Deciding on the Double

My radiologist's office called today to let me know that my biopsy came back clean, but the nurse was quick to add that I would need to come back in 6 months and that any changes at that time would be biopsied as well. Both my radiologist and my surgeon told me the same thing last week.

Last Friday, I met with a woman who decided to do a double mastectomy after having chemo. Today, I received an email from a woman who opted for the double mastectomy even though her cancer was DCIS and she would not require radiation, chemo or any follow-up drug therapies; but her mother had breast cancer. In both cases, the women explained that it was the only way they would feel sure that the cancer was gone and that it eliminated the fear each time a mammogram was done that the cancer would appear in the saved breast. Both also made the point that after reconstruction, if only one side is done, you are left with one droopy, regular breast and one permanently perky breast. Point taken.

In my case, the cancer is already invasive and since there were no clean margins in my biopsy, they don't really know yet how much cancer is left on my right side. My surgeon and radiologist wanted a biopsy of the left side because there is a good deal of microcalcification present. After getting the "every six months" talk from three people, I get it. If I kept my left breast, I'd just be waiting for the cancer to come back.

So, tomorrow I'll call my surgeon and tell her it will be a double.

BTW, today is my wedding anniversary. We'll celebrate next year for sure.