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Mastectomies are not an option for those over 65???!!!
A friend of mine has had breast cancer twice...DCIS and IDC....both breasts....as I have. She told me that she had suggested mastectomy to her surgeon the second time and that doctor, her oncologist and her gynecologist told her that it is not done for ladies over 65. They do not do it. She is a young 75 and certainly could handle such surgery. I am 70 and last year I had a bilateral mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction. The first surgeon I went to had no problem doing the surgery, but said that I was too old for diep reconstruction, I would have to get implants. I did not like that surgeon and would never have used her....she was rude and crude saying “another nipple in the bucket” over and over when discussing mastectomy. I was disgusted and angry. I did not know where to turn, so made an appointment with a plastic surgeon that had given a lecture on breast cancer reconstruction. Luckily I had attended the lecture and decided to make an appointment with him. He had shown pictures of women that had had surgery and reconstruction into their 80s. That was the best thing I ever did. After meeting me and hearing my story...two breast cancers and genetic mutation and horror appointment with the crude surgeon, he told me that I could not have nipple sparing surgery because of the radiation I had had, but that I could have the diep flap and he recommended a different surgeon. He has been the best thing that has happened to me since my breast cancer experience began. He is kind, totally explains everything, listens to everything you have to say and tells you what to expect. From the get go, he told me he could not make me look perfect, but he also said he does not take cases unless he knows he will be successful. This man truly has given me hope and my wish is that everyone be lucky enough to find a doctor like him. I am nearly through the process as it takes a while to complete and I am delighted with my new breasts. So, can someone tell me if/why mastectomies are not done for older ladies. That certainly was not the case for me. My suggestion is...do your research, decide what you want and do not go by what the first doctor tells you. I got 50% of what I wanted....no on the nipple sparing mastectomy (but I did have skin sparing), but yes on using my own tissue for reconstruction...no implants. I thought the surgery was remarkably easy...very little pain...getting back up to speed took about 3 weeks (its a 10 hour surgery and you have to be very careful how you move so as not to disrupt the microsurgery done to move the tissue from the belly to the chest). He has given me hope.
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@orchardgirl54, how are you? How did surgery go and how is recovery going?
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1 ReactionI recently wrote I have metastatic breast cancer in my liver. On Friday, March 24, 2023, I saw my cancer Dr. In Fond du Lac, WI. Had recent CT scan, Dr. told Mr I now have triple negative breast cancer?? I am still on Keytruda drip every 21 days. I am scared, I pray, I cry. I have 1 niece who helps me out. Anyone else have triple negative breast cancer? Please reply what treatments one gets & information re: triple negative breast cancer. Thank you so much. bemar23
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3 ReactionsSorry to hear you are on this journey. This is what I can tell you from my journey. I was diagnosed at 67yrs old Triple Negative stage 2A. I had chemo first my tumor was 5.8cm then surgery then radiation because tumor was large then xeloda pills for 9 months now I see oncologist every 6 months. you will get thru this. Don't be afraid to ask questions and once they give you your treatment plan you will feel better knowing what will be going on. They give you pills each time before chemo so you don't get nausea. Look on Amazon for cancer hats they have some cute ones. I had a pic line in my arm which makes giving chemo easier. Some people have ports. Your oncologist will tell you anything you want to know. Family and friends can help alot while you go thru treatment. I had a masectomy but depending on what your surgeon can tell you, you can have a lumpectomy or masectomy. I just preferred what I chose. Thinking of you
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9 ReactionsVery sorry to hear your experience. Don’t be afraid. Medicine are very good these days. A friend of mine also was triple negative. The chemo drug she got shrank her tumor thus was able to get surgery later. Pray for you and lots of love!
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3 ReactionsAt 68 I was dx with Triple Negative (11/21) then found I was BRCA2+; had a port implanted (made treatment so much easier) and then had chemo - which really shrunk mass in left breast and left lymph node. In Nov. 2022 I had bilateral recommended because I'm BRCA2+ and BC is Triple Negative; miniscule spot detected in lymph pathology so now I'm having radiation. I had pills to take before chemo treatments; also had to have blood work done before each treatment to determine blood count. I changed my diet to include protein drinks and other things to increase protein - if blood count drops too low you can't have chemo. Other than hair loss - I was fortunate to have minimal side effects from chemo. For bilateral I made myself a special pillow that really helped me sleep so I didn't turn to my side and disrupt the drains. I'm now having radiation - 6 treatments left to go. After that I believe I'll be on a maintenance med - for 1 or 2 years. I'll know more about that after I finish radiation and have my next oncology appointment. With the port I need to have it flushed every 10 - 12 weeks; not sure if or when that will be removed.
I did lots of research after initial dx and carried a notebook with me to every appointment for all my questions. I have folders for all my scans and medical reports and another folder for all the bills I've paid related to my treatment, meds and scans. I also have a document where I keep all the chronology of my journey that I carry to every appointment so if someone asks a question I have the answer right at my finger tips - this might be overkill but it gives me a comfort level of not having to remember everything.
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6 ReactionsI am 72 and was diagnosed with TNBC in November 2022. My family practice doctor sent me to a surgeon. I was informed that chemo first is now done. Actually, if you have chemo first they can sometimes shrink the tumor to nothing and you are cured. This was not made clear to me, and so I had a lumpectomy and high-dose radiation with a Savi device to protect my heart and lungs. I did not like the medical oncologist they sent me to afterward, so sought out another opinion at MD Anderson in the Woodlands. They did a second opinion on the pathology which was TNBC, but not as aggressive or invasive. MDA told me what chemo they recommend which was 4 infusions vs. 20 from the first medical oncologist I saw. Since I am so far from Houston, they sent me to Dallas at UTSW, and they will be working together. I will see the medical oncologist there this next week. I am so sorry your pathology was not the correct diagnosis originally and would seek the best care possible in your area. Unfortunately, some of us cannot move and need treatments closer to home. Prayers you get the very best care available to you and God will do the rest.
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4 ReactionsDiagnosed one year ago at age 70 with triple negative breast cancer.
After much thought and discussion with my oncologist I decided no treatment just mastectomy.
Have just completed my first year cancer free. All scans turned out clear.
Hope your fear will be eased afer my note to you.
Sending healing hugs
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4 ReactionsA great deal depends on the "Man" in yoour life . Unfortunately, when I had my breast cancer, there was no reconstruction. I don't know if women today even have a knowledge of what a "Radical Mastectomy" involves. Everything is taken down to the chest wall and you are left with part of your chest muscle and some skin. A simple mastectomy at that time meant to just remove all the breast tissue and put the skin back over the chest. Each time I went home, not wanting my husband to see any of it, but unable to raise my left arm due to the Radical Mastectomy. My husband looked at me and said, I did not marry a Breast, I married you. You are still the same woman I married and always will be. I love you. That's what makes the difference.
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7 ReactionsJust wanted you to know, I had my breast cancer when I was 36. There was not Chemo, and Radiation was given only if Positive lymph nodes were found. No other testing was done except to diagnose the tumor was cancer. Unfortunately, I do not know what type etc. and the treatment was a Radical Mastectomy, and two years later a simple mastectomy of the second breast. There was no reconstruction at that time. I had no followup medication.
I did take several different t ypes of medication for Osteoporosis, which I have since stopped at the advise of my Hemotologist. I have developed an M in my blood which requires a check every 6 months. I have been told this is probably nothing, and if my next check is the same I do not have to be checked again for 1 year (God willing I am still here, I am 92 years old).
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11 ReactionsOMG that is amazing dx at 36 and you're now 92 - that is amazing. I have never looked at my dx as a "death sentence" as probably may have been the case many years ago. I look at it as a "condition" that needs to be treated and monitored. I'm 70 and have 3 young grandchildren that I plan to see graduate at least high school. There is longevity in my family mom is 96 and still going strong and my dad passed (2021) at 96. He was dx with colon cancer at 60 and lived a long time after - fortunately it was dx very early stage. You are an example of what we all strive to achieve - a long life after dx.
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