Survived my MRI and on to next steps.

FaceForward

Hello Sister (and Fellow) fighters.

I'm right breast DCIS with micro invasion. Plus there was a suspicious area in my left breast. Oddly enough, it was the LEAST physically invasive thing they're going to do to me that was causing me the most anxiety. I'm highly claustrophobic so the thought of having an MRI filled me with fear. All I can say is, my MRI technician was an angel and valium is my friend. 😉 Also, the machine was "large bore" and was also a much shorter tube than I've previously seen. That made a HUGE diff. The week prior, I was searching for yoga mediation tips and stumbled onto some self-hypnosis you tube videos. Normally, would put no stock in that stuff but I have cancer now. That seems to have changed the way I look at certain things. A couple of the videos I clicked on were way too hokey (within the first 2 mins I stopped them) for me to take seriously. However, the 3rd one actually kept me listening and it did relax me quite a bit. I really think it helped & I listened to it once a day for the 3 days prior to my MRI. I was calm the entire day of the MRI- even before the Valium. I'm convinced that our mindset can be a powerful influence on our bodies and a powerful prescription. So, if you need some peace and are willing to keep an open mind, try the different you tube videos until you find one that clicks with you. You have nothing to loose and if it doesn't work, at least it's a good excuse to put your feet up for a few minutes

As for the results, my Dr said, "overall, it's the best report we could have hoped for". The known cancer in the right breast was confirmed with no other areas detected and the left breast showed only dense tissue and it was downgraded from suspicious. On its own, that girl could go back to yearly mammograms but since her twin sister will need closer monitoring, she's going to tag along for the ride.

If the MRI results had been less encouraging, I was prepared to do whatever was necessary to get this crap out of my body, including BMX. I am very thankful that now I can choose a lumpectomy. I'm also going with whole breast radiation. I've chosen that because it's what gives me the most confidence when it comes to preventing reoccurrence. I've asked to start the rads as soon as possible after surgery, which is looking like 3 weeks after. I want to get this show on the road and in my rear view mirror as soon as possible. I bet radiation treatment may be one of the strangest presents that Santa has ever delivered! I am still meeting with my surgeon again on the 27th to go over everything 1 final time before the surgery. I want to make sure my whole team is pointed in the same direction before I hit that Go Switch.

Thanks for listening & healing thoughts for all.

LAstar

Great news! The MRI is challenging and the only time I've ever felt claustrophobic. I found that the meditation tools I learned in my birthing class were very helpful. Best wishes for a smooth procedure.