another newbie introduction

January 12, 2007

I am 54 years old, long divorced, no children.

I had my official diagnosis of DCIS (stage 0) and IDC (min stage 1),

Type III (unfortunately aggressive) in the left breast on Jan 2, and

the surgeon told me I need to have a mastectomy of that breast. I had

been hoping to have a lumpectomy of the IDC and radiation of the DCIS.

However. That is the least of my worries.

I was not surprised by my breast cancer diagnosis because I have a

strong family history: father's sister and first cousin died from it 45

years ago, my father and my older sister were diagnosed 9 and 7 years

ago respectively. My father and sister are still alive (and my father

just had his second surgery for larynx cancer this morning - heavy

smoker for 20 years). I admit I was hoping the diagnosis would have

been 15-20 years from now. But it's not. OK.

However, my main concerns now is what happens if the result of the

BRCA1/2 tests turn out to be positive. My surgeon is recommending at

least an oophorectomy because of the high chance of ovarian cancer,

with no good screening for it. The plastic surgeon I talked about for

reconstruction (which I decided against finally as both painful and

medically unncessary for me, be it implant or redistributing body

tissue) recommended bilateral mastectomy at the same time. I have not

had the surgery yet because I have had this miserable cold and cough

since Christmas Day, and doctors are afraid of pneumonia. This has

given me the luxury of time to get genetic results and all my ducks

lined up.

So - my question is, if bilateral mastectomy is done at the same time

to prevent recurrence in the other breast, do they do the oophorectomy

(ovaries removed) at the same time? Or do I have a choice of mastectomy

of the breast with cancer and the oophorectomy? Does anyone have any

experience with that? It seems to me that if they were willing to the

horrible amount of surgery removing muscle and fat from my belly to my

chest for a bilateral reconstruction, that an oophorectomy could be an

option if I decide against the reconstruction?

And how long does it take to recover from single and/or bilateral?

My father had a mastectomy, but we live in different states so I never

got to see how long it took him. I also haven't told my 80+ year old

parents yet because they are under enough stress on the recurrence of

the larynx cancer. My sister had a lumpectomy and complained of

swelling and told me I'd have a very hard time getting the strength to

throw pottery again.

Any sharing of experiences with any of this with anyone familiar with

the BRCA1/2 addition to the BC treatment buffet would be greatly

appreciated.

Ann

January 12, 2007

Welcome to the group Ann. My father died of lung/brain cancer in 1978, my sister

in 1984 of lolon cancer and I was diagnosed in 1990 with breast cancer.

I believe there is some here that had both surgeries at the same time. I can't

remember who it was, chemo brain :-(

I had a mastectomy and had absolutely no problems with recovery what so ever. I

will keep you in my prayers.

Hugs

nne

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