Another round?

Anonymous

Another round?

Anonymous

Greetings, all.

I've been "MIA" due to having to undergo a full abdominal hysterectomy on the 9th.  That's all over & done with, and yesterday I get my mammogram and they find spots on the left breast. (First time was on the right.) They say it's calcifications but with my history I have to do a biopsy on the 12th.  I am trying not to let my mind run away with me but having already done this once you can only imagine. I am not equipped to do this again. Emotionally, mentally - none of it. Maybe if I had several years under my belt it might be different - but not so soon. Suggestions, anyone?

Anonymous

kagaines....It seems to me that if they thought you had anything as serious as a recurrence or a new BC, they wouldn't schedule a biopsy for 2 1/2 weeks from now. When my bc was visualized on the mammo, they wanted to prep me for a biopsy right then & there. And recently, when a chest CT and then an ultrasound saw something suspicious, the biopsy was also done right away. So I'm thinking that they will always take a piece of whatever looks out of the norm for us since we have a BC history, but that it rarely turns out to be anything of concern.

So hang in there, girl. I think that this is just part of post-BC, the oddities and then the tests....over & over & over......sigh......

~Marin

Barbie7

Kagaines,

So sorry that you have to endure another biopsy, and the waiting that goes with it.  I agree with FitChik - cling to the 2.5 week delay  in scheduling as a good sign. 

I know you are trying not to let your mind get ahead of the results, but that too is hard.  Hang in there and I'll be keeping you in my prayers.

Barbie

Anonymous

Yes, they would have done the bx right away if they really thought it was more than calcifications....my first bilateral mammo after finishing bc treatment lead me down the same path you are taking.......scared the daylights out of me!!!!!! I felt the same as you.......NO WAY IN HELL, THIS CANT BE HAPPENING, IM NOT READY TO DEAL WITH THIS AGAIN YET!!!!....mine ended up being b-9 calcs....but when they found them I was in surgery within days because they were odd shaped or somthing.....

We really do understand what your feeling....try to do exactly like Marin said......hang on to the fact that they arent scooting you down the hall to surgery.....

Glad to hear you are recovered from your hysterectomy......I had one of those too within 6 months of my original bc diagnosis's....

Hugs

Jule

Anonymous

Thanks ladies.  I hadn't thought about the delay, to be honest, but now that it's been mentioned that's an excellent point.  I will certainly let you all know what happens.

jdash

kagaines

i had a lumpectomy 11 yrs ago and every damn year they would see some calcification or some little something and biopsy me and it was nothing each time  They are very careful after one has a dx for the next few yrs checking everything  I am sure its nothing

try not to worry even though i know that is easier said then done

enjoy this beautiful weather  (well i am finally having some here! )

xoxox

julia

sushanna1

I am so sorry.  Hang in there.  Remember that they are watching you closely.  That said, I have had four benign biopsies since being diagnosed with cancer back in 2001 and it really doesn't get any easier.  The first benign one was for micro calcifications.  I took comfort in knowing that calcifications are usually associated with DCIS, better than invasive and less of a chance of having chemo.

Do your best to keep busy. We will be thinking of you.

Sue

Anonymous

Greetings.  I wanted to let you all know how the biopsy went.  I was on the table (stereotactic) for two hours. Laying on my stomach that long after the hysterectomy was not easy.  They were able to remove some tissue but not able to get to the calcifications.  I now have to do a surgical biopsy.  And to add insult to injury, the table got stuck and they had to call someone to bring a ladder so I could get down and leave.  It's days like this you think, "I can't make stuff like this up."

I will keep things posted.  Thank you all again. 

sushanna1

The table got stuck? And you have to return for a surgical biopsy?   Unbelievable.  You surely do not deserve this.  Hang in there. 

Miss_Lolli

Sorry ka.  What a chitty day. When is your surgical biopsy scheduled? Keep us posted.

Anonymous

OMG...that totally sucks! I assume that a surgical biopsy is an excisional? If so, tell them to give you some good drugs...then kick back and try to coast. You deserve that....at least!

Keep us posted, hon....

~Marin

Anonymous

Well I saw the surgeon this past Thursday.  She's the same one who did my lumpectomy, and she says that it will be a 'monitored sleep' type of biopsy.  I'm looking at having that done at the end of June.  I am having my port taken out as well at the same time. I asked her if this is what I can expect everytime I have a mammogram and she could only say she hoped not.

Enjoy the holiday weekend, ladies..and thanks again.

Anonymous

I go in for the biopsy on the 24th and they are also going to be removing my port that day.  I'm not too worried...yet.

Anonymous

I go in for the biopsy on the 24th and they are also going to be removing my port that day.  I'm not too worried...yet.

Miss_Lolli

Hope you're doing well!

Anonymous

Well, I went through the procedures to have my port removed & the surgical biopsy done.  I haven't gotten the results back yet, but I have to tell you a few events of that day.

First, it was the first (and hopefully only) time I have ever passed out.  When I was in the midst of getting my needle loc done, I remember thinking "the room is seems to be getting darker." I said to the staff "I think I'm about to pass out." The next thing I remember is being in the arms of some nurses, one waving one of those smelling sticks at me and the doctor holding my legs up.  I was mortified, and they kept telling me how often it happens, since people come in there not having eaten or drank in about twelve hours (sometimes longer) and it's just the low blood sugar.  Still, though.It's one thing to pass out, another when you're naked from the waist up.

So for the most part, sore and a bit bruised but nothing I can't handle.  Now just doing the waiting game. I'll post when I find out.

Anonymous

I *finally* got my results back today.

It's cancer again.

But she said this time it was DCIS stage 0.  She wants to go back in surgically, and wants to do radiation.  What took me for a loop is the suggestion of a mastectomy.  She stated that she suggested that because of a) how close this is to my first cancer diagnoses, and b) 'you can't keep being a woman interrupted.'

I will post more after I visit with her on Thursday, as you can imagine, my mind is spinning.

Anonymous

Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry! Of course, stage 0 isn't the worst possible scenario....still, it sucks. So its time to start putting one foot in front of the other and do what's necessary to get this crap GONE! As for a mastectomy, I'm sure that there are logical reasons for recommending one way or another, but the most important thing is that it be your decision and one that you're completely comfortable with. It's entirely possible that they didn't get all of it last time and this is just left over. So logically, you may not be "interrupted" ever again. So I say if you feel okay with another lumpectomy (with good, wide, clean margins), go for it.

Keep us posted, okay?

~Marin

Miss_Lolli

Been waiting to hear back from you ka. I'm so very sorry you have to deal with more. Keep posting and coming back here for support, to vent, just whatever you need.

Anonymous

Well I  met with the surgeon today and we've opted to do lumpectomy with radiation.  After discussing and reading up on mastectomy, I can honestly say that my heart aches for those of you given no other option.  You are amazing. 

So now both will have undergone lumpectomies and radiation.  They also gave me copies of all my path reports since the spring of 2007.  What I can't understand I'll be asking about.

Anonymous

Well, I was supposed to be doing another lumpectomy on the 5th of August.  But, since a staph infection has caused a rampant breakout of what can only be described as boils, it's been postponed.

Wonderful.

I have to restrain myself sometimes because I know in the grand scheme I am lucky.  Just ticks me off because I'm sure you can relate that it seems like it's *always* something anymore.