Outdoorgirl, I had had 18 years of biopsies, removal of ductal glands, partial breast removal. With my family history of 3 females one being my mom, I had to do a double mastectomy so I can live. These women died young. If you aren't in a hurry then take your time finding the right doctor. You can research their records online. Make an appt. and talk to them and tell them your fears. You will get a gut feeling if it is right or not for you. Just take care of yourself.

@A MyBCTeam Member I have benn in a quandry for a year ow, trying to decide if I should just have a mastectomy, and then I can stop hearing from my doctors, and Np's "Why didn't you just have a mastectomy, most women just get sick of lumpectomies and do it." But now, after hearing about all the problems so many have had, ( and I am not a candidate for reconstruction due to LE), I am rethinking. also my own logic tells me to hold on to the breast tissue for as long as I can, so if I have a recurrence hopefully it is in my breast. With mastectomy there is always some breast tissue left , close to chest, and I could wind up with a distant recurrence. Damned if I do and damned if I don't. Ginny

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I spent the night in the hospital after having a mastectomy (only one breast). I would recommend that you file a complaint with your state's medical board. I have filed a complaint with the Texas Medical Board because my oncologist didn't do the OncoType DX testing and after doing several rounds of chemo, I learned that my recurrance rate is 8% and chemo is "of no benefit" to me. This has been confirmed by two oncologists. The state is investigating the oncologist who neglected to do the test.

My prayers to you, trust in God with all your heart.
Psalms 91

Thank you @A MyBCTeam Member 60. I know that the next time (if it happens) I will have to have a mastectomy. My thinking after doing research, ad learning from one Oncologists opinion at MSKC that some cancers come back to same type of tissue. So far that is what has happened, back in breast tissue. Knowing that, because of my allergies to contrast dyes, after mastectomies, I will be a hard patient to follow for recurrence in any case. Also a friend who had a mastectomy, had a recurrence in her scar after 10 years. Same type of cancer. Another after BMX, and reconstruction, had a recurrence in 4 years under implant. So for me I will do what makes sense in my case right now, and hope for the best. I know that stress has played a big part in my situation, and there are just so many things I can remove. I can't remove my husband with his Muscular Dystrophy, for which we are trying maintenance PT for gait and balance. I am trying to take things one day at a time. I will be having US every 6 months between mammos.One is due next month. I have research on US being very good in women with dense breasts in finding BC Early. It happened in 2005, and 2012. I just keep praying, and putting one foot ahead of the other. I pray for each of us that we continue to do well and have a good quality of life. Stay active and positive. Hugs to all, Ginny

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