2017 Diagnosed-- A Place To Share "Whats Next"
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Hi, Dodgers Girl! I am 15 years out from Breast Cancer! I am so grateful! In the last year or so, I was experiencing shortness of breath and swelling in my left leg! I did procrastinate in telling my onc and family doctor!! I am seeing a wonderful cardiologist now who assures me that I can still live a good life! I will most likely be on meds for the rest of my life! Hope this helps! Be proactive🤗🤗🤗
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Kindergarten— thank you for sharing!!! Sure hope the pills do their job and you have so many more years to come!
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Thank You so much!!🤗🤗🤗🤗
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Kindergarten: I was advised before chemo and radiation that it could affect the heart. Sorry that it happen to you. Chemo is definitely tough on the body. When I had radiation they made me hold my breath for 30 seconds to move the heart out of the way when exposing my left side. Keep on living that good life.
Hello ladies: hope everyone is doing well. Life is moving along for all of us. Continued health and happiness to each of you.
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Thank You, Pink! I suspected that I could be a heart Failure casualty, because of chemo and radiation! I still expect to live a good life despite the diagnosis!! I have changed my eating habits, take my meds and exercise! Hugs🤗🤗
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Hi all. Well, here we go again. I discovered a small lump under my nipple, told the PA at my annual BS appointment and she scheduled an ultrasound. They found a 3mm hypoechoic area that is "uncertain if it is cystic or solid." Impression says suspicious abnormality and to see my BS again to determine the need for a core biopsy, they also noted it would be difficult given the minimal amount of tissue overlying the implant but that it could be attempted if necessary. I had a skin/nipple sparing BMX with pre-pec implants. My appt is next week with my surgeon but I am not going to be comfortable if he tells me to watch and wait. I am not that attached to my nipple at this point. Just take it out. I am about 18 months out from radiation but still worry about healing and even stretching that skin if it comes to it. I know he will ultrasound again in his office but I am going to ask about another MRI if possible. I am not sure if that will show anything further. I am not happy but I am not panicking yet either. I will just deal with it as it comes, not much else I can do.
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legomaster
Sorry to hear this. Please keep us posted. I'm hoping for the very best for you.
Thursday, I am having my final corrective reconstructive surgery. More fat grafting etc. Having had a unilateral mix, I understand the art and science of getting the implant side to match the natural side.
Had my nipple tattoo done several months ago. It looks good...the nurse who did it was amazing at getting the color and shading just right.
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legomaster- sorry to hear the news. Glad to hear you're not panicking. Hoping it's something benign
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legomaster - well that sucks. Hang in there & let's hope that this is just 'an abundance of caution' thing.
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legomaster, sorry that you have to go thru this stressful time again. Hope you learn it’s something benign. Please keep us posted.
This cancer journey just sucks.
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Lifting you up in prayer, legomaster!!🤗
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Thanks for the support ladies
I went to the BS today. He did his own ultrasound as well as looking at the lab images and report and said the mass is solid not a fluid filled cyst. He believes it is most likely fat necrosis or scar tissue and is not overly concerned. It is tiny. He gave me the option of waiting 6 months to see if it changed or to get a core needle biopsy done. He was fine with either one but gave me the option of the biopsy just so I could know for sure and I could sleep at night. They have not called to schedule yet but I think I am leaning towards the biopsy. I would just rather want to know rather than think about it all the time. My only concern (his too) is that I have prepec implants so there is little room for error when taking the biopsy before you hit the implant. I certainly do not want to risk damage to the implant, have silicone leaking or to have to go through a replacement at this point. What do you think?
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Legomaster... thanks for keeping us posted...if you have highly cohesive silicone implants (gummies) then they are less likely to leak. You could always have them checked during an MRI later.
At this very moment, I am at home recovering from my final reconstructive surgery...more fat grafting for symmetry and contouring. I am really so ready to be done with surgeries but in the bigger scheme of things the surgery is not that bad...and I scheduled it at the end of my school year( (I teach).
So, if you want peace of mind, the biopsy could be worth it. If a puncture happens, and you have gummies, you will retain your shape until you have an MRI and replace it. If necessary, itmwith very little leakage.
Maybe you could also ask whether you could be expected to feel any changes over the next 6 months via manual inspection or or repeat diagnostic ultrasound or mammogram. If yes, then wait and see could seem more viable.
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Legomaster- Uggh, so sorry that you’re dealing with this! I was wondering if it would be possible to do an excisional biopsy instead? I know you said it’s right under the nipple, but just a thought. I remember my core biopsy and I also have prepectoral, but saline. I cannot imagine trying to biopsy without rupturing it, there’s no room! Especially with rads. If I remember correctly, you had no fat grafting done, right? So why are they thinking fat necrosis? I thought that was from FG?
Sorry for the questions, I just wanted to suggest seeing if excision was an option. Good luck to you, hoping for good results!
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Hello everyone. I hope this finds all of you well. I have been thinking about you and felt I absolutely must take time to catch up with you today. I hope that your cancer journey it’s going well, and continue to appreciate the encouragement that I have found in this forum.
i saw my oncologist on Thursday last week and, to my surprise, she has terminated me from Cancer Care MB and I will see only my GP in future. She is sending his office a care plan about what she feels should be done over the next 3 to 5 years, but apparently he is under no obligation to follow her plan. So, after a year and a half under her care, with three series of scans and other tests, I am done. I am pleased to be considered cancer free, but still a little concerned about recurrence. If anything comes up, my doctor is send me directly to the surgeon. But now I feel that I can move forward and, not forgetting the last two years, be thankful for how things have gone.
Spring is slow to come this year, and it has been very dry, so the farmers are out seeding and keeping their fingers crossed for rain. We have crocuses blooming in our flowerbeds, with tulips and lilies now between three to seven inches high. Hubby is planning to mow for the first time this year.
Now must go but wishing you all the best and will be back soon. Hugs,
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Legomaster: Sorry you have to go through this again. I don't have implants so I can't help you there. I did lose my nipple on the left side. Just know we're here for you.
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Good news Nancy!
Thanks for the support everyone. Scrafgal, I appreciate your post. I hope you are not too uncomfortable and heal up quickly to enjoy the summer. I have Mentor MemoryGel implants so I think they are like "gummies" from what I looked up. The BS said he ultrasound in 6 months if that was the route I wanted to take. Cpeachymom I did ask about a surgical biopsy but he didn't want to go there yet. I think he would prefer to wait and monitor or do the less invasive biopsy first. You are correct, I have had no fat grafting. He did suggest that as hard as they try there may be tiny remnants of fat or breast tissue remaining when they try to keep the nipple intact. He did express that he would be shocked if it were anything but fat necrosis or scar tissue. I am sure radiation on that side did not help, I was pretty raw by the end of that. I do really like my breast surgeon and he does want to keep my fears at bay.
The hospital did call and I am currently set up for a core needle biopsy on Monday. When I talked to the nurse she did say it would be a bit more technical and that the radiologist would evaluate further before the procedure. If it seemed too difficult we would pass and either wait 6 months or discuss with the BS regarding other options. The dr doing the biopsy is very experienced and he has performed another difficult biopsy when I was first diagnosed. I feel confident talking to him so that is a plus. I will think about it for a few days. I just don't how I would feel not knowing. I guess I could always wait and see how I feel a month from now and change my mind.
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Hi Legomaster,
I went through this in January. Found a lump towards the top of my breast. My breast surgeon gave me the option of waiting or taking it out. He said he couldn't do a core biopsy but to take it out completely. I had it removed and it was fat necrosis. I wanted it out and checked, as I was always checking to see if it was still there. I am glad I did. Mine wasn't near the nipple. Hang in there. I do understand.
Anne
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Legomaster, hope you get good results from the core needle biopsy; I will have my fingers crossed for you
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Legomaster, I had a mammogram about 6 months after radiation ended and the result was a very alarming "there is still something in there and it might be scar tissue or it might be cancer we left behind so we'll wait 6 months and look again". Uh ...no. While I did not want to rush into a biopsy or excisional biopsy, I was also NOT happy waiting 6 months for another mammogram. So I squawked and was scheduled for another mammogram 4 months later. I figured I could live with a 4 month wait. The 4 month mamm revealed that the 'thing' was shrinking and thus it was deemed to be scar tissue. Cancer does not shrink. I felt that a mammogram 4 months after the initial one was a good splitting it down the middle, not a biopsy, but not a half a year wait either. I realize as I write this that you have a biopsy scheduled and for your own peace of mind that might be the best thing to do. But if you are concerned about damage to your implant, but not willing to wait 6 months, could you not say to your doc that you do not want a needle biopsy at this time but also will not wait 6 months for another mamm/ultrasound, that he should book you a mamm / us in 4 months? That seems to me a middle of the road solution. Not panicking, but not ignoring it either.
My radiation oncologist (whom I called and spazzed out at when I was told I still had a 'thing' in my boob) said that what is NOT said or done is just as telling as what IS said and done concerning a mammogram. Meaning, the language of a mamm report might be cautious (we want to check again in 6 months) and caution is better than bravado in this case. But had a radiologist truly felt that they were looking at an active cancer, I would not have been scheduled for a biopsy but rather someone would have swooped in and done one right then and there without me even getting off the table. So there is a cautious written report that keeps you in the system, keeps you under surveillance, but that no one is really reacting in panic because they don't deem the situation to be critical. She said had anyone felt this was a cancer, something would have been done immediately.
So maybe you want to revisit this in 4 months and THEN consider a biopsy depending on what changes you see. I don't think you have to settle for biopsy now OR 6 month wait for another mammogram. Nuh uh, scream a little! Just an option you might consider. I am sorry for the stress no matter what you decide, because stress it is!
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Scrafgal— hope you have a speedy recovery and that you are pleased with the results.
53nancy—. Congrats on your good news. Please stop by from time to time to say hello... and go out and enjoy life.
Legomaster225— as others have written, I, too,found two small bumps along my mastectomy scar about 6 months after surgery. Felt like grains of rice. Both were fat necrosis. Markers placed after biopsy for future reference.... nothing since then. Hope Monday goes well and you get answers filled with good news.
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Thanks, Dodgersgirl. I am feeling pretty good...
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Had my yearly follow up mammo today. Never thought it would cause so much anxiety. The worst is waiting for them to come back out after it's done and say "you're free to go.
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congrats pink....I am always surprised about my anxiety on mammogram day too!
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Pink is my..I know that heart sinking feeling when they come out and ask to take a few more pictures. You scream NOOOOO inside your head, feet like lead as you trudge in. I hope that does NOT happen. I hope you skip off on your merry way. Hugs.
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I have some good news too my mammo on May 14th was all clear. Went out to celebrate with the family we went to dinner for Chinese food. Now I can move on to way my heart rate is fast. Hope to find out those results later this coming week. I go for a pelvic US on the 28th of this month to check on things down below thank you Tamoxifen :-( I do have some things to look forward to in the coming weeks a preschool graduations and high school too. My co-teachers and I are going to go out to lunch to celebrate the end of the school year and that both teachers and children survived to the bitter end. :-)
Sending good wishes to everyone.
Hugs,
Sara
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sm-Great news on your mammogram. So glad you were able to celebrate the news with your family. For those of you who teach or are in the school system congratulations on surviving another school year. Enjoy your summer break
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great news sm!
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Congratulations to everyone who have had mammograms that they can forget about until the next time. I hope you have a great summer ahead and that everything goes as you hope. We are "celebrating" our reprieve from the big C for as long as it lasts, and we hope that will be a long time, by adopting a cat from the Humane Society. She is a five year old tortoiseshell aned has been there for over four years. Keeping our fingers crossed that the adoption goes through. We have come to realize how much we have been missing since we lost her almost two years ago, just before I got my diagnosis.
Have a great week, all of you.
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53Nancy, awwwww, a tortie! I hope the adoption goes smoothly!
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