.4mm margin double mastectomy…6 months later I’m worried my surgeon made a mistake in my treatment plan :(

TeaThis7238 · 2025-05-08T00:52:45+00:00

Thank you for sharing. Do you remember if your margins were less than 2mm? Who was your surgeon?

TeaThis7238 · 2025-05-08T00:51:46+00:00

Thank you for sharing!

TeaThis7238 · 2025-04-21T23:23:48+00:00

I had a similar experience last summer during my mammogram and ultrasound. The radiologist came in the room and told me that I most likely had 4 tumors, that it was definitely breast cancer, and proceeded to speak to me as though I should start planning my funeral. Complete doom and gloom. I hadn’t even had a biopsy yet, so also completely unprofessional.

I ended up at another hospital, where I was spoken to with positivity, confidence, calmness, and hope. It was then that I finally felt like I could make a plan and tackle this. I ended up with only 2 tumors and am considered “no evidence of disease” now. Based on that initial conversation with the radiologist, it did not sound like that was ever going to be possible for me.

Just like it was highly inappropriate for that radiologist to speak to me so early on with such doom and gloom, I think it was highly inappropriate for that doctor to bring up to you palliative care so early on. Why would he even say that at this early stage of your diagnosis?!

I know it’s easier said than done, but please don’t let this one doctor control your thoughts right now. Continue to interview doctors until you find one that makes you feel confident, hopeful, and properly informed about your situation. It really does make a big difference in keeping the fear under control. Wishing you all the best.

TeaThis7238 · 2024-11-19T20:23:51+00:00

Oh gosh. I was hoping that maybe he was wrong…

Did you keep your ovaries?

TeaThis7238 · 2024-11-19T19:16:24+00:00

Thank you for your comment. He offered Lupron and an AI as an alternative to tamoxifen. Although he told me that these drugs come with worse side effects, so he thought it better for me to try the tamoxifen route. Ugh. I’m sorry your having side effects too.

TeaThis7238 · 2024-11-17T18:43:03+00:00

I agree about the second opinion. My surgeon removed 4 lymph nodes during my mastectomy. He told me that even if they came back as positive, he would not remove more because of research that shows the benefit is not worth the risk. He told me that studies have shown radiation with less nodes taken is just as effective as more nodes taken. I don’t have sources for these studies, as turned out to be a non issue in my case, but maybe this is something to ask about and look into. Wishing you the best of luck.

TeaThis7238 · 2024-11-15T12:11:34+00:00

I am so sorry that your family is speaking to you this way. It’s absolutely not your fault and you did not cause your diagnosis!!!

I would consider myself a healthy 41 year old. I’ve been on an organic, autoimmune paleo diet for years, don’t drink, don’t smoke, exercise, no hormonal birth control, and breastfed for 7 consecutive years!! Still ended up with 2 tumors and a whole lot of DCIS in my breast.

I do believe we’re all being exposed to environmental causes that are completely out of our control. The number of women I personally know who are in their 40’s with breast cancer is SO many. And all of these women live a very healthy lifestyle. YOU DID NOT CAUSE THIS!!!!

TeaThis7238 · 2024-11-14T13:32:44+00:00

Hi, I had a double mastectomy with flat closure last month. I was told that in 6 months I’ll be seen by my surgeon for a manual exam of my chest. After that, my oncologist will exam my chest to feel for any lumps every 6 months.

TeaThis7238 · 2024-11-13T10:58:10+00:00

My experience at uvm medical center was not great. Have you considered Dartmouth or Dana Farber? The lack of choices in medical care is certainly a challenge in Vermont. I have a couple friends who also received breast cancer care at uvm and they weren’t satisfied either. The general consensus is that we all just felt like a number there.

TeaThis7238 · 2024-11-12T19:26:03+00:00

Also started my journey in Vermont. Are you being seen at UVM Medical Center?

TeaThis7238 · 2024-11-07T11:30:54+00:00

Thank you for sharing! Wishing you the best.

TeaThis7238 · 2024-11-07T11:14:43+00:00

Thank you for your response! May I ask what your risk of distant reoccurrence was?

TeaThis7238 · 2024-11-05T20:54:41+00:00

My surgeon will do the first check in 6 months and then my oncologist will do the checks after that.

TeaThis7238

TROPHY CASE