**APRIL & MAY 2021 BREAST CANCER CHEMO**

I've just got back from a hospital appointment with my surgeon. I'm in more of a dilemma than before! Initially I was told I would be having a mastectomy because there are 2 lumps and a wide area between the two. Today they said they could do two lumpectomies. They take a certain amount of tissue from around the tumours and would have to test the tissue. If that shows cancerous cells I would then need a repeat or a mastectomy. There is a 1 in 5 chance of that happening. If I have the lumpectomies, I would have to have radiotherapy which, being on the left side can have an effect on my heart and lungs! He also said that because my boob is only small it will be quite deformed. My surgery will be on 25th May. I need to decide asap and before Friday! 

Anyone had a similar experience and what choice did you make and why? I know everyone is different but I would be interested to hear and replies. 

Thanks in advance Julie x x

Good to hear everyones thoughts. Not had the surgery yet, although was told would definitely require a mastectomy. Got a jigsaw on the go, but no energy for that today. Watched some TV. That helped pass the time. I've heard fatigue is cumulative but can't see how it would get worse currently. But fingers crossed. Not experienced any pain so far. So that's a positive. Fingers crossed.

I was told it would definitely be a mastectomy first. Went in with that in my head then told they could do lumpectomies! 

I was in a similar situation to you. I had cancers in both breasts, with 2 areas in my right. I was told a lumpectomy could easily be done on my left but due to none of my scans, mri giving clear indication of distance between the 2 areas on my right I opted for bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.I too am small breasted and personally felt they would be taking a good quarter of my breast with the lumpectomies on the right side.  I did have a meeting with a bcn to go through the pros and cons of both procedure and to look at pictures. 

Hope this helps  x

Thank you Fifitrix. That's probably what I'm thinking too x x

Hi, I’m doing better today. Less pain & fatigue. I slept for 18 hours yesterday and watched romcom or at least that’s what was on. Thanks for all the help & suggestions. I might borrow an electric blanket for next round.  Also smells bother me too, I try to avoid them or open a window when I can. 
my surgery is after chemo in June, then radiation because of lymph nodes involved. I’m not sure my plan yet as I haven’t met with surgeon yet.  I see how frustrating that is, with having to decide by Friday and giving more options. 

I bought this heatpack and have found it really useful, especially for lower back pain:

Hi Everyone—

Thank you all for your help. I took your advice and talked to the chemo nurses, and told them that I was not doing well on the gabapentin. It was to the point that I was waiting for the gabapentin to wear off in order to feel better—when the gabapentin was supposed to help me feel better to start with! It was so bad Monday that I decided not to take it Monday night.  I went to bed with no pain meds at all, and woke up about 6 am Tuesday with my lower back pulsing in pain! I woke up my husband and asked him to get me some ibuprofen, and hadn’t really expected it to work—but I felt it kick in after about 20 minutes! I was shocked!! I was able to take my daughter to  school that day! So I called the nurses and asked if I could alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol for pain instead of gabapentin—and they said that I should have been told to try that FIRST! So-I felt rubbish for nothing, but at least I know. I’ve been alternating the two for the past day and a half, and I feel so much better! Last injection for this cycle is tonight, so fingers crossed that the worst is over! 

Thank you all for your kindness and help! I hope everyone has a good night. 
Amy xx

Oh flip Julie, that must be wrecking your head!

I had a mastectomy and reconstruction on the right and reduction on the left as I was a 34FF...I had always wanted a reduction so try to see that as my silver lining...

I was fairly sure from what I could feel that I would need a mastectomy and was in a way relieved when I was told that was the case as I wasn't keen on having a lumpectomy and then possibly needing another...one round of surgery was definitely preferable.

Just my thoughts...good luck with your decision xx

Hi Amy, as you say at least now you know and you have a solution. Glad to hear you are feeling better

Lynne xx