I was diagnosed by a routine mammogram with a 5mm invasive ductal bc- est/pro positive, HER2 negative a few weeks ago. My GP has been very positive about my prognosis. Lumpectomy, radiation, etc. I just met with my surgeon for the first time and he presented me with all sorts of distressing scenarios for post op treatment possibilities that are dependent on the post op pathology report and wondered if I wanted a mastectomy or lumpectomy. This is the first time mastectomy has been mentioned. I came away feeling a bit shell shocked and upset. I have been so positive and practical about everything until now. Has anyone else felt this way or experienced this? I guess he had to give me all the information and options. I guess it has just hit me rather hard.
Hi Rhonda
It’s a strange world we enter, one where we leave our GP behind (because it’s not their specialism) and find ourselves with pot-luck - a sensitive, empathetic surgeon/oncologist or a no-holds-barred specialist. I had 5 diagnoses, starting with ‘I don’t think you have anything to worry about’ to the need to have the full menu of treatments for 2 tumours and 19/21 infected lymph nodes. I went from lumpectomy, to mastectomy through to mastectomy with full axillary clearance in 4 weeks.
I’m sorry it’s not reassuring - it’s just that initially a cancer diagnosis is very imprecise. It’s as they get more tissue to test and as they go in during surgery and see what’s what that they get greater certainty so that, by the time you see your oncologist, they are ready to advise you on the best treatment, whether it’s one of the chemos, a combination, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, whatever… The picture for you will not necessarily get worse, but it is something to be prepared for. It leaves you reeling. Don’t worry about this feeling positive trope, You feel what you feel and anything is valid. Your emotions will change frequently - they don’t call it a rollercoaster for nothing.
I hope whatever you go through next is successful. None of it is easy but it’s all manageable. All the best, Jan x