Great feedback, guys! Thank you.
Asking for others to chime in, as well. We need to stick together! Even if it’s just here on the Dis!
The thing I forgot to mention in my post last night is that, at the time, lumpectomy w radiation and mastectomy had essentially the same survival rates, which is why I felt comfortable having the lumpectomy with radiation. If my cancer had come back, the plan was that I would then do a mastectomy. Knock on wood, there has not been a need yet.
I guess my point is that,
survival was the ultimate thing I was concerned with at that point (along with so many other things). I think that’s still something to keep in mind, for sure. Survival from the cancer itself is improved today, but when someone has a lot of health issues related to the treatment itself, that’s still something to be considered, as it can not only affect survival, but quality of life. This is something we look at in all aspects of health care, not just cancer care.
For instance, someone I know has an unusual heart blockage. You’d think it would be easily fixable, but the treatment for it can actually cause more problems than the blockage itself. So for now, they’re holding off. It’s a crap shoot.
And each case, no matter what it is, really is very unique.
@hoosierfan, you survived the cancer, thank God!
You tried these other things, and they didn’t work, unfortunately. You could keep trying further interventions, but it sounds like the tissue in the area may be compromised with all its been through. Maybe letting it settle out and moving on might be the best thing for you right now. But only you can decide that. Idk if it’s possible to go back in down the road, say, in a year or two, should you choose to. Even if your current surgeon won’t agree to it, that doesn’t mean there won’t necessarily be someone who could do it successfully. But that is neither here nor there - just something to keep in the back of your mind. You could then concentrate on being your best self without medical hassles for a while, and surely that would feel really good.
FWIW I take care of plenty of women whose breasts have been removed and not replaced.
Sending good thoughts for you and
in coming to your decisions. GAGWTA