Hi All,
was diagnosed with BC-Grade 3 HER+,With clear lymph nodes in Jan,
I am currently having chemotherapy which is due to finish in June.
Since finding out about my diagnosis I have been of the mindset that I just want the offending boob removed, I am not keen on a DIEP reconstruction or implant and feel happy to manage being flat on one side with a prothesis and haven’t changed my mind about this as yet.
Several family members feel that I am making a kneejerk choice (as I am still in treatment) and due to my age feel that this is not the best plan and I will come to regret it in future.
Add to that a long term Partner who has openly said he would struggle with how it would look etc (which kind of sounds like a him problem to me 
)
I am due to see the Breast Surgeon at the end of this month to decide a plan for surgery.
I had an U/S scan 2 weeks ago and the tumour has shrunk from 23mm to 6mm.
I am due to see the Breast surgeon at the end of this month to make a plan for surgery.
Even with a good response to chemo have any Ladies found that the Surgeons also take Patient choice into account when making a final decision for surgery?
Or will I have a fight on my hands if they feel a lumpectomy and SNLB would be the best course of treatment?
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I had surgery first and I’m waiting to embark on chemo.
I opted for Breast conservation surgery which was recommended by my surgeon, but he did ask me if I wanted to go for a mastectomy and took my choice into account.
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Dear @rainbowbrite10 , I also had a grade 3 her2+ tumour 24mm no lymph node involvement. I had ec chemo first which did not shrink it. I was down for lumpectomy and slnb but I knew from the outset that i wanted mastectomy and asked for this early doors. At first my surgeon couldnt understand why I wouldnt want to save my breast if I could but she respected my wishes and on surgery day her registrar even said ’ you are doing the right thing’ as he marked me up. If this feels like the right decision for you then you need to make your case. You will have your own specific reasons but if it helps I can tell you that mine were 1) as a type 1 diabetic I couldnt contemplate the risk of more than one surgery 2) I wanted to avoid radiotherapy 3) my affected breast had already been deformed by the biopsy and I felt I could tolerate no breast better than continuously living with a deformed one 4) i have small breasts so felt a prosthesis would be fine and fit better onto a flat surface. I spoke to other women who had made the same choice beforehand which was also helpful. I also asked for a curved scar rather than a straight one and for the slnb to be taken via the same incision. I have not regretted my decision and the nhs prosthesis is excellent and is exactly the same weight of the breast tissue that was removed. This decision is yours and yours alone to make. I wish you all the very best love Tulip x
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Hello!!
You sound like a well informed brave lady ready to receive all information before making your decision and absolutely, you’re right, patient choice is key unless the option is unsafe or risky to carry out for whatever reason. To confuse matters, you may find that some medical professionals that you come into contact with, will have differing opinions on surgery choices.
I found it really helpful to prepare for all appointments, write all your questions down and get all your concerns out there - don’t be afraid to ask about your options.
Sometimes having the choice of both surgeries is one of the hardest parts.
Good luck 
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Its a choice thing. I was mentally fine with any outcome that would not involve a mastectomy, and would of gone to peieces if that had been a recommendation. But I am very attached to my boobs and would hate to lose a nipple. You clearly have a different mindset, which is fine, but probably hard to fathom from others pov. Your partner sounds like he hasn’t considered that if the chemo doesn’t destroy your libido, his reaction would be enough to leave a person cold. As you sensibly know, its your decision to make, not his. Kinda glad I was single going through it.
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