Hi All, This is so funny. So we get there, and the doc says, "Did you also have an MRI of your spine? You also have back problems?" I said, "no, as far as I know, they just did a breast MRI..." Turns out, there was a report with a spinal MRI that showed all these protruding old lady vertebrea...and it had my name on it...THE WRONG REPORT!!! Still have breast cancer though....So we found out the MRI says there is no involvement of the lymph nodes, but to be very sure, they will take out what is called the "Sentinel node" which is the very first lymph nodes closest to the tumor. IF the cancer were to spread, this is where they would go first..so once they check it, AND IF IT"S CLEAR of cancer...we will just have to do: Lumpectomy + Radiation, and a little Chemo. NO RADICAL MASTECTOMY NECESSARY. Whhooopie! I feel like I just won the lottery of cancers! THIS IS IF the sentinel node is cancer free. So we're not in the clear yet, dudes. IF FOR SOME crazy reason the sentinel has cancer...then, we would do more node screening, and if THEY show more cancer, then we would have to go for the ONE mastectomy + chemo. I also took a genetic test today, if that test comes out positive for the breast cancer gene...we will have to think about the bilateral mastectomy situation, just to be sure that I can live a long life cancer free. BUT AS OF NOW, this is a great prognosis! The best you can have, if you have to have one at all. MY next appointment is OCTOBER 5, and they will tell me what the genetic test says, and then we will proceed with the lumpectomy and lymph node test within a couple of weeks. It ain't nothin', but it's not the end of the world. Now, the doc leaves it up to me to decide if I want to get a lumpectomy or a mastectomy saying, "most women feel they will be healthier with the mastectomy...but percentage-wise, there is no indication that with your size tumor you will live longer if you have that procedure..." SO then why is it a choice? To keep or not to keep my boobs? I want to keep them, but not if it's going to hurt my health in the long run... So how can I be sure my choice is a good one when the doc won't give me a strong answer...what if they don't get it all? What if, what if what if's..... What do women do when faced with this giant decision? Any voices out there in a similar place?