Three years out after ILC, now two calcifications

KimbytheSea
KimbytheSea Member Posts: 84

I had ILC HER2NEU positive (yes, positive) almost three years ago.

My regular mammo today showed two calcifications in the right breast..the other breast...They have been there since 2010, but the radiologist was concerned that we'd never looked at them more closely.

I have dense breasts so they want to do either an MRI or an ultrasound to get a closer look..

I'm terrified. I don't want to go through this again. Has anybody had something like this happen? I'm so scared it's back. After all, it's lobular cancer. Sneaky cancer.

I have a new job. I don't want to do this again. I don't want this to go badly..again.

Comments

  • Annette_U
    Annette_U Member Posts: 111
    edited May 2015

    Chin up!!! You have done this before and faired very well, It may be nothing… I think you should go for a biopsy. Then, you'll know for sure what it is.


  • KimbytheSea
    KimbytheSea Member Posts: 84
    edited May 2015

    I guess I fooled myself into thinking I'd left it behind. Now with this, I'm scared again.


    I just hate this so much.

  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited May 2015

    Kimby,

    Sorry you are worried about this, I agree with Annette. I would want to "know" quickly. The fact that it was found early the first time, and you had no node involvement, makes this less likely. Let us know...

  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited May 2015

    I am so sorry you have been thrown into the worry aspect all over again.

    At this point, no one has said it is cancer. Docs have to be doubly diligent on anything they find once we have had cancer. I'm sending virtual hand-holding and hope this proves to be just a very careful and diligent doctor.


  • KimbytheSea
    KimbytheSea Member Posts: 84
    edited May 2015

    You ladies have all made me feel better--honestly. You all make sense and it just feels good having somebody out there really understand.

    I'm careful about who I tell because I don't want any drama or piteous, worried looks. I don't need this "awfulized." In fact, I need perspective and you've all offered that.

    I hope my onc gets back to me today. I had trouble sleeping last night.

  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited May 2015

    Kimby,

    Ah, the "look". I got that big time, with my shitty dx. The, you might die soon glare. I also was asked, after chemo was over, so did they get it, are you going to survive. Sheesh, why do people say stuff like that to someone who has been through very aggressive chemo tx. Like I have a clue. I just shrug, time will tell. I want to yell at them, have some common sense, and just say, good to see YA.

  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited May 2015

    Any word?

    hopeful you get good news!

  • KimbytheSea
    KimbytheSea Member Posts: 84
    edited May 2015

    Nothing yet Wallycat. Thanks for asking. I'm seeing my onc on May 21. I'm glad nobody's panicking. That tells me whatever it is, it's not freaking my doctors out.


    I had lunch with another BC survivor today and we were both so sad and kind of piss*d that we have to live with this for the rest of our lives. It's irrational, but we both had to get it out there.

  • geocachelinda
    geocachelinda Member Posts: 223
    edited May 2015

    I'm also three years out, felt lumps in my right armpit, on the opposite side of my cancer. Ultrasound found two atypical lesions. I go to the surgeon Monday to see what the next step is. I am scared too. We can get through this together! I am also a ILC patient!

  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited May 2015

    Kim

    when I was about 2.5 years out I had my regular mammo--and they found "something".... I freaked ---I was at a conference, I called my onc and surgeon and railed over the phone about this--- the "something" was so teeny tiny that when I went in for an excisional biopsy, it took 3 radiologists to locate it. My surgeon kept telling me it was not cancer, but that she had to take it out-- I was no sooner out and back from the twilight drugs when she was standing there telling me she knew it was not cancer--- and she turned out to be right.... but it was gone-- and we knew for sure....

    I hear you on not wanting to do this again, and there is every good chance you won't have to.... I agree with whomever said with us, they are super vigilant-- which is on the one hand very reassuring and on the other absolutely terrifying because we know what it takes. I think the fact that you already went through it with no lymph nodes and had treatment is a good sign---

    I tend to be a worst case scenario girl, then I work my way back from there-- if that is what you have to do, do it and know that you will deal with whatever you are presented with-----

    Good luck

    keep us posted.....

  • KimbytheSea
    KimbytheSea Member Posts: 84
    edited June 2015

    Ladies, I am relieved to report the two spots were benign, but not after "we need a handheld ultrasound" and "the radiologist will be in in a moment to do the handheld herself." I was so afraid I thought I would pass out.

    Then, two stern faces staring at the ultrasound screen. Then, finally, "Nope. Looks OK."

    I appreciate the hypervigilance, but can my heart take this for the rest of my life? Drama every six months to a year.

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