexual pleasure. Also, in my case with chemo, I could
only work part-time during a 7 month period (in 2 weeks, out 2 weeks). I
spent about a year of my life fighting this thing, with 5 different
surgeries by the time I got through.
>
> I have always lived a very busy lifestyle and I would like to be able to
> continue doing so. Which option is likely to leave me with the best chance
> of doing that?
My personal opinion? No comparison -- lumpectomy.
> I feel confident that I will survive and go on with my life with either
> option, but I am financially responsible for myself. My job related health
> insurance is my only support. My work is my only source of income. Bills
> for the basic needs of life keep coming in whether I am working or not. I
> need to be able to work as soon and as consistently as I can. Financially,
> I can see myself through one surgery and time off for recovery. I would
> find it very difficult to see myself through two or more surgeries and many
> days off due to the effects radiation.
For my lumpectomy, I missed 3 days of work only. Some of my friends have
gone to work during their radiation...it's hard to say. Even if you have
to take time off, you're probably talking a month or 2 and it's over.
> My family says I am a work-a-holic, but none of them are solely responsible
> for their livelihood and their household. Should these concerns make a
> difference to the decision I make?
Yes and no, Liz. You don't want to make short-sighted decisions based
just on your work situation. Some of those things have a way of working
out, and though it may mean accepting some help from family and friends,
now is no time to try to do it all on your own. We've all been there, it
requires lots of compromises we hate making, but it's your LIFE here,
Liz.
One more thing, Carla suggested seeing an oncologist before surgery, and
i couldn't agree more. (In fact, it can be very helpful if all your
drs. function as a team). I read recently that they were finding chemo
before mastectomy to more effective. This may not be necessary, but
worth checking.
I had my second opinion at Fox Chase, and it was great; really made me
feel cared for and that every option was considered. I sent in tons of
records and info before I went in, then I was seen an evaluated by a
goup of drs. (1 at a time -- then they met together to discuss my care,
then each met with me again.) You need the inner assurance that you've
done your homework and are going to get the best care possible, with no
regrets. It's worth the extra trouble.
We're with you, Liz, and you are going to be ok! Love, joicy
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