MARCH 2010 Rads Group

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  • Sotiredofthis
    Sotiredofthis Member Posts: 17
    edited September 2010

    I had both sides mammoed at my 3 month check up and I have a 6 month MRI scheduled.

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  • CTMOM1234
    CTMOM1234 Member Posts: 633
    edited September 2010

    I had my 6-month mammos on both breasts (thankfully told everything looked OK). BS was like "See you in a year" and I found myself really concerned that he wasn't scheduling me for something 6-months later -- I actually thought I'd alternate between MRI and mammo. every 6 months at least. I'd read some were getting 3 month tests, and seemed like everyone was at least being follwed every 6 months

    Tried to get him to schedule me sooner than 1 yr mammos and he said something like "Maybe you can find another Dr. who will sign off on a 6-month mammo. but not me."

     So much for close surveillance. Micro-calcs showing up on a mammo is how this all began (with previous year's mammo not showing anything -- was it there all along or did it grow fast?) and I did have 1.75 mm IDC in addition to DCIS, so why wait a year?

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  • charmainejensenvoisine
    charmainejensenvoisine Member Posts: 369
    edited September 2010
    Oh ladies, as you all may know I finished chemo in February and radiation at the end of March..

    Well I had my follow-up mammogram on Friday, and copies went out to 3 of my doctors, so I will be waiting patiently for 1 of 4 doctors to contact me...

    You know, although it has been like 6.5 months since my radiation therapy, and a year since my 2 breast surgeries, my right breast is still very, very tender. Sometimes I get this dull throbbing ache.. I hope there is an explanation for this in the mammagram.

    Charmaine

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited September 2010

    I am scheduled for my 6 month mammogram on Friday.  I'm about a month late in having it done--just got tired of doctors and the ever present "sword of cancer" hanging over my head.  I was told to allow at least 2 hours for everything because the pathologist will be reading everything while I am there.  My surgical follow-up is scheduled for the first week in October Unless There is Something there in which case I guess I am back on the merry-go-round.

    It is, I confess, all rather nerve wracking as I am a bit shy of a month from the anniversary of finding the stupid lump that lead to all this in the first place [lump was nothing but lead to discovery of DCIS].  Emotionally and mentally I am not in the best place right now---too much family stress [pretty much exactly like last year when I was first diagnoised] and too much work stress [traveling at least 2x in the next 2 weeks]---but we must soldier on, right?  No hiding under the quilt with a book and some cookies for the grown-up, right?

    Heres to everyone getting good and boring and newless-news on their first follow-ups!

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  • xiaomei
    xiaomei Member Posts: 43
    edited September 2010

    Hi 3monstmama, I did my sugery last Dec. 23 and I didn't do my 6 month mammogram with my family doctor because my surgeon at MGH told me that she'd rather have me do it at MGH on the 1 year mark. So I am scheduled to do the mammogram in Dec and see her on the same day. In the mean time I have tried to forget this whole thing and have gone on to do my work and gardening like crazy. Hope your result comes out clean!  mei

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  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited September 2010

    Charmaine-

    I finished rads the first week of April, and my right breast(the treated one) is still tender. My rads onc told me that could last for about a year, and one of the medical oncs I saw when I was first diagnosed said that radiation tenderness could last forever! My rib/muscle area on that side is also easily irritated, such as when I reach up to get something on a high shelf. I take ibuprofen when I'm feeling especially tender, and it helps.

    Also,my lumpectomy and SNB scars itch at times. Gripe, gripe, gripe......Wink

     I had my 6 month after surgery mammogram in June and everything was fine. I have the next one scheduled for December.  

    Mary 

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  • charmainejensenvoisine
    charmainejensenvoisine Member Posts: 369
    edited September 2010

    YramAL/Mary:  Thank you so much for replying to my message, and I am now happy to hear that someone else is also experiencing similar with their breasts, and muscle in area of breasts/incision as I am.    Yes my incision itches all the time.

    Charmaine

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  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited September 2010

    Charmaine-

    I have been to physical therapy to increase my range of motion on that side, and it has helped with the range of motion, but the tenderness over the rib area is still there. It's almost like the area "rips" if I push it too hard too fast. Like I said, ibuprofen helps a lot.

    Mary 

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  • AndreaS97057
    AndreaS97057 Member Posts: 46
    edited September 2010

    I failed my 6-mo check-up a couple of weeks ago.  It's not a recurrence, or a new cancer, just another small spot of DCIS that was there before but wasn't clearly seen.  Why didn't the radiation zap it??  Isn't that why we all did radiation?

    So now I'm struggling hard with what happens next -- my surgeon is recommending a mastectomy, but I really don't want to go there.  Anyone heard of anyone getting a second lumpectomy after radiation?  Here we go, I'm back on the merry-go-round, and I hate it.

    Sorry to be a downer.. it's just so hard to rally any fight when I had just started to feel like I could put this behind me. 

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  • xiaomei
    xiaomei Member Posts: 43
    edited September 2010

    Oh I am sorry to hear it Andrea. Though did the doctors determine the spot is DCIS by lookng at the mammo? Or did they do a biopsy? Now it makes me think...since I didn't do my 6 month mammo...but I could understand how you feel.

    BTW, I Googled "second lumpectomy after radiation" and found quite a few articles. You might want to check them out.

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  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited September 2010

    Andrea-

    I have no words of advice for you. I'm just sorry you are having to go through this. I hope that you can "just" have another lumpectomy. 

    Mary 

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited September 2010

    okay Andrea, now we HAVE to get together because we really are in the same boat.  I had my 6 month mammogram on Friday.  As an aside, IT HURT LIKE HELL on the post surgical side--.  But that wasn't the problem child.  The problem child was the right boobie, the same boobie I might add, that caused the problem that sent me in for the stupidmammagram that lead to the discovery of the DCIS in the first place.

    The doctor was VERY nice--he bluntly said that were it not for my earlier diagnosis, he would tell me to wait 6 months but since I already have one stupidbreastcancer diagnosis,while its not a rush [as in cancel my 2 business trips this week and next] it needs to be biopsied.  Oh and that stupid cyst that started all of this, well it never completely collapsed and it has a white line which I guess could be calcifications.  So he wants to biopsy that as well.

    Sigh.  And you know, I think thats all I can really say now.  I can only take this one day at a time and from there I'll just see what happens.  There was a part of me that has been pretty sure even after rads, that this experience wasn't over.  Don't know if it was the pneumonitis or what.  I do know that, to keep myself in perspective, I know someone just diagnoised with throat cancer.  So hey, things could be worse.

    Hang in there everyone....big hugs, Andrea....

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  • Sugar77
    Sugar77 Member Posts: 2,138
    edited September 2010

    Hi ladies,

    Andrea, sorry to hear about your situation. I hope all goes well.

    3monstmama, I was afraid the post treatment mammo would be painful.  I go today at 12:45 for my mammo and am very nervous and am wondering if taking some Tylenol before I go might help somewhat??

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  • June2268
    June2268 Member Posts: 1,202
    edited September 2010

    Sherri Good luck today and Tylenol wouldn't hurt, my doc suggested it......

    Andrea I am so sorry to hear the news and Monstmama is right.......I too didn't get a clean mammo but I was told to wait until November....something to do with radiation and scarring.......This is so awful for you, I am thinking of you and praying you stay strong and with the help of all the ladies on this thread, just keep comunicating as I know it will help!

     Monstmama I am also sorry to hear your news!!!!  You are so right in feeling like after the radiation the fear is still there of this not being over........I wish we could all catch a break!

    June

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  • AndreaS97057
    AndreaS97057 Member Posts: 46
    edited September 2010

    Thanks to you all for the support!  I went to the second opinion doctor today, and I think I'm catching on to why they recommend a mastectomy.  His view was that any cancer cells that survived radiation, and went on to make more microcalcs in such a short time period aren't to be dealt with lightly.  Ugh.  He also recommended genetic testing since this is #2 and I'm under 50.  I'm not sure I agree that it's #2, but I'll take the referral for the genetic tests.

    I did get a biopsy (stereotactic) the same day as the mammogram.  OWW!  My breast is still hurting from that one.  And just when I thought the swelling might actually be coming down.. poof, up like a pumpkin again.  I don't know if it was the biopsy or the gazillion x-rays they took that day.

    It really stinks to be going through this again, and for Jenn to be having troubles too.  But, for me, I really appreciate having people who know what I'm going through that I can vent to. 

    Sherri, I hope your mammo went smoothly!  And thanks, Xiaomei, for figuring out the google search-- I was only getting articles on whether to do radiation or not.  And I agree, June.. we ALL deserve to catch a break - it's been a bit of a sucky year.  I'm really looking forward to the other side of all this.

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  • Sugar77
    Sugar77 Member Posts: 2,138
    edited August 2013
    Hi, I'm not having a very good day. I had my first follow up mammogram yesterday and got a recall today on the good boob for magnifications. I just came from having the diagostic one done. I'm reliving last year all over again and am very freaked out to put it lightly. I hope all is benign but my mind is going in all sorts of directions. The good news is bad boob looked good with no evidence of disease.
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  • June2268
    June2268 Member Posts: 1,202
    edited September 2010

    Sherri hang in there and I am praying that it is nothing......I cannot stand to hear any more bad news.......gosh this really SUCKS to put it mildly........please keep us updated as I will be thinking of you......and of course you are only human and you have every right to worry......I am happy that the bad boob did good......

    June

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  • TreadSoftly
    TreadSoftly Member Posts: 192
    edited September 2010

    Sherri - really hope this turns out to be nothing......  Im thinking of you and sending positive vibes your way...

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited September 2010

    Sherri, I know it's nervewracking.  At my last mammo, the nurse told me that the radiologist was going to take a second look at my mammo films, and to be sure to follow up with my doc for results.  Just a little comment like that can put so much fear into you!  Let's hope everything turns out well for you. 

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  • Sugar77
    Sugar77 Member Posts: 2,138
    edited September 2010

    My GP just called. She got a verbal from the radiologist that everything is fine. It was some calcifications and the pattern favours benign. However, given my history they wanted to be extra careful. I will be having a mammogram in six months to recheck. Whew!!! Thanks so much for all your support.

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited September 2010

    Sherri,

    so glad to hear your situation has turned out to be nothing significant.  Thats awesome!   

    I will be calling my "team" ie surgeon and oncologist when I get home [still on business trip].  I considered asking to wait and see but honestly,I think  I'd only go crazier in the next six months.  Better to check it out now and see whats what.

     oh joy, not one biopsy but two....i think this time I'm taking time off!  No more going back to work with an ice pack down my damned bra!!!!

    best to all!

     

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  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited September 2010

    Sherri-so glad to hear that everything looks fine after all.

    3monstmama-I'm just like you-I'd rather find out what it is now than wait 6 months and drive myself crazy. I'm hoping you have results like Sherri's.

    Andrea-thinking of you also.

    I had my 6 month on my "bad" boob in June and all was well. I have my first mammogram on both in December. Hoping for no drama.

    Mary 

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  • AndreaS97057
    AndreaS97057 Member Posts: 46
    edited September 2010

    Next big talk with my original surgeon tomorrow -- I really need her to step me through what it is we know and what we don't know (which we really never did because of weird timing with travel, etc) before I'll ever have an accepting attitude towards a mastectomy.  I'm a bag of nerves.  I don't want to hear the things I don't want to hear again. 

    Wish me luck.. or I guess just wish me the ability to accept this.  It's been a month (how did the time fly by) and I've been consumed with this second diagnosis, and I really want to make decisions and move on.  It's time for this purgatory to come to an end.

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  • June2268
    June2268 Member Posts: 1,202
    edited October 2010

    I am thinking of you and know you will pull through this with the help of all us women and your family and friends.......I cannot even believe you have to deal with this again.......Stay strong and please Andrea keep us posted and if you don't drink, now is the time to start.....

    June

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited October 2010

    hi all,

    Had the mri today--I got a gold star for my ability to sit still in the machine and not squiggle.   BTW, had the wierd tingly thing going on in my right butt cheek.  This time--as opposed to last time--I know darned well that there was zero metal on me.  So I asked my tech and he said that yes, in fact, you can feel the MRI.  That things were tingly is NOT evidence that the surgeon who did my hysterectomy forgot something or that long long ago, I swallowed some paperclip that has implanted in my intestines.  Good to know.  I was wondering.

    Now they are scheduling me for the stereotopic biopsy 2.0 and a needle aspiration of the stupid cyst. It is harder to squeeze me in than thought earlier.  Sort of wish I had found time to call last week but then again, denial is not a bad place to vacation.  FYI, I was told by my surgeon to do all the tests--MRI, biopsies etc--and then we will have our meeting and decide what comes next.

     Yippeedity-doo-dah.

    Have a great weekend! 

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  • schipmom
    schipmom Member Posts: 119
    edited October 2010

    Hi All,

    So I went to my med onc today for my 6-month checkup.  I have been having on and off achy sort of pain on my right side, under my arm, in the area of my boobie and up to the collar bone.  My "bad" boobie (the one I had rads on) is the left side, so I know it's not related to that.  He didn't seem overly concerned as there are no lumps, etc., but he wants me to have an MRI just to be sure.  I have dense breasts and he said sometimes mammos don't pick up things in dense breasts.  So maybe something has been there all this time???!!!!!  I am rather nervous to say the least.  A few ladies here have commented that they felt even when the rads were done, they "this" was not all behind them and I have to say, I have felt the same way.  It's good to know I'm not the only one who has felt like this. It would be just my luck of spending months concentrating and taking care of left boobie, having the living beejeebers radiated out of it and the whole time, something was lurking in right boobie :-(

    Just needed to vent.  Thanks for listening :-)

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  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
    edited October 2010

    Good grief, it's been awhile since I've posted on here.   I am sorry it's taken me so long. I see that many of you are going in for the post rads checkups.

    Sugar77 - So glad yours turned out to be benign. What a relief.

    Andrea- Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, that's tough to bear on top of everything that transpired earlier this year. Are they scheduling you for a mastectomy now?

     So, I went to my 6 month check up in July. All went all right, except for the fact that my other side breast actually *leaked* when it was compressed. The technician asked me if that happens normally. Well, I don't normally squish my breast up to test that, so apparently it doesn't happen normally. It really scared me. I broke down crying in the dressing room. The technician (not the radiologist) came into the dressing area afterwards to tell me that the radiologist had reviewed it all and "it all looked normal".

    I still get shooting pains now and then in both breasts, so each time I freak out, thinking it is cancer growth. However, I've decided that if it resurfaces one more time, I will opt for double mastectomy immediately.

    Hope all of you are well, and glad to read updates from all of you.

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited October 2010

    hey all,

    Well the cyst is still a cyst but the spots are ALH which is the precursor for DCIS.  Thats the good thing. . . .riiiiighhhhttt. Okay it is good that if it is breast cancer, its at the non-invasive poitn but I am not sure what is really good about it.

    While there was no sign of cancerous cells in the biopsy sample, because it was so small, I am set for a surgical biopsy on Thursday to make sure that amongst the pre-DCIS there is no more actual DCIS.  If they find nothing, then I will keep marching on with the tamoxifen which will, so they say, keep anything else from developing.  If they find something, I guess I will be back on the rollercoaster.

    There is so much stress in my life right now--from hoarding 81 year old mother to abusive boss--that I am not even thinking what I will do if they find more stupid DCIS.  Its a very "one day at a time" period for me. . . though I think its more like "one minute at a time" at this point.

    This time, I am NOT rushing back to work but will take Thursday and Friday off and veg. 

    And now to take deep breathes and get through the day.  My fingers are crossed that no one else gets any more bad news on their six month.

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  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited October 2010

    3monsmama-

    I read your other post on another thread about your stressfull work situation. I have nothing to say except that it sounds appalling and I am so sorry that you are going through all that on top of the uncertainty about your breast. I'm sending you wishes for prompt healing and peace of mind from your biopsy on Wednesday. Whatever you do, don't let your complete ass of a boss keep you from taking 2 days off to heal.

    I had my 6 month back in June, and now I'm counting down to my 1 year mammogram on both breasts. I've been paying so much attention to my "bad" boob for so long, I sure hope the "good" one has been behaving itself. I'm sure I'll be a nervous wreck when the time comes.

    I had my 50 year old first colonoscopy last Friday, and what everyone says is true-the prep is the worst part. The doctor removed 1 polyp, and because of my breast cancer history and that 1 polyp I have to return in 2 years for another colonoscopy, rather than 5 years. Fun, fun, fun......it's always something!

    Mary

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited October 2010

    An Update---just got call from surgeon and results are negative.  No sign of invasive cancer or of DCIS. . . insert Scooby-doo noise as to "invasive cancer" as I have NO recollection that was even an issue on the table. . . .so no more surgery for now.  Carry on.

    yippee.

    Now about that colonoscopy I've been delaying. . . . .

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