First Surgical Consult

Surgeon: "Do you know why you are here?"

Me: "Because I have breast cancer."

Surgeon: "Good.  Not everyone understands they have been diagnosed as cancer."

I guess it doesn't surprise me that not everyone goes into their first consult with a solid understanding that they have cancer.  The lab results aren't easy to understand.  I had to google all the key words to put the picture together.  By the time I got a call about my biopsy results I already figured I had cancer.  I can also imagine that even if someone was clearly told they had cancer, that one could be in some sort of denial.  

After ensuring I knew I had cancer, the surgeon went on to explain a number of things about breast cancer. Not really knowing anything about breast cancer, I found the information helpful, though it was a lot to absorb.  I had both lumpectomy (aka partial mastectomy) and full mastectomy as an option. It seems there are many women who are keen to get their boobs chopped off upon finding out about their diagnosis. I was not one of them.  I like my boobs.  I don't want fake boobs and I wasn't ready to lose the ones I have.  I had no doubt I wanted a lumpectomy.  The doctor also explained that the rate of death is the same either way.  With lumpectomy, there is a higher rate of recurrence since we are leaving breast tissue behind.  With mastectomy the chance of recurrence is lower, but not zero. However, since there are no regular mammograms or screenings after, by the time someone gets a diagnosis of a recurrence, they are already in more advanced stages of the cancer.  

The surgeon also explained to me about the standard treatment course for my type of breast cancer.  After surgery there would be radiation treatments, followed by medication to prevent hormones from feeding cancer.  The radiation treatment is intended to kill remaining cancer cells in the breast.  The medication is to treat cancer systemically to prevent metastasis by starving the cancer cells.  Everything I've read up until now on these treatments sounded like there could be many unpleasant side effects.  I didn't want to do either of these.  I just wanted to do the surgery.