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Dec 13, 2018 08:45PM
- edited
Dec 13, 2018 10:42PM
by
ctmbsikia
Oh wow B! Didn't notice our surgeries were the same day!
My little story: I had set a goal that at age 55 I would find a primary dr. and get a check up. Well, I was a year late getting to it and when I did, the 1st test I failed was the blood test. Cholesterol was sky high and my Vit D was way low. That was the 1st phone call putting me on roustavassin and a weekly dose of 50K units of Vit D. I also had more tests to get done. Shortly after this visit is when I felt the lump getting in the shower one day. I had the order for a mammo (my 1st ever!) in hand already. I knew I was going to fail it, I was sent straight to ultra sound and then was assigned a nurse navigator. The tech also took extra pictures of my right side. The same day I had also had the lung screening and the dexa done. Passed the lung, failed the dexa.
Onto the biopsies-I had 2 places on the left tested (the core needle w/ultra sound) - obviously the 1 being the tumor, other spot was a cyst that ruptured as soon as the needle hit. That was pretty cool to watch on the machine. The Dr. called me the very next day with the news. At my 1st surgical consult Dr. kept looking at my right side and ordered an MRI of both breasts, which resulted in another biopsy on my right side (the mammo machine one). That day the Dr. saw another spot on the right they recommended be looked at, so as they had time for me later that same day, I went back in and had the MRI guided biopsy of that spot. Although they came back negative for cancer, my surgeon still didn't like the looks of that tissue, so I had a another piece taken out during surgery. I had every type biopsy done and have almost every non cancerous condition known to man in my right breast. LCIS, fibrodenoma, scerling adenosis. All words I wished I never heard in my life! Let alone an invasive tumor with a micromet! My surgery went well. Like you, I developed a seroma after--doing too much and not wearing enough support. I have scar tissue around there now, I massage it as needed, it doesn't bother me too much.
Onto radiation. A nightmare. I was extremely anxious with the length of time it took to get in, get set up, and get treated. The machine is at the hospital which is not my favorite place. I read where treatment should start within 10 weeks of surgery. I was just about there. Then my simulation failed. I asked to do prone position, they agreed, so another set up, simulation, and I finally had my 1st treatment at 9 o'clock at night! The place was extremely busy, lots of waiting, my phone rang multiple times changing appts. around etc. Finally settled down to the fact that I was at that machine's beck 'n call anytime day or night! That helped get me through. I was treated very well amidst the chaos. I was ever so happy to ring that bell!! Had grade 3 dermatitis, it wasn't too bad. I went braless throughout. I didn't care. Wore 100% cotton at all times! LOL--- It really did help.
I do like my MO, she's young, bright, and close by. No real issues with starting the AI. First week was horrible joint pain, but it settled down quickly. Hair coming out but that also has slowed down. I have some sensitive skin now. Always have tubes of cortizone and neosporine on my dresser for practically daily use. Minor annoyances, I'll take this any day over having cancer!! The protocol for me is alternating BS and MO.
OK, that's it. It really is all behind now! Good riddance 2018!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dx
12/14/2017, DCIS/IDC, Left, 4cm, Stage IIB, Grade 2, 1/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Dx
1/16/2018, LCIS, Right
Surgery
1/30/2018 Lumpectomy: Left; Lymph node removal: Sentinel
Radiation Therapy
4/10/2018 Whole-breast: Breast
Hormonal Therapy
6/25/2018 Arimidex (anastrozole)