Waiting; 2 sisters with BC
Hi. What a wonderful community. You ladies are heroes. Here's my story; I'm 59, post menopausal with 2 younger sisters with BC. Sister #2 shared her diagnosis IDC stage 2 in November; the only reason she had an MRI was because Sister #1 insisted. I went for a Mammo in October, US and then MRI in late December, BI RADs 4A and had 3 biopsies on 1/22. Sister #3 (younger) has a biopsy on 1/26. This is a nightmare and the waiting is truly draining. I know it could be worse. Thanks for reading. Hugs to all!
Comments
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Hi Leemom. How stressful. I’m unclear, Are you still waiting on your biopsy results, or have you been diagnosed
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Hi, Melissa. Thanks for asking. I am waiting, biopsies were 1/22. Hopefully I'll know by the end of the week. Thanks again
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Your welcome. With a 4a the odds are overwhelmingly in your favor, at a 10% or less estimated chance of being cancer. Hopefully you and #3 are both benign
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Leemom hope your biopsy results are benign. Sorry to hear that your sisters have joined this club but so glad you are being careful with yourself. My sisters and I have all been diagnosed, although one sister had her breast cancer 21 years ago, my other sister and I more recent. There was no discernible genetic indicator, so our risk was determined to be "familial". So much we do not know.
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Just want to welcome you Leemom! Definitely a stressful time. You should hear any day about your biopsy results... hopefully by the end of the week so you don't have another weekend waiting. I think weekend waiting can be the worst. If you or your other sister tests positive it may be a good idea to meet with a genetics counselor to discuss if genetic testing would be warranted or not. Don't know if you have any other family history of breast cancer. I've lost both my parents and three of my four siblings to various cancers. Those cancers were deemed "coincidence" - there was no genetic link despite extended family (mom and dad's sides) having extensive breast cancer (5 aunts) let alone other kinds as well. I wish you all well! Please let us know.....
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Hi, Rah2464 and LivinLife. Thanks so much for sharing. I'm sorry your families have gone through so much. Genetic testing is a great suggestion, thank you. Yup, cancer is in our family, paternal aunt had DCIS 30 years ago, grandmothers had different cancers, paternal grandfather had lung cancer. My parents did not have any cancer. I wish they had spoken more about their family history when we were younger but they didn't. Educating my grown children is very important to me. Keeping me fingers crossed but have a gut feeling I will soon be a member. Peace to all
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Hi Leemom - hoping your results will be benign as the odds strongly favor. Even though I had BC my older sister (10 years older) has never developed it thank goodness
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Thank you, abigailj, for your kind words. I hope you are feeling well. Hugs
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Leemom, just popping in to wish you well. I'll be following this thread to hear your results.
Did I understand that one sister has a confirmed diagnosis, and the other has a biopsy today (1/26)? Yours was on 1/22? If it's any reassurance, I heard back with 2 days both times that it was cancer. So maybe not hearing back yet on yours is good news. It's still worrying, though. We all understand that.
Waiting is hard - I know.
(((hugs))) Carol
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You are so right about many not talking, esp. in the past about medical issues in past generations. I would ditto that for mental health issues which likely are talked about even less. Consider typing up what you know about your father's side and mother's side and passing that onto your children. My youngest sister had a rare neuroendocrine cancer. Her neurosurgeon told her youngest son he and his brothers need genetic testing. I was there or wouldn't be aware of that message. Of course they are young (20's) so have not done it. I decided to do a family list based on all I knew. I passed it onto my younger sister's oldest son - he is the "keeper" of his brothers if you will. I also passed it on to my oldest sister's youngest daughter since she asked some questions. She will have that for her siblings if ever needed (hopefully). My other two sibs didn't have children so no worries there.... It's also a document I pass onto any new providers I see along with a list of all my diagnoses and medications. They've appreciated that and still get things wrong somehow.... : )
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Thank you, LivinLife and Sunshine99 for your kindness and words of wisdom.I am taking your advice and writing our family history down and give a copy to my grown children. Only recently did I realize how prevalent cancer is in our family. In October I had a Brac 1& 2 test which came back negative. The genetic counselor said the test I took can also detect probability of other cancers too. ( If anyone knows more about this, please do share). I received my results yesterday and they came back normal. I cried as the radiologist told me. I will need a follow up Mammo and MRI in 6 months and make decisions on how to manage my risk status. My stepdaughter died of an overdose 6 months ago and we are raising her 3 year old daughter. We are her only family and she is our top priority; I want to be a mommy to her for many years. It hurt telling my 2 sisters my results knowing they are fighting daily. My other sister had her biopsy and is waiting on her results. All of you in this community are warriors. I am in awe of your courage and strength. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I will continue to be active here to keep myself informed and cheer you on. ((HUGS)
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So glad you got good results! Please check back in after your 6 month follow up, OK? Also on the genetic testing.... my results came back normal though not normal for a variant of one gene. There is often not enough info on variants to know whether or not they are concerning or how concerning they are. In my case it puts me at higher risk for colon cancer - that runs in my family so was already on the radar - I've also already had a precancerous polyp and am on the early callback list....
Your gift of good news recently will enable you to be there for your sister(s) in whatever way you are able to be.... let that be a bigger focus than your guilt.... You will appreciate that at some point down the road too.... Soooooo sorry to hear about your step daughter!!! Sooooo awesome you are able to care for your granddaughter!!! She will need the family and stability you and your family can offer her as she gets older and starts understanding more about the loss of her mom.... so sad....
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Leemom so happy you received benign results!
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Leemom, so happy to hear about your good results! Thanks fo letting us know.Abigail
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Thank you all so much. I am relieved but sad for my sisters and all of you fighting this dragon. There are many people who are healthy and do not appreciate what they have. You strong, brave women live in the present and appreciate the daily gifts of life because time is precious to you. I admire you so much. Blessings and love to all
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