Best Of
Re: Birads 5 with calcification
@maggie15 I completely agree with you about the imaging and I'm actually okay with the idea of repeating some of it if needed. However, I’m leaning toward declining the MRI-guided biopsy.
During my appointment, the radiation oncologist mentioned seeing something on the mammogram of my right breast (I had imaging done on both sides) that looked questionable. She wanted to make sure it wasn't pre-cancerous even though they didn’t see anything on the MRI or Pet scan. But both the oncologist and the breast surgeon who came in afterward said it wouldn’t be necessary to pursue further if I’m already planning on a double mastectomy, which I am so I was surprised when scheduling called today to still schedule me for it.
They were actually really intrigued by the location and feel of my tumor. While it’s not unheard of, invasion into the pectoral muscle is somewhat uncommon, and they all agreed it was a great catch something they definitely would have missed if they were relying solely on a physical exam.
That said, while I know UAB has some of the best doctors, more advanced imaging, and access to more clinical trials, it is also a teaching hospital. With my case being a little unique, I’m sure they would love to use me for teaching purposes. I can tell, just by seeing how fascinated they were with my tumor placement. I just don’t want to go through another biopsy unless it’s absolutely necessary
@scaredme The nurse actually called me that afternoon to set my start date for chemo, and I was given the option to begin on the same day as my next appointment, which is the 13th. So it’s officially set, I’ll be starting treatment that day.
Since I’m doing chemo first, the only information they can go by right now is what showed on the ultrasound, MRI, and PET scan, which thankfully didn’t indicate any lymph node involvement. But I completely understand that staging can still change later on, especially after surgery, and I’ll be sure to keep that in mind moving forward.
For now, I’m just thankful to finally have some answers and feel like there’s a little light at the end of the tunnel. I really appreciate your support, it means a lot.
Re: how about drinking?
Today would have been my Daddy's birthday. Went to his grave for a birthday visit and also to say Happy Birthday to my late maternal grandma for her birthday which would have been Mondaynext week. I miss both of them so much.
m0mmyof3
Re: CRAZY TOWN WAITING ROOM - TESTS coming up? All Stages Welcome.
So Feb.'s ocular scans showed no change, maybe a bit of shrinkage. Hoping this August's will be similarly stable—in which case I can opt for annual surveillance. There's a chance the stability means the tumor is dead (knock wood, kinahurra, scutta malocchio).
My annual full-body skin check (actually, 18 months because my regular derm quit just before the one I was supposed to have in Jan. and this was the earliest appointment I could get) was similarly uneventful. Just a small sebaceous cyst on my back—and the new derm said "if it doesn't bother you, we won't bother it." So I'm cool for another 6 months (rather than a year, due to having a squamous cell ca excised a year ago).
And the echocardiogram that followed up my stress test was normal, too: great ejection fraction, no change since 2013 (when I weighed 217).
chisandy
Re: How are people with liver mets doing?
@intolight Wow!!! 9 years, what a reassuring message. I developed liver metastases in addition to the bones in 2023. My liver was invaded by very small ones, impossible to operate. I had 6 months of chemo which cleared the liver then targeted therapy for 6 months which I resisted and my liver values were rising again. Under Xeloda for 6 months the last scan did not show any recurrence of the disease and I am keeping my fingers crossed that this will continue for a long time.
Thank you for your encouraging message.
Re: Newly Diagnosed Post Biopsy 50 years old
@rockrma - Suzie, we are sorry that your recent diagnosis has brought you here but glad that you found us. A helpful place to begin is our Just Diagnosed? Start here thread. You’ll find clear information to help you understand pathology reports, consider treatment options, and navigate the stress that often comes with a breast cancer diagnosis.
We look forward to keeping in touch with you as you begin this journey. Use this community for support and encouragement. We're all here for you!
Sincerely,
The Mods
Newly Diagnosed Post Biopsy 50 years old
Hello everyone!
I found this page on my own after I was given my biopsy results today. A nurse called and asked if I wanted results over the phone or come in. I opted for over the phone - but it seemed she could only share partial information: that the biopsy showed cancer in the fluid that was aspirated as well as the tissue sample taken last Wednesday (7/30). She mentioned a lumpectomy would be performed but my surgeon would be able to provide a full explanation from pathology report at my consult (soonest they could get me in is 8/21). It's been a roller coaster of emotions today, even though it seems like it is very early stages due to the small size of the lesion. I appreciate any words of comfort as I learn how to navigate this news - my family is wonderful and will be a big support but I want to hear from others like me. I went in thinking it would be a benign outcome since BC doesn't run in my family. I wasn't really prepared for this news. I am a Grandma of 2 adorable kiddos and right now, they are my best medicine when it comes to keeping me busy and mind grounded. Thank you, in advance… and for those who are getting ready to fight their own battles with this disease, I pray for successful treatments in the months to come.
Suzie
rockrma
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@tanya_djamila - Thank you so much for the very helpful comments. I don't know about getting in touch with the office or not, since the results just showed up. I usually see them before they do, but I will think about that option some more. I'm not sure that all of the results are in actually, because all that is there is the confirmation that it is cancer - no extra info of the nature the oncologist told me he was wanting to get, so I'll wait a little longer for maybe a little more? Thanks for mentioning Mel's situation, and how successful she was with the ablation - that's a real motivation for me, right there.
Hello to Mel, if you're reading at all, and Tanya - hugs right back to you!
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Cross-posting here with the Liver Mets thread. (Still haven't completely caught up with this thread, but am following along, thinking of all of you - will update comments as I keep reading feel up to it.)
The pathology report from my liver biopsy just showed up in MyChart and it says that it is definitively metastasized breast cancer that they see. They say the samples test positive for estrogen receptors, but nothing is said about PR and HER status. From what I read online, it looks like they might test for that separately? I haven't heard from any providers yet, but again, the results just showed up. I will need to wait to hear from the oncologist and/or interventional radiologist for next steps. It looks like my oncologist will be out at least during the latter half of August as I am scheduled to see his substitute then for my routine follow-up. I'm supposed to see one of the nurse practitioners this Thursday for a routine palliative care appointment and my Faslodex shots. I imagine if nothing else, she will say something about all of this. Well none of the treatments that I'm aware of for this look pleasant in the least, and the few survival statistics I've seen so far look very dismal once it has spread to the liver like this. I guess I can still hope and keep my fingers crossed?
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Well, slept OK, better than yesterday. Just planning out my day, not sure what I want to do. Need to be a little scheduled. Finish up the sink, left stuff to soak overnight, I like to just rinse off anything left and then dry, no real scrubbing. Noticed I am almost out of dish soap so bought 3 for 6.75 full size bottles of Palmolive from Amazon. I do prefer the orange citrus scent but settled for the green original scent and they all work the same. Nice sale price. Paid out some other bills as well, pretty normal morning.
I decided it would be pretty stupid to throw out the skorts as I could wear leggings underneath and make a different fashion statement or wear as pjs. Clothes I will donate or dispose of would be a size lower than I wear now. No clothes to be purchased this month, no really stupid stuff either. Stuff I need to stock up whether food, pet supplies or anything else. No other stuff. I also do not need to keep stuff I have not put on in years. I have a couple of Mom's sweaters taking up space, thinking I will donate those as I really am not attached to them.
Got a lot of laundry to do, will probably need to use a wee washer along with the big one, put a couple of scrubbers in a mesh bag for protection and clean the pair of them beyond a simple soap washing, has worked well before. Finish off the skorts finally, one is in the dryer, am wearing another one.
New food combo percolating in my head which is not original to me. Taking a tortilla, butter and light toast and then top with peanut butter mixed with beans. I would pulverize beans beforehand in the spice grinder and mix into peanut butter, should just taste like peanut butter. I figure that would give more protein and fiber and be a bit more nutritious. Trying out today. Also debating making an egg sandwich by using the mini grill on the egg, some peppers and cheese, I will debate. If I do the egg, would fold into a tortilla and use the queso pan to press down to flatten it. Dip into the mayochup combo which is the bomb. My fridge is stocked and more organized, just using different boxes to contain different sections and avoiding stuff being lost in the back.
Another task I want to get to is getting rid of sugar from a giant container that has been with me since before my Mom died which is around 8 years, I do not currently do anything with sugar. No compost here. Thinking I will need to do a bit at a time, no rush and no need to attract ants, use old containers with lids to throw out. Not comfortable dumping down the drain. I want the container itself as it is large and could be useful to store items. It will take a few steps.
I hope everyone has a good day and in pockets for all who need me.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@eleanora Glad to see ya and glad you’re feeling better! Hmm I’m not on a clinical trial must be a mixup. Thanks for asking, I’m ok. Trying to enjoy the summer since here we are in August!May you continue to improve and never deal with diverticulitis again!
@goldensrbest Happy belated birthday to you! Hope you had a nice day celebrating you. I know what ya mean about mixed emotions with each birthday and milestone. Hugs
@irishlove I’m speechless that your sister would act this way. I’m sorry that must have really broke your heart. With you dealing with the effects of two diseases I have no idea how she came to her conclusions. Keep on doing you and focus on getting some pain relief. In your pocket for MR this week.❤️
@intolight @threetree Agree with meds and various therapies our eyes take a beating too. So far hasn’t happened again, fingers crossed.
@mara51506 I hope you get back to walking its so good for our mental health too. Since the humidity has dropped I have been trying to take advantage of it to walk.Looking forward to walking in the Fall.
Hi to all here, thinking of many here❌⭕️
cookie54