Don't worry about what your peers think or if they are judging you. It's not their life or their health on the line. I'm going through cancer treatment now, and I've learned it's far less stressful to ignore the naysayers and make my own decisions and choices about my own health care. Thank you so much for taking the time to help people who are dealing with similar circumstances to yours ❤
Great discussion, I really believe the surgical community are too focused on women's appearance rather than their quality of life in pushing lumpectomy. I am a previvor, double risk reducing mastectomies age 29, and had to fight tooth and nail to get the surgery but I can't begin to imagine the trauma of being pressured to keep an already cancerous breast.
You are my hero..I’m just at the beginning and I am so happy I found you on TH-cam. Thank you for your knowledge and your kindness and caring. You are certainly an angel.
Thank you so much for this. I have my first chemotherapy round tomorrow and am already trying to decide between a lumpectomy and mastectomy. Of course the doctors usually think it’s almost silly to decide on a mastectomy because they always want to preserve as much as possible. But I don’t want to have radiation after the surgery, and I don’t want to have to worry about going through all this again because there was cancer left behind. Again, thank you for validating my initial decision.
Thank you so much. You are a great help. Because I am 72 yrs old with breast cancer with HER-2 and had lumpectomy I really want a mastectomy on one side and later on the other side later. Just because I think it would be easier one at at time. Getting a second surgery on Monday to find clear margins. I will try to convince my doctor to have it done at my local hospital before going in a private clinic in Montreal.
I have invasive ductal carcinoma, and I am scheduled to have a bilateral mastectomy with Goldilock closure at the end of August, with the back up plan being flat closure if Goldilocks becomes impractical while I'm under anesthesia. This was really helpful and encouraging! Thank you for sharing your experiences!
All my blessings and I know you’ll do great! You have every reason to go in with head held high and no anxiety. The body is so resilient and so are we in our spirits! Hope you love your new body as much as I do. Check out my podcast here and on the pod players… called “A Breast Cancer Diary” as I’m shifting my focus there now.
I had a mastectomy 10 years ago. DCIS stage 2, no issues no regret. I had implants no issues. I joined a great support group. A blessing. The worst and only issue was the way I found out. I was driving when my new office Dr blurted it out. I couldn't breathe and had to pull over, A police officer was behind me and I was shaking trying not to make too sharp of a turn. So I could pull over. All she said over and over was. OMG OMG OMG OMG, I said what is it. As she blurted it out she said, let me call you back. I need to get you a Surgeon, a Plastic surgeon, and an Oncologist. I kept thinking. Do I need chemo? I'd this bad, will I die? I wish she would have said, you will be ok.
I had a lumpectomy from excellent surgeon. I had some soreness no pain. I’m an athlete and like wearing a compression suit for swimming, running and biking and being flat would not be something I’m comfortable with. My breasts are more uniform now than before since my right side was larger. I had clean margins and went for Breast MRI.
I'm due a smx end of November BUT I will also be getting at least 3 weeks chest wall radiotherapy 😢 I was told due to the size of my tumour and that it's triple negative breast cancer they want to get at it at all angles. Luckily for me, I've only met one surgeon but I instantly loved him. He never rushes me and listens when I speak. I'm in the UK and so grateful all of my treatment, including all drugs and cold capping is on the NHS ❤
Thanks for all the information about dcis. My biopsy shows comonecrosis. I haven’t seen surgeon yet, but I’m glad to have this information so I know what to ask. I will definitely keep you in my thoughts and hope your surgery goes well 💕
What a useful and reassuring video. Thank you for making it. I just found out days ago that I will need a mastectomy so I'm at the beginning of my journey. Your information, plus the calm and reasoned way you presented it, is really helpful.
Thank you for sharing these important tips ❤ I absolutely agree about not trusting the doctors/surgeons.... how disappointing and unfortunate that they can be condescending and cold.... Good luck with everything ❤
Thank you, thank you for sharing all of your helpful information. Considering a preventative double mastectomy in the Seattle area. Can you tell me the hospital and names of your surgeons? Thank you
Yes, I highly recommend Dr Angelina Crown and Grace Um. They work together doing beautiful nerve preservation and Goldilocks mastectomies. They left me with a work of art after my first mastectomy was poorly done here in Oregon. Swedish First Hill Campus.
Ur so brave god bless you I have been diagnosed DCSI early stage cancer im waiting for my first appointment with the oncologist to decide wt type of surgery l need l have high grade DCIS and im worried wt type of surgery im going to have ur video has helped a great deal thank you so much
Thank you for this video. I have chosen double mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy for DCIS and my surgery is at the end of the month. So far my providers have been great and I feel confident in my decision. I chose reconstruction so hopefully there are no problems.
Good morning, im 32 just diagnosed DCIS with no stage cancer on my left breast. I am very shocked. I don't know what to do . What do you suggest to me? Lumpectomy or masectomy? I have to see my surgeon tomorrow
So sorry I don't always get to see comments right away. TH-cam sometimes sends them to this place for me to approve them... Anyway, I hope my videos have been helpful in the way that talking to a friend might be. Your surgeon is a great resource too but having a friend who's been there is a powerful thing, and I'm glad to play that role a bit here. Hope you found my videos on why I decided on mastectomy?
Hi. Recently diagnosed with DCIS 0 stage and because it doesn't run in my family I opted for genetic testing before surgery and I'm glad I did! I am positive for BRCA 2 which makes me high risk. Just a lumpectumy would have had me nervous wondering if every appt I go to are they gonna say it's back. I hated thinking of living with that fear. So I opted for Bilateral so I can forgo the radiation and pills for hormones and limit my risk SIGNIFICANTLY for it returning!
When you had your first mastectomy did the surgeon check the 2 sentinel nodes which are the nearest to the breast . If these nodes were negative why did you have to remove another lymph nodes?
I had my lumpectomy on 06/06/2024 having being diagnosed with DCIS ,stage 0.They cleared the margins and took 2 lymph nodes.There was no pain involved and I didnt need to take any painkillers.Wounds are healing well and there is a good aesthetic result.Diagnosis changed to stage 1 after surgery due to some cells(cancerous) broke out after biopsies.The cancer was removed and I am waiting for radiotherapy after HER2 was negative.
So glad you got it out. Check out my new podcast if you’d like-called “A Breast Cancer Diary” here on TH-cam as well as podcast players. I’m shifting my focus there.
The scars fade and mine are barely visible after a couple years. You'll do great--just keep trying new things and experimenting! Did you see my fashion video? My friend Anna has a lot of great fashion vids too--The Closet Lady is her channel I think.
Can I ask who you have healthcare through?? Also, how did you discover that you could travel out of state and still have it covered by your insurance? I am in NV but have heard that surgeons are much better in CA and I don’t want to end up being mutilated just because I am hampered, or THINK I am hampered by my insurance.
Yes, for at least a full year I did have numbness but no swelling. I don’t eat sugar so that means not much swelling. Now, two years later, I have only slight numbness/mostly my nerves healed up!
I had Lobular Carcinoma which grows like a spider web rather than a lump, and only 2mm, so like a grain of rice. I wouldn't have found it but I had DCIS that was large. No chemo. Just surgery. I had just two lymph nodes taken out.
Don't worry about what your peers think or if they are judging you. It's not their life or their health on the line.
I'm going through cancer treatment now, and I've learned it's far less stressful to ignore the naysayers and make my own decisions and choices about my own health care.
Thank you so much for taking the time to help people who are dealing with similar circumstances to yours ❤
Great discussion, I really believe the surgical community are too focused on women's appearance rather than their quality of life in pushing lumpectomy. I am a previvor, double risk reducing mastectomies age 29, and had to fight tooth and nail to get the surgery but I can't begin to imagine the trauma of being pressured to keep an already cancerous breast.
I had mastectomy and axilla lymphenode success my surgery on January 22 2024 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
did you have pain in your armpit and heaviness in your arm after surgery?
You are my hero..I’m just at the beginning and I am so happy I found you on TH-cam. Thank you for your knowledge and your kindness and caring. You are certainly an angel.
You are so welcome
You have given me new perspectives and greater confidence. I'm just about to start my journey. Glad l found you.
Thank you so much for this. I have my first chemotherapy round tomorrow and am already trying to decide between a lumpectomy and mastectomy. Of course the doctors usually think it’s almost silly to decide on a mastectomy because they always want to preserve as much as possible. But I don’t want to have radiation after the surgery, and I don’t want to have to worry about going through all this again because there was cancer left behind. Again, thank you for validating my initial decision.
Yes, radiation is a good thing to weigh--it's your call--totally up to you!
Thank you so much. You are a great help. Because I am 72 yrs old with breast cancer with HER-2 and had lumpectomy I really want a mastectomy on one side and later on the other side later. Just because I think it would be easier one at at time. Getting a second surgery on Monday to find clear margins. I will try to convince my doctor to have it done at my local hospital before going in a private clinic in Montreal.
I am similar in my thinking. If I knew how much I'd still love my body I would never have hesitated!
I have invasive ductal carcinoma, and I am scheduled to have a bilateral mastectomy with Goldilock closure at the end of August, with the back up plan being flat closure if Goldilocks becomes impractical while I'm under anesthesia. This was really helpful and encouraging! Thank you for sharing your experiences!
All my blessings and I know you’ll do great! You have every reason to go in with head held high and no anxiety. The body is so resilient and so are we in our spirits! Hope you love your new body as much as I do. Check out my podcast here and on the pod players… called “A Breast Cancer Diary” as I’m shifting my focus there now.
I had a mastectomy 10 years ago.
DCIS stage 2, no issues no regret.
I had implants no issues. I joined a great support group. A blessing.
The worst and only issue was the way I found out. I was driving when my new office Dr blurted it out. I couldn't breathe and had to pull over, A police officer was behind me and I was shaking trying not to make too sharp of a turn. So I could pull over. All she said over and over was. OMG OMG OMG OMG, I said what is it. As she blurted it out she said, let me call you back. I need to get you a Surgeon, a Plastic surgeon, and an Oncologist. I kept thinking. Do I need chemo? I'd this bad, will I die? I wish she would have said, you will be ok.
Yes!!!
I had a lumpectomy from excellent surgeon. I had some soreness no pain. I’m an athlete and like wearing a compression suit for swimming, running and biking and being flat would not be something I’m comfortable with. My breasts are more uniform now than before since my right side was larger. I had clean margins and went for Breast MRI.
Congrats on your clean margins! So cool that you ended up with added uniformity!
I'm due a smx end of November BUT I will also be getting at least 3 weeks chest wall radiotherapy 😢 I was told due to the size of my tumour and that it's triple negative breast cancer they want to get at it at all angles. Luckily for me, I've only met one surgeon but I instantly loved him. He never rushes me and listens when I speak. I'm in the UK and so grateful all of my treatment, including all drugs and cold capping is on the NHS ❤
Oh I'm so glad you love your surgeon!!! That's a huge win. Good for you.
Thanks for all the information about dcis. My biopsy shows comonecrosis. I haven’t seen surgeon yet, but I’m glad to have this information so I know what to ask. I will definitely keep you in my thoughts and hope your surgery goes well 💕
Thanks so much Carol!
What a useful and reassuring video. Thank you for making it. I just found out days ago that I will need a mastectomy so I'm at the beginning of my journey. Your information, plus the calm and reasoned way you presented it, is really helpful.
So glad to help. My new podcast is called A Breast Cancer Diary if you’d like to listen!
Thank you for sharing these important tips ❤
I absolutely agree about not trusting the doctors/surgeons.... how disappointing and unfortunate that they can be condescending and cold....
Good luck with everything ❤
There are some who are wonderful, but they have been few and far between for me!
Thank you, thank you for sharing all of your helpful information. Considering a preventative double mastectomy in the Seattle area. Can you tell me the hospital and names of your surgeons? Thank you
Yes, I highly recommend Dr Angelina Crown and Grace Um. They work together doing beautiful nerve preservation and Goldilocks mastectomies. They left me with a work of art after my first mastectomy was poorly done here in Oregon. Swedish First Hill Campus.
Ur so brave god bless you
I have been diagnosed DCSI early stage cancer im waiting for my first appointment with the oncologist to decide wt type of surgery l need l have high grade DCIS and im worried wt type of surgery im going to have ur video has helped a great deal thank you so much
You’re so welcome!
Dcsi means? I'm sorry...
Never be embarrassed because you are blessed.
Thank you! You’re a dear. Blessings to you💙
Thank you for this video. I have chosen double mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy for DCIS and my surgery is at the end of the month. So far my providers have been great and I feel confident in my decision. I chose reconstruction so hopefully there are no problems.
Sounds great! I’m sure you’ll do well!
How are you feeling? I hope the pain is bearable, I hope all went well.
Good morning, im 32 just diagnosed DCIS with no stage cancer on my left breast. I am very shocked. I don't know what to do . What do you suggest to me? Lumpectomy or masectomy? I have to see my surgeon tomorrow
So sorry I don't always get to see comments right away. TH-cam sometimes sends them to this place for me to approve them... Anyway, I hope my videos have been helpful in the way that talking to a friend might be. Your surgeon is a great resource too but having a friend who's been there is a powerful thing, and I'm glad to play that role a bit here. Hope you found my videos on why I decided on mastectomy?
Hi. Recently diagnosed with DCIS 0 stage and because it doesn't run in my family I opted for genetic testing before surgery and I'm glad I did! I am positive for BRCA 2 which makes me high risk. Just a lumpectumy would have had me nervous wondering if every appt I go to are they gonna say it's back. I hated thinking of living with that fear. So I opted for Bilateral so I can forgo the radiation and pills for hormones and limit my risk SIGNIFICANTLY for it returning!
Thanks for sharing your story.
I'm so honored to help!
Hi, I am scheduled for a double masectomy soon and am so terrified of ending up with scars that cause nerve pain etc.
I had the exact same fears but none of them were warranted. Stay away from sugar so that the swelling/inflammation is low--that's my only advice!
What type surgey dr called to invasive breast cancer ??
When you had your first mastectomy did the surgeon check the 2 sentinel nodes which are the nearest to the breast . If these nodes were negative why did you have to remove another lymph nodes?
Yes, I did have a couple nodes taken out. I didn't have to remove any others.
I had my lumpectomy on 06/06/2024 having being diagnosed with DCIS ,stage 0.They cleared the margins and took 2 lymph nodes.There was no pain involved and I didnt need to take any painkillers.Wounds are healing well and there is a good aesthetic result.Diagnosis changed to stage 1 after surgery due to some cells(cancerous) broke out after biopsies.The cancer was removed and I am waiting for radiotherapy after HER2 was negative.
So glad you got it out. Check out my new podcast if you’d like-called “A Breast Cancer Diary” here on TH-cam as well as podcast players. I’m shifting my focus there.
Same diagnosis, waiting for surgery on Oct. 24th. So, appreciate hearing everyone's stories.
How do you look so good-I am expecting scarring and not to be able to ever wear a top like you have on-how do I look as great as you do??
The scars fade and mine are barely visible after a couple years. You'll do great--just keep trying new things and experimenting! Did you see my fashion video? My friend Anna has a lot of great fashion vids too--The Closet Lady is her channel I think.
Is City of Hope ( formerly Cancer Treatment Center s of America)a research place or Corp place you say to be Leary of ?
I’ve heard great things about that center, and never anything bad. I’m not the expert tho!
Can I ask who you have healthcare through?? Also, how did you discover that you could travel out of state and still have it covered by your insurance? I am in NV but have heard that surgeons are much better in CA and I don’t want to end up being mutilated just because I am hampered, or THINK I am hampered by my insurance.
My plan is Providence Health Plans, I think they are just in the NW here.
Would you have had both mascectomies at once if you had it to do over?
For sure, but hindsight is always clearer!
Did you have numbness in your armpit or swelling after your DMX and lymph nodes removed?
Yes, for at least a full year I did have numbness but no swelling. I don’t eat sugar so that means not much swelling. Now, two years later, I have only slight numbness/mostly my nerves healed up!
I’ve been meaning to make a video on this-it’s on my list!
@@estrogendiaries thanks for your reply! I’m new to your channel!
What stage was your cancer? did you have surgery before chemo?
@@estrogendiaries did you have lymph nodes removed?
I had Lobular Carcinoma which grows like a spider web rather than a lump, and only 2mm, so like a grain of rice. I wouldn't have found it but I had DCIS that was large. No chemo. Just surgery. I had just two lymph nodes taken out.
May I ask why are you having a second mastectomy?
I made a video about it here! th-cam.com/video/b3x7KwteJcA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=O-GFE1DE-wxqqfrj
Thank you
You're so welcome.
Who is your doctor in UCSF? I was diagnosed last month DCIS grade2-3 stage 0 (5mm)
Dr. Rita Mukhtar. She's a lobular cancer specialist.
I sort of wish I had gone flat. The expanders were excruciating for 5 weeks.
Sorry!!!
Don't worry about your peers. You're doing the right thing for you. We all should have these questions.
I swear you sound like me😢