So I've just been told I have breast cancer....

....what's next!

For me, it was to see a surgeon - and the sooner the better. I don't wait well - am NOT a patient person and once I knew for sure - I just wanted it OUT!!!

The OB/gyn was able to get me an appointment on the following Tuesday (2/20) with the recommended surgeon. Now I didn't know any surgeons (having never had anything wrong with me), nor did I personally know anyone who had breast cancer. So, I took his recommendation for a surgeon and went home to my computer and researched, researched, researched.

By the time Tuesday rolled around I had two full typed pages of questions (most of which I'd already found the answers to but I wanted to see what "he" said). I'd basically already made the decision about what I was going to do before entering his office.

We (my daughter came to go with me) talked extensively to the surgeon. He didn't rush (I liked that) and he took lots of time to talk and answer all my questions - and I was pleased with his answers.

Last question was how old he was - as he looked REALLY young. That one was answered to my satisfaction also :)

I had decided to have a bilateral (double) mastectomy with no reconstruction. I'm well past the age of needing those boobs and if there was something nasty growing inside one I wanted them both gone. They were not who I am. Too many instances of the cancer returning in the unaffected breast. I hate hospitals and needles (and am a total wimp with pain). I was only going to do this once, so lets do it and get it over with.

I requested the soonest possible surgery and that was scheduled for Thursday (2/22).

Yes, all this is happening really fast - but I think I mentioned, I'm not patient. I wanted to get this show on the road so I could get back to my life!!!!

I'm not recommending this path for anyone. Many women choose a much more conservative approach and want to wait, and each woman must make the decision that's right for her. This one was the right one for me!!!

This was already a 2nd opinion - I didn't need a third. I wanted this out and the boobs gone with the least amount of waiting possible.

Pathology results weren't nearly as good as I'd hoped and I was referred to an Oncologist who strongly advised chemo - which I started on March 19, 2007.