Best Of
Re: I just had THE call
Thanks so much for the info. I had my MRI done. My care nurse was very helpful in that she called me and told me to drink lots of water the day before the MRI. Then the lovely lady that did my MRI was really nice. She said she had breast cancer too and she also opted for mastectomy which was 10 yrs. ago.
She also reminded me to drink lots of water because she didn't want the dye to be sitting in my kidneys. That kind of scared me so of course I did drink lots of water. I felt fine. So I believe the drinking lots of water advice was very helpful.
I also got a handbook about breast cancer yesterday. It's a really thick book so I have a LOT info to absorb. My care nurse sent it to me. I did not ask for it. I guess it's part of their care process.
About genetic testing I also will most likely will just do the actionable genes panel associated with the cancers in my family which as far as I know are ovarian and fallopian.
I believe my sister tested positive for BRCA I just don't know what exactly. I will just do my own testing since I already scheduled it anyway.
Guys this is my MAIN concern on my journey. PLEASE I need your answers. Did I made a good decision to do a biopsy? My original plan is non invasive method but my route went:
Diagnostic mammo and ultrasound
THEN
biopsy with marker
THEN
MRI
Is that a normal route. I agreed with biopsy because I watched on youtube that biopsy is when the doctors will know how to treat the cancer.
It's just bugging me because the radiologist told me that only a biopsy can really tell if the lump is cancerous. And since I had birads 5 result it did say biopsy is almost always the next step.
But then when I saw my onco she said the MRI will REALLY tell them the stage of cancer.
So I am like…..?
Sorry guys that just bothers me for some reason. ESPECIALLY the biopsy. Did I do the right steps in my cancer journey?
Thanks guys. I hope I beat this.
Re: Unfortunately it appears I am back.
@malleemiss251 @katg @kbl I don’t have the mental energy to respond individually but wanted to thank you all for the encouragement and love. Yes I was told that they don’t diagnose lepto without a spinal tap, but not to give up yet. They first want to repeat the MRI, and do brain too. My MO tells me she will be shocked if either show anything, as it’s generally a more late stage diagnosis in highly ER+ BC. My RO seems skeptical too. They are hopeful it’s artifact.
I appreciated their encouragement but honestly it doesn’t make me feel much more hopeful as I’ve been nothing but an “over-achiever” in this whole journey, surprising everybody with the size of my initial tumor, the nodal spread, now the wide spread nature of the bone involvement coming out of almost nowhere. I am having constant headaches and head pressure too. I’m trying not to give up, I can’t believe I’m here in this place. I never would have dreamed it.
Edited.
Re: BCO In Memoriam thread, Part 2
So sad to be hearing this, but thank you for letting us know, @kbl. 😔
Re: May 2024 Surgery Support Thread
I am scheduled for a bilateral mastectomy on May 28th. This is my second go-around with breast cancer. First time was in 2018 when I was diagnosed with IDC, Stage 1A, triple positive. At the time I opted for a lumpectomy, followed by radiation, chemo, targeted therapy, and oral therapy. This time around it’s a new, primary cancer on the opposite side. It’s DCIS, Stage 0, Grade 2, ER and PR Positive. Given this history I am opting for the double mastectomy, and I am thankful to be a candidate for direct implant immediately following the mastectomy. The two surgeons have worked together for years, and I am very hopeful and positive that all will go well. The worst part has been waiting for the surgery date. I just got the call today so I’m very relieved to know that things will be moving forward.
Re: May 2024 Surgery Support Thread
Had left mastectomy done yesterday. I think the most uncomfortable part were the 4 isotope injections around the nipple so they could track the sentinel lymph nodes. Doing ok today. Keeping up Tylenol and Oxycodone as well as ice. Supper tired and itchy. Sore throat.