Surgery Tuesday, 12/13

navy1305 · December 2016

Hello everyone,

This is my first post. I started my journey about a month ago when I went to my primary care physician with some clear nipple discharge that is intermittently bloody. Sometimes it is spontaneous, other times it must be expressed. She sent me for a mammogram.

The mammogram showed some calcifications in my right breast, BI-RADS 4B. I had a core biopsy and galactogram done. The biopsy showed DCIS. Since the galactogram apparently didn't show anything, the surgeon sent me for an MRI. The MRI showed the cancer is more widespread than originally thought. Also, there are two areas of concern in the left breast, BI-RADS 4B.

The surgeon sent me for an ultrasound to see if they could see the left side stuff and do a biopsy of it, but the lesions did not show on ultrasound, only MRI.

I am going for surgery on Tuesday of next week, 12/13, for a right side mastectomy. We will do an MRI-guided biopsy of the left side once I heal up from this surgery.

Thanks for listening.

tlgio17 · December 2016

Hi Navy1305,

Sorry that you have also found yourself on this journey. This site is an awesome place for support and chatting w others who know exactly what you are going thru.

I have found comfort chatting w other fighters on here bouncing my thoughts and questions out there.

I just had a right masectomy this week and am home healing up. Let me know if you have any questions about it and I will be happy to share anything I can.

Stay strong and hang in there! Will be thinking of you on the 13th.

Traci

Moderators · December 2016

We too are sorry you have found yourself here. We're all here for you, and will be thinking of you!

MinusTwo · December 2016

navy - if you can get the left biopsy done before surgery, it might make more sense to have a bilateral mastectomy and get it all done at once. Nobody wants too surgeries if possible.

or navy - have them do the biopsy while you're in surgery so they can address it immediately.

exercise_guru · December 2016

Navy

I had DBL breast Cancer. The Right side was "suspicous" they wanted to follow up in 6 months. I said heck no you are checking it now!. So they did a biopsy on the RT side and it showed DCIS. This gave me the information to decide on a DBL mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. But it also allowed me to have Sentinal node biopsies on both sides and a DBLMX. this proved to be a good choice as the DCIS showed up as IDC once they sent it to pathology.

I would strongly recomend postponing the mastectomy and getting a biopsy. You have for more options before surgery in meeting with Plastic surgeon and also. Read a bit on hear about conversations with your surgeons on what you want your breasts to look like after a mastectomy. Don't feel rushed it is worth it to have all the information.

I was so emotionally exhausted it would have wiped me out to have to go back and have a second mastectomy on the other side. It was enough to have to do it once.

Best Wishes Stay Strong

Michelle_in_cornland · December 2016

First of all, don't let the lingo scare you. Bi-Rads 4 is a radiology category that means an area is suspicious. We all have had suspicious areas. I would insist on a biopsy of whatever they are going to remove, so you can make a better decision. You have a regional spread of abnormal cells, not widespread outside of the breast. Take a deep breath, and have candid conversations with your breast surgeons. Our first reaction is, "get that thing out of me.....take everything.." until we realize that we have choices. There is a type of surgery called Oncoplastic surgery that takes the suspicious tissue plus an area of margin. That is what I had and my breasts look nearly identical. I totally freaked out when I was diagnosed and hid at my sister's house for 2 weeks, shaking and crying. Finally, I pulled myself together and took control of my situation. You are an important part of the decision making process of what happens to your body. Know your options.

navy1305 · December 2016

Hi everyone,

I survived my surgery and am at home now. I have some soreness, like someone punched me, but no real pain. Going for the MRI-guided biopsy next Weds., the 21st. Waiting on the pathology report to see what was in the removed breast.

Meow13 · December 2016

navy, home already. That is good, wish you some good news soon.

Lcaruana · December 2016

i am so sorry for your diagnosis. This is all so scary. A support group and prayer helps.

I hate to intrude on your post but not sure how to post my concerns. In 2015 I had a diagnosis of cancer in my right breast. I had chemo for several months and became so weak and sick my oncologist stopped treatment and sent me to breast surgeon for surgery. I had a lumpectomy and two lymph nodes removed. A month after surgery I developed blood clots in both lungs and one leg. Was put on Xarelto at that time. After a month I returned to finish chemo and then had radiation. In December 2015 I finished my treatments. 2016 has been a mostly upbeat year, getting stronger and feeling like myself again, except therapy for edema in breast. I have had two clear mammograms and blood counts up. Two weeks ago I had bloodwork done. And received notice that my tumor markers were elevated. Sent for a PET scan. Met with oncologist yesterday and thankfully no spread of cancer. But I do have a lesion on my breast. The oncologist recommends a mastectomy at this time. I meet with surgeon next week. I am so worried. I am 68 years old and not really upset about losing breast, I am worried about having surgery and being on blood thinners. I know they will have me stop blood thinner before surgery, but having blood clots in my lungs was so uneexpected after first surgery and I am having a hard time coping with this fear and so manyother fears.

Surgery Tuesday, 12/13

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