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Tumor found during reconstruction
I had skin-sparing BMX with direct to implant reconstruction in October 2021. Eventually I decided implants weren't for me, so I explanted and had a DIEP in February 2024. My radiated side didn't heal well, and I've had four surgeries since for debridement, skin grafts, etc.
All that work resulted in my left breast being half the size of the right (think a B and a DD) so today I went in for a revision and fat grafting to even them up. While doing his work, the surgeon discovered a 5mm tumor in my mastectomy scar, same clock position as my original 2.5cm IDC tumor. Per his operative dictation, the surgeon removed the tumor and it's been sent off for biopsy to "confirm malignancy". I know there are benign tumors, but I'm freaking out because my reconstructive surgeon works in a breast clinic, at least 90% of his clients are breast cancer patients, and I feel like if he had reason to believe it was benign he would've said so. What are the odds?
Re: So...whats for dinner?
Sandy - hope it's benign. I have spots biopsied at least once a year and have had 5 MOHS surgeries. Best to catch them early so I have 15-20 places frozen every 6 months.
Eric - are you still wandering? What's your next port of call?
Wally - fingers crossed for a good doc report tomorrow.
The only thing I planted this year is mini-tomatoes. What with last week's storms and another one yesterday, the rain & wind have pretty much pounded them flat. I'll be lucky to end up with 2 or 3 small bushes but it's really already too hot for more flowers.
I have some kind of tummy pain so haven't eaten in 2 days. I believe today I'll try some chicken broth.
minustwo
Re: Just Diagnosed and Confused
Thank you! I will make a list of all my questions for the appointment with the oncologist. To answer your question, I’m worried about both scenarios: that either this cancer has spread and they didn’t catch it or that there is another cancer not related to this one and the lymph node is related to it, not the breast cancer. The truth is that I know very little of it so in my mind I constantly go through the worst case scenarios.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Good afternoon all. Ive been away from the forum a little while so I’ve been briefly reading and catching up. I just was not up to. Reading and typing. I’ve been contemplating calling my onc for pain med but I’ll be seeing him Tuesday next week for my Faslodex & Xgeva injections, so I’ll just try and get by on my OTC pain relievers. The pain is effecting my mobility, and balance so I don’t know what the heck is going on. My scans were all clear so i have a lot of questions for my onc regarding bone mets even though there’s no progression and unremarkable why all the pain throughout mt spine, and why do my ribs hurt so much with sharp pain when trying to get out of bed…
I did get to enjoy some time planting flowers with DH and spent some time with family for Memorial Day BBQ. DH took me. Home early and I did have one day on Sunday, and felt well enough to make Spafhetti and white clam sauce for myself and my neighbor next door. His wife is in hospice, so we like to lookout for them.
You’ve all been on my mind.
@emac877 I’m glad you are feeling a little better and stronger and you team making it possible for you togo home from the hospital. You’ve been through so much these weeks.🩵
@threetree thank you for keeping me in mind regarding Fasoldex and Xgeva. If my Onc reasssures me all this pain is from those treatments I can live with that, and if he tells me th pain is from my original mets, though not progressing, I can discuss pain alternatives, and I can live with that.It’s just not knwing that’s made me feel so down and exhausted.
@irishlove I am wishing you a belated Happy Memorial Day in honor of your Great Uncle PVT Learn. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
@micmel i love that picture of your Theo snuggled up to you in that selfie🥰and happy birthday‼️🥳(belated 😉)
Re: MY MOTHER INLAW HAS STAGE 2 HORMONAL BREAST CANCER
there is no incorrect translation i willingly wrote it. she is my wife's mother but there is no difference from my own.
hasanata
Re: Starting Chemo May and June 2024 Support Thread
Hi everyone!
I hope you feel better soon, @jlhmom75 and @lyniepooh 🧸❤️
Hi @maitri. I’m glad you found us, but I’m so sorry about your new dX. 💙
Sunday was day 13. Talking to someone, I tucked my hair behind my ear and came away with a clump of hair. I yelped, then laughed it off, even though I felt a lot worse. This morning, the very top of my head is tender, and I’m losing hair a little faster. I’m putting off washing it and being verrryy gentle with it, trying to stretch it out as long as possible. I hate the free and cheapie headwear I have. I may baseball cap it, once I have to shave it. I’m also losing hair lower down now. (Secretly hoping I’ll lose the leg hair and won’t have to shave my legs all summer.)
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Good wee hours of the morning to you. Thinking of Illimae with the storms and power outages. I saw 102 degree temperature listed on the screen in one town where a storm chaser was broadcasting from. I can't imagine over a million people with no power and it could take weeks to restore, living without a.c. My heart really goes out to them and I hope FEMA is there taking care of them.
In regard to Pvt. Learn descendents, it was explained to me that that they need a younger person as it costs a great deal of money and time and the fear is the elder would pass before they could close the case. Funny the 80 year old cousin is in better shape then me.
In pockets for all your needs.
Re: Starting Chemo April 2024 Support Thread
hi all! I hope you are staying to feel much better now, @chickenlovva, and I hope you feel better soon, @lbn2222!
My eyes do start randomly watering and sometimes feel super dry, @grammie2.
Busch Gardens went well! I took it very easy, but then the bottoms of my feet started feeling raw, and it was time to hang out with the flamingoes and parrots at the bird aviary. The next night, we went out to see a cover band in St Pete Beach, as my husbands friends were in town and he refused to go without me. Lots of icy unsweetened tea for me. There was no way I felt like putting alcohol in the mix, finally feeling like myself again. I had a lot of fun and even got out on the dance floor a bit. The rest of the weekend I slept well! Turns out, it was my hair’s last hurrah— it’s shedding. On my head and lower! I worry I’m one wash away from bald. I am verrrrry gently brushing it, trying to stretch it out 😁
Re: Long term survivor examples.
I haven't been here in years, but this forum was a lifeline for me when I was going through treatment at the age of 51.
I'm now 8 years out from TNBC, stage IIIC, 3/9 nodes. 16 weeks of chemo with complete response, lumpectomy and 36 rounds of radiation. Lingering effects of peripheral neuropathy in my feet and some minor joint pain, but otherwise I've gone on to live a full and happy life.
Wishing those who are fighting this beast the very best outcome. It can happen!
Re: how about drinking?
I'm drinking a Grenache and thinking of Goldie. She has been on my mind (and in my soul) since the post.
I've got my onco appointment on Thursday and having icky feelings about going/stress/panic, blah, blah…I miss my retired onco. I emailed her and she wished me luck with my appointment. Not sure why doctor appointments freak me out. I'm usually a veg, deer in headlights, till after my appointment. I've gotten all my labs, so nothing they can't tell me that I don't already know…still….
wallycat