Seeking advice on breast cancer recurrence treatment options

Hi Mary, So sorry to hear about your recurrence. I had triple negative 4 years ago. Had lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation with many side effects that came from the chemo. Took me almost 2 years to feel a little bit myself. Then this year in April, I got diagnosed again, same breast, different cancer. I had wanted a mastectomy the first time because I didn't want chemo, but I was talked out of it by doctors. This time around, they said I have to do a mastectomy. So I did on June 12th. It's definitely very hard, the recuperating part of it, and painful and I'm 57. I don't know what else I could have done other than say no to all of it. My daughter only wanted me to change everything in my diet to help. But I know it would worry me if it would work or not. Today is July 23 and I'm still extremely uncomfortable. At some point I'm headed back for reconstruction and lift on other breast. But truly, I feel that I don't want to do any of that. I don't want any more pain. Best of luck to you 💕

I am scheduled for double mastectomy on Thursday. I have never had cancer before and my doctor today said because of my age at 73 that she thought I would get along better having both of them removed. I’m scared. I know I’m in God‘s hands, but it is going to be so hard to do this. I have a very special husband that I know will help me through this and I have family that I know I can depend on. I don’t know what to expect. The doctor recommended the double she thought I would be happier with and we’re not doing any reconstruction because she said I would probably have to have two more surgeries before I could get things settled so that’s why we’re going for both and not reconstruction at all

I’ve thought about doing double but I don’t want that drastic of a solution. For me it’s enough to lose one breast despite two! Do what’s you feel is best for you. My breast’s are small. Never had very much. So going without a prosthesis at home won’t be a big deal. I will wear one out in public. I’m also 73 so it took 25 years for my cancer to come back. I’m hoping to get at least that that much time cancer free! It can always come back no matter what we do so live in the moment and do what YOU 2want to do!

I’m not doing any reconstruction either!

Sending hugs and prayers!

I am a 71 year old woman who has been diagnosed with pre cancerous cells in the right breast and Stage 3, grade 0 in the left (I hope that I got that right). I have decided on double mastectomy, Goldilocks “reconstruction” at time of surgery and nipple retention. Any advice, suggestions are welcome.

Hi Mary I’m 75 years old and in 2021 had a lumpectomy. In 2022 another lump was found almost exactly where the first lump was found. I am triple negative on all of the markers. I understand you being scared about having a mastectomy. It scared the heebie-jeebies out of me and I didn’t know what I was gonna do. Then I decided quality of life was important to me and I wanted to live. You have to decide this for yourself. Getting past having one breast removed is not easy having both is twice the issue because I had a good rest and they had to take them both. The trauma started when I thought about reconstruction and I did that for about 10 months working on reconstructing my skin and the gaps that were needed to place the implants. I would recommend to anyone who considers reconstruction not to do it. There are many places where you can go to have balanced breasts when you’re finished. Do not let that stop you do not look at reconstruction to help it may not I developed King Green in my skin because it was pulled so tightly and from the Attempt to make pockets. I had seromas and lymphedema that was not under my arm like most people get but from the breast because the lymph didn’t know where to go I carried a VAX machine for probably two months trying to drain and have the length find an exit that was good for my body and good for it. It was not a pleasant experience, but no, you can get through it . If you have any of these doubts in yourself, let other people talk with you. If you have a minister, talk with your minister as well talk with other people who have had this condition and you’ll find out from them what their choices were, and whether those choices were good or not so good. It may help in your decision-making processes . I wish you well. 

Brenda. I’m so sorry you’re not feeling well and that this is happening to you. It started with me at 73 as well. My minister was very helpful but even more helpful was talking to people like me who had a decision to make you have to decide if life is important or not do you want to continue to live or not. That’s totally up to you There are many helps out there check out AnaOno temporarily after you begin to heal the healing process will probably take a good year. Follow what your oncologist and the surgeon suggest. Taking the drugs is totally up to you. I tried them and they made me sicker than I could believe. That may not be your case. If it happens they’ll change the drug and maybe the new one will workgive it a try always know that these are your choices and they can only suggest based on their education and the new guidelines. I wish you well.

It’s easier to follow individuals, but I am getting a lot from what everyone has written here thank you everyone.

No I have decided not to do reconstruction and the healing from the mastectomy is turning out to be very tolerable I have minimal pain mostly around the incision site I think the worst thing is having to wear breast binder which is way too small for me I ordered another one because I think the hospital didn’t have the larger size that I needed Other than that things are going well and I’m just waiting on the pathology to come back so I can figure out what my treatment will be! I appreciate all the comments on here and all the info and advice it does help a lot to know that others have gone through the same thing that I am going through!

I just had my 2nd lumpectomy, right side. My 1st one was 15 years ago, 1cm. My surgeon was leaning more towards a mastectomy as was my best girlfriend, she kept saying but look at it this way You get 2 nice perky boobs , its your legal right ! Why in the world would I do that at 69? I.m with you...keep as much of my real stuff as possible. The one thing Im having trouble with this time is right above the scar I am leaking constantly. After almost 11 weeks. It was very painful at 1st because it was leaking as much. The surgeon got 11 big tubes of fluid out. It still constantly drips! I have to wear a pad inside my bra. Has anyone experienced this for as long?

Dianne S The reason I didn’t want to do lumpectomy on the breast that I had had a lumpectomy 25 years ago was because I would’ve had to have mammograms every six months. Both tumors were under 2 cm! And I decided I didn’t want to have that much radiation in my body Plus because half of my breast was already gone from the prior lipectomy there would probably be pretty much nothing left after they finish taking out the tiny tumor that was there for this one I just didn’t want to deal with that I will wear prothesis after healing and be fine with it When I go out in public I’ll probably wear it but when I’m at home I won’t see the need to do it. Still have to do the endocrine therapy and that’s OK as long as the cancer doesn’t come back Good luck on your journey and with your decisions Everybody has to make the right decision for themselves

Did not do reconstruction.it was presented to me but I was so indecisive.my surgeon told me a story of a patient who wanted to go top less in her garden.i thought of that freedom and declined the reconstruction. Try to think positive,clothes fit better,and I rarely think about my incision line anymore.life is good.

To all of you who are thinking of doing the double mastectomy or even a single and wanting reconstruction I recommend not doing the reconstruction. I tried reconstruction for a year. I had a double mastectomy, and the non-cancerous breast excepted everything. The cancerous breast could not in fact, the skin grew so weak and intense it became gangrenous. Period. I wanna caution you also that the decision you make is yours alone no one else is to blame for anything. No one else is trying to convince you of something that they want to do. I don’t always trust physicians. I would more than likely trust a nurse who knew a little bit more about mastectomy and the care then most of the physicians who want to do the surgery. I am a nurse, and I am skeptical because I tried. I tried everything and none of it worked and it caused a year and a half of pain and torture and worry concerned I couldn’t do anything. I always felt sick so don’t do it to yourself if you can possibly just take care of business and get rid of the cancer. Also be aware that the cancer can return and not the same type of cancer you don’t know what’s gonna happen with your body. All you can do is trust yourself and do what you think is best.

My double mastectomy was performed on August 19, the hardest part was the recovery. My daughter dealt with the drains, my husband supported with the physical part of taking care of me. However I wasn’t prepared for the emotional part of being a “not well” person AND my incisions and one nipple graft became infected. That was the biggest challenge. So, stay vigilant and alert to your needs and your body. If something doesn’t feel right, speak up, go to the office, let the experts look at it. Seek help!

Facing treatment decisions for a recurrence can feel overwhelming, especially when different options carry their own concerns and uncertainties. Many patients in this community have shared similar feelings about wanting to preserve as much of their body as possible while still getting effective treatment. The medical team will likely consider factors like previous radiation to the area, tumor characteristics, and overall health when discussing options. This community has many members who have navigated similar decisions and can offer valuable perspectives on their experiences with different treatment paths.

I'm sorry also. Diagnosed stage 2 TN C in 2015 . I had option . First I seen oncology surgeon . She wanted to do double mastectomy. Then I seen oncologist , hematologist . She told me recurrence was 2 percent with chemo, surgery ,lymph node and lumpectomy. 6 weeks ,5 days a week . So I opted in on lumpectomy bla bla. Fine for 10 years and it's back. I really wish I had the mastectomy now but I feel like they never actually stopped it or the biopsy I had 2 years ago started it over? Who knows ? I was 47 when I had that year from hell .

I wish they would cut mine off now but I either have to do chemo again or ? It's looking pretty bad now. And I'm at one of the best places but still can't believe crap from any of them. Second opinion Dr wants to get in NCI so he's not much help. Gaslighting is understatement . I. Fucked either elwsy