Best Of
Re: Any ILC long term survivors with really large tumor ?
Hello CK55,
I am very new to this blog and was recently diagnosed with ILC, last week. I had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. At first the surgeon said it was a good prognosis as I have a low grade 1, ER+\PR+, slow growing at 5%, HER2- and said she recommended a lumpectomy with a few nodes dissection. The surgey would be out patient and a quicker recovery. Also said hormone therapy but if nodes were negative probably no radiation. But after the MRI with contrast she called me yesterday and informed me that the tumor is 9cm in size and spread out to my right breast. She said the MRI showed some nodules on left as well. Now is recommending a right breast mastectomy and ultrasound with possible biopsy to my left breast. I was in shock and couldn't think of anything I needed to ask before she hung up the phone. Now I am left bewildered and confused. I didn't think I would be getting a mastectomy and the more I read the more I feel I need to talk to someone who has been in my shoes. Can you give an idea of what you went through as hat I options you choose? I am 46 yrs old still having regular menses. I am also curious of the reconstruction you chose. Any advise from you would appreciated. Thank you
Re: I say YES. YOU say NO....Numero Tre! Enjoy!
I reached out to Illinoislady after such a prolonged absence for her and the message was opened but no reply. Today, one of the Chicago ladies on another forum did a google search and it seems Illinoislady died on Sunday, August 3rd. I know she had been having some health issues lately but she had had so many medical challenges over the years and always bounced back.
I will miss her contributions to this forum, her daily quotes which she tailored to the times, and her willingness to drive this and other forums. She was my friend and I will miss her dearly. I am heartbroken.
I don't know who will fill her shoes, but I am hoping that we can continue to honor her by keeping this forum moving forward. That would be a lasting tribute to her. May her memory be a blessing to all of us and may she rest in peace.
Re: Any ILC long term survivors with really large tumor ?
Thanks for saying that. I especially liked the bit about the rainbow farts. I too don't want any more diagnostic stuff. I AM DONE with the whole shittin mess. This shocks people. EVERYONE insists I get mammograms. I very patiently explain that I had 6 of them that all showed I was fine, no cancer , go on home. People can not believe that mammograms can be that USELESS. Instead it is easier for them to blame me for my getting C. They all find it easier to assume I never did breast self exam and that I never went in for my mammograms like I was supposed to. That makes me so angry. I never preach at other people, but so many, many people feel entitiled to lecturing me, in disapproving tone, about my attitude. They want to make sure I really understand that I can die a horrible C death. Yeah, well I get it. I just want to be left alone to enjoy what I can of my life.
Re: Any ILC long term survivors with really large tumor ?
thank you ladies for your encouragement it lifted me up. Ilc is very tricky, it doesn't always show on mammograms unless it is a large mass , however it may show on MRIs specially on lymph nodes. Thie thing about Ilc is that it loves lymphs and usually it is always with vascular invasion and it goes undetected . It is a slow growing disease usually but heavy on invasion. But a lot of people after the first treatment live a long time. The lymph nodes number are the down side. So good luck to you all, and live your life normally and enjoy it after treatment because it really goes back to normal with minimal side effects. Wish you all a long long life. And thank you again for your support. Even with stage four i am still very optimistic as there are a lot of treatments available. The important thing is to know your body and report to the doctor anything unusual. Big hugs to all of you.
Re: how about drinking?
My Daddy has been gone since early 1979. Yesterday he would have been 86. My maternal grandmother shared her love of gardening with me. She passed in 2003 at 87.
Re: What’s one thing your body is teaching you this summer?
I am figuring out how I am changing my Life. It needs change. I have always worked out daily, ate well, traveled, did what I liked, but I am figuring out how to meet new friends. Where I want to move, how to get involved more in the community. First I have to do radiation and then start taking the inhibitors. I am not looking forward to any side effects. I am 65, never had hot flashes, did not take HRT, had not much joint pain, could sleep and my DEXA is still OK. Have to go day by day, not sure if I will take the inhibitors…Will do more research.
Re: Not sure what all of this means
You might ask your doc if it's okay to record your visit—sometimes we can't write fast enough to get everything down and the "notes" portion of your portal's "After-Visit-Summary" may not contain enough info to answer your questions. It's a good idea to make a list in advance of your questions & concerns.
You definitely need someone to drive you home (even if you take a taxi or Uber, someone should accompany you). You will have been given general anesthesia. My lumpectomy was done about noon and I was home in time for dinner. Went out to dinner the next night, grocery shopping two days later. A week later I drove 90 mles to Rockford & back to do a concert—and for two glorious hours I didn't even think about cancer.
Before scheduling my surgery, I was shown a graphic illustrating that lumpectomy had the same overall survival and ipsilateral (same breast) recurrence stats as mastectomy.
Re: BCO In Memoriam thread, Part 2
I am so sad to learn of Jackie's passing. I thought she was doing well, which makes the news a shock. I know her dh is devastated. I never met Jackie (Illinois Lady) in person but feel like she was a good friend.
Re: BCO In Memoriam thread, Part 2
@betrayal - I am so very sorry to read this. I did not know that Illinoislady was in any particular crisis. Thank you for letting us all know. Very sad to hear. My sincere condolences.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
I am shocked beyond words and so sad to learn of Jackie's passing. I copied the link. I will miss her because we've been bc friends since 2009 when I "met" her online here on bc.org.