imagination runs wild

bridgegal25

When just diagnosed and getting into the shock of it, the mind goes wild imagining all kinds of scenarios.  The first thing that comes to mind is that the "thing" has metastasized and it's all over me.   Since I don't meet with the breast surgeon for another week for the tiny IDC just diagnosed, I come here for info and hopefully a calming scenario.  The next thought that occurs is that the "thing" is a metasticist (have to get my spelling correct on this thing) from the uterine cancer that I had five years ago which didn't require any chemo, just complete hysterectomy. Maybe they were wrong. Maybe it was a higher grade than they gave me.   The oncologist/surgeon sure was wrong when he told me that at my age, I didn't need any more mammos because even if I got breast cancer, it would be tiny (which it is) and would be less aggressive at my age (I am over 70). So I didn't go and four years later I went and look what I got.  I would appreciate hearing from others who are going through this sort of stuff when first diagnosed and haven't completed staging and surgery, etc. 

dlb823

bridge, I'm really sorry about your dx, but glad you've found BCO. Yes, what you're going through is totally normal -- especially the fear or even belief your bc has already metastized. That's something I think the majority of women go through until they have a more complete picture of what's going on, but I can see how it would be even more concerning if you were told not to have mammograms. I'm not a doctor, but without knowing more about your situation, that does sound just a bit unusual.

If it's any consolation to you, mammograms don't prevent bc. They just hopefully find it early. I had regular annual mammograms and still ended up with not only bc, but multiple lesions. The important thing is that your bc is still tiny. But since you weren't doing mammograms, I'm curious how it was found. Did you feel a lump? (((Hugs))) Deanna

bridgegal25

Hi Deanna -- thanks for responding. What an awesome site this is.  Mine showed up as "architectural distortions" on my mammogram, both of them in the area of previous biopsies, so I was pretty sure they were scar tissue.  This "thing" is an epidemic. Just found out today that there is another woman about my age who lives in my townhouse community  who has been dx'd in the last three weeks with the same thing.A friend of a friend.  And apparently she had her lumpectomy done by the same surgeon who I am going to see next week. Anyway, I hope you are doing well.  And --- you are so right about mammos.  Who knows how long this was lurking there unable to be seen by either ultrasound or mammos.  But it is what it is and has to be fought tooth and nail to get rid of it.   Thanks for responding and stay in touch.   Shirl