I was so afraid of the damage that radiation would do, that I opted for bilateral mastectomy. I had already had a biopsy in each breast from earlier scares, so I wasn’t willing to risk doing one side and then having to do the other side at a later date. Plus the radiation they want you to do if you only have a lumpectomy. And, wanting to go with the best chance for symmetry, doing a bilateral. I know "they say” the chances are low for it to end up also in the other breast, but I’ve read too many stories saying otherwise and I just wasn’t willing to wonder and put myself through the surgery all over again in however many years after the first surgery. I am very happy with the reconstruction. Expanders aren’t enjoyable, but what they do, is a great medical service and was only for a few months. You can do it!