New comer to the site

ssydor
ssydor Member Posts: 11
edited June 2014 in Male Breast Cancer

Hello,

I am new to this site.  I found it while surfing around on the net looking for some info on MBC.  I have been reading through a lot of the posts.  It is strange how similar your stories sound!!!

I am 39, and I have a small lump under my left nipple.  It doesn't hurt, and i didn't think anything of it.  I figured it was just a cyst or something.  I was at the doctor for something completely unrelated about 6 weeks ago, I mentioned the cyst.  He looked at it and sent me for tests.  I was shocked when the results came back!!!  I was diagnosed with Stage II invasive BC (duct).  I am going in for surgery on Friday (Jan 7th), they are performing a masectomy, and removing the lymph nodes on my left side.

I have had about 6 weeks since my diagnosis to take it all in now, and have been doing a lot of reading.  So I am feeling pretty positive about the whole experience and the outcome.  But I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous about the surgery!  I have never had an operation in my life!

I have also had a bunch of staging test done over the past few weeks, and luckily it looks like nothing has spread.  I start chemo in 6 weeks, followed by radiation.  I will cross those bridges when I get to them.  I guess I will also find out after the surgery if the tumour is Estrogen positive... and whatever additional treatment will be required if that is the case.

It has been a really weird experience so far.  I have never had to face my own mortality before.  I know this isn't a death sentence or anything... but when you have a wife and two young kids to think about, these things do cross your mind!

Anyway, I just thought I would share my experiences (so far) with you.  Wish me luck!

PS... when this is all over, I am buying myself that sports car I always wanted!!!

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Comments

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited January 2011

    ssydor, welcome to the club no one wants to join! You will be surprised at how little your surgery hurts. There are no bones, organs or muscles involved, so nothing gets moved around. You will be sore under your arm though, and that will be what will probably bug you the most! There should be a "January Surgery" thread somewhere around here for you to join and you'll get all sorts of unsolicited advice, as much as you want! Laughing

    Good luck on your journey, that's me, just a little bit further up the road from you.....

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  • JanetinVirginia
    JanetinVirginia Member Posts: 1,516
    edited January 2011

    Hi ssydor - glad you found the bc early and this forum!   I second barbe.  In my case anyway, only had to take regular tylenol after mastectomy & it was definitely easier than the appendectomy I had!  The anticipation of surgery is way worse than the reality.  Others will be along to welcome you.  The boards are generally busier at night.  And...keep us posted on that sports car! :)  My best to you & your family.  You'll do fine.

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  • Annie62
    Annie62 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited January 2011

    Ssydor,

    I wanted to wish you good luck with your surgery on Jan 7th. I just had a bilateral mastectomy on December 3rd and only took painkillers at night for a couple of days to knock me out so I could sleep. I really didn't have any pain at all. 

    I was very nervous before my first surgery (lumpectomy and node dissection 6 yrs ago) and my second (not bc related) a couple of years ago. The actual experience is not nearly as bad as the anticipation.  

    How old are your little ones? I was 42 when dx and had a 22 month old. That was hard and tiring. I saved Dora videos to watch on the couch with her (we didn't watch much tv with her at that age) when I was feeling really tired. Now she's 7 and she's excited to sleepover with the aunts and uncles which gave my husband and me a break. 

    Please come back and let us know how you are doing after surgery. 

    Annie

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  • ithaca
    ithaca Member Posts: 25
    edited January 2011

    Hi - I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer when I was 40 years old. That was 14 years ago and I'm happy to report that I'm doing well. Let me know if I can help.

    Bob

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited January 2011

    Hi, sorry you had to join the club.  Feel free to ask any questions you want. Or if you need to, vent.  I have learned so much from this site even though I found 2 1/2 years after my diagnosis.

    NJ

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited January 2011
    14 years! Congrats Bob! You've done well. Laughing
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  • ssydor
    ssydor Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2011

    Well, I had the procedure done on Friday, and I must say that the anticipation was worse then the actual operation.

    I was in a bit of pain the following day, but now I just have a bit of discomfort (mostly in my arm and armpit)... the actual surgical site doesn't hurt much at all.  I am pretty excited to get this drain tube removed on Friday though!!!

    All the nurses at the hospital were great.  Most of them were in shock to see me in there, they had never seen a man with breat cancer before!

    My only concern now are my bone scan results.  Apparently they see something of concern in my knee.  They think it might just be a bit of arthritis, but I need to have some addional testing done.  I really hope it is nothing... but I guess at this point there isn't much I can do about it either way.  But after being diagnosed with breast cancer, nothing will shock me anymore!

    Thanks for all your kind words of encouragement.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited January 2011

    Ssydor, you done good! Laughing I was surprised at how little it hurt, too, and my surgeon had the guts to say it's really just like a deep tissue wound. There are no organs, bones or muscles involved. You will find it irritating when the nerves start regenerating. Get some cream from the pharmacy that you can use directly on the scar and keep it loose by rubbing in the cream.

    Your underarm would hurt from the sentinel node biopsy. It'll get better but will probably take a lot longer than you realize. I still have numb areas and I'm 2 years out! Don't stretch too much or you'll hurt yourself.

    As for the bone scan, it shows everything. Old accidents, arthritis, etc. It would be unusual for the cancer to be in your knees first, but as you're alreadyl beating the odds, go buy a lottery ticket!

    Keep us posted as you heal.

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  • carcharm
    carcharm Member Posts: 486
    edited January 2011

    Ssydor-does BC,ovarian cancer or any other cancer run in your family? I have 3 sons and am concerned for their wellfare. My mom and paternal grandma had BC but I tested negative for the BRCA genes. I am so sorry that you are here and what a shock it must have been for you but thank god for your great doctor and getting it treated-not blowing you off cuz you are a male.

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  • JanetinVirginia
    JanetinVirginia Member Posts: 1,516
    edited January 2011

    Ssydor - glad it''s behind you and on to recovery!  Take it easy & don't overdo it for awhile.

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  • ssydor
    ssydor Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2011

    BC and Ovarian cancer do run in my family.  Although I never really considered myself at risk... since I don't have breast's or ovaries!  Guess I was wrong. 

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  • Paula1231
    Paula1231 Member Posts: 456
    edited January 2011

    Ssydor, I am so sorry to see you on this site, but I am so glad you found it.  Everyone here is so supportive and they have helped me walk this rocky road.

    My first thoughts were also of my family.  I started to get my affairs in order just in case.  I normally hope for the best and prepare for the worst.  Its silly, but I consolidated all those 401Ks and am looking into converting my term insurance into whole life while there is no exam or health inquiry.  

    Now that the MX is behind you, I am praying you have a speedy recovery and excellent outcome. We are not any closer to death than anyone else in the world, we are just more self aware.  

    Bob, thank you for letting me know its been 14 years.  I can't tell you how much comfort that gave me. 

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  • ssydor
    ssydor Member Posts: 11
    edited February 2011

    Well, 5 weeks have passed since my surgery.  I am pretty much all healed up, and have most of my mobility back.  I have been back at work for a couple of weeks now too.  It sucks!  I miss my afternoon naps!

    All my test results came back clean!  They removed 19 lymph nodes and they were all clean, and the margins were good (4mm).  All the staging test were clean, as well as the follow up tests on my knee (where they saw a mass).  I am lucky, someone was looking out for me!!!

    I meet with my oncologist on Friday to discuss the plan moving forward.  I will be doing chemo, radiation and hormone therapy... But I don't know all the details yet.  Originally they were talking about doing 8 cycles of chemo.  But now my doctor and the surgeon said that based on my progress and the results, they would be suprised if the oncologist made me do the full 8 cycles of chemo.  Hopefully I will only have to do 4!  This is good news, but it also scares me.  I am not excited about doing chemo, but the thought of this thing coming back and having to do this all over again scares me! So I would rather do the full 8 cycles of chemo and make sure this thing is dead and gone for good!  But that being said, I have faith in my doctor and his decisions.  I guess we'll see what happens.

    So now chapter 2 starts!  I'll keep you posted.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2011

    Good to hear back from you! Typical male, keeping it all to himself......lol!

    I miss afternoon naps too!

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