Trying To Get My Nerves Settled: Tonight's Thoughts

@buckokey
So sorry to hear that!
In 1998, my small town general practitioner took out a mass the size of a walnut. Testing came back benign.
Fast forward to 2020, my DCIS was diagnosed next to the scar from the previous surgery. I don’t think the 1998 GP was concerned about margins.
When I was diagnosed in 2020, I wanted a mastectomy. The oncologist assured me that they are more aware of margins now.
I guess time will tell.
My prayers for your successful surgery and recovery.

@beyourownadvocate
Wow! Lots of constant changes in breast cancer over these past years! I just returned from pre-op appointment and we’ve decided to do the mastectomy. She does what she terms “the Goldilocks” method whereby she saves the nipple and skin, takes fatty tissue and fills in so it appears more natural afterward. So, that’s the plan unless the results from wearing heart monitor would change things. I’m feeling better about it all today. Of course, the bone and CT scans I had last week showed no sign of metastatic cancer. Feeling blessed beyond measure 😇🙏❤️. Surgery now scheduled for end of March!

Glad to hear you got good news and news that gives you peace. 🙏🏻❤️💕🙏🏻

When you have cancer, the faster you get it cut out the better you are. I understand your concerns regarding your family having to change plans to do an earlier surgery. How bad is your cancer?? Early detection and fast surgery cuts, down the cancer from spreading further?

@buckokey Awesome, I tried to save my nipple didn't work out that way. Sounds like a good plan using your own skin, and fat. I just decided to do this recently. I think it's better because it's your own skin,fat from your stomach area,which is similar to a tummy tuck but, different. Implants have to be removed and replaced from time to time do to age of implant. So your age should be considered. What is the Goldilocks method? Interested to hear?

@beyourownadvocate
Had DCIS in 1998, lumpectomy and radiation only. Got just got cancer again same breast. 26 years later!!!! Mastectomy, and chemo, very different story. Still fighting and in shock about that but, worked fast to get that sucker out !

@angele2times
Well my natural breasts are “average B” . Dr just said she would use some fatty tissue when she removes 1 or 2 lymph nodes and make it match closely to the other one (which I had a lumpectomy on 20+ years ago). So not expecting to look young and perky but at least more realistic with keeping the nipple. Curious why your attempt to save nipple didn’t work? For me this has just dragged on too long as I had bad advice in beginning and have been dealing with it over two years. Amazingly, the lump was the size of a small egg with a “tail” when I started taking the estrogen blockers 9 months ago; today Dr said she could not feel it at all. Only by the grace of God, I feel, have I been spared. All the best to you!

I had a masectomy on my left breast. I had stage two lobular triple negative cancer, which is a rarer form, and aggressive. I had chemo before surgery to shrink it. I had a choice but chose masectomy. I wanted to get rid of as many cancer cells as I could. No regrets at all. They gave me a nervevblock before I left surgery. The following days I didnot have much pain. I am almost to my cancer free 5 year mark.
Blessings to you all. Sending hugs.

@srobinet No, you’re not being silly. What you’re feeling is completely normal. Give yourself permission to feel it all, and go through this with the support of your family. Talk to them. Let them know you need space to express your emotions freely. Ask them to hold you when you’re sad. Ask them not to tell you not to cry—because if you need to cry, then cry. If you need to scream, then scream. Don’t keep anything bottled up inside.
Try to center yourself in the present moment. Anxiety often grows when we focus too much on the future. What matters right now are the facts in front of you: you have a diagnosis, you have a treatment plan, and you know the next step is surgery. Focus on preparing your body and mind for that. Nourish yourself well, move your body gently, and take care of your mental and emotional state.
Everything is going to be okay. Right now, it may feel like you’re in the middle of a storm, but there is light waiting for you at the end of this.

@buckokey I had microscopic pieces of cancer cells attache underneath nipple. I had to have a second surgery to remove nipple.