MARCH 2010 Rads Group

That's terrific news!

Hi Everyone-

Boy, this thread is quiet these days.

I go in for my 1 year post-diagnosis mammogram next week. I'm feeling a bit nervous. Not too much, just a bit. I'm actually more nervous about my "good" breast, since so much attention has been paid to the other breast this past year and it hasn't seen any action since my pre-surgery MRI.

My radiated breast is still somewhat tender, even 7 months out from the end of radiation. My lumpectomy and SNB scars still itch at times as well. And the "meat" between my ribs is still tender at times on the side that got radiation. I guess this is the new normal.

Also, I'm finding that I'm having a little bit of post traumatic episodes this holiday season. My whole journey last year started with my annual mammogram on Veterans' Day last year. My call back mammogram, which progressed to diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound was the day before Thanksgiving.  My biopsy, breast cancer diagnosis, and lumpectomy all happened right before Christmas. And I spent the entire holiday season, up through my 50th birthday in January, wondering whether I would have to have chemo or not.(As it turns out-I didn't have to.)

Long story short-while I was living through it, I guess I didn't realize how crappy my holiday season was last year. Looking back on it, I realize it was really crappy. I hope this one is a better one! 

Yramal - I too had the very same experience and so many people kept on telling me not to worry that everyone gets called back etc.......My first mammo was in mid November with a schedule to have a small paddle done somewhere else the following week to be then told I need a biopsy and to be diagnosed 10 days before Christmas.  I am hoping as you are that this year will be more of a stress free and less tears and worry as well.......

I ended up having my mammo last week which was a follow up from finishing my rads which I did not get a clean report.  I am kinda frustrated as they found a suspicious area but they feel it is benign and I should not be concerned.  So they really think I am not going to be freaked out.....  I hate seeing it in writing that we should watch the area carefully and come back in 6 months.  REALLY!!!!!  I am wondering if this ride is going to ever end.  How can I not worry?  In 6 months or 1 or 2 years will it be back.  I hate having a concerned area and not be able to do anything about it......sorry, I guess I just wanted to vent as I thought I was clean and clear as that is what I was told last week and then the letter comes.........ARGH!!!!!

Mary, thank you for writing about your post-tramatic feelings. I definitely am working through such feelings, too, as I re-live all that transpired at this time last year after my routine mammogram showed the micro-calcs. that lead to the stereo biopsy, the mri, the mri biopsy, the genetic testing and counseling, all the appointments and drs from so many wings of the hospital, then two surgeries, and radiation treatments. It was a constant mental battle to get through all of this, and I am constantly realizing how with each day at this time last year I was dealing with so much stress . . and how I still keep those feelings buried inside, because the fear is still there.

May we all work through our issues and enjoy the holiday season.

One year mammogram today in about 3 hours. 

Fingers, toes, everything crossed.....

Mary 

Mary I'm holding my breathe!

Hi girls....as I peeked thru the boards I saw the activity in the March Rads and couldn't help but join to say that tomorrow is my annual mammogram since being diagnosed last New years Eve.  Its already been a year which I can't believe and as you are all  re-living last year, I find myself doing the same.  Of course I am praying for good results and I am grateful for my mammogram last year because without that it wouldn't have been caught as stage 1.  But I am replaying all calls and appointments and retakes over all of the holiday last year and hoping I won't have that anxiety again this year.  I'm grateful for these boards!!!!  Stay well Kathy xoxoxo

Irishmom, take a deep breath.  You don't know what the spots are and there are a zillion things it could be besides more breast cancer.

I had the same thing on my mammogram in September---very small spots on the "good" boobie.  In my case, they followed up with a stereotactic biopsy and then a surgical biopsy.  At all times they said if I didn't have my earlier diagnois and treatment, they would have just watched and checked again in 6 months.  In the end, it all turned out to be nothing.  As I posted before, once you are a member of this stupid club, they watch you more carefully and the things that would have been ignored get much more attention. 

Hang in there!

Irishmom-I second June's thought that if they were really worried about these 2 spots they would do something more than a wait and see. I'm sorry you didn't get a totally clear mammogram. 

Mary 

Thanks you all for the great posts....it really does mean alot to me.  I'm concentrating on my family and to have a great Christmas....chat with you all soon again.  Kathy xoxoxoxo