My options.

Here I am faced with 3 options that will have a huge impact on the rest of my life. How do you decide? I was given my options and told to just get in touch with the office and make my appt to see Dr Holt again when I had decided.
Option #1: Lumpectomy with radiation. If I just go with having the lump removed, the chances are pretty good that it will come back down the road, but not definite.
Option #2: Left mastectomy, with or w/out reconstruction. I can have just the left breast removed, but will have the chance in it developing in the right side later down the road.
Option #3: Bilateral mastectomy, with or w/out reconstruction. Have them both removed and move on with my life.
I knew almost as soon as we left the dr's office that I wanted to go with the last choice. I don't want to be paranoid constantly every time I feel something. I would be thinking there was a lump when there really wasn't, and with the life I have, I really don't have time to be worried about it all the time.
Now I need to decide on reconstruction. It's definitely something I want done, but had no clue what was available. I have read a lot about the TRAM flap procedure and that will be my number one choice. Now I will just have to wait til my appointment with the plastic surgeon to see if I am a candidate. The TRAM flap is where they reconstruct the breast using the person's own abdominal muscle, fat, and skin.
Get my appt made for 4/09. Went in to see Dr Holt, and let him know what I had decided. And agrees that the bilateral mastectomy w/ reconstruction was a good decision. Gets me an appointment with the plastic surgeon for 4/19. When I see him, then he'll let me know if TRAM flap will be possible and we will move on from there. Not sure if I have said it yet or not, but I am so ready to get this show on the road! Get it over with, already!!
So I guess that pretty much has the dr appointments up to date. The waiting is killing me! If you get a chance, and are the slightest bit interested, you should read about TRAM flap, it's really interesting!!