Breast removed

li

I've just got back from my doctor who has informed me that my whole breast may have to be removed. I have three breast lumps, which are huge, I've had a ultrasound scan and it came back benign, so cancer is not a worry.
The first lump is there about 3 months now and is very sore and not getting any smaller. Two other lumps have just appeared, also quite sore. My Doctor says to leave them for a few months to see if they disappear, if not I can have them removed because they are causing me this pain and discomfort. The only problem she said was that with the lumps being so big that my whole breast will nearly be removed, considering not only the lump but the surrounding breast tissue will have to be to be removed, and considering my breasts are quite small.
I've got very upset about this as you can imagine and the only thing keeping my spirits up is the possibility of breast implants.
Does anyone know if you can have breast implants considering there is nothing there to begin with if my breast is removed??

Nevyn

IF they are removing the lumps and breast tissue then they will be leaving the skin and the shape of the breast intact and the implant will hopefully replace the missing tissue filling back out your breast.

li

Thanks for your reply. As long as it's a possibility I'm happy.

Star Lord

Don't worry, my mother had breast cancer twice, and the 2nd time she had the full left breast removed, leaving nothing behind at all.

She has since had a reconstruction and she has her confidence back and looks totally natural, so its totally possible for them to do this for you, even if there is nothing at all left, you may have to wait for the reconstruction, but you can get it rebuilt.

((hugs)) 4 you huni, I know it can be devastating to lose a part of yourself like that, but it could have been much much worse.:)

Pataman

Very sorry to hear that news, stay positive. "positive mental attitude" as they say. As regards implants, men have sex change operations and they end up with fine breasts, so dont worry about implants, it can be done successfully.

Nevyn

You should get refered to a reconstructive plastic surgeon ask your dr and consultant about it and talk to them about what can be done after the removal of the lumps.
Hopefully this will take that worry off your mind and you can consentrate on your healing process.
Wishing you well.
Thaedydal.

li

Thanks again for the replies. I am trying to stay positive, I'm only 25 and supposed to be getting married next August, think this might set it back another year unfortunately.

justafriend?

Pataman wrote:

Very sorry to hear that news, stay positive. "positive mental attitude" as they say. As regards implants .....dont worry about implants, it can be done successfully.

Just wanted to echo what the other posters said! Thats really really tough especially at only 25! I hope you are feeling a little better after these posts!

finnpark

I dont think you should be feeling so sorry for yourself. If all the women who died of breast cancer could have given their breast to stay alive they would have done so with happenness. It could be much worse so just get on with it.

ircoha

Research the subject on the web eg http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-lumps/BR00013

and get informed of your options.

You must take control of the options and dont leave it to the experts.

If not happy, get a second opinion.

At 25 and a hubby in the cross hairs, i would be going for it full bore, including bringing the wedding forward, not delaying

LegacyUser

finnpark wrote:

I dont think you should be feeling so sorry for yourself. If all the women who died of breast cancer could have given their breast to stay alive they would have done so with happenness. It could be much worse so just get on with it.

christ i think that's a bit harsh.

just because she's not dying doesn't mean she's not allowed to feel upset about losing a breast. think about it, it has a huge effect on the way you feel about yourself. assuming you are male, would you be 'getting on with it' in the blink of an eye if you were told you had to lose one or both testes? and if you are female, you surely must acknowledge that the loss of a breast is an extremely huge change to adapt to.

OP, i know a few people in similar circumstances and they had good reconstructive surgery and were very happy with the results.

Pink Bunny

Sorry to hear about that OP. It's no wonder you are worried, talk of taking a breast is pretty scary stuff alright.
I had a breast cancer scare a couple months ago and although I like and trust my doctor I asked for a referral to a breast cancer specialist just as a 2nd opinion. (All was clear thankfully). It really made me feel good having another professional opinion and I would highly recommend you do this as well.
Not being a doctor I'm confused as to why the surrounding tissue should be removed as well, seeing as how it's not cancerious? Even in cases with malignant lumps it's becoming rare to take the whole breast, they usually just take the lump and surrounding tissue and follow with radiation or chemo so that's why I question a whole breast that is healthy.

Victor

OP, also ask for some condition-specific counselling.

Pink Bunny wrote:

Not being a doctor I'm confused as to why the surrounding tissue should be removed as well, seeing as how it's not cancerious?

Possibly so they can be sure they got everything.

Lone Wolf

Pink Bunny wrote:

Not being a doctor I'm confused as to why the surrounding tissue should be removed as well, seeing as how it's not cancerious? Even in cases with malignant lumps it's becoming rare to take the whole breast, they usually just take the lump and surrounding tissue and follow with radiation or chemo so that's why I question a whole breast that is healthy.

The tissue is removed as precaution and as the OP has stated already she has small breasts so probably there wouldnt be alot of tissue left after the lumps are removed.

Also they remove the whole breast in the case of women who have a high risk of breast cancer, as in theres a family history of it.

OP ask your doctor about Oncoplastics, its a new field thats been introduced in the UK and the its starting of up here in the North, I'm not sure where its in the south yet, but the idea is tha they remove the breast tisssue and reconstruct the breast in the same operation.

li

Lone Wolf wrote:

The tissue is removed as precaution and as the OP has stated already she has small breasts so probably there wouldnt be alot of tissue left after the lumps are removed.

Also they remove the whole breast in the case of women who have a high risk of breast cancer, as in theres a family history of it.

OP ask your doctor about Oncoplastics, its a new field thats been introduced in the UK and the its starting of up here in the North, I'm not sure where its in the south yet, but the idea is tha they remove the breast tisssue and reconstruct the breast in the same operation.

That's exacatly it, there would be hardly any breast tissue left after the removal of the lumps and the surrounding tissue. My Doctor said she was afraid I'd be left with nothing.
Oncoplastics sounds promising, I'll have a talk to my Doctor about that hopefully she'll know some more about it.
Thanks

Dave147

Finnpark, don't be such a dick. She has every right to "feel sorry" for herself.

My aunt has had breast cancer also and had one of her breasts removed, don't know the full details but I know she also has her confidence back and we had a party for my mother recently and she was looking like her normal self. At 25, makes it even tougher to go through this, still being very young. Well just thought I'd post and wish you the very best of luck and not to worry I hope everything works out brilliantly for you.

P.s. Less of the "it could be worse" remarks. It is what it is.

Nevyn

Dave147 if you have a problem with any post use the report post buttone

Personal abuse, off topic posting, unhelpful posts will get you banned from this forum,
do take time to read the charter and abide by the rules while posting.

Dave147

Duly noted. However, it's clear that I was being helpful. This person has come on this forum to discuss her problem, not to be told not to feel sorry for herself by some infantile member. I apologise if I have offended anyone but if you are going to warn me for standing up for someone then warn Finnpark for 'unhelpful' posting.

Nevyn

No I will warn you for futher dragging this thread of topic if you wish to disscus anything with a mod do so by pm.

li

Dave147 wrote:

Finnpark, don't be such a dick. She has every right to "feel sorry" for herself.

My aunt has had breast cancer also and had one of her breasts removed, don't know the full details but I know she also has her confidence back and we had a party for my mother recently and she was looking like her normal self. At 25, makes it even tougher to go through this, still being very young. Well just thought I'd post and wish you the very best of luck and not to worry I hope everything works out brilliantly for you.

P.s. Less of the "it could be worse" remarks. It is what it is.

Thanks Dave147, I wasn't impressed with Finnparks comments either. What gives him the right. Breast Cancer is in my family and I have had the worry of that for the three weeks I was waiting on my ultrasound and believe me having seen what other family members have gone through with cancer I know how lucky I am. But I also know it is still a posibility with me considering the family history

Dave!

Sorry to hear about your situation li, but have some words with your doctor and confirm that implants are indeed possible, and how to go about it.

I'm pleased, however, that the lumps were benign, and wish you all the best and speedy recovery if you do indeed need to get them removed!

lukegriffen

Sorry to hear about your situation. If you do have to get it fully removed, I'd wait a few months before doing anything. If you end up feeling uncomfortable with the reconstruction, find out what's involved in, er, deconstructing it. You can use padding under clothes so its not obvious. And your boyfriend isn't in love with you just coz you've 2 breasts.
Anyway don't listen to me since I haven't a clue about all this. Good luck, try & think positive.

Dudess

finnpark wrote:

I dont think you should be feeling so sorry for yourself. If all the women who died of breast cancer could have given their breast to stay alive they would have done so with happenness. It could be much worse so just get on with it.

She's 25 - it's bad enough to have breast cancer, let alone be one of the very few young women who are diagnosed with it. When I was 24, I found a lump that turned out to be nothing serious but my world came crashing down around me during the brief period that I thought I could have cancer. She has every right to feel sorry for herself. To be honest, I don't think it could be "much worse". And actually, Li doesn't even appear to be feeling sorry for herself as you say.

LegacyUser

li wrote:

Thanks Dave147, I wasn't impressed with Finnparks comments either. What gives him the right. Breast Cancer is in my family and I have had the worry of that for the three weeks I was waiting on my ultrasound and believe me having seen what other family members have gone through with cancer I know how lucky I am. But I also know it is still a posibility with me considering the family history

No right at all, none at all. Cancer is not a nice thing. TBH I wouldnt wish cancer on my worst enemy. I sometime think about it myself, mostly from looking at an empty ten box after a nights boozing and think WTF am I doing to myself considering the history on both sides of the family. My aunt lost a breast to cancer a few years ago and my mother's mother died when my mother was 15. A friend of mine was diagnosed with colon cancer last year and thank god she's clear. These events shook me up, I cant begin to understand how cancer effected you. You are a very brave person and if I could I would give you a hug.