A dimple on my breast has turned my world upsidedown

Genny

what a great idea to be on vacation--- it will be good to gather your energy.  As others have said, once you have plan, things will move quickly.  I just wanted to let you know that I am 5.5 years out from a Stage 2ILC that was also not found on my annual mammogram but picked up at my regular physical by my PCP.  I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation and am getting ready this spring to go off the hormonal drugs.  I won't say that it was easy, but it was definitely doable.  My kids were 12 and 7 at the time---- and by an large, we did not let it disrupt our lives too much--I was able to work through much of chemo, but not everyone can--- it is so individual and I wasn't sure I could, I just had to wait and see.  

For what it is worth, I barely remember all of it--- maybe I am just pushing it out of my mind, but it is a distant memory now.  I mention this, because I know right now all your mind is saying is "cancercancercancer"  we all remember this feeling, but I want you to know it does subside and the day will come when you wake up and don't have cancer as your first thought--- 

Be sure to talk to your oncologist about the benefits/drawbacks of chemo for ILC.... there are some who do not think it is as effective on ilc and that the hormonal therapies are the best weapon (my onc is one of them, but my oncotype came back in the gray range, so I decided to have chemo).

Please keep us posted on your progress.  This too shall pass.

hi Genny, wanted to say hello, as I just now saw this thread. Your profile pic is great -- what a pretty woman you are!  :-)

You've gotten great advice, and you may not even need chemo depending on your OncoType score.  I think I can speak for many of us in that the worst part of the journey is when the plan is unknown. Sounds like you have a great outlook, and I'm glad you're on a nice relaxing vacation with your husband (who sounds like a dear). 

Re dimpling ... Last October, nearly one year post-Dx, I noticed a small dent/dimple on the underside of my unaffected (right) breast, also while blow drying my hair. My BS was able to see me right away. She didn't feel anything on a manual exam but to be sure ordered a mammo, u/s and MRI (it was almost time for my annual screening anyway).  Everything checked out all clear, nothing was detected on any of the scans ... Of course I'm very glad for this but have a very tiny bit of wondering if it's really "nothing."  My ILC tumor (on my left breast)  was something I felt myself, was faintly visible on mammo and u/s, and loud and clear on MRI, so I don't really have any reason not to believe it. My BS is also one of the best in the Boston area, so I think I'm in good hands. Still a little scary ... No one accused me of being Chicken Little when I detected this dimple spot, but I guess in this case it really is just a little patch of cellulite. Has anyone had a dimple that turned out to be nothing?

Genny -

Glad you're having a good time!  Hopefully your doctor will get back with you soon. 

For clarification, typically the Oncotype isn't done until after lumpectomy or surgery.  It can take a couple of weeks to get the results.  The oncotype is in addition to the pathology report (which you should see first).  The doctors really can't stage you until after surgery or lumpectomy, but you are correct that lymph node involvement takes you out of the stage 1 arena.  I usually hear of radiation for lymph node involvement, chemo is possible.  Right now, until all tests and pathology reports are in, its a waiting game.  According to my oncologist, even at a Stage 1, he would recommend chemo if the oncotype is medium or high.  This test was the deciding factor on whether I had to do chemo or not.  Good luck!

Genny -

I am so glad you've had a great vacation!  It has given you the opportunity to rest, both physically and mentally, and prepare for the battle ahead.  You will do fine.  From what I've read, it seems you have a great medical team and wonderful support team at home.  That is sooo important!  I'm sure you're ready to get the show on the road so you can "move on with your life".  Hang tuff!

Lemon -

I am happy that you've decided on a BMX and immediate reconstruction.  I had a BMX and reconstruction.  I don't regret my decision at all.  I didn't want to worry every time I turned around that ILC (or worse) would show up in the other breast.  I have the new girls and couldn't be happier.  Best of luck!

Genny, 

Boy I would not expect that either. Sorry, sounds uncomfortale. Being diagnosed, surgery, going through chemo is a flipping  nightmare. It is the time of our life to crawl into ourself, become self centered & take it one day at a time. My suffer in silence crashed at the 6 month point. I then, asked for anxiety meds. Ok, I am slow...Setting the "positive example" for my adult kids was my goal. I think it was a coping mechanism. 

Rant, whine, that is what the website is for. You will get to know the ladies going through chemo at the same time. My life Iine through this has been the Insomniac thread. Check it out and read some of the post. These ladies are comedians with huge hearts. It is a very active thread, that moves quickly. One of the gals that posts almost daily is on her first chemo treatment. 

Interesting how many lobular gals had it "near" or "at" the chest wall.

My breast surgeon said mine was near the chest wall, but claimed he got a clean margin.  Time will tell.

Best to you Genny.  I must say how much I enjoy reading your posts. You sound like such a happy and optimistic woman.

What is your job?  Glad  you could find someone to fill in for you.

Stay steady; hills and valleys all along this journey.

Best to you.

Genny,  That is GREAT news!  I was really worried the chest wall meant mets.  What you will be going through is tough, but not as tough as mets.  Wow, I'm just so happy for you.

I think I'm doing pretty well.  I'm not in pain and the side effect from the Afinitor/Aromasin combo are really minimal now.  I'll have my first scan after mets dx in a few weeks, so I'm worried.

Hi Genny, we have the same dx.  I tried to rejoice in the grade 1 report and the fact that the size was less than what it could have been. Weird approach, I know, but I also celebrated any side effect I could see (celebrated is perhaps a loosely used term, but I did try to see it this way) from chemo as the proof that the meds were getting EVERYWHERE, zapping any cell that might have decided to take a trip somewhere inside me.  You'll feel yucky at times from chemo, but mostly I could take joy in life and wasn't laid up in bed ever.  I lost some weight. I hated some smells. I was tired at times. No hair. But my hair grew back, the weight loss was welcome, my sense of smell corrected itself, I'm getting ready right now to go for a 6 mile 2900 feet elevation up and back hike, and I'm here.

Hugs