just diagnosed

trying2Bpositiv
trying2Bpositiv Member Posts: 18
Was diagnosed on April 1, 2010 with ILC.  Had breast augmentation done in Feb. 2010 thought everything was going great.  I felt something in December 2009 but the mammogram was negative.  I was concern before having the augmentation and discussed this with my doctor who said that the mammo in December was negative and that it felt like fibrocystic breast.  Had my PS check it out and he said the same thing. Well guess what they were both wrong.  Figures!!!  The implant actually pushed the tumor up more and made it more distinct so I went to a breast surgeon and she got me in within 2 days for a biopsy.  We made arrangements to have surgery during the first week of May when my breast surgeon returns from vacation.  I had an MRI done yesterday on both breast and just got a call from the nurse about having a MRI guided biopsy done on the other breast due to something showing up on the MRI (mirroring concern_)
I am sooooo depressed now.  I was trying to be so strong and now I feel the wall falling down.  I understand it is more difficult to treat if you already have implants.  So that is also bringing me down.  I know that this whole cancer trip is filled with ups and downs but sometimes it is so hard being strong.  Just needed to vent.  My husband is trying to keep me up (NO Awfuls ) but it is so hard and right now I just feel like crying.   

Comments

  • Mazy1959
    Mazy1959 Member Posts: 1,431
    edited April 2010

    Hi Trying,

    I am so sorry you have gone thru so much. Its too bad the doctors didnt biopsy that lump before doing the augmentation. Do you have any idea how large the lump is? Lobular is often not seen on mammograms. Mine didnt show either. Once your surgeon has all your results, you will have a better idea of what you are dealing with. Remember to write down any questions you may have for your doctors. Its normal to feel as you do...we all have gone thru it and w understand. Hugs, Mazy

  • trying2Bpositiv
    trying2Bpositiv Member Posts: 18
    edited April 2010

    The lump in my left breast originally I thought the doctor, US tech, and the radiologist said 1.4 cm but the MRI said 2.4.  The new lump found on the MRI I had done yesterday is 6-7mm.  You think that getting the news about the original cancer is enough and now to hear that there is another one in the other breast is totally depressing.  I hate the thought of having to do another biopsy.  The breast surgery was scheduled for the first week in May with a possible Skin saving and maybe nipple saving technique and now with the new lump and having another MRI I am afraid the surgery will be postponed.  They are trying to schedule the MRI guided biopsy for the last week in April but I am afraid if they only do it between 3-12 days after the start of your period I won't be able to have the MRI till next month.  I AM TOTALLY FRUSTRATED!!!!

  • ktheimp
    ktheimp Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2010

    This is the hardest thing you will ever have to go through. I am so sorry. Cancer SUCKS!!! I I see Mazy has some time under her belt...I love seeing that. Bravo for you! There is a lot of hope. We must remember that. We must try to keep our minds elevated. It is so very difficult. The good thing is they did eventually find it. That IS a good thing. I will be thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way.

    XXXOOO Karen 

  • ktheimp
    ktheimp Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2010

    Oh my!! That is frustrating. This is the hardest part of the journey. Hang in there. Believe it or not it does get better. Once you know what you have exactly, you make a plan and move forward. You then know exactly what your dealing with and people will help you along the way.

    Karen 

  • JennyB100104
    JennyB100104 Member Posts: 237
    edited April 2010

    Oh no. I'm so sorry.

    I'm just a couple of weeks ahead of you in diagnosis. I know exactly how you're feeling & what you're going through. It's so hard. I swear, the fear, the not knowing--it makes you insane.

    I asked my doctor (actually, my husband asked him) for something for the anxiety and depression. It didn't help right away, but I feel it's helping me cope now.

    I also have new implants (March, 2009) and first felt my lump in late 2009. I believe my implants also pushed my lump forward so I could feel it. But I also had a lift--did you have a lift too? I, too, am concerned about radiation and treatments with implants. But there's nothing I can do about that *right now*. We have to take that issue as it comes. Sometimes implants aren't affected at all by radiation, sometimes they are. 

    Anyway, Karen is right. It *will* get better. It's okay, too, right now, to feel whatever you feel.This situation truly sucks.

    Please feel free to pm me anytime. I feel we have a lot of similarities in timeframes, with the implants, and with ILC. Hang in there, and big hugs.

    Jen

  • trying2Bpositiv
    trying2Bpositiv Member Posts: 18
    edited April 2010

    Jen

    Here is a website that talks about treating women with implants with radiation.  It sounds like a seeding type of procedure and supposedly it doesn't affect the implants and doesn't cause capsular contraction.   http://cetcancercenter.com/breast.html?gclid=CLWdloq4jqECFR5OgwodHlIr3A#breast_hdr_Intro

    I didn't have a lift.  I had a mommy make over (breast aug and tummy tuck).  I was dealing with recovery from my mommy make over and now dealing with possible cancer in both breast.  What a mess.  Have you had your surgery yet?  If so what did you have done? 

  • JennyB100104
    JennyB100104 Member Posts: 237
    edited April 2010

    I've had two surgeries. One before I knew it was BC (my biopsy came back negative, I said I still wanted this bizarre lump OUT). That was a lumpectomy, and it was a cakewalk compared to the breast aug+lift a year earlier. The second surgery was a reexcision (because they didn't get clear margins the first time) and a sentinal lymph node biopsy. That was quite a bit more uncomfortable, and 3 weeks later I'm still recovering from it--mostly from the lymph node biopsy. I'm pretty sure he must've cut into a few nerves, and my arm has been a mess.

    If I had cancer in both breasts, I'd get a mastectomy in the blink of an eye. I'm actually considering it now, because I am concerned about where the surgeon cut during the breast lift (he cut through the area where the cancer was, possibly spreading cells all over the place). I don't know anything about having a mastectomy with implants, though. They must take them out? I'm really not sure. Do you know what kind of surgery your surgeon is planning for you, now that you have an issue on the other side as well?

    Thanks for the website--I'm off to read it.

  • trying2Bpositiv
    trying2Bpositiv Member Posts: 18
    edited April 2010

    My surgeon has not decided on anything yet because I now need to get a guided MRI biopsy on the right side (what I thought was my good side).  They have sent my first biopsy to determine the E, P, and Her on it.  The doctor then wants to send the biopsy to Onocotype dx to determine the recurrence.  I just want everything ready so that I can have the surgery during the first week of May.  Having test and waiting for results is sooool nerve wracking.  I hope the information about the breast seeding helps.  I was told by my surgeon that I would not be able to have radiation due to the implants so if I need radiation I am hoping the seeding procedure might be an option.  It seems it would be a good option for most people since radiating the breast has an affect on all breast muscle and this seems to have less negative affects.

  • JennyB100104
    JennyB100104 Member Posts: 237
    edited April 2010

    Fingers crossed you can get that biopsy in soon and it's nothing! Please keep us posted, and please keep me posted about your surgery and how you're dealing with the implants through treatment. 

    I need to make and appointment with the radiology oncologist next week. I'll keep you posted, too, on what they decide to do with me.

    I got my E, P, and HER2 scores very quickly--within a week. The Oncotype score took 3 weeks.

  • Mazy1959
    Mazy1959 Member Posts: 1,431
    edited April 2010

    Trying,

    I will keep you in my prayers (if thats ok) and hope that you get surgery in May as planned. The waiting and wondering are the worst right now but like the other ladies said..it gets better. My tumor was 3.2 cm. Hugs, Mazy

  • trying2Bpositiv
    trying2Bpositiv Member Posts: 18
    edited April 2010

    Mazy , thank you for keeping me in your prayers.  I am waiting to hear from the surgeon's nurse regarding scheduling the MRI guided biopsy on the other breast ( right breast).  The original radiologist, one that did the biopsy on the left breast and evaluated the MRI on the right breast, is on vacation this week.  What luck.  My surgeon is on vacation till May 2nd and now the radiologist is on vacation.  What next???  The plastic surgeon will probably go on vacation.  I know that everyone needs a vacation but when you are dealing with cancer you don't want anyone on vacation.

  • Mazy1959
    Mazy1959 Member Posts: 1,431
    edited April 2010

    Trying,

    I totally understand what you mean. I was diagnosed with mets the week of Christmas in 2006 LOLOL..Even my gp who does not believe in xmas went on vacation LOL.My old rad onc took care of me til they came back. Hugs, Mazy

  • trying2Bpositiv
    trying2Bpositiv Member Posts: 18
    edited April 2010

    Well I am scheduled for my guided MRI biopsy for next week.  I am pretty depressed because I just got a copy of the first MRI and it mentioned that the tumor on the left side looks like it  mayhave invaded the pectoralis muscle because they can't distinguish between the lesion and the underlying muscle.  It seems like every time I turn around there is more bad news.  My surgeon is out of town so I can't to her.  I am now assuming the staging will be at least a stage 3 if there is muscle involvement.  I am so bummed and just can't stop crying.  It so crappy to think you do everything possible to stay healthy (exercise, eat right, mammagrams, yearly physical) and it just does't matter.  Needed to vent.  Just having a really bad time.  I have been trying to be strong and this has really cracked my outer shell.

  • JennyB100104
    JennyB100104 Member Posts: 237
    edited April 2010

    trying2Bpositiv, Hang in there. I'm so sorry all you're getting is bad news. Please post when you've had your MRI. Big hugs to you.

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