Having traveled the breast cancer journey, I want to share that a mastectomy may not always be necessary. A second opinion can give you a different perspective. A lumpectomy may be all that is required.
When I went in for my surgery, we discussed a lumpectomy as my lump was small. In my research, I had learned that it was possible to have a clause written into the Surgical Release Form that you wanted to be woken up and informed if they felt a mastectomy was required. I did this.
In the end, my surgeon would have performed a mastectomy which would have necessitated wearing mastectomy bras with inserts unless I chose reconstructive surgery. He felt he didn’t get clear margins. A follow up and second opinion with the cancer team indicated that my continuing treatment – radiation and chemotherapy – would get whatever was left. So, I never had a mastectomy even though my small lump had spread to 13 out of 22 lymph nodes – and I’m still here with no recurrence – 23 years later and counting.
It pays to be informed and be assertive with your own treatment plan. You can also find out more at our sister site – www.cancerhelphub.com.
