It Doesn't Seem to End

Anonymous

It Doesn't Seem to End

JoAnn_K

In 2008, I was diagnosed with DCIS in the left breast. My mother died of breast cancer mets in 1990 (I was 35), and her mother and all her five sisters had female hormone cancers. So, I went for it all...radiation, lumpectomy and 5 years of Tamoxifen, figuring I would only have one chance to get rid of it the first go round. BRCA was negative, but the geneticists believes there is an unknown genetic aberration in play.

Fast forward to 2014. In the years between 2008 - 2014, I had three more excisions for bleeding nipples of unknown origin and lumps. Finally, when the next scare came, I told the surgeon to just take both of them off. It was way too stressful. I was hoping to have extenders work, but I apparently caught a bacterial infection behind the extenders from the hospital (e.coli), and after three weeks of misery, had the extenders removed. Recovery took a long time, but I healed..with a lot of excess skin that was supposed to be to help the extenders look more natural. In 2015, I had the excess skin removed..had another infection, but finally healed..with the radiated breast side not healing quite as pretty.

Having been on Tamoxifen for 5 years left me with an overgrowth of endometrial lining resulting in bleeding and a D&C. The D&C showed changing cellular structure. Two years later, it all came back with a vengeance in the form of a polyp with once again, changing cellular structure. In two weeks, I will have a complete hysterectomy - ovaries, uterus, and cervix to totally get rid of any risk. I truly hope I am done after this. This has been a nightmare from good intentions.

After this surgery, I'll essentially be asexual except for a vagina and female DNA. I did decide to get external breast prostheses in the past couple of months, and love how they make me feel like my old self again when I wear them. Breast cancer is just a nasty disease with medicine that can cause nasty side effects. Life Roseanna Danna said, "It's always something."

Moderators

JoAnn,

We're so sorry for all that you've been through and are going through now. This disease definitely takes a toll on one, in all forms -- physically, emotionally, financially -- so of course it's overwhelming and questioning when it will all be over is inevitable. We are sending our best thoughts and positive vibes your way for a successful hysterectomy surgery and recovery. We're all here for you while you traverse this latest obstacle!

Please keep us posted on how you're doing!

(((Gentle Hugs)))

--The Mods

JoAnn_K

Fast forward to Fall 2017. The hysterectomy is complete. It was a good thing I had the surgery. The cells were all changing to a pre-cancer status, this time quicker than before. Thank goodness I have kept one step ahead of the curve as it relates to cancer - Stage 0 breast cancer and now this. Good lesson for all to practice preventive care and make sure to report unusual symptoms to your doctor! Now to finally move on with my life.

Jackster51

Thanks for the update JoAnn. Enjoy finally moving on!! You deserve it!