Apparently Life wanted me here...

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snowmagick
snowmagick Member Posts: 12
edited December 2015 in Just Diagnosed

Hello, my name is Karen, but EVERYONE calls me Snowy.

I found a lump at the end of October because I started getting "bee sting" pains in my left breast. It hurt in a weird and annoying way. So, I did a quick self exam and there it was.

Went to the ob-gyn and when she felt it she got me in the next day to have a mammo and ultrasound. A few days later I got the news... BI-RADS 5.

Saw a surgeon who did a core needle biopsy in his office a few days later. The biopsy took TWO WEEKS to come back. (ugh!) The results were too inconclusive (ADH - Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia), so the surgeon sent me for an Ultrasound Guided Biopsy. Those results took another week and a half to finally find out that I was ER positive, PR positive, HER2 negative. I have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.

So... yay... (not). Saw the surgeon again yesterday and was told that my options are either Lumpectomy with 6 weeks of radiation at 5 days per week... -or- Mastectomy. Either option could still involve chemo down the line. Double yay...

I see the Radiology Oncologist on Jan 4th (our insurance doesn't kick in until Jan 1st) So... I don't have a surgery date set yet.

In all honesty, this is the most difficult thing I've ever had to face... but I'm determined to not let it beat me.

If you're wondering about my avatar, that's Elby. I took a picture of the lump off the ultrasound and whipped out my PaintShop program. (I love graphic art). I had named my lump "Little Bastard" and shortened that to "LB", which phonetically sounds like "Elby" and gave it the name "Elby Ghuestunvelkom". He's definitely an UNWELCOME GUEST in my chest LOL!

I've got a fantastic support system in my husband and friends and family.

Best wishes to all of you and I look forward to sharing stories.

~Snowy

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Comments

  • Englishmummy
    Englishmummy Member Posts: 337
    edited December 2015

    Hi Snowy,

    Sucks that you are here but I know you will draw tons of inspiration, guidance and strength from all the wonderful people here. The beginning is the worst - once you have a plan in place you will 'see' things more clearly. I am 6 mths out and it soooo different from those first weeks. You have a great support system and you CAN do this.

    Hang tight. Stay strong. Hugs, Laura x

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited December 2015

    I agree with English mum. The first weeks are the worst when you don't know the final plan. Once you get the plan in place you will probably be so relieved. So for now, stay off Dr Google. There is a lot of misinformation on the web. But there is good information here.

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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited December 2015

    I like the lump name! People name everything but this is sure better than just referring to "the lump" Way to go and attack that sucker.Best of luck to you.

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  • BethL
    BethL Member Posts: 286
    edited December 2015

    Karen-Sorry you're having to go through this, but you've found a place of support and understanding. Elby? I love it, but let's evict Elby asap. A friend of mine had a brain tumor she named Fred. Maybe Elby can go live with Fred. Then again....screw them, they deserve to be alone.

    This is one of the hardest times. Waiting, and not knowing what treatment or surgery will be is extremely difficult. It does get better. Knowledge is power. Try not to Google too much but rather refer to more reputable resources like this site and any your provider may give.

    Hugs

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited December 2015

    Very creative avatar Snowy!! I like it.

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  • snowmagick
    snowmagick Member Posts: 12
    edited December 2015

    Thank you, everyone for your kind responses! I'm not sure why, but I didn't get eny email notifications that there were replies... need to figure that out lol! I'll respond individually to each of you momentarily...

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  • snowmagick
    snowmagick Member Posts: 12
    edited December 2015

    BethL you are right. We'll kick Elby to the opposite end of the universe as Fred.

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  • snowmagick
    snowmagick Member Posts: 12
    edited December 2015

    Englishmumm… (Laura) I am so grateful to have found this site. I lurked here for about 5 weeks until I had a firm diagnosis. I'm definitely looking forward to that "six months out" time frame when I hope to have had more control over all of this.

    Marijen, thanks! I do have a strange sense of humor and it can carry over to my artistic side. ;-)

    Karlyrie exactly LOL! I name everything. Even my cats have 2 and 3 names based on their personality or actions at the time. Usually it involves a swear word or two. :D

    mustlovepoo… oh wait, the WORST of it is when you Google things like "mastectomy images". Good lord, what was I THINKING??? *grin*


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  • Englishmummy
    Englishmummy Member Posts: 337
    edited December 2015

    I lurked too, I love it here since I chose not to tell many people in my circle...outside my immediate family only 4 people know. BC.org is my safe haven.

    No,no, no - never google mastectomy images.....for the record I actually love my new boobs! Just be sure to get a good breast surgeon (mine was a woman not sure if that really matters except she relayed certain thoughts as they applied to her, as a woman). Discuss the incisions and scarring -same thing with the PS. Everyone on the same page, so important. My surgeon did a very fine incision, granted my mastectomies were nipple sparing so it is in the infra-mammary line but we discussed the alternatives just incase. She was very clear that she would make minimal scaring either way.You are your very best advocate, tell them what's important to you. My PS asked me lots of questions along those lines. He told me post mastectomy can be a very dark place but being open about expectations and concerns can alleviate some of those thoughts. As of now, he seems to be correct.Good Luck!

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