Bilateral diagnosis

Hi Double49

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with two types of breast cancer in both your breasts.  While I haven't got an answer for you I thought I'd welcome you to the forum as you haven't had any answers yet.  It might be a good idea to contact your breast care nurse to ask the question, they should be able to help you.

Wishing you the best of luck with whatever treatment your medical team will give you.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I can’t help with your question but do you have the number for your Breast care nurse? I’m sure they will help be able to help or give you the best advice. 
wishing you all the best x

Thank you x

Hi there , just to let you know that I had invasive oestrogen led cancer tumours in both breasts .  It’s a bit of a body blow and all the more so when that statistics show only 5% women have simultaneous cancer in both breasts . Oh the f…,, joy ….

Im further down the track treatment wise , I think to you. Had lumpectomy on both breasts , sentinel node extraction on both and lymph node removal in September . Finished 15 RT sessions in December . The only thing I can say is that they were really aware in the radiography department that my  treatment was twice as long and , my team anyway , we’re really accommodating . Not sure what your treatment pathway will look like but just to set your mind at rest regarding RT to both sides .

Im now on Tamoxifen which I’m dealing with ok , thank the bloody lord . Although bladder infections have been a curse and only just got sorted out in January .

Hope that kind of helps regarding treating both breasts at the same time ? 

Penelope xx

Hi Penelope

Sorry, I know I typed a reply to this days ago but goodness knows what I did as just noticed its not showing.

Oh the f....ing joy indeed

One of mine is DCIS so I only need radiotherapy on one side. My current biggest worry is there is some confusion about the size of the lobular tumour, so I feel like the margin risk and subsequent further surgery is an added worry.

They have also referred me for Genetic testing as i have both sides and under 50. I think the plan is if that comes up positive then a mastectomy so they want to try and get that done quickly to avoid me having unnecessary radiotherapy if that's the case.

Fingers crossed your water infections are now a thing of the past but I used to suffer all the time and was cured with reflexology so worth keeping in mind as it helps keep them at bay and is a nice way to spend half hour to boot.

I am booked in for both lumpectomies next Monday 

Thank you for taking the time to share with me its very kind.

Louise x

Hello to you and sorry to hear about your ordeal.  It really does suck to have in both breasts.  When I found that out I went a little crazy for awhile and couldn’t decide what to do for treatment.  My surgeon wanted to do lumpectomy on both sides but because I was so undecided about what to do he did an open biopsy on left side and did such a wonderful job that he removed all the cancer and had 3mm margins too.  A real beautiful job too.    Had DCIS in right and stage 1 invasive in left.  Both early cancers so grateful for that.  It was hard for me to get used to needing bilateral breast radiation.  I am going through it now and am anxious to be done.  My story has been ups and downs all the way with lots of changes and my anxiety level has been high.  Well enough about me.

 I will be praying for you and hope you can just have lumpectomy followed by radiation as easier on the body.  It is important to remember that when treating invasive breast cancer mastectomy does not increase your survival.  My surgeon told me that a few times when trying to decide.  The genetic testing will help you to decide for sure. 
God bless you.

Barbara

Hi Louise . Think you may of had surgery today ? I do hope it’s gone well . Take as much pain killers as they will give you . Take no s…. You have had both sides done so the pain is increased . I had such a fight to get better pain killers prescribed  and no , paracetamol wasn’t enough ? I had a week of Tramadol which helped . Anyway all the very best xxxx

Hi Penelope, no its next Monday. But thank you I will take all the drugs I can get

Hello Barbara

I wouldn't choose a mastectomy, I will only have it done if they say I should after the genetic testing. I know my boobs are causing me some grief at the moment but I would like to keep them if I can. Good luck with your radiotherapy and I hope you find something that helps with your anxiety. 

Take care

Louise

Hi Louise,  I think when I finish radiation my anxiety will be much less.  I am glad I was able to keep my boobies too.  It is difficult going through everything because there are so many changes in scheduling, more tests etc. I also had a hiccup with my surgical oncologist who is wonderful.  Just before my lumpectomy on right side had a Family emergency and he was out so had to have surgery done by his associate who I didn’t know at all.  That was my high point for anxiety but he did a nice job.  Did incision around my nipple.  Still sore and I think it is because I started radiation 4 weeks after that surgery. I only took one Tramadol for each of my surgeries as I was not in any pain, just slight discomfort.  They gave me 5 tablets but didn’t need them.  Everyone is different,  I was too undecided at the beginning of my journey and didn’t want both breasts operated at the same time because I wanted to know what I had on the left side.  I should have listened to my surgeon but I couldn’t process it that quickly.  Oh well I am  happy with results and hope radiation doesn’t change my breasts too much.  I will wait and see.  
That genetic testing is so wonderful.  Gives do much more information.

I live in US and have access to Breast Centers here too.  
Barbara