How was your BC found? By doctor or you?

Options
1…5678911»

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2013

    Hi! On 02/18/13, I was feeling on top of the world! Following the WW program, walk/jogging like 60-80 minutes every day (45-50 mins before work each workday morning), and having lost 90 lbs (13 months) due to WW and activity, I was pretty cocky that day. Never a "mirror person" (due to my obesity history I can say I stopped looking in mirrors years ago!), somehow, someway I caught myself looking in the mirror, getting ready to walk before work, as I was putting on my sportsbra. Weird! My L breast had a kind of grey color on the outside area (towards my arm). First thought it was a black & blue mark... but... no!... I could not for the life of me recall bumping my L breast into any object OR during the night before... so I put on my (smooth texture) sports bra, and gently rubbed my fingers with light pressure against the "color area of interest." Lo and behold, I DID feel a very small lump a bit underneath.

    So, I called my PCP, who did a clinical exam, who then referred me to have a DX mammo done. Radiologist MD who did that mammo said she wasn't concerned so much with the lump - but more the microcalcifications around it! Huh?! So this MD then ordered TWO stereotactic BXs in my L breast: 1 came back B9 (TG!) and the other, well, DCIS, Stage 0.

    I was put in touch with a good BS, who ordered an MRI w/IV contrast. Due to size on MIR of my "area of concern" (9cm or 3.5"!!) a lumpectomy BS said was OK, was NOW "outta the question." Well, no other choice but then to have a MX of my L breast... R breast was A-OK, but due to my size (and size D/DD breasts), I vowed many many years ago, that IF I would ever have BC, and 1 of my "girls" had to go, the "other girl" would never never ever be an "orphan"! :O. Thus, I chose a BMX, as I felt like if I did NOT - my anxiety level would be akin as to be like a perpetual axe swinging over my head, with thoughts that ANY recurrance could well happen. NOT! in my case!

    GOOD news is that my SLNB just before my BMX showed 0 BC - however, just a microinvasive amount (like 1.5mm) of invasive BC was found "hiding" within the DCIS in my L breast.

    And you know? Even with these JP drains I have to wear - and HATE with a passion!! - I do NOT regret my decision for an instant - plus the fact I am on STD for a few weeks OFF of a VERY intolerable and highly oppressive job!! :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • src3acs
    src3acs Member Posts: 40
    edited May 2013

    I found mine by accident.  I had my first mammogram at 40 then skipped them until 45.  At 46 I had calcifications in my left breast....biopsy was negative.  I was pretty consistent in doing a self check in the shower once a month.  Eleven month after my biopsy I was watching TV and had an itch at the very top of my breast right where it meets the chest area and as soon as I scratched I felt a small lump that I knew wasn't supposed to be there.  Went to my primary care dr and she said it was probably just a cyst but would send me for a mammogram anyway.  Had a mammo, ultra sound and biopsy all in the same day.  Few days later my primary care dr called me and told me I had IDC.  She said it was low grade and caught very early.  I am now a huge advocate in knowing your own body.  I have three daughters and will be sure they are well educated in early detection and self examination.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JSB2011
    JSB2011 Member Posts: 21
    edited May 2013

    Mammogram showed no signs. A couple months later, I found a lump under my armpit (node). Got it checked and then the surgeon gave me an exam and found the lump in my breast and confirmed with an ultrasound. Thankfully, I found that armpit lump myself because I was Stage IIIc. I would have gone on another year thinking all was fine. Self check is key!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • phxsunshine
    phxsunshine Member Posts: 242
    edited May 2013

    My tumor was sitting right atop my ribs, it was too little and too deep to be felt.  Lucky for me, it was picked up on my annual mammogram, it would have had to have grown a lot before it could have been felt.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tracyinva
    Tracyinva Member Posts: 22
    edited May 2013

    My BC was found right before my mammo referral. I felt a lump and my appt was next week and she wanted me to come in sooner so I did and found out she wanted to have an ultrasound then biopsy then got the bad news.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moons4u
    Moons4u Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2013

    I am 38 and a friend posted on facebook about doing your monthly breast exam. I was finally done breast feeding and my breast were like pancakes, so I figured I should do my exam. I found a lump and went to my gynecologist. She sent me for a mammogram and ultra sound. The radiologist recommended an MRI, but I opted for a biopsy. The surgeon did not think it was cancer because he has seen many mammograms with the same thing. He did the biopsy and said the tissue fell apart, so there was nothing to send to the lab. He told me to follow up in 3 months. I did not like this and got a 2nd opinion. She wanted to give me piece of mind, so she removed the mass. I had a follow up appointment last week and I have invasive breast cancer. I am still waiting for the final pathology and it is one of the toughest weekends of my life!! Thank goodness for my husband and kids to keep my mind busy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited May 2013

    I found mine.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • phxsunshine
    phxsunshine Member Posts: 242
    edited May 2013

    Moons4u ~ I am sorry that you have to wait to hear exactly what you are dealing with.  My imagination tends to go to a bad place in a hurry, I'd rather deal with the facts.  I'm glad you stood up for yourself and got the 2nd opinion, you are a tough cookie and you will be just fine because of it.  I just passed my 3rd Anniversary of being a cancer survivor and I look forward to celebrating many, many more with you and all the other ladies on this site.  God bless you real good and I hope and pray you have the kinder, gentler sort of cancer.  Hugs to you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mummommama
    mummommama Member Posts: 70
    edited May 2013

    I found a lump and discharge in my left breast. Mammogram on both found DCIS in right breast. After mastectomy pathology found massive DCIS (8.5 cm) AND IDC (1.5 cm, grate 3). Fortunately no metastases and docs want to do MRI of right breast. I just want it removed. If that kind of cancer can hide in there I don't want to take any chances!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SC60
    SC60 Member Posts: 416
    edited May 2013

    I found mine. My Mom died of BC. I was diagnosed two days short of her 12th anniversary in heaven. Oh, the doctor "missed it" and "felt really bad". She didn't feel hers, she saw it too late to save her!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GlobalGirlyGirl
    GlobalGirlyGirl Member Posts: 269
    edited June 2013

    Me. 2008. I thought I had cystic breasts. I've had lumps and bumps in there before. My partner bugged me to go to the doctor. I went the next year. She said that because it could move around, it was fibrocystic breasts. I thought, cool. She ordered a mammogram since I was concerned enough to see her. I didn't tell her I wasn't concerned at all. My partner kept bugging me. I never did the mammogram. 

    Fast forward to February 2013. I was in a deep bipolar depression after a hypomanic episode. My partner noticed that the lump had gotten bigger.  I never really thought about it. I got used to it being there, I guess. She asked me again to go to the doctor. I told her when I was in a better state of mind, I would.

    May 2013. Got a same day appointment for neck pain. I had a car accident in 2008 and have been messed up since. I figured, since I'm here, the doctor could do an exam. That was a Tuesday. She ordered a mammogram, ultrasound for  Thursday. I got them, plus a core needle biopsy.

    And here we are. Stage II IDC. I just want the thing out of me. I'm leaning lumpectomy and going alternative because there are contraindications in chemo and Tamoxifen with my bipolar meds. Partner's not too thrilled about that, of course. After the surgery, we'll know more.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • notblue
    notblue Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2013

    I had a change in my nipple, by me, not an MD

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • notblue
    notblue Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2013

    I saw changes in my nipple.  I found it before the MD

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • corky60
    corky60 Member Posts: 726
    edited June 2013

    I had calcifications for many years. In March at a mammo the radiologist noticed that some of the calcifications had disappeared. I had a stereotactic biopsy and the path report came back IDC. The dr said that calcifications that have disappeared can be a sign of invasive cancer.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shayne
    Shayne Member Posts: 1,500
    edited June 2013

    wow - never heard that.  Mine was found at my first mammogram.  It was too small for me or my doctor to feel.  I had calcifications and one lesion.  DCIS.  Also a few cysts in both breasts, all undetectable.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kathi99
    Kathi99 Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2013

    I found mine myself.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • corky60
    corky60 Member Posts: 726
    edited June 2013

    I had calcifications that were tiny and were not a worry. But one group of them went from being jagged to smooth while at the same time being surrounded by a gauzy white. Then the calcifications vanished. That's when the radiologist ordered a US and then a stereotactic biopsy. She showed me all the scans,the progression and changes. That reminds me, I must send a thank you card to her.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories